I need your help!

Last week I was given the opportunity to meet up with other local photographers in the area for a bit of friendly competition!  These guys were all incredibly talented and it was an honor to meet them and watch them work.  There were two models and we were let loose in an incredible abandoned trolley warehouse with only 5 minutes to shoot each model.  Talk about crazy!  It was super challenging and, while I don’t feel like I did a great job, I learned a lot and got to meet some awesome people. So – here is where you come in…each photographer has to select their best image to be shown and openly critiqued at the next meeting.  Images will be judged on various criteria such as creative composition, technicality etc.  This will be where the real learning happens!  I wish I had an image that I felt was my “best” but since I don’t, I am opening the selection process up to you guys.  Here are what I consider my top images from the shoots.  Leave a comment with your #1 pick and help me decide which one to be featured and critiqued – Any and all comments/suggestions are welcome.

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Happy Halloween!

My sweet little lady-bug:)

 

Just a teaser from this morning’s shoot!

This morning I had the pleasure of working with the incredibly beautiful and talented Erin Cline.  We worked together on a concept for this shoot and she totally rocked it!  Here is just a tiny sneak peak at one of the images from the shoot showing the styling – I can’t wait to put up a full set but for now you will just have to wait for the rest!!

 

Mike + Janelle = LOVE

This past weekend I had the incredible honor of photographing the wedding ceremony for Janelle and Mike on St. Pete Beach.  In the few short hours that I spent with them I was reminded of something…that weddings are about love and marriage and committing your life to someone in the presence of God, family and friends.  Not about committing to that perfect floral arrangement or the designer silk gown or about the biggest wedding party with the largest guest list in the biggest reception hall.  Sometimes we so easily loose sight of the fact that, at the end of the day, whether or not the string quartet started Canon in D at precisely the right moment – and whether or not the weather turned plan A into Plan B, C or D – at the end of the day you are married to your best friend!  It was refreshing to see family and friends come together to celebrate love, instead of celebrating a wedding.  Janelle and Mike, you are a genuinely kind couple with wonderful family and friends – I wish you the most incredible marriage!  Here is a little sneak peak at a few images from their wedding day.

 

 

 

 

For my groom…

Four years ago today I walked down the aisle with my best friend.  We made promises with no way of knowing exactly what the future would hold…or what those promises would have to withstand.  What I did know was that Graham was the most genuine, caring, respectful and selfless man that I had ever met and we knew that if we committed to doing marriage God’s way, and not our way or the world’s way, that by His grace it would grow and persevere through anything.  These past four years have been the most amazing and most challenging of my life.  Our life is nothing short of a wild ride and there is no one in the entire world that I would rather have by my side then Graham – a man who is both a leader and a servant and who seeks like crazy to know what God wants for our little family.

Exactly, one year ago today we found out that we were pregnant.  It was an absolutely amazing celebration of our anniversary and the new things to come.  One year later we find ourselves in a new state, in a new home, in new jobs and roles and with a new baby….like I said our life is nothing short of a wild ride…

Thank you does not begin to say enough for all you are Graham and all that you do as a husband and as Chloe’s daddy.  Thank you for your encouragement and your support in everything that I do.  Thank you for your diligence in praying for me and for our future.  Thank you for mid-night Slurpee runs and for still asking me to slow dance with you in the kitchen.

Thank you for the last 7 years of friendship, 4 years of marriage and for your commitment and companionship in the years and adventures to come.

I love you.  Happy Anniversary my sweet.

-Shay