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…

Tiffany came out to Oviedo the other day to help me out with my project, and we decided to run out and grab a quick 20 minute session of her and her boyfriend, Tibor. I haven’t seen Tiffany since somewhere in 2007, so it was really fun catching up and hanging out for a little bit!

As a side note, it’s also 5am, and I can’t believe I’m still up Ah, the life of a photographer. Whoever says our lives are easy because we have to “sacrifice our Saturday nights” has never spent 20 hours editing, while their family enjoys a lazy Sunday playing games and watching tv (ok, I lied a little bit – I’m watching Three’s Company right now). Actually, I think I’ve logged something like  110 work-hours this last week. I think this coming week may be more. Not that I’d change that, of course, because I’m finally doing what I love more than anything else. But I can tell you I’ve worked harder (and longer) at my passion than I ever did at a full-time job. Ever. Mentally, physically…. ever. And I know about 300 photographers across the world who would surely confirm that.

Lucky for me, this doesn’t feel like work. And admittedly, I’d rather be sitting here writing this blog post than sleeping (we can sleep when we die, right?). Although I may turn in shortly… but at this point, I’m not sure it’s worth it?

However, it may be so late that I’m delirious, and that surely wouldn’t be a good way to write a blog post. I may have to re-read this tomorrow and see how completely crazy I sound

Maybe I should just stick to what I know – and get you to the pictures!

Lauren, Jason and I decided to make up for not getting to shoot engagement photos with a recent “Just Because” session down in Celebration! This was actually a one-on-one couple’s workshop that I hosted for Orlando photographers Carla and Percy of DeArmero Photography. I’m going to have a second post about the workshop and how photographer’s can have one of their own, but I wanted to jump right in to some of the shots I captured of Lauren and Jason on Sunday!

This was my third time working with this great couple. I shot their wedding back in March, and their Trash the Dress in July.  It’s so fun to watch their relationship grow, and I think I need to do this will all of my couples!

What a day! Whew!

Recently, I decided to start some one-on-one photographer workshops. I wasn’t really sure how the whole idea would turn out, but I’ve been getting a lot of “how do you…” emails lately, and thought it would be a great way to get to know some local photographers and share what I know! I’m also insanely lucky to know awesome models, stylists and makeup artists – so I thought it would be fun to bring other photographers along, let them see how I work and get some up-close and personal time with my teams!

Today started off as being 2 workshops, but ended up as a bridal shoot with my girl, Hollie, and then couple’s shoot workshop!

I have A LOT to post (and say) about today – but after 10 hours of shooting, I decided just to post a couple of the teasers instead. I’ll talk more about my experience evading Osceola police and the Squat Shot later on, so stay tuned for that!

But tell me these shots weren’t totally worth almost getting arrested for trespassing??

Dress by Jim Hjelm and Birdcage Veil, both from Something Blue Bridal Salon in Orlando, and amazing floral bouquet by Lee Forrest Design, Orlando!

Dress from Something Blue Bridal Salon (I can’t remember the designer… I’ll find out for you!)

Now… on to our workshop where I shot some “Just Because” photos of recently married couple, Lauren and Jason! Percy and Carla from De Armero Photography joined me (LOTS more about them later – they’re so awesome!)!

Here’s a great shot of Carla and Percy in action!

Seriously, SUCH a fun day! I would do this every day if I could I “heart” my job!

Ok, cheesy – but I couldn’t resist! So Brandi’s shoot is finally done! Yay! And instead of giving you some whole essay about the intrinsic nature of the shoot (honestly, if I wanted to be a professional writer, I would have been), let me just summarize with some of the highlights from our day!

1. Every day should be a Melanie-Day. We were joined by the amazing Melanie Pace and her styling assistant, Meagan.
2. Owning a fancy camera does not a photographer make. Also, when you tell me you “won’t keep me” when stopping me in the middle of my shoot – stop asking me questions.
3. When shooting with a local weatherman (i.e. Jim Van Fleet), be sure to watch him do the weather to know if it’s supposed to rain. He won’t warn you otherwise. (He does the weather on Orlando FOX35, and he’s also a country music star!)
4. Brandi can certainly rock out a shoot – and can throw in a “popped shoulder” at a moment’s notice!
5. Jim can play the guitar. Melanie cannot. (Also, Jim is a lot taller than he looks on Facebook, fyi).
6. October 28 is still sweltering hot in Florida. The chickens were not happy.

If you couldn’t tell, we all had a blast working together – and I think it totally shows in the photos!

This is another one of my favorites! I love the purple

I usually throw in some editing, but this shot below is straight from the camera, and I loved the soft light and colors that came from it. So I left it – completely unedited

And…. back to the color editing

Look – here’s the deal; the most Country music I know is by Garth Brooks or Carrie Underwood. But can we take a quick second and talk about a tall guy with dimples that can wear a hat and jeans like this? Maybe I should like Country a little more…