Oh man. There are some photographers (like me!) who you would need to drag kicking and screaming to get in front of the camera.

Amanda McMahon is totally not one of those people! And although she prefers life behind the lens as a wedding and family portrait photographer in Titusville, she needed a couple quick pictures for her brand new website that will be launching in a few months!

Amanda and I like to catch up every month or so for a nice little lunch. She was one of the first photographers here in Orlando that really reached out to me and introduced me to some other amazing vendors. She was also a huge help during my Images for a Cure event (even appearing on a little cameo on our prize video!) It’s nice to know people that really like to support other photographers! So I was super touched that she asked me to take her new website photos I hope they serve her well!

Wanna know the secret to cracking her up? Apparently, it’s that I take pictures with one eye open.
It’s a cyclops thing… but it helps me not get headaches after weddings! (stop laughing, it works!)

I asked Amanda if she wanted to go in “the spool”… and she did! Yay! (But how amazing are her eyes? Seriously?!)

Celebration, FL.

Can I just take a quick second and brag about how I seriously have the most gorgeous couples that ask me to take their photos? I think I’m the luckiest photographer in Orlando! When you get couples like Faye and Derek, it’s not too difficult to catch the sweetest little moments! I’m really glad they chose Celebration for their session, because there’s so many adorable little nooks and crannies. I think this may have been my fourth couples session that I’ve shot there, so I had to steer clear of some of the usual suspects and give them some original places that they can call their own…. and that they did! I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone make mulch look so good

And PS – I really do have pictures where they’re not making out …. but those sweet little romantic moments are always my favorite to capture! They’re just too cute together!

Here are the teasers from Faye and Derek’s Celebration, FL couples session!

After a couple quick shots outside, we decided to jump over to the Celebration Hotel.

Gotta love a sexy elevator moment…

Congratulations to everyone who worked so selflessly on the 2009 event, Images for a Cure! Our wrap-up video has just been completed thanks to one of our fabulous IFAC sponsors, In Motion Video Productions! I’ll be posting the 2010 Teaser video in just a few days, too!

Last season, I was called to do a fantastic editorial with a wonderful team of girls! Although the editorial has been complete for some time, I don’t think we’ll have the privilege of seeing it in print (I recently heard they’ve gone out of business. It’s a shame our local publications struggle as much as they do). But regardless, the team was fantastic and the photos are beautiful – so I’m finally going to share them!

Photography: Kristen Weaver
Hair: Luisa V.
Makeup: Jenna Elise
Styling: Jesse Fischetti
Model: Kelsey Markey
Editing: Jennifer Frances
Venue: Ruth’s Chris, Orlando

And our Cover image…

Last night, Lauren Grove – coordinator and super-author of the amazing Every Last Detail Blog (which is quickly taking over as one of my favorite bridal inspiration blogs!) - was a Twittering frenzy about the pros and cons of doing a “First Look”. My brides, you should definitely check out her blog post and see what she thinks and why she regrets not doing one.

I’m always hinting (sometimes not so subtle) about all the reasons why a First Look is an awesome addition to your wedding day. From a photographer’s view (and one that has 2 photographers standard in ALL of her wedding collections…hint, hint) – it allows us to completely capture every second of this amazing moment. It’s one of those moments that you never get a second chance to recreate. Being able to put photographers on both sides of you and your very-soon-to-be-groom gives us this amazing opportunity to document the laughter, tears, hugs and reaction when you get to see each other for the very first time.

Make sure you go check out Lauren’s blog, and read all about her experiences and the pros and cons from other brides, photographers and coordinators. Then, let’s talk about how we can include the First Look in to your wedding day!

(And PS – Lauren used one of my favorite wedding “First Look” series of Terry and Beth Hockenberry from their December Jacksonville wedding).

So what to do you think? First Look – yay or neigh?