Alan & Shan // Love

I don't even know where to start with this one today. I'm so in love with these photos that I barely have words. I hope it's no secret that my favorite thing about a photograph is the emotion it portrays. Time and time again it's the sole thing that keeps me motivated in this career. 

I'm so thankful that Alan & Shannon offered me a window into their love, giving us the opportunity to make these images together. I definitely cried a tiny bit during the session & multiple times while editing it. Partly because I'm a big baby, but mostly because I am just so moved by intimacy & connection. I believe it's among the most sacred & beautiful elements of human experience.

I hope these images encapsulate a specific time & place of love, discovery & growth in Alan & Shan's relationship -visual reminders of the life they are building together. 

These are some of my favorite photos I've taken for so many reasons. Enjoy.

Brian & Kami // Elopement

Oh man, elopements are my favorite. They are so intimate & intentional & I always end up crying my eyes out during the vow exchange. It certainly was no exception with Kami & Brian. Last month, these two & myself ventured to a state park near the coast- it was the perfect blend of Florida greens & white sand. I was honored to witness their union & loved getting to spend so much time with them on this incredible day. 

Brian & Kami- congrats on the start of your new life together! May it be blessed immensely!

Patrick & Sarah // Engagement

Last month I was out in California attending a photography conference ( it was incredible, by the way). After the conference, a few fellow photographers & I took a mini road trip to explore & have some fun shooting in new locations. Along the way we had the opportunity to collaborate on an engagement session in Malibu & it was amazing! Patrick & Sarah are the sweetest couple. They were so playful with one another & their love was making me squeal with excitement. Even as I was editing this session, I don't think a smile left my face once. 

Major props to Patrick & Sarah who totally went along with having 3 crazy photographers at their session. It was so much fun! 

Below is a selection of my favorite images from my camera that day! 

Abby & Margot // Mom & Daughter

Get ready for some cuteness overload because Abby & Margot are next level. You might remember Abby from her maternity session in Orlando around this time last year OR her epic powder-filled gender reveal party. Well now, baby Margot has arrived & has been slaying hearts every minute of her 7 month existence. 

I was so happy when Abby asked me to capture some Mother/Daughter photos of her & Margot in their Southern California home. I love when clients want photos "just because". It's not a birthday or an event or a milestone- it's just simply life & relationship. And in my book, that is certainly something to celebrate! 

Abby & Margot have such a sweet & playful relationship. I kind of feel like they are always joking around with each other. Even being so young, Margot has a TON of personality. We had fun making these images & Margot kept us squealing from her cuteness. She hammed it up for as long as her little body could handle, then passed out in Abby's arms & slept for hours, which, of course, was also adorable. 

Enjoy!

Zach & Lauren // Engagement

Birmingham is one of my all time favorite cities & every time I have an opportunity to visit, I most certainly jump at the chance. So when Lauren asked me to come shoot her & Zach's engagement session in the city where they met, I could barely contain my excitement! 

It was such a fun day shooting in various spots around the city that hold meaning to Lauren & Zach.  Below are a few images from the last portion of our day spent in Lauren's amazing loft & running around downtown at dusk. 

Zach & Lauren- thanks for bringing me to your city & letting me run around with you all day. Ya'll are amazing, I'm so glad we are now friends & I am so excited for your wedding this October!!!

Kevin & Hilary // Wedding

Today I'm happy to share Kevin & Hilary's Florida winter wedding! The theme for their day was "tradition" & it was so evident that each & every detail was intentionally thought through. From individual letters written to their guests, to carried family heirlooms, they made sure there was significance in every step.

Hilary even took the time to sneakily figure out all their friends & families "first dance" songs & surprised everyone with a montage of the songs so each couple could relive a special moment during the reception. It was so sweet!

Kevin & Hilary- we had such a blast spending the day with you & dancing into the night together. Thank you so so much for letting us be a part of your beautiful celebration! 

Jordan & Lindsey // Engagement

Today I have for you some images from Lindsey & Jordan's engagement session. These two are so lovely & sweet with one another & I can't wait for their Winter Park wedding this summer!

