2018 is THE YEAR OF THE DRESS

I LOVE BOHEMIAN BEACH DRESSES.

THERE I SAID IT.

I love them on myself, and I love them on my subjects because THERE IS ART to the way a dress like that moves. And also there is the LOVELY. In the right dress, even if it is not something you would NORMALLY wear, YOU WILL FEEL BEAUTIFUL, because it is beautiful and it is ON YOU.

I mean, you don't NORMALLY get your pictures made. It is a SPECIAL OCCASION. Even if we are looking for an easy breezy casual candid adventure documentary, the wardrobe should be SPLENDID and you should feel and look amazing.

AND THIS IS WHERE I GET MY DRESSES.
 

I mean LOOK AT THESE DETAILS. GUH THIS IS A DRESS!!

I mean LOOK AT THESE DETAILS. GUH THIS IS A DRESS!!

A little skin, a lot of flow, those gorgeous scallops - YOU CAN BE A MERMAID QUEEN, I am in love with everything about this dress but WAIT TIL YOU SEE THE BACK.

gorgeous blue dress

This gorgeous dress and the lovely jewelry can be found HERE.  
Use the code KVAND25 to get 25% off!!
(always free shipping in the USA)

A dress brings DRAMA to any session, I love the layering of textures and jewelry and fabrics as they work together to create something amazing.

gorgeous mauve dress

I am absolutely in love with this dress, and it has a little jumpsuit inside so you feel like you are beautiful and ready for action all at the same time!

Find this gorgeous dress HERE.
Use the code KVAND25 to get 25% off!!
(always free shipping in the USA)

 

Can we all take a moment to drool over this mixed metal BLING?
I need ALL THE BLING.

These necklaces are TO DIE FOR.
(Don't forget the CODE!! KVAND25!!)

gorgeous y necklace

Do you want one more peek into this gorgeous collection??
DO YA??

OF COURSE YOU DO!!!

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This one might be my favorite. I love the color and the fit of this one.

AND THE DETAILS OMG.

beautiful dresses for photo shoots

This dress is perfect for any body. It can be styled up all kinds of ways and would be quite lovely on a pregnant subject as well.

This gorgeous dress will anchor any photo session in just the right amount of lovely. Mama should shine like an heirloom diamond in family photos, and layered with a beautiful shawl and just the right jewelry, this dress is pretty much perfect.

Find it HERE.
And don't forget to use the code KVAND25 for 25% off your purchase!!

The bad news is, I have run out of time for this blog.
The good news is, I HAVE MORE DRESSES!!!!

STAY TUNED!

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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port orange florida family photographer
ormond beach florida family photographer

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.

wilbur by the sea photographer

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.

port orange florida senior photographer

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.

Newborn Sessions - Let's stay home

YOU JUST HAD A BABY!

Or you are about to. And you know you want pictures but THIS IS YOUR FIRST ONE or maybe it's YOUR 4TH, either way, we talked and decided to do it at your house, because YES MA'AM I ABSOLUTELY MAKE HOUSE CALLS. I prefer to get to your baby between 4-10 days after they are born but circumstances certainly sometimes prevent that. You just have me come the soonest moment you are comfortable.

I love capturing the lifestyle side of a new family, and although I try so hard to replicate that in the studio, there is just something so much more intimate at home.

So yes, I will pack up my SUV like a gypsy and bring all kinds of blankies and fabrics and headwraps and hats and bowls and baskets and what have you for the baby (and also some things for you because you will want to wear them and get in the frame) and this is why it is SO IMPORTANT that we talk about this first so YOU can get JUST AS EXCITED AS ME.

STOP. THIS IS GOOD INFO.

STOP. THIS IS GOOD INFO.

THE INTRODUCTION AND WALK THROUGH

When I first get there, I will basically look like I am moving in and I will bring in all my things and then I will wash my hands AGAIN because at first I will just want to hold your baby.


It's been a while since mine were little, and they weren't even little long. 


