It started simply enough… Clarissa and Jon found us online after googling for their wedding venue which happens to be one of our favorite wedding venues in all of Florida, Bella Collina. When she first emailed us she told us of her love for romance and warmth in images and as we talked about her engagement session I had a vision in my mind of a softness created by time. Time together. Time in love. Time on Earth. The same softness that you feel in an old tshirt that has been washed 100 times. The same softness of soul you feel around a childhood friend. The same softness to an image you find of your parents as teenagers…

The Universe was conspiring on our behalf because I already had a location in mind for their session when Clarissa emailed me an idea that Jon had to shoot near an old mansion turned hotel turned private housing with a history dating back to 1876. After double checking, I realized that it was the same area of Winter Park that I had in mind and a huge smile crossed my face- it was meant to be. When we met with them we were racing the clock and the storm clouds building in the distance but these two were naturals and allowed us to see the tender warmth they have in their hearts for each other. I’m absolutely in love with their photos which show two different sides of their relationship: the cheerful little family, and the romantic nearlyweds. I hope you enjoy Clarissa and Jon (and their pups)…

We met up with Melissa and Brian in St. Augustine for a few beers and a few photos. More photos than beers…I promise. I don’t even like beer. Except Cider. But I’m told (by beer snobs, I’m looking at you Griffin!) that Cider doesn’t count as beer. I digress… We met up with them on a steamy Florida afternoon for photos around the downtown area. Missy wanted a few dark and romantic shots inside Stogies, a little cigar and jazz spot off the main strip so we took a break from the heat and let Missy and Brian snuggle in the dark for a bit.

Missy and Brian came to us via our friend, Kylene. Kylene is a photographer herself and a close friend of Missy. So close in fact that Missy wanted her to be a part of the wedding instead of working at it. And Kylene was nice enough to put Missy in contact with yours truly. I’d like to believe it is destiny. Or some serious match making skills on Kylene’s behalf because just a few minutes after meeting Missy and Brian we knew that we were a match made in heaven. Missy and Brian are absolutely adorable together and we cannot wait to shoot their wedding just days before we leave for our own. (October shall hence force be known as the MONTH OF JUBILATION!)

The first shot of the day. They’re naturals…

This spot couldn’t have been styled better if I’d tried…

It means “the creek” for you curious souls out there. ;)

I ADORE freckles!

People ask why our clients wear sunglasses in our shoots. It’s because that’s some blazing 99 degree sunshine right there. ;)

GORGEOUS!

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I’m so excited to share this engagement with you because I was so excited to shoot it. I love when couples are up for anything and since Krista and Wes won our wedding giveaway with an image of them in front of an airplane and a story about how much Wes likes them, we thought it would be fun to give their session an aviation concept. I had stumbled upon an amazing location while out riding my bike a few months ago and was storing it away waiting for the perfect couple. When Krista and Wes told me of their attachment to airplanes I knew this would be perfect. They are effortless together with a pure and real life love that shows when they look into each other’s eyes. They are getting married in August, let the countdown begin…

Paper airplanes by yours truly. My talents know no bounds… ;)

FAVORITE

I mean really, they’re ridiculously good looking…

Krista got these gorgeous initials at the Paris Market (one of my favorite stores in the world) in Savannah, Georgia

♥

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Sometimes your soul mate isn’t necessarily your countryman. At least that was the case for Robin and Jessica. Robin, a native to the United States met Jessica, a girl from Finland and it was true love. Not only is Jessica gorgeous, with a smile that lights up her entire face, but she’s also fluent in multiple languages and has the faintest, most endearing accent we may have ever heard. Robin had no chance at all of not falling completely in love with her. They’re the real deal. They have a silent bond so strong you can feel it instantly when they smile at each other. We can’t wait to shoot their wedding this weekend!

The harvest is in the late summer so the bushels were beginning to fill out. This reminds me of my summer in Salerno…

Lovely, green, leafy, grapevine bokeh…

LOVE it!

Those eyes! Robin didn’t stand a chance! ;)

Love this one too!

GORGEOUS

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-Robert Frost

Last night I went out with some of my ladies to see the midnight showing of Twilight Eclipse. While I’m not a superfan (Although I do favor Edward, What can I say? I like the broodiness.) I have read the books and I love seeing them translated onto the screen. And, in honor of the beloved saga that has captured so many of our hearts with it’s icy cold immortal grip, I thought I’d bring back this session I shot last year inspired by the gothic lure of the novels and vampires in general (to which I may have a slight obsession).