Aaron & Laura Leigh // Wedding

I'm so excited to share this insanely beautiful Southern wedding with you today! Laura Leigh & Aaron wed back in mid-November on a perfectly overcast day in Mobile, Alabama. I lived in Alabama for 5 years during my college days, but never made it down to Mobile- I'm certainly glad this wedding gave me the opportunity! I was so charmed by the town- it's quaint streets, local bars, & incredibly kind people. We sure got a dose of true Southern hospitality when we arrived at our Airbnb after driving 9 long hours & couldn't get inside. Our next door neighbor noticed our dilemma & without hesitation welcomed us into his & his wifes' home to change & freshen up for the rehearsal dinner! The hospitality was unreal! 

Back to Aaron & Laura.... there is SO much to say about these two. They have a "made for movies" story on how they met on an airplane & continued that thread of romanticism throughout their relationship with surprise flights across the world to profess love, etc. I mean, you can't make this stuff up, people. Well you can, but I'm not. :) Being avid romantics, these two do love in a grand way & their wedding certainly reflected that. From start to finish, everything was beautiful, every little detail planned out! I could keep talking, but I'm gonna let the large (probably too large) quantity of images below do the storytelling.

 Last thing I'll say is if you're wondering why it appears Aaron & Laura are hanging out the broken window of their get-a-way limo, it's because they totally are. In one of the strangest, funniest turn of events, they somehow managed to release the emergency exit latch on the window & as they pressed their faces to the glass to wave goodbye, the entire window fell to the ground & shattered. And I mean the entire window of a stretch Hummer limo. It was quite the sight, but everyone took it in stride & it made for one heck of an exit! 

PS. Shout out to Jeannie Albers for being a mega bomb second shooter! 

Tyler & Mary // Wedding

I know the holidays are well under way, but I wanted to sneak in one more blog post before all the Thanksgiving festivities start! Today I'm sharing some highlights from Tyler & Mary's October wedding in Port Orange, Florida. This was such a fun one to be apart of because Tyler & Mary are so chill & relaxed. Mary has a great sarcastic sense of humor & the most beautiful fiery hair! Tyler was so sweet & it was completely evident how excited he was to marry his lady. 

Hope you enjoy these snippets from the day- oh and you know I had to throw in some dancing photos for good measure because Mary & her family are big time dancers! They loved to party! ;)

Eric & Mackenzie // Elopement

This fall I've gotten extremely lucky with some amazing small wedding/elopement clients. Just a few weeks ago I shared one of my all time favorites, Matt & Ash's Lookout Mountain elopement, and today, I've got another incredible one for you! 

Eric & Mackenzie wed in Fontana Dam, North Carolina in the most spectacular mountain home owned by Mackenzie's parents. It's totally different than your typical mountain lodge, but it's completely amazing & 100% my dream. Everything about the weekend was so cool. The 15 or so guests took over a neighboring motel & the beautiful home was the hub for all the fun festivities. Every detail was of impeccable style, not to mention the food was legitimately out of this world. All meals for the weekend were catered by Orlando based company, D'Lish Catering Co., and it was all next level- each meal even better than the last! 

It was a sweet, intimate weekend of celebration & gathering of friends. Eric & Mackenzie's families were so kind & warmly welcomed me into every activity. After 3 days, several shared meals, & wedding festivities, I left on Sunday feeling like part of the family. It really is so special & unique to be a part of a celebration where you have the opportunity to spend so much time with a couple & know all their wedding guests by name. Have I mentioned just how much I love small weddings/elopements?! 

Eric, Mackenzie, & their daughter make for a seriously attractive crew & they were so kind, relaxed, & go with the flow. Even when the schedule ran late & we found ourselves shooting their portraits after the sun set, they fully embraced it which made for some super cool moody images! Plus their crazy good style was just an extra bonus.  All in all, everything was delightful!  Thanks so much for having me as part of your weekend, you two! :)