An edit using the new MCP Quick Clicks for Lightroom!

On November 3rd I had the huge privilege of hosting 9 amazing photographers here in my home in Orlando as part of the Images for a Cure Workshop!

I was so excited to open this opportunity to photographers of all levels who were interested in learning more about the business and marketing side of our industry. We ate, we talked and we shot. All in all, it was a brilliant day and I had so much fun sharing with everyone who attended.

As an even bigger perk, our group helped us to raise the most money from one participating photographer out of all 3 years of the organization – together, we brought in nearly $4,500 for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation!

To help us reach our 2011 goals – visit this link to make a donation (any size is a HUGE help!) – http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/kristen-weaver/imagesforacure2011

And to find a participating photographer in your city, visit our Find a Photographer page on the Images for a Cure website! http://www.imagesforacure.com/fap/

Massive massive thanks to our supportive and amazing vendors who helped us make this shoot possible – especially Lauren Grove, who gave up her entire day to help us plan, design and create this gorgeous day!

Bridal Gown: Rivini
Bridal Salon: Solutions Bridal
Hair Accessories: Lori London
Reception Gown: Alfred Sung
Model: Nicole Amidon with Prodigy Models
Horse: Ranger
Hair and Makeup: LeJeune Artistry
Location: Private Residence, Oviedo FL
Florist: Lee Forrest Designs
Misc. Table Decor: Anthropologie and Pier One
Coordination: Lauren Harper Grove
Cake Artist: The Sugar Suite
Letterpress Invitation Suite: Posh Paperie

Thanks to Alyssa for these Behind the Scenes shots!

Check out our participant’s blogs to see their photos! (I’ll keep updating this as posts go up):

Jillian Tree – http://www.jilliantreeblog.com/2011/11/16/kristen-weaver-workshop-part-1/

As a guest at her November wedding, I got to celebrate her and Steve’s marriage – and their new little family with her gorgeous daughter. She moved out to Arizona the day after getting married, and so I was super excited when she contacted me about doing a bridal fashion shoot when she was back in Orlando visiting family. Rumor has it I’ll be visiting them in Arizona at the end of the summer for a family shoot!

This shoot has already been featured on Shimmer + Silk bridal blog, so now I’m sharing it with my readers!

Brittany wore a gown by Jewel, from Priscilla of Boston and Christian Louboutin shoes, a gift from her husband while they were dating.

Fast forward to weeks later, when twitter is abuzz with my name being listed as one of the 20 finalists of about 200 entries, to shoot their cover pitch for V3! I almost peed my pants.

So with only a month to put together an epic cover-worthy shoot for one of the most sought-after bridal publications in the industry, naturally, I panicked!

First things first… gowns! On a whim, I facebook emailed (yes, I realize that’s insanely cheesy) one of my favorite bridal gown designers, Claire Pettibone. It was late, I was delirious… BUT as luck would have it – she emailed me back! Yes, Claire herself emailed me back that they would be happy to send me whatever gowns I needed for the shoot. I was on Cloud 20. Claire makes the most amazingly delicate, couture bridal gowns… I am so in love.

After regaining a bit of composure, I pulled in some of the “it” people in Orlando and Miami, drove 4 hours south and created one of my favorite bridal shoots!

The day didn’t go quite according to plan… so I’ll definitely be posting a separate blog with more photos and a little “behind the scenes” information that you won’t see here! You won’t want to miss it!

Now that V3 is releasing this week, I can officially blog these amazing images, and share the new cover. Although we didn’t win, huge props to the photographers who created such an amazing spread! I’m a bit jealous I didn’t come up with it first… it is brilliantly stunning, and you won’t want to put it down!

As for my shoot, a huge thanks going to:

Coordination: April Dorsey, The D-Tales, Orlando
Makeup: Mary Irwin, Agency Gerard Management using Yaby Cosmetics
Hair: Nicole Beth Miller, Jacksonville
Styling: Melanie Pace, Orlando
Floral: Always Flowers and Events, Miami
Gowns: Claire Pettibone, Los Angeles
Model: Choice Gray, Elite Model Management, Miami
Videography: Jeffrey Stoner
Shot at Vizcaya Museum in Miami, FL
Cupcakes: Jennifer Ortiz, Tea Time Cakes
Retouching: Jennifer Frances

Page 23 of the magazine has 2 of our images

My ad can be found on page 38, another of my favorite shots from our V3 shoot!

The brand spankin’ new Southern Weddings website just launched with our shoot as the first extended preview of the cover shoot series! Their gallery is SO pretty! So jump over HERE to take a look! But here’s a few screenshots from our shoot!

And here are the rest of our favorite shots!

Obviously not knowing what I was getting myself into – I had one rule: I can’t swim.

Rachel accommodated my childhood fears by promising that I could stay on solid ground while her entire bridal party jumped in to the ocean! Score!

But before that, I loved spending the afternoon with Rachel and Matt and getting some amazingly gorgeous photos! Their love just seems to transcend… completely infectious (in a good way!) So I really hope you enjoy their Day After session in beautiful Montego Bay, Jamaica!

Matt and Rachel, it’s impossible for me to put in to words how much I’ve enjoyed taking this journey with you. More than clients, you have become my dear friends and every day that I see a tweet or facebook comment from you, my little heart gets happy Here’s to years of friendship and Jersey fantasticness! I swear I’ll get there one day!

If you loved the shoot, please leave a comment on Lauren’s blog to let her know! This girl does such an amazing job giving us daily inspiration, it’s always nice to know it’s appreciated

Gowns are Justin Alexander, La Sposa, Lazaro and Carmen Sutera – all from Something Blue Bridal Salon in Orlando.
Bouquet by Lee Forrest Design, Orlando
Hair by Nicole Beth, Jacksonville
Makeup by Heather Schnell, Orlando
Coordination by April Dorsey, The D-Tales, Orlando
Photography by me, Kristen Weaver Photography, Orlando
Photographer Assistant was Heather Blackwell
Model is Tyler Hill