From the Elegant to the Whimsical
Ready for THE cutest, sunniest, sweetest, bubbliest family portraits?! This day on Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island was too, too pretty with the prettiest family to match. Not to mention, they totally got their outfit advice from My Style Guides. How fabulous are those baby pink skirts?! My absolute favorite. :)
So glad to have met this awesome couple. They were super flexible when it came to how crazy the island was during the Merry Shrimpmas Festival. The first location they wanted to shoot at was unavailable... but they found a perfect, private spot filled with beautiful live oaks. I'm totally gonna make it my new go-to place.
I also fell in love with her engagement ring story. Read on!
Describe your engagement ring:
My father passed away almost three years ago before Tyler and I started dating. The diamond in my ring is from a pendant that my Dad gave my Mom several years ago. The necklace had three diamonds symbolizing the past, present, and future and my mom passed on the "future" diamond to Tyler to give to me. Even though Tyler and my Dad never got to meet, I feel like I have his blessing in my ring! I was absolutely blown away.
How and where did he propose?
We both grew up visiting Jekyll Island and my Gram lives on the island full time now. We went down to visit her one afternoon and she texted me that she was walking the dog on Driftwood Beach and to meet her out there. She came walking up followed by my Mom and Aunt as soon as I got, "Why are y'all here?" out of my mouth I realized what was happening. He got down on a knee and told me I make him the happiest man alive. I didn't even let him finish before I said "Of course I'll marry you!!" It was so special to get engaged on our favorite beach where we both grew up playing and making memories. Now we have a new memory there together!
Wishing you all the love and joy in the world, Kelsey + Tyler!
It was SO good to walk around beautiful Sea Island in this November weather. Catch you later, humidity. It was nothing but gorgeous lighting, locations, and this GORGEOUS girl. Her family comes all the way from Alabama each year to celebrate Thanksgiving island style. I love that Blakely wanted her senior portraits done in such a special place and sentimental time.
Happy senior year, Blakely!
Happy trails are ahead!
Every detail of Jessi and Luke's wedding held sentimental sweetness - right down to the flower choice. This beautiful Athens celebration started with one of the most tender First Looks and ended with a magical Bubble Exit! Thank you for letting me capture such a joyful day!
What was your color scheme for the wedding?
I knew I had to have sunflowers and daisies - I've always loved both flowers and Daisy was my grandma's name. We went with navy with burlap/rustic-colored accents to go with the flowers.
What led you to choose your wedding venue?
It is simple, beautiful, and out in nature, which is where we love to be the most.
Do you have any advice for other couples?
Early in our relationship, we had to go through some of the hardest things couples have to go through and we couldn't have made it without absolute love and support from each other. Life is hard, but sometimes all your partner needs is just to know you care for and support them no matter what storms come your way.
Jessi + Luke's Engagement Session
Dress/ Veil : Dress- David's Bridal; Veil- re-crafted by my mom from her veil
Hair/Makeup: Kayla.Walters.Hair
Groom attire: Perno's Formal Wear in Athens, GA
Shoes : David's Bridal
Jewelry : My ring and wedding band from Thornton's Fine Jewelry in Athens, GA
Food : Burge Plantation
Cake : Jessicakes Bakery & Deli in Covington, GA
Invitations : David's BridalCoordinator: Dawn Genese Leonetti
Suits: Perno's Formal Wear
Flowers: Supplied by Davis Wholesale Florist, Inc, Arranged by Linda Goreand Carol Gore Gordon
Boutonnières: Town & Country Florist, Hoschton, GA
Violinist: Cortney Whiting
Music/DJ: Zach Cagle
Officiant: Jon Messarra
Doors/signs/lawn games: Made by my dad, Painted by my mom & me SarahandMark Whiting
It was a such a sweet time catching up with this ambitious, bright, beautiful lady. We made several videos together at the Red & Black newspaper. She is moving to the City of Angles when she graduates, bringing some much needed southern charm with her.
I love showing off this gorgeous island to visitors - the oak tree parks and the best little beach accesses. Whitney, Brian, and their pup CoCo made their way all the way from Ohio! Convinced they are models on the side. How awesome is their style?
These guides were created to help you get the most out of your photos. By the time you’ve read through these great tips, you'll have all your questions answered and feel more than ready and prepared for your session. Then I’ll take care of the rest! Your only job is to be yourself, laugh a lot and let me create photos you’ll love forever.
