Giving Thanks

I have this wonderful friend. She goes out of her way to help her friends and be kind to strangers. She is especially kind to me. For the past year, my husband has been deployed overseas. Terra did everything she could to make the time easier for me. One huge thing she does to help me is work as my wonderful, amazing assistant during weddings and photo shoots. I am so grateful for this great girl. I spent Thanksgiving with her and the family and it was so wonderful that I think my family may have to join them from now on. :)

So, as you can imagine, I was happy to do this little thing for her: Document her first Thanksgiving at home. It was a blast and I can't wait for next year! :)

 

Great job, Terra! xoxox

Mr. & Mrs. Heath // St. Augustine Wedding Photographer

Meet Alanna and Jared, an absolutely adorable couple from Lakeland, Florida. These two are brilliant. They chose to forgo a traditional wedding for a quaint ceremony and relaxing honeymoon at the gorgeous Cedar House Inn in St. Augustine.

The inn is absolutely beautiful and the innkeeper, Cyndi, was so accommodating. The whole day was just so perfect. I admired their choice for its romance and sheer simplicity.

They didn't miss out on the fun either; They wore their wedding best and looked so beautiful together. Before the ceremony, we walked around downtown and took some fun shots. These two are so in love... Jared kept whispering sweet things to Alanna and she would ask me to hold on while she dried up her happy tears. :) So sweet!

Alanna loved the wrought iron spirals that hold the shutters open because her old house had the same ones.

Around sunset we headed back to the inn. The two were married in the gazebo that overlooks the inn's courtyard.

They were SO thrilled to officially be Mr. and Mrs.! Cyndi poured some champagne and the two relaxed on the front porch.

A perfect king and queen... :)

Congratulations Jared and Alanna! I am so glad you chose St. Augustine to celebrate the most important day of your lives! I hope you look back on your photos often and remember the tears of joy you cried.

xoxo,
Cheryl Joy

What to Wear // Family Portrait Photography

The number one question clients ask is, "What should we wear??". This is understandable since outfits really can make or break a family photo.

Some advice:

Vary your colors and textures

Add accessories

Have FUN

Take, for example, the Larrabees. They are a sweet family that booked a mini-session with me while I was in Texas visiting family. Kathy wasn't sure what to dress her family in, but she knew that she wanted colorful, vibrant photos. As I was editing her photos, I realized that she found a perfect balance.

Her youngest daughter has a relatively simple knit dress, in a bold color with a matching hair accessory, simple white tights and sweet little shoes. Her older daughter is wearing a jean skirt with a bright green top. Her knee socks add some visual interest and her little mary janes are similar to her sisters. They aren't too matchy, but they still look good together. Kathy and her husband simply paired colorful tops with a simple skirt for her, and jeans for him and their baby wore a knit cream dress with striped pants. 

They look casual and adorable.

Seeing what "works" is always more helpful for me than seeing what doesn't. :)

xoxo

Carla's Beautiful Blog and The Sister Trip

I am one of four children and the youngest of three girls. My sisters and I are all very different, very silly and (of course) so lovable. ;)

My oldest sister, Carla Jean, lives in Alabama. She is a music journalist and the managing editor of Birmingham Magazine. Carla Jean is, like I mentioned, quite silly. She has owned her domain (www.carlajeanwhitley.com) for years and just linked it to her blog. As we were talking this morning she mentioned that she'd like a new blog banner. She told the right girl, because within a few minutes she had one. Behold, Carla's new website:

carlajeanwhitley.com

You might be wondering why exactly this is blog-worthy. The answer is- I took both of the photos for her blog banner and her "about me" photo during our recent visit to New York City (the home of Crissy, the middle sister). While we were there we visited The Strand, a huge book store- 18 miles of books, to be exact. Crissy and I just had to laugh at the love in Carla Jean's eyes as we approached the store. I crept up on her to take these oh-so honest portraits:

And here is one more fun one from The Strand:

And a few more from our trip:

During our first day, we ate lunch at Grand Central Station. Carla Jean took this photo of me with her cell phone. I think it's kind of fun to see me and what I was shooting. :)

This is Union Square. We were in a store front above the square when I took the photo of Carla Jean's feet for her blog header- though at the time we had no idea we'd use the photo for anything.

I looove these photos from the walk to Time Square with Crissy.

Crissy took this photo of me surrounded by a sea of tiny people. :)

At the South Street Seaport,

The Met,

and a random street, The Empire State Building, and The Guggenheim (I la-la-la-love Frank Lloyd Wright)

It was a BLAST. Thanks Sisters. xoxo

Mr. & Mrs. Vause // St. Augustine Wedding Photographer

Josh and Carly are a sweet, stylish, laid back couple. They were happily married on October 9, 2010.

Carly looked gorgeous. We took her adorable bridal portraits at Declaration Boutique and Events on St. George Street. The day before the wedding, I happened to walk into the boutique and the style was just screaming Carly's name. Lara, who owns Declaration, was sweet enough to let us take over her place for a while. :)

Carly and Josh first saw each other near the Great Cross of St. Augustine. Josh was blown away by his bride.

Josh and Carly have a baby boy together. Carly had the fun idea of meeting little Brody at the carousel for some "Mommy and Daddy time" before the big event... and, of course, she looks pretty cute perched on her carousel horse.

The ceremony was held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, where Carly's family has been attending for years.

I fell in love with the little flower girl and ring bearer. They were just too cute together!

After the ceremony, everyone headed over to Carly's mom's house where she threw the best backyard reception I've ever seen! The yard was completely transformed and everything looked beautiful.

Congratulations, you two! It was an honor to be a part of your wedding day!

:)

Little Laynie // St. Augustine Children Photographer

Little Laynie is an absolute sweet heart... and I'm a fan of her mom, too!  I've known Jessica for years and I loved seeing her and her little cutie. Laynie's mini session was at the fort in St. Augustine. She was really happy to be there and I had fun just following her around. 

She is so lovely.

I love how little ones walk so wobbly!

It was so cute seeing Laynie in her tutu... It took her a few moments to regain her composure. :)

Love her! xoxo