Wedding Bells in Jamaica for Thanksgiving!!! Ryan + Neha at the Moondance Cliffs

Here I go again...Since April of this year I have not been home for more than 7 consecutive days....It's both beautiful and tiring. I feel oh so lucky to have these wonderful experiences!!!! Boston, D.C. Mississippi, Kansas, St. Thomas, Austin, Seattle, etc....This Thanksgiving I am happily heading to the beautiful Caribbean sea, landing on Wednesday in Montego Bay. First, I'm meeting Sammy, the local driver who, in February took me on a photo safari around the bay...I met him while staying at the new Riu hotel. He was pretty laid back and once I realize I wasn't safe in the country alone I hired him to take me around for the day in search of the perfect engagement picture location for Melissa & Gabe (view their pictures here). They flew me down to Jamaica to capture their engagement photographs where I also took some great landscape shots! I visited one of many coffee bean plantations, fishing harbors & road side stands. That day, I captured my favorite photo of the boy seen below with his pet goat (check them out below). Now, I'm headed to the west side of the island to Negril! I'll be photographing at the Moondance Cliffs with Ryan & Neha + 30 of their family and friends. They live in New York and found me through thier friends, Lauren & Ryan who I photographed in St. Louis.

I choose to stay at the beautiful Rock House Hotel just down the road - a close shot to Ricks Cafe....One of my favorite places to watch the sunset. Negril holds a special place in my heart as for in 2007 it was my FIRST destination wedding spot with Holly & Adam at the Grand Lido...This experience presented itself just after opening my own studio in St. Louis at age 24. A few months prior, I journeyed to La Jolla, CA in 2006 for a wedding shoot - it was on that beach that I knew I wanted be a "destination wedding photographer" and some day I have a little tiny summer house there on the cliffs of the ocean.

I'm eager to go back to Jamaica because it symbolizes the beginning of my career & the successes I have had along the way. I was notified last week that I was awarded by The Knot Magazine as, TOP PHOTOGRAPHERS in South Florida for 2010. I was one of 10 awarded in Florida! I feel my sleepless nights, hard work, constant travel, building relationships with my clients and the creative art my new Canon 5D Mark II's has afforded me simply brought me to this state of utter BLISS!!! It's like a gold metal! This is it!!!! I could not have done it without the love and support of my family and friends through my move to Florida last year. It's pretty hard to leave your business & family but I had to follow my heart & the feeling that I could make this ALL worth it...(But let's get real, I didn't think that I could do it in 18 months!) I'm on cloud 9!

I flash back to my past visit to Negril over two years ago and see just how far I have come. I have such a different life now due to the world experiences I have had since, but the same passion still exists. I feel like the luckiest person in the world - not only to be retuning to paradise but to still be in LOVE with my "job" and the creativeness that fills my soul.

In the end, I'm looking forward to wrapping up this season of weddings and taking 2 months off of "work" come December 6th....Giving me more time to set my next set of goals and book some more amazing weddings in 2010! Cheers to all the couples that will get engaged over this Holiday (like Lindsay & Justin in Deerfield Beach) and all the excitement that comes with planning the Happiest Day of YOUR Life! Carpe Diem.

Enjoy these pictures from my February trip to Jamaica.

Katie + Joe...Columbia

I met Katie and Joe in St. Louis a few months ago. We reminisced about our college town in Columbia Missouri...a liberal college town in the middle of Missouri filled with great urban art, coffee shops, live music and of course Tiger football madness! I remember seeing Mizzou fans carry the goal post down main street after they beat their lifelong rival Nebraska! It's a place of it's own.
Katie and Joe met at Mizzou & are getting married in July 2010 at the beautiful Norwood Country Club in St. Louis. I met them a few weeks ago in Columbia when the beautiful fall leaves were ever so pretty. We captured some great shots that they will be using for their "save the date" cards. I think their pictures turned out beautifully...of course that's predictable when your subject matter is cute as can be! it was the perfect setting! They couldn't have been more wonderful to work with and I know that their wedding will be a great celebration! Cheers!