I'm definitely not a morning person, but I could be for more beautiful sunrises like this. So glad Vivian's family was able to meet up with me to celebrate her 5th birthday!
It's such a small, lovely world. I met this sweet family on vacation from Atlanta and it turns out I'd see sweet Lucy's parents here a couple of days later at Katie + Ward's wedding. Meant to be :)
We had a hard time dodging the rain the day of their family shoot and finally decided to change location and shoot at their cute rental house. It turned out to be perfect - a great place for me to capture Lucy having her first popping pink birthday cake!
Sweet and in love down to the bone, these two are. They'll be getting married next year in beautiful upstate New York where Lee's family is from. Read more of their sweet, sweet story below!
How did you two meet? Who made the first move?
Lee and I met at Brogen's right after Lee came back from the Marine Corps. It started out as a friendship but eventually, it grew stronger. Lee was picking me up every day for work and school, which eventually turned into my favorite part of my day. Lee became my best friend extremely fast. One day before he picked me up for work, I got a text message saying, "I have a crush on you." At first I was extremely shocked but I knew deep down I had feelings for him too. After that it was like our relationship jumped on the speed way and took off.
How and where did he propose?
Lee proposed on the upper stairs deck at Brogen's where we met. He had candles and rose petals on every stair leading up to the balcony. Once I looked up and saw him, he had the big gold balloons behind him that said, "Marry Me." Once I got up to him he got down on one knee and rose petals fell off the ceiling fan. I screamed yes before he could even get the ring out.
The three things that fuel our relationship I would say is laughter, the "little things," (ex: notes left on the white board on our refrigerator), and our favorite TV shows. (Law and Order: SVU and The Fosters)
My engagement ring is an oval shaped solitaire with a rose gold band. It's even more special because Lee had it made for me.
Lex and Austin got married ten years ago at the St. Simons Island lighthouse. They packed up their original wedding attire and took a special road trip from their current Texas home to revisit and celebrate. I was so honored to recreate some of their wedding photo poses...with a couple additions! :)
My prayer is that my business presence and images reflect the personality of the couple I am working with and the joy of their wedding day - giving attention to all the hard work and detail that went into making their day memorable - to make sure that the bride and groom's story is told like the grand romance it is. My job is made pretty easy and fun when I have couple's like Katie and Ward whose love for each other, God, their families, and St. Simons Island is so evident. Show them so love below and enjoy their wedding story.
The prayers of these women are strong, true and representative the Father's heart, bringing peace on what could be a jittery time. Only joy was present.
There's a photo album from the bride to the groom on the swing? The swing she played on as a kid? And she's gonna sneak up behind him as he's reading it. Oh, that's ROMANTIC as ALL GET OUT. And just when you thought it couldn't get any more romantic...Ward surprised her with a live painter for their reception. Ahhhwwww.
Some of the cutest shots from Katie and Ward's engagement session was also on a swing!
Katie's vision for the wedding was everything enchanting, exciting and southern with muted neutrals. Pretty sure she pulled it off.
Amongst the marshes of Glynn, Katie and Ward married. Big, beautiful storm clouds rolled in just before the ceremony. Katie was patient, waited out the rain, and after all of the sweet guests pitched in drying the chairs, married her soul mate under the storm clouds. It couldn't have been more lovely.
I about jumped out of my car when I pulled up to the reception. Look at that sunset. Every photographers' golden dream.
Katie grew up around the McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport and what a beautiful backdrop it made for their sunset portraits!
This was the first event held in this hanger and boy, did they do a fabulous job. My favorite parts were probably the hanging greenery and the working SWING!
Katie and I got to reconnect and recreate some photos with our GP girls that we mentored the summer we worked together. I even jumped in for a photo!
The night ended with a grand sparkler exit where the couple boarded a plane and flew off to their happy ever after.
Katie and Ward, thank you a million times over for being so incredible. I hope this
new adventure together gets better each and every day. Your joy is contagious and I
absolutely loved being surrounded by it on your wedding day.
Hair : Alana Becky at Uberzoot Hair Co.
Makeup : Judy Crouch
Dress: Bridals by Lori and mother's veil
Shoes : The Pampered Foot
Florals : The Vine and Randy Cribb
Ceremony Program: Bess Ratsimbaharison
Ceremony Music : Charlie Judd
Violinist: Morgan Stokes
Entertainment : Loose Chain
Live Painter: Elaine Burge Art
Food : Tasteful Temptations
Cake : Erin Scoggins
Invitations : Home made by Aimee Otte
Tables : Amelia Events
Coordinator : Allyson Moline
Videographer : Joshua Gellerstedt
Second Photographer : Laura Angela Photography
If you are need of the latest Wonder Woman news, I'm your woman. The DVD comes out today! So, here's another post featuring my favorite mighty, 3 year old St. Simons Island princess, Scotland Rose, being oh-so-WONDERful.
