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

April 11, 2018

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.

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.

My Sisters, the Holidays, Memory Lane and Two Gorgeous Dresses

December 28, 2017

The holidays were AMAZING this year, and one of my favorite parts of it is watching the family grow. I have BROTHERS now! and Mom has SONS. And of that she is enamored. I feel like the family is finally complete, and of course, I have subjects to photograph at Christmas. Here is a picture of said gorgeous boys and a couple of presents from their doting mother-in-law.

WARNING: This post gets political as I zoom in on the socks she gave each of them.
(The views and opinions expressed by these socks are those of the socks and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any person in this picture.)

Mom couldn't stop giggling about these socks.

I think they even like each other. And might be starting a band.

BUT THIS POST ISN'T ABOUT THEM.

It's about my sisters!

These two have been lighting up my life since 1987-88. Probably the first little things I fell in love with, they have always been my living dolls. I get super excited when we all get to be together.

I get SO EXCITED, in fact. that I JUST MIGHT bring a trunk full of dresses and make them play dress ups for me. I mean, you are never to old for dress ups with your sisters. And I can never get enough of these two. And then I'm all LET'S RUN DOWNSTAIRS AND PLAY CATALOG MODEL. And they come. Because I am the big sister and there will be NO TURKEY OR NAPS until I get some PICS. :) (I'm the meanest!)

I am so crazy about these two. Best presents my parents ever gave me!

Every little thing they do looks like magic to me! I am smitten.

Aren't they lovely? My favorite part is getting pictures of them that I love capturing of my own daughters. It's like a time traveling experience. BABIES GROW UP TOO FAST!

I'll take "Pictures that make a mom cry." for 2000, Alex.

The dresses my sisters are wearing are from the newly released collection by Whims + Waves.
The texture and flow of the material was absolutely luxurious and soft. The halter dress could be styled for any occasion, and the teal keyhole maxi is just really would make a beautiful choice for bridesmaid dresses. They wanted to keep them forever, but as much as I love my sisters, they only gets dibs on LAST YEAR'S client wardrobe.

But I told them, and I will tell YOU, if you order from Whims + Waves and use my discount code (KVAND25), you can order these dresses for your very own closet, and get 25% OFF your order! No shipping in the United States.

2018 is THE YEAR OF THE DRESS

December 27, 2017

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!!

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.

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.

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!!)

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

OF COURSE YOU DO!!!

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

AND THE DETAILS OMG.

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!

What to Wear - 5 Awesome Wardrobe Tips for Your Family Session

December 19, 2017

Wardrobe is always a sticking point for my clients and I want you all to know I AM RIGHT HERE WITH YOU. I absolutely LOVE being a part of your styling process, and that's why I also keep key pieces in my own client wardrobe to help you out.

Each member of your family deserves their very own intentional wardrobe pieces to bring out the beauty of each individual as well as add to the general artistry of your final product. Here are a few tips that you might not think about on your own to get the MOST out of your family aesthetic.

1. Vary colors of jeans/pants.

In a family session full of boys, for example, you might have several individuals wearing jeans. I love it when grey, khaki, light and dark denims are varied. It is easier to tell whose legs are whose and gives texture and depth to an otherwise often neglected aspect of of composition. When I end up layering subjects everyone still stands out on their own.

And speaking of standing out....

2. SHINE LIKE THE MAMA DIAMOND YOU ARE

Wear something that makes you feel so lovely you can hardly handle yourself. I am a mama, and I know the struggle is real when it comes to looking easy -breezy beautiful after getting all the kids put together but this really should be more about you than them. Wear the prettiest dress you can find. (I have a bunch of things available as well.) Flow like an ethereal angel. Get your make up done. Get your hair all extra. Put on a statement necklace that makes statements you wouldn't normally make. Wear pink in a sea of boys. Be the bling. Don't hold back. GET YOUR SHOOT, GIRL.

3. Keep it Natural

I love skin. Any chance you can just show a little is always good on camera. Whether it is a slit in your maxi dress, a short dress with your boots, or bare chested blond boys on the beach, a little skin is always in. I love a hint of bare shoulder or back or leg. Just a little something extra to add a casual beauty to your compositions.

4. Vary Shirt Colors and Textures

If you are both wearing the same color blue, you are going to look like a big blue blob THERE I SAID IT. If someone is wearing a blue shirt with grey pants, someone else can wear a gray top and blue jeans and the whole thing just looks so much cleaner. So, I say pick a color scheme that also works with your home decor (for prints!) and stay in line with that style guide. I love how the hug in the above image is highlighted by the texture and color (and SKIN!) and everybody has their own unique look yet they still look great together. SIGH. PERFECTION. This will look beautiful in any room in the house.

5) Think in Terms of Texture

Your black and whites are going to shine with more texture in your wardrobe. when you wrap yourself in a yummy blanket scarf or snuggle the baby up in gorgeous cable knits and sweater textures, more layers of beauty show up in your final product. Hugs seem warmer, hand holds stand out more, and you can vary the color scheme only slightly to get beautiful tones and texture. Texture is so rich in itself and layering textures in a composition is just SO DANG LOVELY.

So there you have it. I plan to discuss your wardrobe ideas at length, and as I said , I am also happy to consult, point you in the direction of great items online, raid your closet, or bring my own stuff to make sure that your whole family looks amazing. I want you to love (and PRINT!) your pictures. And I think this is key to a lasting kind of love.

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

December 18, 2017

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.

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.

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.

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

August 1, 2017

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.

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.

Ugh. I cannot EVEN with this guy.

Just blogging this makes me miss him like crazy!

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.

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

May 15, 2017

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Triple Threat - Daytona Beach Baby Photographer - Triplets

May 2, 2017

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.)

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!

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?

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!

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!

Family Love - Ponce Inlet Family Photographer

April 12, 2017

When this sweet mama contacted me, I knew I had to connect with this little family.

She wanted some special pics before Daddy went back to work for a few months.

I just love documenting families.
I really do.

I think this one might be my favorite.
Maybe my second favorite.

The last one in this set is so good it is hard to choose!

Everybody knows I am a sucka for little boys.
This one's little fauxhawk and man shirt had me starry eyed.

Wait, no IS THIS ONE MY FAVORITE?

Despite Daddy not being a "picture person" he ended up really liking it.
When he saw the inlet jetty walk he immediately asked if we could get right out there.
I love that he fell into the adventure.
When Dads believe, anything is possible.

Wind in hair is my absolute favorite.
Let your hair free.
Let things happen.

Let magic become real...

Family Sessions are my favorite and sunset or sunrise is the way to make them PERFECT!
contact me at 407-595-4185 to talk about customizing your family session wardrobe/location/accessories to capture your beautiful life in the beautiful color it deserves.

Or black and white. If you are into that. ( I AM )