While in Jacksonville earlier this month, I met up with Heather and her boyfriend Jerry. I photographed them about 2 years ago and since then have become good friends with Heather. We are very much alike with our love for pretty vintage things, photography, nature and compassionate eating.

Heather- I am so happy that I was able to see you during my trip, if only for a couple of hours. Next time we will spend longer together. I am so happy you’re in my life. MWAH.

It was great seeing you again, Ashlee. Sending healthy vibes to you and little Lily and hoping you have a smooth delivery. Hugs!

In May I photographed this couple’s intimate wedding in Key West, Florida. Which, by the way, is vegan paradise- fresh citrus, pineapple, coconut and vegan cafes all over! I was so thrilled to be the sole witness (aside from the officiant) of their special day and even more thrilled that Sara and Junior allowed me AS MUCH time to photograph them around the island as I wanted. I even had a hand in picking the time of the ceremony based on when the light would be best. How is that for a wonderful bride?

The evening before the ceremony we headed out to chase the sun from one side of the island to the other for some amazing bridal/couple shots.

I love that Sara and Junior made the educated decision to purchase a conflict-free diamond ring. (from Brilliant Earth)

Drive around Key West until you find a beautiful spot. Park the car (likely illegally). Snap some shots. Jump back in. Repeat.

Sara wasn’t afraid to sit on the concrete, roll in grass or jump in the ocean in her wedding dress. I SO appreciate that.

Stay tuned for the actual wedding day!

From the moment I learned Jodi was pregnant I was plotting a way to be able to shoot her maternity pictures– and then I learned of Jenna’s wedding in October. Perfect. I was able to to knock out my brother’s senior pictures (coming soon), attend (and sneak in a few shots at) Jenna’s wedding AND do Jodi’s maternity session.

Jodi’s belly was just blossoming and the leaves were just turning. I couldn’t have asked for a better setting to photograph a more in love couple.

I’m pretty sure we were illegally trespassing on private property for the next 5 pictures with the yellow leaves. So worth it.

And then more trespassing at a pumpkin patch that we found while hiking to shoot with the red-leafed trees you’ll see further down. Jodi and Cory just ooze love and happiness AND they’re naturals in front of the camera. Not that I can really pick favorites- but I do really love these two.

The interaction and smiles in the next two really get me as well

A beautiful, glowing, happy mommy-to-be. Sweet or what?

I’d say “beautiful” again, but I don’t want to be repetitive.. so I’ll say “gorgeous”.

These two make me giggle. I hope they make you giggle too. Cory got plenty of practice catching- lets hope he gets to “catch” the real thing VERY soon.

Again, not that I can pick favorites..but I do love this one an awful lot as well.

Note to Lilah: Please be kind to your mommy and I-and don’t arrive too late. You already have your first photo shoot scheduled and it just won’t be acceptable for you to miss it. Thanks.

We started in my (now old) neighborhood at a REALLY old apartment complex.

And then stepped across the street to my FAVORITE park. Ever. Ever ever. Heather’s expression in this one make me so happy.. I can relate to having felt that way before.

Oh! I heart the colors in these two. all the green and then the pop of purple from Heather’s dress. For the longest time I though Florida was the ugliest place in the world for taking pictures because of the palm trees. Palm trees (unless on a fancy schmancy resort) are really quite shaggy things with browning fronds-that give me a really bad taste in my mouth. But then I discovered how beautifully spanish moss photographs–and it makes me happy.

And then there’s the majestic Southern live oak trees… almost forgot about those. This specific tree is estimated to be around 250 years old– and may be the single oldest living thing in Jacksonville, predating the founding of the city by Isaiah Hart during the 1820s (how do you like that history lesson?). That left image is hanging large and in charge in their home.

Though this one, personally, is my favorite. The octopus-like branches of the Quercus virginiana make me swoon.

Beautiful. Heather sporting my vintage headpiece–scored at an antique store in Yoder, Kansas. The shallow DOF with the trees just brings me to my knees.

I absolutely LOVE when clients (I mean new friends..) come to me with ideas to make their sessions unique. Heather and I share a love of all things old and I was MORE THAN happy to help incorporate some of her favorite pieces into the shoot. When scouting out this location the week before, the grass was long and flowing. We arrived to it having been cut short. We made it work.

Heather, you rock. That is all.

A picnic with romantic pictures, anyone?

LOVE!

Or how about a picnic with a record player streaming love ballads? Note to self- find boyfriend who won’t think I am crazy for wanting to have a picnic in the woods while wearing my prettiest dress.

Heather and I spent way too much time and energy trying to find tan suspenders. It was worth it.

Saving more of my favorites for last. These are the last images from our shoot.

Can’t you feel the love? I can.

It warms my heart. Thank you for sharing your evening with me, Heather and Jerry, and letting me witness your beautiful relationship.

Anywho-this post is not about me… it’s a quick one about Chelsea and Tony. I went to high school with Chelsea back in our tiny little Kansas high school. I couldn’t have been happier when she asked me to shoot her wedding. (doing so knowing, at the time, I hadn’t booked any of my own weddings) Chelsea-you were such a calm bride-made my job so much easier and I could tell just being around you for the day how much Tony is in love with you. It’s refreshing.

Here is a quick preview of them on the bridge over Wooster Lake at Emporia State University. More from me soon-promise.

I’ve shared similar stories before and they all break my heart a little. But, I am so happy to be able to capture memories for these families to hold onto while they are apart.