Thanks to Mattel and Fisher Price, and Still a Girl for featuring these photos!
Connecting. I love it. Ambree and I connected after she saw my 'couple model call' post. Ya'll, she's from Alabama. How cool is that and aren't she and her beau Preston the cutest. I love how social media can bring people together.
We had to capture those signature Georgia trees. Avenue of the Oaks is one of my favorite spots.
To avoid that hot afternoon sun, we headed under the pier for more flattering light and I could not be happier with what we got. The color of Ambree's dress really against the water and warm sun really was beautiful.
It was great to be back in Athens, my favorite classic city, for this engagement shoot. Jessi has such a caring and strong spirit and I'm so thrilled that she has met her other half. They are absolutely delightful together - height difference and all.
How did you meet?
We met through friends at a UGA tailgate (they were playing Auburn at home). Luke made the first move by asking me if I wanted to walk around and check out the other tailgates around Myers Quad!
What made you fall for him?
Well he sure is tall and handsome! ;) But for real, he was so kind to me even when we first met and genuinely cared to find out about me and my life. He has never stopped being the kindest person I know and constantly genuinely cares about my well-being and my happiness.
How and where did he propose?
I had been in full event planning mode getting ready for a birthday celebration for Luke's birthday this year! Luke had been helping the whole week getting his family farm ready for the celebration. I was about to get off work the day before the party and I got a text from Luke asking me to please come out to the farm (about a 45 minute drive) and jump his car off because the battery died and no one else was answering. This had actually happened before so I didn't think much of it and said sure!
I drove out to the farm and pulled up, looking for Luke's truck to see where I needed to park. As I was pulling up, I saw tiki torches lining a path to the pond and bright bistro lights strung all around. It was a beautiful setup and I thought Luke did all of this for the party until he walked out from behind his truck in a collared shirt - which I thought was odd for work clothes - and told me he wanted to show me around. He had brought out our favorite dinner and prepared a campfire complete with s'mores! Once I realized this was not for the party, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. To which I replied, "Yes, of course"!
Do you have any advice for other couples?
Early in our relationship, we had to go through some of the hardest things couples have to go through and we couldn't have made it without absolute love and support from each other. Life is hard, but sometimes all your partner needs is just to know you care for and support them no matter what storms come your way.
This classic St. Simons Island engagement session is one of my favorites. We hit all the romantic spots - the Marina, the Avenue of the Oaks, and East Beach.
Also, Merissa and Gavin's couple song is such a classic ^
How did you meet?
We met at Glynn Academy through mutual friends. Poor Gavin made the first move several times - I was oblivious for years!
How and where did he propose?
Key Biscayne, FL - He took me to the beach July 4th weekend (my favorite holiday) and asked me in front of a light house.
Do you have any advice for other couples?
Relationships aren't a race - have fun, enjoy each other's company, and cherish the little moments
Thanks to Gina for being a straight up awesome person and photography teacher and not too mention the coolest mom around. Her Instagram is is seriously worth following, full of healthy tips and fun things to do with the youngsters.
Gina and her husband Jim also have this amazing photography and web building business at towsoncollective.com Did I also mention she is a Strengths Finder coach? Yeah, coolest person around. She's definitely helped me better tune in to what makes me, me and how to grow from there. Check her out.
I loved shooting this engagement session at the Stables at Frederica on St. Simons Island at sunrise and then at Katie's childhood swing.
Katiebug is a ray of sunshine everywhere she goes. I was so blessed to work with her at The Gathering Place a few summers ago and see her share her sunshine with others. Now, she has found her sweet other half, Ward. Ya'll, they are so fun.
THE CUTEST.
I'm a sucker for spring colors, ponies and soft sunlight falling over the tips of the trees.
A perfect shoot.
You are never too old for your favorite swing.
CAN'T WAIT for Katie and Ward's August wedding!
Amy gave me my first real shot at being a photographer. Put a camera in hands, took me to shoot at weddings, asked my opinions, and made me feel so important.
They are making a big move to Atlanta soon and will so be missed. I was happy to shoot her sweet family in this homey setting as a small thank you for all she did for me.
