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.

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.

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

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.

I mean come on. They are so perf.

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.

This album drops New Year's Eve, YO.

BUT THIS POST ISN'T ABOUT THEM.

It's about my sisters!

UGH! CUTIE PIES!

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!)

Oh look! They are all grown up now!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Family.

SPOILER ALERT: These hearts are so full of love.

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.

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.

This one is my favorite.
They are the cutest.

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

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.

twirl her....

hold her...

tickle her.

kiss her.

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

I've never seen her so happy!

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.

 

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.

Family Love - Ponce Inlet Family Photographer

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 )

the edge of adulthood

When I look back at my senior pictures,
they don't look anything like this....

A lovely young lady on a lovely afternoon in Ponce Inlet, Florida.

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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...

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