Your baby is a little person and as I hold this precious little subject I will get a much better idea of how they move, bend and what makes them comfy. Generally babies get VERY EXCITED about how FUNNY I am, even if they were just asleep, so baby and I will find our artistic groove and you can show me all the cute things you have to choose from for wardrobe and pretty little spots and we will find some pretty pockets of light in the house. We will go to the nursery.

It doesn't really take that long to do but I feel like it took forever to type it.

POSED SHOTS

I will wrap the baby in something soft and lay the baby on something full of texture or or color or fuzz and I will get to business. It takes a bit to get baby both visible and comfortable so I will be basically molding the baby to relax fingers and faces and you will stand right behind me oohing and ahhing because it really is just the cutest thing ever. 

I love to give you tips as I go so that as you try to capture pictures daily on your phone you can get the very best pictures of your baby as they grow and do new things. 

I will totally stop and snap a phone pic of your baby for my Instagram and maybe do a little social story behind the scenes and I will encourage you to grab your phone as well. YOUR MOM IS GONNA FREAK WHEN SHE SEES HOW CUTE I MADE YOUR BABY.

And then, if like, Easter is that weekend or something, I MAY DO SOMETHING SILLY.

ponce inlet baby photographer

Ugh. I cannot EVEN with this guy.

Just blogging this makes me miss him like crazy!

baby photographer port orange

LIFESTYLE SHOTS

But HEY! Don't think it is all posey posey cute in a basket. While I have been doing THIS, you have been trying on clothes I brought and you have finished pulling together that new mom gorgeousness so we can get some sweet dreamy environmental portraits of your new baby's new world.

I come to your house so I can capture the world you are in right now. In 10 years when you look back and get emotional over the beautiful moments we have captured, you will feel your heart tug as you remember that old couch and the how young the dog was and that sweet home that was just a starter version of the beautiful family that has grown and changed.

These little details mark time, show history, build a legacy of heirloom images for your children to cherish, and your children's children. You will value these images over so many other tangible items as you grow older, and so will they.

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL

ONE THING THOUGH: I may not have mentioned a whole lot of the WORK involved or the ATTITUDE of your baby yet, I've made this whole process sounds peachy keen but when I get there, and your baby is having their first OFF DAY and you didn't sleep last night, and the baby won't stop nursing/fussing/whatever other skills your baby was blessed with at birth, DO NOT FREAK OUT - THIS IS ACTUALLY WHAT *I* EXPECT. (That's a whole separate blog topic. ;P)

I don't expect anything to be perfect when I get there, and have (more than once) struggled through getting a baby to cooperate to the 9th hour when Mom, and Dad and Grandma and I were all just going to throw in the towel but then BOOM THE BABY GIVES UP and gives us 20 minutes of sweet dreamy newborn sleep and I TAKE IT FOR ALL IT IS WORTH AND WE GET THE SHOTS.

 

daytona beach baby photographer

So that's it. After 2 hours we are all exhausted and I am sweaty and I pack up my car and sprinkle you with glitter and drive off into the noon day sun to get working on making magic with what I have just captured and you all go take a nap.

I send a few sneak peeks right away and you will ooh and ahh and then 2 weeks later when I deliver your gorgeous gallery you will already see the changes in your growing baby and you will be SO GLAD we got in there early and made it all happen. 

Wonder how much it costs? Click here.
Want to see more examples? Click here.

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.

florida baptism photographer

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.

orlando florida baptism event photographer

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!

Triple Threat - Daytona Beach Baby Photographer - Triplets

I once had a dog and if you threw 3 balls, he would try to fit all 3 in his mouth.
That's how these three little people make me feel!

Here is a session that is proof that the best part of a session are the outtakes!
(SPOILER Lifestyle Photography IS basically outtakes.)

this is real life :)

this is real life :)

I can't really begin to quantify my job as a photographer, because it is so fun and awesome, yet also it isn't as easy as I make it seem! I have 1 hour to try and reveal the souls and connection between how ever many people I have in front of my camera and so often, I will encounter a subject or two who may even have been brought to the session against their will!

