I had so much fun photographing this wedding this fall. These two are so full of life and love its almost too much! It was such a beautiful wedding and day. Thank you Mike and Elena for letting me capture your big day!

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This was such a fun shoot at Coon Hollo Farm in Micanopy. Some of their friends got together and bought them one of my fall mini sessions. Much to my surprise, it turned out I knew this guy, he is a nurse at the pediatric oncology clinic my son goes to. Such a small world!

This beautiful couple was celebrating two years of marriage, and they wanted to have a photo shoot on their anniversary. Which I think was a really fun idea. I was honored they wanted to hang out with me on their anniversary!

They met in a coffee shop so we wanted to somehow incorporate that into their photos. We started at a coffee shop, then headed to Micanopy to finish the session.

*Must book your wedding this month, and pay 20% deposit to hold your date. Full day wedding coverage starts at $1600, for a full price list please email me at : manicmotherphotography@gmail.com

Meet Venessa and Paul. Many moons ago, I waited tables at a local steak house, it was there that I met Paul’s younger sister KK.  Somehow it came up in conversation with her where we both lived. We soon realized we were neighbors, less than a block away from each other. Shortly after I met KK , Venessa also got a job at the same restaurant.

Before we knew it we were all spending time together, whether it be bbqing, late night card playing, watching American Idol together, or just going for a walk around the block.

They became a second family to me, the younger siblings I never had. They are the kind of people you can always count on to have your back. The kind that you can not see for years, but pick up right where you left off when you do see them. The kind that love my kids like they are their own. I love them dearly.

Sadly, they moved away a few years ago to New York City. Luckily Paul’s sister KK still lives right around the block from me so sometimes around the holidays we get a visit from them. When I caught wind of their engagement I told Venessa right away that I wanted to take engagement pictures for them.

And that is just what we did over the holiday break. Congrats you two, I can’t wait for the wedding!

What a year 2010 was! Not only did I deliver a healthy, happy, baby boy, but it was also a year in which I feel I really grew as a photographer. Not to mention my business grew as well!

When I decided to open a photography business a little over a year ago, I knew nothing of what I was getting myself into. I will be the first to admit that. Taxes, forms, contracts, record keeping and more are not what I bargained for. I just wanted to take beautiful pictures. I was so passionate about wanting to take those pictures, that I put my number and legal jargon fear aside and tackled it head on.  I can honestly say, there are few things I am more proud of than my business. I created it from the ground up and poured my heart and soul into it.

In the process of creating my business, something unexpected happen. I made new friends and I fell in love with my clients and their families. I don’t claim to know what it is about the bond that you create with someone when you put yourself behind a camera and capture their memories, but it is very real. And so many of you have touched my life in so many different ways.  A client of mine said this to me in a recent email :

You have been amazing about everything and I don’t think I could have found a photographer to fit my family if I had looked for years!  S and I both agree, that you feel like part of the family already and we wouldn’t have our photos taken by anyone else!

And I have heard similar things from others, and it makes everything that I do so very worth it.

Through the beauty that is social networking, I have watched your children grow, learned of engagements, pregnancies, and more. I so do love being able to keep up with each and every one of you via Facebook. If you are not a personal friend of mine on there please friend me I would love to be able to keep up with you too.

Thank you so much to all of you for letting me into your lives and allowing me to capture your memories.

I have chosen a favorite photo from all of my photo shoots, they are in sequential order starting with January of last year.

Without further adieu, I give you my favorites of 2010.

And if you made it this far, thanks again! I can’t wait to see what 2011 has in store!

They were so much fun, coming up with their own poses, and all of them were so great in front of the camera.

Loved the hats!

Then the ladies had their turn, and they brought with them some ginormous balloons.

Isn’t the whole bridal party gorgeous!?

After the ceremony, the guests headed to the reception, and I got plenty of time to photograph the newlyweds.

Ms. S had a pendant on her bouquet of her grandmother, whom she bears quite the likeness too.

We finished the photo shoot right as the sun was beginning to set, which made for some incredible sun flare and sunset pictures.

There were so many amazing photos, I had a hard enough time narrowing it down to these. Seriously, you two you are a stunning couple!

Thanks for letting me be a part of your day!

To see part one go here.

makeup

and mimosas, my kind of ladies!

Shoes, something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

Ms. S you are simply stunning and the camera just loves you.

The wedding was actually in Switzerland, Florida at a park called Alpine Grove. The park is right on the St. Johns river.

It is a beautiful location, the river, the big old trees draped in cypress, and the vintage buildings on the property. It was the perfect  setting for an outdoor wedding.

They each wrote their own vows, which were so heartfelt. You can really tell these two are so in love.

Right before I snapped this picture the bride said,  I missed you today. Followed by Oh my God were married! They were so excited.

I have so many amazing pictures of the bridal party, I had to break this up into two separate posts. I will have part two ready hopefully in a few days.

Sweetwater has these beautiful brick paths going all through the area, I knew I wanted to use them in a few shots.

We caught that picture as the sun was coming down, I love it, they look so in love.

Did I say I loved the flowers? Even the groom had a handsome corsage.

First dance.

Beautiful food and friends.

Father/daughter dance. Midway through the dance Dad handed his daughter off to the groom, it was so sweet.

Mother/son dance. Grandma even got a little dance action, she was too cute.

Seriously, this is some kind of inside joke between the guys…I have no clue, but I love the picture.

There was so much dancing at the reception, it was so fun to watch.

Stunning cake made by the bride’s beautiful friends.

And cutting of the cake.

Hope you enjoyed your sneak peeks Mr. and Mrs. M! I will be in touch soon.

Thank you Anthony for being an amazing 2nd shooter!