Mother's Day is May 13th!! Don't screw it up THIS YEAR!!

I'm a mom, and I have two of them, and let me tell you, moms love to look at beautiful pictures of themselves and their babies, even when they aren't babies anymore. It's 2018! We give mom what she wants! And we show her how beautiful her love is and what it means to us that she keeps showing up to love us.

mothers day special

For all the late nights, middle of the nights and early mornings.
For all the kissed booboos and broken hearts.
For the times she stood up for you even when you weren't totally right.
For the times she just sat there quietly when she needed you.

But mostly for the everyday, very mundane, repetitive mommy motions that she performs with beauty and grace even if her hair is in a bun and she hasn't gotten out of yoga pants in 4 days. Mother hood is a journey built on ideals and hopes and dreams and then comes crashing in as the hardest job she will ever show up for. 

But I am gonna help her see how beautiful all of this is. Then on nights when her deadlines are looming, her email is stacked, the baby is crying and the laundry is looking more and more like it's begging for a raging dumpster fire, she will be able to look at these images and feel SERENE ABOUT HER LIFE CHOICES.

$99 MAMA MINIS

She gets 30 minutes at Studio Be and access to the glorious studio wardrobe.
Sitting with her loved ones in whatever combination she chooses.
Choice of 3 images from gallery to download, share and print.
1 beautiful 8X10
(In time for Mother's Day if session scheduled, shot and selected by April 30, 2018.)



Let's face it. Motherhood is hard. Every day should be mother's day but actually days, weeks, HOW LONG GOES BY that we don't even thank her for what she is doing for us, and what she isn't doing for herself because she doesn't have time for it?

I am not saying that this special is going to CHANGE HER LIFE, so you might want to take her to brunch, too.

This baby is having brunch on her mom's FACE. Take her to brunch without the baby.

This baby is having brunch on her mom's FACE. 
Take her to brunch without the baby.

Oh, and here is one more thing. 

I know there is a mama out there who really needs this.
So comment here, or go to this post on my facebook page and nominate a mama that could really use this, and my kids will pick a winner on April 25th.

Your mama loves you. More than I do.

Get her this special because if I tell her about it and you missed out then she might stop making you eggs in the morning.

YOU CAN PURCHASE IT RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW.

Family Holiday Mini Sessions and a visit from The Ghost of Christmas Past!

It's 1 week until Christmas 2017 and I can't even believe how fast time flies!
I am going to roll out ALL of my gorgeous Holiday Sessions now that everyone has had time to print and send their cards.

In fact, LET'S TALK CARDS for a sec...

Do you understand when you need to have your pictures ready to order cards to get out in time? Questions you MAY want to ask yourself:

1) How busy is my favorite photographer? 
2) How fast can I get my images back to order cards and gifts?

HOW QUICKLY WILL MY LIFE FLASH BEFORE MY IMPENDING HOLIDAY DENYING EYES?????

Even *I* don't know the answers to the crazy questions, but if NEXT YEAR goes anything like THIS YEAR, I would think you will need to book your date long before you really want to think about it if your favorite photographer is ME.

REMEMBER: LUCK FAVORS THE PREPARED!!

Also IF YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHER IS ME, then let's make sure we freely communicate about your wardrobe and details. I love to incorporate fun holiday themes and colors and items and the more we talk the more you are gonna love your final images.

I mean, I don't expect you to have this awesome VW bus, BUT IF YOU DO, then bet your bippy I want to incorporate into your family mini sessions. I am so in love with the adorable details that really make this morning mini session scream WINTER HOLIDAY even though I am sure it warmed up to 80 degrees that day.

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Family Mini sessions ON LOCATION are 30 minutes of shooting and we generally get a good 35-50 pics for you to choose your faves from.

30 MINUTES.

THE BOYS IN YOUR FAMILY WON'T EVEN KNOW
WHAT THEY JUST ACCOMPLISHED FOR YOU.

WARDROBE TIPS: if you are a mom wearing an outfit with jeans, BRING THE BLING and a POP of SHOE GLAMOUR. I am so loving this statement necklace and her little red suede shoes DO IT FOR ME.

