Today's Wish-List

As this is a holiday weekend, I shall dispense with the usual Wedding Wish-List Wednesday.

Instead, I would wish for joy to all for this Thanksgiving.  May it be a day filled with love, laughter, and family.  This is the start of a joyous season of giving, and I hope that people will take it as such.  The holiday season is honestly my favorite time of year.  And I love that it begins with a day in which we express gratitude.

I would also wish for safety for everyone traveling.  No one wants to spend their holiday in the hospital, guys!  Be courteous and cautious on the road, and remember that everyone just wants to get to their families.  Spread the love, this day should be all-encompassing.

And, in the spirit of the season, I would like to express my own gratitude.  I have so many gifts and blessings in my life.  I am surrounded by loving friends who have become like family to me.  I have a fabulous family!  And I miss them often, I don't get to see them nearly as often as I'd like.  I have a job I love, a good home, and food on the table.  I am healthy, I am happy, and I have many opportunities to do new things and enrich my life.

What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving, my friends?  And what do you wish?  Please share.

Black Friday Sale!

Truth be told, it's been a long while since I've gotten into Black Friday.  I used to get up with my little sister at 4 in the morning to head over to Michael's and buy crafty things.  But that was a long time ago, and without having my sister close by -- and therefore no one to motivate me to shop -- it was something I just stopped doing.  Still, I figure I can revitalize this holiday tradition in my own business.

To that end, I would like to announce my FIRST-EVER Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale!

So, how does it work?

First, head over to my WEBSITE!  Then choose your favorite Wedding Photography Collection.

Simply contact me using the contact form on the website, and tell me you would like to take advantage of your Black Friday deal!  We'll book your wedding and voila!  You're good to go.

If you prefer the Cyber Monday deal, let me know!  You get a free beautiful canvas print (and yes, that is an additional canvas print for collections which already include one) of your favorite portrait from any of your sessions -- engagement, bridal, or wedding.

Come and book your wedding today and take advantage of this first-ever Black Friday sale!

Wedding Wish-List Wednesday: Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Luxurious.  Elegant.  Sophisticated.  Classic.

The Waldorf Astoria has been synonymous with elegance and culture for nearly a century.  When I think of the Waldorf Astoria, I think of Ginger Rogers and Cole Porter.  (And I'm a sucker for a classic film, especially if it involves Fred Astaire and the fabulous Ginger.)

So it's no wonder I'd love to take on a wedding at Orlando's incarnation of the famed Manhattan resort.

(photos courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Orlando)

Whether you're planning a small, intimate ceremony or a grand wedding gala, this place will ensure you have a wedding in style and sophistication.

Naturally, I am always in favor of hosting an elegant wedding in an equally elegant ballroom.  The Grand Ballroom, therefore, is absolutely perfect!  Gorgeous chandeliers and soft decor, designed with versatility in mind so it can be transformed into your perfect wedding vision.

If you prefer an outdoor wedding, you can try the Waldorf Promenade -- a beautiful terrace with views of their amazing pool and golf course -- or, better yet, their Signature Island -- a private island with sweeping panoramic views that is perfect for a sunset wedding.

Can't decide?  Combine both indoor and outdoor with the Central Park Ballroom and Central Park Gardens.  This is what the Waldorf has to say of its newest addition for brides: "This new wedding venue is your own personal, private oasis -- featuring lush gardens and a covered pergola perfect for your ceremony and cocktail hour, adjacent to the lavishly tented ballroom for your reception."

So, which option would you choose?

***

Are you planning your own luxury wedding?  Come visit my website and get elegant, classic photos to match!

Just Like Sisters

I really like it when models can get along together so well.  These two were a part of a large photo shoot, and you would almost think they were sisters!

I did spend more of my time doing individuals of them, as you'll see here and in a later post, but I could not resist the adorable way they looked together.

***

Looking to do a fun photo shoot?  Visit my website and book yours today!

Wedding Wish-List Wednesday: Alfred Angelo Gowns

As an avid Disney Weddings fan, I am always looking for more ways to incorporate Disney themes.

One thing I always love about a wedding is bridal fashion.  A wedding day is the one day in her life a woman gets to truly feel like a princess!  And she should have the stunning gown to match.

I can't think of a better designer to do that than the famed Alfred Angelo -- known specifically for creating uniquely beautiful bridal gowns fashioned after the Disney princesses.

(photos courtesy of Alfred Angelo)
 
My particular wish is to photograph brides wearing these elegant gowns, embracing their princess side.

Try a soft, innocent look like Snow White:

Or let yourself feel wild and free as Rapunzel:

Be awoken by your Prince Charming with the magic of true love's first kiss, a Sleeping Beauty:

Go down the Bayou with Tiana:

Or under the sea with Ariel:

Discover a whole new world with Jasmine on a magic carpet:

Have a romantic garden wedding in a gown reminiscent of Belle:

And of course, there's my personal favorite...Cinderella.  You just cannot beat Cinderella for true love, elegance, and sweetness:

There will soon be a Frozen line out as well, and who doesn't want to have a winter-themed wedding as Elsa!  It's every girl's dream right now.

Any one of these exquisite fairy-tale gowns would be a dream come true.

***

Having your own dream-come-true fairy tale wedding?  Let me tell your story with beautiful images!  Come visit my website and book today!

Purple Mask

So, remember that fun-loving, adventurous gal I photographed on a motorcycle a few weeks back?