Jackson + Sarah...Washington D.C

Click slideshow to play wedding highlight video


What a journey to the nations capital! Sarah and Jackson met me the base of the reflecting pool across from the Lincoln Memorial to capture their engagement pictures. The setting was so beautiful and we took some symbolic photo of their life and careers in D.C. A few days later, they got married at Fort Belvoir where they said their vows under a white gazebo with their closest family and new friends! They walked down the isle at the golden hour as the sun was shining through the trees casting a yelllow natural light...It was perfect. The military style wedding made for some great photos and captivated what is so close to their hearts. The fall colors were stunning and I'm hoping that they can find their way into The Knot Magazine. It truly was a wedding celebration of both great colors, detail and pride. Click here to view their wedding on The Knot: Real Weddings. Enjoy these photos and the many smiles that these two brought to so many people on their BIG day!

Mark + Michelle...Butterfly House

Mark & Michelle not only got married at one of the prettiest venues in St. Louis but had the pary of the season!!! I watched everyone dance the night away at their reception and loved every minute of it! In fact, thanks to my new Canon 5D Mark II camera, I caught Michelle + family surprising the crowd with a reenactment of the YMCA...costume attire and all!
I can't say enough wonderful things about Mark & Michelle. They are not only sweet and genuine but friendly and creative. I met them a little less than a year ago and feel so lucky to have been chosen to capture their special day. The simplicity of the Butterfly house in Faust Park was such a picturesque setting for their heartfelt ceremony. The landscape and expressions lended amazing photographs that I hope help everyone relive the wedding day all over again. It truly was perfect in every way! When I'm making pictures out of heartfelt passion if feels like a gift. Click here to see their complete online gallery of wedding photos. Enjoy the details, the expressions, landscape and energy that made this wedding sensational! Cheers.

New Born... Gisella

Here are some adorable photos of Gisella. She is adorable!! I photographed my good friend Tom from St. Louis and his wife Ashley's wedding last October. They live in Sarasota Florida and gave me the opportunity to capture some of her first pictures! Enjoy these as for she is such a beautiful baby! A special thanks to Tom and Ashley - with love!

Andrea + Ryan...Wedding Album

When you collaborate one of the most picturesque venues in the all of south Florida with creative floral elements, attire, intricate details, and fine food you simply create a pallet of alluring beauty. Andrea and Ryan got married in April at the Boca Resort. The resort is a landmark hotel in Palm Beach and is part of the Waldorf Astoria collection. The old architecture and infamous pink exterior set a stunning scene for their wedding day. Andrea & Ryan exchanged their vows outside on the terrace. As the wind blew, I captured a photos of her veil blowing vertically. Their ceremony was followed by a fancy yet oh so relaxed atmosphere of cocktails and drinks. As the sun set, the dinner bell chimed and we headed inside to the decident ballroom. Lavishly flowers were designed by Boca By Design. Orchids intertwined on branches with hanging volitive lanterns creating a romantic feeling as you walked into the grand ballroom. You couldn't help but look up at the original corinthian columns and the golden archways. The architecture gave the space a grand and comfortable feeling. In the back of the room, the spotlights showcased an elegant red velvet wedding cake. As both a friend and the photographer I ate a decadent four course meal complete with a fillet and lobster.
As a friend, I watched Andrea & Ryan dance to their song, Better off Together by Jack Johnson. The guests then filled the dance floor and the party started! The fabric on her gorgeous gown, designed by Vera Wang, flowed as they danced and laughed. Her headpiece and earrings were designed by the amazing artist, Maria Elena. Just after Andrea purchased them, they were showcased in InSTYLE magazine.... I am looking forward to featuring Andrea and her photos of Maria Elena' website! Her work creates great style, originality and in the end - heirloom pieces a bride will have forever. In the end, everyone enjoyed the celebration which lasted all weekend. I know people will never forget this dynamic wedding. I feel lucky to have experienced a great PARTY and amazing details that highlighted their wedding.

To view their complete album, click here.









