giving back | you can help!

The holidays are upon us and it’s so easy to get caught up in our own little worlds, buying presents for our loved ones, baking cookies, decorating the tree… but what about those families who have lost a child?  Here’s how you can help:

Visit this blog:  http://www.gettotallyrad.com/blog/link-love/now-i-lay-me-down-to-sleep-donation.html

And leave a comment every day between December 7th & December 19th and Get Totally Rad will donate a dollar to the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep foundation.

Leaving a comment on a blog is a small thing to do.  It costs you nothing more than a minute of your life – but you’ll help leave a LIFETIME of memories for the parents who have lost a child.

Thanks!

a beautiful duo | family portrait session

I spent the afternoon on Friday with Bianca and her adorable four-year old Rowan.  Who, as you’ll notice, is the spitting image of her mama!  Bianca is a stylist at the best salon in town – James Griffith Salon, on the island of Venice.  We started out at one of my favorite spots and then headed over to the playground at Caspersen Beach.  Rowan had tons of fun playing on the ship and never ceased to make me laugh.  Thank you both for such a wonderful afternoon!

the adams family | family portrait session

On Friday I had the opportunity to meet one of the most wonderful families – the Adams Family!  Non-Florida natives, the entire family managed to get together this Thanksgiving in Venice, Florida, something that doesn’t happen very often in a family with seven children!  They wanted a family portrait session with the entire family and two grandchildren.  Luckily a nice cold-front had moved through on Thanksgiving, and the weather was nice and crisp first thing in the morning.  It also meant, however, that there was quite a bit of wind.  So we started the session out underneath some banyan trees on the island of Venice.

 

Then it was down to the beach for a little variety….

And some quick family portraits for Paula and her family…

Jacoby gets some one-on-one time with his Nana…

And Noah just wants to have fun!

Brycen | Newborn Session | Part Two

Brycen and his mommy came by yesterday so that we could finish up his portrait session. I had really wanted to use this antique chair that I acquired recently on my trip to Jacksonville, but wasn’t able to the first time. Since he was so cranky the other day, his mom was nice enough to come by so that I could get my photo groove on! I think it was definitely worth the extra effort… I just love this photo! Thanks Shana & Brycen!!

 

Aimee | Maternity Session

I met up with Aimee last weekend in Jacksonville for a few maternity photos.  After our studio session, we headed out to St. Augustine for a few more on-location photos.  We had a great time and I can’t wait to meet little Logan come January!  Thanks so much Aimee for everything!  I can’t wait to see you again and take a few more photos!!

brycen | newborn session

So technically, baby Brycen is my first newborn session! He did a great job for being a little cranky guy and I’m totally in love with some of these photos. There will be even more photos later this week, when we get back together again to finish up what we didn’t get to do today.

Shay & Ryan, congratulations on having such a beautiful, healthy baby boy! See you soon!!!

 

Melanie + Zach | e-session

I flew to Iowa for this engagement session with Melanie & Zach.  Melanie and I went to college together at Florida State and I was very honored when she asked me to photograph her wedding in May 2010.  She’s having a Spring wedding and really wanted to have her engagement photos taken during the Fall – so I was happy to oblige and leave the Florida heat for some cooler weather.  Even though a lot of the leaves had already fallen by the time I got there, we still managed to capture some of that great fall color.

Melanie & Zach, I hope the two of you love these photos as much as I do!  Thank you for everything and I’ll see you again real soon!!!

 

It’s that time again…

…for the Rumisek family portrait!  I’ve taken a family portrait every year for the past five years and usually design a christmas card too.  Which is the next thing I’ll be working on.  This is one of my favorite families in the whole world and I can’t wait until I have another portrait session with the kids in a month.  You guys are awesome!

Fox Wedding | Manasota Key, Florida

Kim & Jason were married Saturday, September 19, 2009 on Manasota Key, in Englewood, Florida.  It was another gorgeous, hot, Florida day but luckily, the wind was blowing on the beach.  I took a few moments to photograph the rings first out on the beach.

And then it was a few quick shots of the guys!

And a great one of Jason and his soon-to-be-stepson, Matty aka Spidey

Then it was time to try to get the bride into her dress.  It didn’t look like a difficult task but….

…it took three of them!  And it still wasn’t hooked so Dad came in to give it a try…

Success!  Way to go Dad!!!  After all of that, it was time to cross the street to the beach for the ceremony.

Close-up of the decorations provided by Seaside Bride – Valerie Davis

And the kiss!

Kim & Jason had special words to say to each other’s parents as new members of each family.  Kim gives her new mother-in-law, Julie, a hug.

And Jason gives his new father-in-law, Ron, a hug too… plus a little extra lovin’ from Ron!

And then there were some very special words to Kim’s son Matthew…

There was one last prayer before the conclusion of the ceremony.

Jason shares a hug with his mom….

This little guy was full of faces the whole time I was there!

This group just looooved to pose!

One last quick moment for Kim and her mom, Denise…

And then it was time for some very fast portraits of the bride & groom!

Kim & Jason, thank you for having me be a part of your special day!  I hope these warm memories of your wedding carry the both of you through many winters in Missouri!!

And Smitty, Chris, Steve, Matty, Paul, Emily, Nicole, Hannah, Ron, Denise, Julie & Brian, thank you all for being so kind and gracious.  Safe travels everyone!

Too Cool…

You might have noticed that Florida weather completely fascinates me at times.  Tonight, there was a show going on behind the house and I took a few (51!) photos.  Not too shabby for a 1 second exposure that was hand-held!