Dina requested that we do her family’s session in an old car shop near their home. Thankfully it was covered-because, of course, the rain came. It was hot and humid… if you aren’t from THE South, you can’t possibly know humid like we do. It was pretty miserable, but the DeFlavis’ were great.

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Two of my favorites!!!

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Tony, you’re a hoot.

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Can you get any cuter, Tommy?

Cruisin’….Can’t you just hear the “brrrrrrrrr” sound?

Sleepy baby

I cannot stress enough how important it is for a bride to give herself (and the photographer..hehe) enough time. Sahar is the time QUEEN. I got nearly 2 hours to shoot her getting ready and her portraits as well as a full hour to photograph Sahar and Samad together. Perfection.

The ceremony was held at the Deerwood Country Club. As soon as we walked in and I saw this room- I knew exactly what would come of it.

Elegant and timeless portraits, of course.

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Sahar and Samad opted for the “First Look”, where the bride and groom choose to break tradition see each other before the ceremony. This is great for calming nerves.. ANDDDDD awesome picture taking!!!!!!

The country club had a gorgeous lawn out back-complete with a pond and willow tree (when Sahar told me this I screamed.. for real).

OH, beautiful details

Naturals in front of the camera? Check and mark!

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I love photographing people in love. For a few hours I can forget about the troubles of the world and just let myself be swallowed by happy feelings (you can barf now)

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I’m thinking the right picture would make a gorgeous, HUGE canvas.
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Pure loveliness.

We were greeted by Sahar’s friends and family when we made it back inside.
I pretty much refuse to use my flash unless it is absolutely necessary-I do not like the BAM-FLASH-IN-YOUR-FACE effect-I do like blending in to get a more “natural” feel. Embrace the grain!!!

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Sahar went upstairs to hide before the Baraat (not sure if I am using that in the correct context) and I captured this shot.

The Baraat is procession of family, relatives, and friends of groom that accompany the groom to the wedding ceremony. Traditionally the Groom makes his way to the ceremony on a richly decked horse or in a car and “baraat” follows in different vehicles. The Groom is given warm welcome by the bride’s family with flower garlands and rose petals.

Another instance where I embrace the grain-Before the nikah there was a religious ceremony.

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Finally, Sahar’s mother and father walk her down the aisle.

I wasn’t allowed to shoot during the actual nikah cermony, but this one was taken right before. Nikah is purely Islamic official wedding ceremony. Nikah is attended by close family members, relatives, and friends of groom and bride.

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Samad’s family showered Sahar with jewels.

A quiet moment I caught, while everyone headed for the food!

Ladies first.

Um, can we say-YUM! From the top-starting with the Naan (a flat bread), mixed curried vegetables, chickpeas, chicken tikka, goat korma, chicken biryani and salad. I also had the most DELICIOUS dessert called ras malai. It is a scrumptious dish made of sugary, balls of paneer soaked in clotted cream.

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When you see something like this-you should probably turn around….

Because, in this case, it was cake time!

Somewhere, in someone’s home video- is me. I’m sure they are thrilled.

And that’s all folks!
Off to Bowl America the Bride and Groom went…;)

Jenelle and Steve braved the (HUGE) bugs and soaked ground to do their shoot in this “field” off the highway. It was a little creepy back there- not gonna lie. THANK YOU for being such good sports!

Scary abandoned houses make for beautiful backdrops.

The ground? Practically a swamp- FEEL the love!

oohhh!! Two of my favorites!

Then we almost got rained out! On the way downtown for our second session, it poured and poured. So hard, we could barely see and cars were driving with hazards on. I called Jenelle to see what we should do and we decided to press on to see if we could ride out the storm.

Boy am I glad we we did. It hadn’t even rained at the location I had in mind.

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Two more faves!

And then the rain came.
Whoever thought to call Florida-”The Sunshine State”? It rains ALL the time.

Left Photo By: Mason

Right Photo By: Mason

Top Left & Bottom Left Photos By: Mason

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. William (Reed) Mason.

Photo By: Mason

Top Photos By: Mason

Then a little goofy time. Our version of the toast . It was HOT HOT HOT, so we stopped in front of Paula Dean’s restaurant to grab a cold one.

Then a stop on Bull Street.

Bottom Right Photo By: Mason

Right Photo By: Mason

OH, I could just fall in love with Savannah and its architecture!

We ended things at the waterfront-cobblestone streets and old brick.. Some of my favorites from the whole day.

Both By: Mason

Congrats you two!

The days and hours preceding this wedding were filled with rain. It poured buckets even until the time I arrived at Steven’s house to go over the game plan. But by the time we arrived in St Augustine, the rain had cleared and we were able to photograph a beautiful garden wedding at The Oldest House. Lana was so calm and sweet and Shane so adoring of his bride. Here are some of my favorites so far.

Lana’s dress was absolutely gorgeous. I love these detail shots.

Lana received a card from Shane shortly before walking down the isle. A couple sweet moments…

Just before walking down the isle.

Mr. and Mrs.

Shortly after I stole the newly wed couple and we made our way through the quaint cobble stone streets of St. Augustine.. 

Stay tuned for the romantics..

I met Jennifer as she was driving through my neighborhood. She pulled up to me on the sidewalk and asked if I was a photographer (had my camera with me). I gave Jennifer my website and 2o minutes later we were talking weddings.

Jennifer booked me for her June wedding knowing that I had very little experience with them–but liking my work enough to trust me with it!

Thanks Jennifer!