Here, let's refresh the ol' memory.

Well, as it turns out, this young beauty does elegant just as well as anything else.

This past weekend, I indulged in a bit of photography playing and worked with a series of models on a "masquerade" theme.  And it was completely amazing!  I will be putting together several posts from this particular photo shoot.  For now, a teaser shot.

Lots more to come!

***

Come and visit my website and book your own elegant themed photo session!

Wedding Wish-List Wednesday: Westgate Hotel

For all the luxury that can be found in Central Florida's wedding arena, I do love doing an exciting destination wedding!  Recently I ran across this San Diego beauty -- the elegant Westgate Hotel.

What a stunning place to host your wedding event!  "Designed to evoke the grand palaces of Europe, The Westgate offers an elegant and inspiring backdrop for your wedding..."

And boy, they're not kidding!  See for yourself!

(photos courtesy of Westgate Hotel)


Tapestries, bronze sculptures, furnishings imported from Europe, a Steinway Grand, Baccarat crystal chandeliers...all of these combine to rival Europe's best in all the right ways.

And there are a variety of options for a bride to choose from to host her wedding.

The Riviera is a versatile space with comfort in mind.  Floor-to-ceiling doors lead out to the beautiful Fountain Terrace, which offers a stunning view of the cityscape.

There is the Le Fontainebleu, a welcoming room which can accommodate a dance floor for that first dance as bride and groom!

Have photos taken in beautiful Peacock Alley (pictured above) -- I just love the name!

But for my money, the place to host your wedding would be the stunningly opulent Versailles Ballroom.  Elegant in shades of cream and champagne, high ceilings with sparkling chandeliers, large windows to let in beautiful natural light...this ballroom cannot be passed up!

Plus, each of their wedding packages include butler passed hors d'oeuvres, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, a lavish bridal suite (with breakfast in bed), and even a midnight meal for the bride and groom!  (Which I personally think is a very clever idea.)

So, who's ready to have their luxury wedding at one of San Diego's most exquisite locations?

***

Luxury weddings deserve elegant photos to match!  Come visit the website and book today!

Bridal Tip Tuesday: Why Bridals?

As a wedding photographer -- one who offers a variety of wedding-related photo services -- I am frequently asked "Why do bridals?"

Bridal photos used to be fairly common.  My mother has a beautiful one displayed in her parents' home, right alongside those of her two sisters.  But somewhere along the line, this idea got a bit lost.  It's beginning to see a resurgence in popularity, which makes me happy, and there are definitely some reasons for that.

So let me tell you some of the most beneficial reasons (in my opinion) to take bridal portraits.

Get To Know Your Photographer
More than any other vendor you work with on your wedding, your photographer works very intimately with you on the most important day of your life.  You put a lot of trust in your photographer, and it helps enormously to have a rapport with them.  Not to mention, it can take time for photographers and their models to find the right "groove."  Each person has their own rhythm in life, and you want to make sure you know how the other works.  Getting a head-start on this can make your wedding day go much smoother.  Doing a bridal session beforehand can help start the ball rolling and allow photographer and bride to get used to each other and learn about each other before the Big Day.

Wear Your Dress
Let's face it, you spend TONS of money on the perfect dress!  And you only get to wear it once?!  How fair is that, really?  Trying a bridal session before the wedding gives you the perfect opportunity to get wear your gorgeous gown -- and come on, you look incredible in it!  Show it off!

(Note: This is also a really good way of getting used to the dress, how it moves, what you can and can't do in it, etc.  So as a great added bonus, if you're already used to the dress, you are more likely to avoid any embarrassing mishaps caused by an unaccounted-for train or bustle or veil.)

A Different Look
Sometimes it's nice to explore different aspects of a bride's personality.  You have decided on a particular theme for your wedding, but what if it doesn't offer every single thing you would want?  For example, you are having a casual beach wedding...but you also really love a little touch of luxury every now and then.  Use your bridal session to explore a different side of your personality.  Or, what if you were torn between two different venues for your wedding?  You have to pick one, but why not use your bridals to show off your other favorite venue?  Who says you can't have your wedding cake and eat it, too?

Limit the Stress of Your Wedding Day
There's no point in denying it, a wedding day is a pretty stressful experience.  There are nerves involved, things rarely go as smoothly as we imagine, and there are a thousand things going on at once.  Most brides will at least try to schedule some time exclusively for special portraits...but when push comes to shove, as things start falling behind and scheduling gets pushed back, it is usually the portrait time that gets cut into.  You often have to speed through the process (of course, here's where it helps to already know how to work with your photographer!  You're much more likely to get through that process more efficiently) and sometimes you barely get to it at all.  This is one of the things I most hear brides regretting, that they didn't have time for the pictures they wanted.  If you had a bridal session, you know that at least you've gotten some great shots already and you won't be quite so stressed.  By all means, keep those special portraits in your wedding day as well!  You rarely hear people complain about having even MORE gorgeous bride pictures.  And it's your wedding day, it should be captured.  But in the end, it will relieve your nerves if you aren't too stressed about losing some of the time you originally planned.

***

I love doing bridals, they're probably my favorite thing to photograph.  They really have a more relaxed feel to them, given that you aren't contending with the rest of a wedding, and you can take your time with them and make sure they're just right.  They're a great idea, and I have never had a bride who regretted taking them.  In fact, most brides find that some of their favorite shots are the ones from their bridal sessions.

Come and take a look at these beautiful brides and book your own session today!