But this is how my job is wonderfully easy:

Life is beautiful.
Life is magical.
Life is REAL.
As long as I keep snapping up
little bits and pieces of REAL life,
I will capture a magic that only truly yours.
 

It's so hard to make all three of them happy at the same time! I can't imagine what these adorable parents have been going through, but watching them just love on these babies and let them be themselves and soak in the moments was such an amazing process.

And mom had the best attitude. "Everybody loves the ones where they are crying!"
GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT. :)

Life so real I can't even handle the cuteness!

Life so real I can't even handle the cuteness!

Oh, NOW YOU'RE HAPPY. :P

Things I learned about tiny adorable gangs:
They do what they want.
They go where they want.
They eat cheerios.

After a little warming up, all 3 are almost happy. :)

identical triplets - daytona beach family photographer

The one in the middle KNOWS.

identical triplets - ormond beach family photographer

Finally the right mixture of cheerios, fan wind and me acting a fool. 

I MEAN COME ONNNNNNNN.
How are they supposed to deals with this manner of cuteness all day and night?

port orange baby photographer

You have no idea the amount of weird noises and exaggerated motions it takes to keep these three anywhere near THE ZONE. Of course with this level of content we had to try and throw the parents back into the mix!

Cutest family ever!

miracle picture

Each one of them is adorable in a similar but totally unique way.
But my favorite part is getting to know their little personalities as they grow.

And there ya have it.
To sum up: Somebody is hogging up all the babies.
I think it might be ME!

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.

daytona beach shores florida family photographer

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.

daytona beach florida family photography

Family.

SPOILER ALERT: These hearts are so full of love.

ormond beach florida family photographer

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.

new smyrna beach engagement photographer

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.

new smyrna beach wedding photographer

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.

daytona beach engagement photographer

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.

central florida wedding photography

twirl her....

central florida photographer

hold her...

ponce inlet wedding photographer

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.

 

best florida photographer

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.

This beautiful girl, her beautiful life. Florida Lifestyle Photography

My own sweet baby.

Sugar and Spice

Some little girls just captivate an audience.
I have had my eye on these 2 since I first saw them...and was so lucky that their mother felt sure I could capture them in their best light.

Also, it must be said that Mommy didn't let me down when it came to hair and wardrobe...
She's a GIVER! The bright gorgeous colors and this awesome sunrise made way for some beautiful shots.

Sisters...

Ponce Inlet is for Families

Who knew I would have 2 (2!) former classmates come visit me during the same week.

Seriously, I used to ride the bus with this one, too!

I called it my "Magic School Bus Reunion" week of shooting...

This particular family is PARTICULARLY adorable as they one a handful of couples from my high school (Go SILVERHAWKS!) that were a couple IN HIGH SCHOOL. How deep is that love?

And how crazy when daughter walked around the back of the car when we first pulled up and looked JUST LIKE I remember her mother.

It kind of took my breath away.

I love what I do. 
Mostly because I love who I do it with.
Every. Time.

Mother's Day

If you haven't mailed anything out, you still have time!
Nobody loves you like your mama!

Here are a few of a favorite mama of mine...
Even when your children seem grown they are still your babies!

A pose for me.

A pose for mom.

One for Grandma.

And one she will treasure forever and ever.

Vacation Reunions

When I was little, my extended family would meet each year at the beach for some family time.
My favorite pictures are from those beach weeks.

I so enjoyed this session with this family.
Sometimes large groups can be difficult to wrangle...but they made it so easy and FUN!
 

Grandma's Birthday -

This lovely family gathered in Florida for Grandmother's birthday.
I won't tell you her age, but I can promise she doesn't look it!

It was the 10 year old granddaughter's suggestion that they dance...brilliant!

These 2 could jitterbug like they were 17 again...

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