I don’t normally stress over writing blog entries. Especially when it’s a blog entry about a gorgeous engagement session. But this one is different, because my best friend Candice is getting married in April, and I went out to LA last week to shoot their engagement photos! We had a marathon engagement session that lasted about 8 hours, 5 outfits and oodles of cool locations!

How do you put in to words how much your best friend means to you? I keep trying to think of something clever to say, but instead, I’m reminded of just how fantastic a person she is.

I met Candice while working at Handel’s Ice Cream back in 1998. I was a junior in high school, she was a sophomore. When we realized we were basically the exact same person, we were inseparable. That summer, and my senior year, you could always find us together – at work, at school, lunch hours, weekends, dances…. she just got me (and that’s not easy for anyone!). She was creative, funny and so down-to-earth. She was also super shy (until you got to know her) and loved all the same things that I did. She was a talented artist and driven to greatness, I was sure of it.

After graduating, Candice attended the Fashion Institute in New York City, and her career as a fashion designer began. Now, looking to start her own couture bridal line, Candice has met the man of her dreams, bought a cute little house in Pasadena together, and is planning the most amazing vintage wedding event at the famous Wayfarers Chapel and historic Viceroy Hotel in April.

Kevin is a fantastic match for Candice, and I knew he was perfect for her when I heard he proposed in her favorite city at the Flatiron Building in New York. Not only did he get the location right, but her one-of-a-kind vintage diamond engagement ring was the perfect fit for her flawless fashion style.

I can’t wait to shoot their wedding in April, and share their amazing plans with everyone! And keep a lookout for Candice’s first collection of custom bridal designs that I’ll be shooting

Candice has always been one of the most beautiful people I’ve known. But seriously – look at those big green eyes!

Kevin’s not so bad either No joke, I see beautiful babies in their future

After shooting in Pasadena, we stopped over at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown LA for a few quick shots.

On the way out to Manhattan beach, we stopped over at this amazing restoration shop.

Here’s a shot of her gorgeous vintage diamond ring…

We were so lucky to find these 2 posters of the very place where Kevin proposed! On the right is the Flatiron Building!

We went over to Manhattan Beach and grabbed a Starbucks on the very bench where they first met each other…

This is the bench on the pier where they sat and talked on that first date…

And to finish off the day, we *cautiously* incorporated Kevin’s surfing background by hanging out at some tide pools in the Pacific!

It was no easy task for Candice and I to get out to these rocks – but I’m pretty proud of ourselves for getting there without falling
(with Kevin’s help, thankfully)! The waves were amazing as they crashed around us….

Just before we left, I wanted to get a quick shot of the shoreline. I love the west coast! You just don’t get these views in Florida!

So why is this the “Best Week Ever”?

Well, first of all – our Orlando Style editorial hit newsstands and I got to celebrate at dinner Tuesday night with some of my favorite people! I couldn’t have gotten through that shoot without the creativity and energy of April Dorsey, Lee Forrest, Molly Brown and Melanie Pace, and it was so much fun to just hang out, eat and relax! Seeing your efforts pay off in a beautiful print editorial is one of the most rewarding experiences, and I’m so happy to have shared that with them.

Images for a Cure 2010 is rocking hard, and I have an amazing group of dedicated photographers in Central Florida busting their behinds to make this the best it possibly can be! We’re working on our new branding and starting to get things lined up for an official June 1st Registration drive!

I was also asked to be a guest photographer at a Jacksonville shoot club run by makeup artist, Faythe Mesic, on June 1st. I’m really looking forward to meeting up with all the talented photographers in North Florida. They get together and shoot some fun fashion work every month – a nice break from my crazy wedding season. I’ll be speaking a little on Images for a Cure, and then just getting to help everyone out individually with their shoot! I can’t wait to see everyone there! (I believe it’s open to everyone – just contact Faythe on her website, or Facebook Page to get the details).

Moving right along, I finally started working on my office remodel project! I spend nearly 14 hours a day in my office (often more, rarely less) and have been dying to repaint, re-decorate and re-organize. We just built the house in July, but it’s already seen it’s 3 re-design, poor thing. But I’m fairly set on it this time (let’s hope!). There’s a LOT more to do, but I got most of the paint done and hung my photo-montage on the back wall! We still have to finish the curtains, paint the wall behind my desk (need help moving my desk first!), hang the crown molding and shelves, and then do the closet. The closet will probably take the longest…. but I can’t wait until that’s finished!

And to top off and already stellar week – I was featured on 2 blogs! Yesterday, Weddings Unveiled posted our “Greenhouse Effect” editorial on their blog, Completely Unveiled; and today, my studio interview with Collages.net went up! So if you ever wanted to know how I got my start in photography, what my biggest fear is, who I’d love to meet and what photographer I most admire – go check it out!

Rounding out my weekend, I get to shoot Christine and Micah’s amazing outdoor wedding tomorrow. I can’t wait for this one – it sounds heavenly Outdoors, backyard and on a lake. Perfection Hope everyone’s getting ready for an amazing weekend!

Christine and Micah from their amazing River engagement session

Everyone… meet Susan and Matt Dunn. You may remember my sneak peak of their wedding from their beautiful custom designed invitations (100% Matt). I don’t have a whole lot to say about their wedding last night at the Mead Gardens and Winter Park Farmer’s Market, other than it was everything I imagined it would be It was gorgeous, fun and sweetly romantic. I had such a wonderful time with them – Susan was the calmest bride I’ve ever worked with (maybe it was the afternoon chicken sandwich) and Matt was his glowing, fun-loving self

I’ll have a lot more to say once I post their whole wedding, but here’s a couple teasers from last night’s gorgeous event! (PS… you should see the amazing “getaway” car that was a surprise for Matt…but you’ll have to wait for the full post for that one!)

Dress: Alfred Angelo
Ceremony: Mead Gardens, Winter Park
Reception: Winter Park Farmer’s Market
Music and Lighting: SoundWave Entertainment Systems
Catering: O’Boys BBQ (yum!)

Invitations (Place cards, Fans, Logo, Font): Matt Dunn
Flowers and Centerpieces: Susan Dunn

How cute is it when a bride sticks her tongue out in happiness?

Matt custom designed all the paper, from the invitations, to the fans and place-cards, with their signature silhouette logo, custom font and colors.

Susan made all the floral arrangements herself! They were stunning!

Chaos is gorgeous Awesome sounds provided by Les and Wendy from SoundWave Entertainment. No one left the dance floor all night!

The beautiful ending, to a beautiful wedding;

the beautiful beginning, to a beautiful life together

I got Lauren and Jason’s album just before their trash the dress session in early July, but with moving and being all crazy lately – I forgot to post a couple of shots from their book! I like to show a little bit of the albums when I get them in, just because they’re so fun for me to get! Lauren and Jason got a couple of smaller parent’s albums and a large bridal album. So anyhow, I’m deliriously tired I think, because I’m rambling

Tina and Evan were married on June 13, 2009 in sunny, and hot, Orlando. Their event was beautiful and intimate, with their closest family and friends attending. The country club had a hint of old Southern charm, with white wicker furniture and beautiful arched ceilings. A good friend of the bride, and fantastic coordinator, Jennifer Clark of EllaCharles Events made every little detail absolutely fabulous!

Venue: Tuscawilla Country Club
Floral: Lee Forrest Designs
Cakes: Belladonna Cakes
Entertainment: Marc Burgess Productions
Coordinator: EllaCharles Events

View their wedding on the “Real Weddings” section of weddingchicks.com. (and their highlight here!)

And here’s their gorgeous slideshow!