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CLIENT TIP: I am on schedule with this family every other year for updates to the image library. So naturally, Barb was brilliant enough to schedule her session before ANYBODY ELSE. I mean, Barb knows she has to get in there early, and she has to bring me fun stuff to play with. BE LIKE BARB. WE HAVE GROWN TOGETHER. WE GET EACH OTHER. I LOVE HER.

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Same family, same location, 2 years ago in 2015!!
We have all grown up so much!

SUPER BLAST FROM THE PAST: 2013

I mean the best part is that she still let me keep coming back, and that I kept trying to get better and better.

Daytona Flash Wedding - Elope in Daytona Beach Shores

So I have a little thing I do on the side with a lovely friend of mine who is a local pastor/notary/wedding planner that is SUCH A GUILTY PLEASURE.

We take perfectly wedding-able couples and we ditch all the extra anything. 95% of brides at some point turn to me and say, "We should have eloped."

Every bride/family/wedding is different, so it's always for so many different reasons, and this is why I LOVE ELOPEMENTS. No tangled webs, no extra people to accomodate, and the easiest breeziest brides and grooms ever.

daytona flash wedding

So whether I meet you at a hotel or the wedding site, I do love getting small details and a couple "getting ready" shots. I mean just because it isn't a BIG wedding doesn't mean it isn't a BIG DEAL. Because it IS a BIG DEAL. And I am super excited for you!

I call it a FLASH WEDDING because we just show up and get married, wherever you'd like. We get in there and vow up, pose and leave before anyone even asks us to. All the fun, the dress, the make up, the flowers, the officiant, the only thing you need to bring is your Florida Marriage License, so we can get you all OFFICIAL.

daytona beach shores elope

Lynn is amazing and she will serve up whatever kind of service you would like. Want it short and sweet? She's got you. Want to write your own vows? Perfect. Whatever you have in mind, your wedding words will be crafted to fit your personality and wedding vibe.

You get to kiss the bride. 

daytona beach shores wedding

And then we take off to a gorgeous spot and I encourage y'all to hold hands and make out and give me sexy faces and funny faces. I will request that you dance, and spin her. I will ask you to grab her close and tell her about the time you were most proud of her. I will ask you to tell him your favorite future of your life together. I will ask you to fall together giggling and flirting. I will tell her to look up at you and bite her lip and bat her eyelashes.

And right when you tell me "I can't really do this I don't know what I am doing!" I will assure you that you already have, and to keep doing exactly what you are doing.

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We will adventure. We will explore different canvasses and backdrops for your gorgeous love.

We will take a moment to chill.
I mean, y'all just got married! Let's talk about THAT for a minute.

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We will play and dance and walk some more.
You will make her laugh.

YOU will make him smile.

I'll ask you both to whisper secrets. To dream together.

ponce inlet love photography

And when it is all said and done (about an hour and half for the whole thing) we will be exhausted. We will hug our goodbyes and you will drive off into the sunset.

daytona beach elope

And I will go home and download your images and fall in love with your love story all over again.

daytona beach shores wedding photographer

A Baby Baptism Party - Apopka, Florida

I was super excited to attend and photograph this little one's baptism in Orlando last month. His parents were actually one of my first weddings, and it had been years since I had seen or photographed them, though we kept in touch on Facebook.

I had been wanting to get my hands on this little guy for sometime, to say the least.

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This was my first baptism session, and it was absolutely lovely and so touching. It was a private event and therefore I was able to move and photograph freely during the ceremony, capturing all the sweetness and this beautiful light.

This handsome guy.
He has the sweetest little face.

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Baptism Day is a huge day for a baby.
So much family and so much party.
So much celebrating of life.

After the ceremony we headed back to the house for a family party and pictures with every grandparent, auntie, uncle, cousin and family friend.

baptism photography

And of course my session wouldn't be complete without a little getaway with mom and dad.
We sneaked a couple of quiet minutes in the living room for some cuddly family goodness.

orlando baby photographer

I am so in love with their little family.
Only thing missing is their gorgeous dog.

apopka florida family photographer

So I guess I will have to go back. 
Because family isn't complete without puppers!

Daytona Beach Shores - Family Beach Sessions

I absolutely love all 3 of these people.
But this little girl truly has my heart, because she looks so much like my baby sister.

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I have 2 younger sisters, and 2 daughters, so I am a sucker for little girls.
They have the best hair.
And twirls.
And dreams.
And stories.

