August emailed me about 6 months ago while planning her one-year anniversary vacation with hubby, Kareem. They were coming down to Florida and wanted to get some post-wedding photos down near Disney! After all of her wedding photos were lost by her photographer (?! I know… right?!), she knew she wanted some memories to take back to New York, and I was more than happy to help! Little did I know that they would teach me to get back to the fundamentals of unrequited love.

The story of this amazing couple spans decades…. from the early 90′s when they first met, to their long distance relationship and in to the last few years – when August donated her kidney to save Kareem’s life. Yeah. There are times when I won’t even give up the last Root Beer for Anthony….

August and Kareem are just the sweetest, fun-loving couple! They were more than willing to trek around with me and visit some of my favorite spots!

I also wanted to post this amazingly sweet review that I noticed August wrote everywhere! I can’t tell you how much it helps my business when my clients review me! I REALLY appreciate it, and just wanted to share

I know many people provide reviews and when verified, they may not be all that believable. Well, I would provide my TELEPHONE NUMBER, if I could, along with my photo shoot portraits as a source verification as to the EXCELLENT work Kristen does! It’s NOT just the photo’s that made our session wonderful, although they were flawless; it’s her personality and demeanor during our session. She is an absolute pleasure to work with. And I really want to express my appreciation for Kristen Weaver. Kristen is the warmest and inviting photographer I have had the pleasure of meeting, and I have met a few! I am a very skeptical, “hard-to-please” individual, when it comes to pictures, and very particular about everything. My husband looks like a club bouncer, lol, with a very intimidating presence and an introverted attitude until he feels your personality out. Well, Kristen had the ability to not only satisfy my entire list of needs during the session but make my husband SMILE! I was amazed! He is not a “picture taker” and he was smiling and laughing and having a ball before the session ended. Before the session was half way through, Kristen had both our trust and comfort in her hands. I was so pleased I wanted to send my family out to Florida to take more pictures.

My previous wedding pictures were lost by the photographer and I was devastated!!  I explained to Kristen what I was looking for in my pictures, I was very nervous and skeptical as a “photographer seeker” for my “retakes” and Kristen simply made my “retake” dreams come true!! The action pictures, candid pictures and portraits were awesome! Her website is completely true and ALL that is encompassed in it!!! Every picture she took of my husband and I was phenomenal!! All I can say is Kristen Weaver is thee best photographer EVER! If I could recommend ANYONE to take photos it would be Kristen, hands down! She made our photo session very comfortable. She worked around our schedule and was extremely patient, accommodating and fun! We were visiting from NY and she provided not only pictures but a small tour of the Disney area during our shoot.

A huge thank you to the General Manager over at Celebration Hotel who graciously allowed us to use their gorgeous hotel for photos! The hotel has been undergoing some gorgeous changes, and in true Kessler tradition, their art gallery is stunning!

August’s hair and makeup was done by the oh-so-talented Jillian Caro!

Since August and Kareem had never been to Disney before, I decided to take them over to the hammocks at the Polynesian Resort, and then the Grand Floridian – for some true Disney elegance!

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…

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!

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!

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!