I could easily get carried away, so let me simply say, this wedding was truly special. After a very rainy year in this region of the country, the clouds parted for a sunny and beautiful day for Callyn and Brian's wedding on Lake Keowee in South Carolina. I don't think I've said it in awhile, but I love simple backyard weddings... Callyn and Brian's slogan for their wedding was of course - "Simple, Easy, Happy", and that's just what their day was. So many of their family and friends helped set up, and Callyn and her amazing mom were in charge of the awesome hand crafted details. I slept in the cabin literally next door, and got the guest treatment the entire wedding weekend. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to capture their amazing wedding.
Emily + Kyle :: Picnic Engagement Session
This may look more like an editorial shoot than an engagement session, but truth be told, this is a regular occurrence for Emily and Kyle! They try plan a sunset picnic at the beach at least once a month, and they love being outdoors, and soaking in the Florida sun... And we could not have had a better summer afternoon for them to do so! They almost brought a retro convertible as well, but I honestly can't imagine this session getting any better! I was already on a high after getting the film back from Emily and Kyle's shoot yesterday, but last night I was blown away by my first visit to their wedding venue. Last night, NK Productions held their 7th anniversary party at the Bay Preserve at Osprey. The owner Nicole introduced me to the rest of her amazing team at NK Productions, as well as many of the vendors that will be collaborating for Emily and Kyle's amazing wedding. I can't wait!
Just a side note, not only is their venue absolutely gorgeous, but it is first and foremost the Conservation Foundation on the Gulf Coast - Protecting our bays, beaches, and barrier islands.
Studio Manager :: Renee
Meet Renee, my new and absolutely amazing studio manager. She was looking for new head shots for the promotion of her album, as well as for a poster for an upcoming show... And I'll take any excuse to pick up my Contax when I have a great location, gorgeous light, and a beautiful subject! I can't get enough of the creamy and beautiful color images, but I have always and will always love a grainy black and white film. Not only is Renee an incredibly talented musician, but she can also handle just about any crazy task I can throw at her. She will undoubtedly be a huge asset as I set my sights on 2014 and beyond. I'm so grateful to have her on my team.
Dan + Vicki :: Powel Crosley Estate Wedding
I'm often asked if it's nerve racking to photograph another photographer's wedding... But the truth is, I find it energizing. In this case, both the bride and the groom are photographers and they could not have made my job any easier! Maybe all their experience shooting seriously inspired them, because I loved their design and detail choices! Of course you can never go wrong at the Powel Crosley Estate, but the florals, cakes, and vintage furniture truly added to their day. It was an absolute honor working with Dan and Vicki, I wish you both nothing but the best!
Featured today on Style Me Pretty's main page!
Little Black Book Photographer
In the wedding blog world, Style Me Pretty is the undisputed leader. I've been very fortunate to be featured regularly on their local blog, and on occasion on their very prestigious main page. As a result, I can thank Style Me Pretty for quite a few amazing new clients. So it's an absolute honor to be one of the exclusive few to be featured as a Little Black Book member.
Coral Sands Resort :: Harbour Island, Bahamas
After one of the most incredible experiences of my career last summer, I will always love the Bahamas. However, in the hustle of this summer, I hardly had a chance to think about the fact that I would shooting a wedding with my good friend Jason Mize on Harbour Island. (Coincidentally, I currently live on Harbour Island in Tampa). Beautiful pastel colors everywhere, amazing local people and seafood, and a slower pace of life. And it is home to one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. The color and texture of the sand, and the water color and temperature were right out of a dream. The couple and their families were so amazing and planned one of the most amazing wedding weekends. I absolutely loved every minute at the Coral Sands Resort. Thank you Jason Mize for the opportunity to shoot this one with you. I won't be posting any more pictures from this trip, but if you want to see a preview of the events, follow me on Instagram!
Blue Ribbon Photographer
If you follow wedding trends and blogs, you know that there are few publications with as much my style, class, and consistency as Southern Weddings. Each November for the past 5 years, they have continued to set the par for print magazines. In taking the magazine and blog to the next level, the editor in chief Lara Casey has not only filled the pages of the magazines with amazingly original details, but also always reminds brides what a wedding and marriage is truly about. For this and so many reasons, Lara has inspired me in life and business in 2013, and to make things happen in 2014. That's an entirely different blog post. Let me simply say, I'm honored to be one of the few chosen as one of their Blue Ribbon Vendors. Please click the link, because it is also one of the most beautiful profiles! 
Lexia + Dustin :: Oregon
Photographing a film photographer on film was quite the honor. Not just any photographer either, the crazy talented Lexia Frank and her really awesome husband. Portland and the Pacific Northwest had certainly been calling my name, and the chance to hang out with and photograph this happily married couple was icing on the cake. After crazy traffic, we explored a few of my favorite quintessential Columbia River Gorge locations that just can't be found any where else; Except maybe New Zealand or Iceland. Fortune favors the bold... Lexia and Dustin were looking for a change and a new city... Chose Portland, and have been really happy and haven't looked back. After our amazing shoot, we intended to head straight to an awesome brewery, but ended up detouring an hour and a half to bring stranded hikers back to their car. Needless to say, our shoot had no shortage of adventure.
Redwood National Park
On my second morning, on the way to Hidden Beach, traffic slowed on the main highway through Redwood National Park, and the fog that had eluded me finally materialized. I pulled over and was instantly drawn down in to the damp woods beside the pull off. There was no path, but I was instantly drawn to a hauntingly beautiful composition of alders, moss, and redwoods. There is something so wonderful and primal about being among the tallest trees in the world. Old growth forests with many trees exceeding 1000 - 2000 years old. A place where ferns are easily taller than you, and where you get the chilling feeling that either an Ewok or a dinosaur are watching you. If you've never had the impulse to literally hug a tree, you might among the Redwoods. Only to find that your outstretched arms don't even cover 1/10th of the circumference. The inside of some of these stumps are larger than some New York City apartments. Let's just say, it was a difficult transition coming back to Florida... And it had nothing to do with jet lag or the redeye flight.
"In the silence of the woods, you will not be alone" - Chief Seattle