I get so inspired just sitting down and listening as they go on and on about what's in their brains. The things they think about. The ways they express themselves.

The way they are so honest for a camera.

The ways they love to play.
I just love that their hearts are so big and so free.

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Family.

SPOILER ALERT: These hearts are so full of love.

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New Smyrna Beach Florida Couple's Session

Her: What if it rains?
Me: Then we make magic in the rain!

I might have a special place in my heart for this couple, since they are MINE.
My sister and her THEN boyfriend were visiting for a weekend and nothing makes me happier than family members who value the gift of beautiful images forever. 

These two recently tied the knot, and I had to blog these babies up (finally!) before I got to the wedding pictures!

Anyhoo, it was rainy, and beautiful and I am so happy they didn't let weather stop them from giving everything to these beautiful memories I was so lucky to document.

Rain happens.
Love happens.
And when the two mix?
MAGIC HAPPENS.

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I love the way he hold her so gently,
more careful with her heart than she has ever been.

The way he makes her smile with her whole face.

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This one is my favorite.
They are the cutest.

new smyrna beach couples photography

Rain brings in the moody clouds and windy sea oats.
You can't beat that.
It's the beach at it's best.

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It's totally romantic to dance in the rain at the water's edge.
In a fancy tutu.

She loved every minute of this session.
I could tell.

Because sometimes the skies are dark, and the future in uncertain.
But I have you to hold me, so I will not fear the unknown.

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twirl her....

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hold her...

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tickle her.

kiss her.

Love her like this.
Every day.
And I will let you live.

I've never seen her so happy!

port orange couples photographer

To sum up:

1. My sister found an incredible guy and he has promised to love her and cherish her for absolutely ever.

2. Don't worry if it looks like rain for your picture day. But if it's a total downpour we can reschedule :)

3. My sister brought the t-shirt, and i dressed her in everything else. I love to help you figure out what to wear, and I want you to look your best! SO, let me help.

 

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Couple's session are so good, and I absolutely LOVE documenting LOVE. Sessions begin at $350 and My dreams and visions are absolutely free. Call me at 407-595-4185 and we dream up a perfect session for you and true love. You deserve beautiful images of yourselves in your home. Let me turn your love into art.

Daytona Beach Florida Maternity Portraits

Maybe I will never see anything as lovely as a mother to be. 

The miracles involved in growing a new life blow me away but the beauty of a mother, this is blinding to me. The curves, the lines, the shape of a blossoming belly. 

It all happens so fast.
And I want you to remember the best little bits.

Pregnancy isn't always pretty.
Maternity portraits capture this beautiful part of your life at your best.

If you don't know what to wear, I have all kinds of options in the studio.
But also I just love bellies wrapped in cozy lounge-y clothes and soft textured fabrics.

We actually had to reschedule her session, because when her husband found out she booked with me, he really wanted to join her for a few. He just tapped into the wifi while we dressed and played around, and then I would call him in for a couple snaps when she was already in a great light and position.

I LOVE including dads. Seeing man with so much love in his heart does the world so much good. 

I love to do maternity sessions in this studio. 
There is something so calming about the breezes that blow through the windows.

What is also great is I had a chance to show them the types of textures, wraps and props I have for newborn photos, so I know what to bring to their house for the newborns photos.

The waiting is the hardest part. I can't wait to visit them at home for in intimate in home lifestyle session with the new little one.

And they have a fur baby at home, so I am doubly excited about documenting all that sweet sweet love.

Are you expecting? Because I would love to share your love story as it unfolds.

Andra and Jay First Anniversary Session

Happy Anniversary, you crazy beautiful people!

Not only are these two a blast to work with, they are an inspiration of young love. I am so happy they chose to come in for a First Anniversary session...

Andra had one of the prettiest wedding dresses I have ever witnessed.
I am pretty excited she got to wear it again.

Talk. Giggle. Kiss.

I recently read that Christmas Eve is the most popular night for proposing.

It makes sense. The twinkling lights, good food, gathered family, the joy of togetherness - these are the things that inspire our love to new depths, make us want to make more memories (just. like. this.) year after year.

I recently had an engagement shoot that I directed with these three words:

talk. giggle. kiss. (repeat)

I hope your holidays have been spilling over with all three.