Wedding Planner: Myrna Swire
Florial Design: Boca By Design
Wedding Dress: Vera Wang
Earings & Headband: Maria Elena

Jewelry

Need gift ideas for the Holidays...?
My wonderful lab now offers a line of Jewelry for my clients. Below are a few images that showcase the product line. All are sterling sliver and feature a photographs. I feel that they are great and affordable gifts for the Holidays. Please email or contact me for additional information or to place an order. Prices are enclosed below each image and take about 10 days for delivery. Thank you H&H Color Lab. Enjoy these gift options.

Katie + Josh....Kansas City

Katie and I met at college. I'll never forget her confidence and outgoing personality as a freshman. I was a Junior when she pledged our sorority and as recruitment chair I knew that she would bring a special light to our house. She was the life of her class and would pretty much do anything for anyone! I admire her on many levels and now have the privilege of photographing her wedding next July. It has been wonderful for me to get to know Josh. I feel lucky to be their photog because they truly give me creative control and are so comfortable next to each other. They made my job easy! Needless to say, for me it such a great opportunity to experience their lives now and see how Katie has "grown up"!
I often reminisce on funny things she did and the smiles she brought to my face durning our college days. I admire her for just being so real, so full of life and funny...she's beautiful. I can see that she has found the perfect person to share the rest of her life with. Until next July! Cheers.

Florida, a landscape I love...

A few weeks ago I met the most wonderful couple. They live in Boca and were celebrating a birthday! Amy was treated to a weekend of delightful surprises, including food flew in from New Orleans, a photos shoot, hair and makeup, fine wine, a couples massage and gifts to celebrate her big day. I think the world of these two! They are the kind of people that I love working with. Here is one of my favorite photo from their session taken in Singer Island at their condo on the beach.

Melissa + Gabe Poppie...St. Louis, MO

First Jamaica then St. Louis... I've been on a great journey with Melissa & Gabe and they are one couple that is simply remarkable !
It's the moments when no one is looking that tell the true story of a couple. I got to know Melissa & Gabe quite well over the past few months leading up to their wedding. They live in Chicago and love to travel. I noticed their spark while photographing them at Amy's wedding (a client and now friend) They seemed to have that genuineness and love that captivated my eye while at her wedding reception. It was then obvious to me that when they were together their world stood still...Months later they booked me to photograph their July wedding in St. Louis.



















A few months before their wedding I received a email explaining how both Melissa & Gabe were quite busy with work in Chicago and have not had time for me to shoot their engagement pictures.....I was making a transistion, moving my business down to South Florida to shoot more destination weddings. It was January, the evening just before my birthday when I read her note. Melissa continued to write, "However, we will be Jamaica in a few weeks and would love for you to fly down and capture our photos if you dont mind." Needless to say, I booked a flight to Montego Bay and was ecstatic! Happy Birthday to me! At that moment I thought to myself....Hmmm Jamaica...I always told myself that I have "made it" when a couple flies me to Paris for their engagement pictures...But Jamaica - I think that counts too!!! I couldn't think of a better location for two people to get their photographs taken....It had been in Negril that I shot my first destination wedding...the opportunity for photos and the natural scent of the flower there was enough to bring me back on a new adventure.
Melissa and Gabe travel the world together! At their wedding reception they named the tables after places they visited together. The destination closest to their heart is Spain because that is the spot Gabe proposed! Their life simply is a love story. I could go on about how wonderful I think they are....but I feel that if you look at their wedding pictures, you can pretty well see the kind of people they are and the spark that bounces back and forth between them. In short, I thank Amy - one of the most sweetest people on the face of this planet, for introducing me to them. To be honest, this wedding makes me feel successful on so many levels. The openness, great sense of style and kindness that Melissa, Gabe & their families hold, not only enabled me to capture some great photos but to help me see that you really can have it all....and in the end, all you need is love. Thank you Melissa & Gabe for allowing me into your hearts, family, friendships & most of all the opportunity to capture your beautiful wedding day.
Click here to view their YouTube engagement video.