What Would Diane Arbus Do?

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Don't forget to throw some glitter and make it rain!!! Had the most fun at a graduation shoot today. Here's a fun GIF.  Happy Graduation, Grads!

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This beautiful woman is one of my oldest UF friends. We met in this awful freshman art class, but were able to endure it together- I don't think I would have been able to make it without her. Nights of drawing were spent watching The Breakfast Club, eating junk food and laughing until the wee hours of the morning. 

And now she is engaged and getting married to the love of her life. I was so happy to be able to take these boudoir photos as a surprise for her army hubby-to-be. Even though we are miles apart, our friendship stays as strong as ever. Love you girl!!!

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The more I shoot family portraits, the more I love them. They don't take too long, the editing is quick, and you get to spend some time with a family and capture their love for one another!

This portrait session took place in Waldo, Fla. The day was foggy and overcast, but I really love how it made the water look. Their dogs, Cody and Caty were adorable. It was such a joy to shoot.

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This was such a beautiful wedding reception. Elias and Despina met not too long ago - in Greece! And they are so in love. 

They married at the courthouse the day before, with the reception at Sweetwater Branch Inn. The hotel was decorated for the holidays, and it was just all so lovely. I also think it's very important to mention that Despina made her dress from scratch! She also made all of the flower arrangements. HOW MAGICAL! 

I was so happy to have been able to capture their special day. 

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Lauren you are so beautiful! I thought so while taking your photos, but editing them made me even more aware of it!!

Good luck to you in all that you do! It was a joy to meet and photograph you. GO GATORS!

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Beautiful Yami. You better give Criminal Minds a run for their money. Show em' what a real criminologist looks like!!! 

So happy to have met you! Congrats to you and your lovely fiance. Can't wait to see those wedding photos. GO GATORS!

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I ventured into the small town of Hampton yesterday with my friend Olivia Langdon. The recently elected mayor was arrested for selling prescription drugs, and it was our job to find out how the community was taking the news. 

It was a really cool experience. We went door to door in residential areas, asking people how they felt. Many were standoffish, but many were very helpful.

We lucked out and ended up tracking down his brother. 

Read the full story here. 

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I had the opportunity to shoot some family portraits in Gainesville a couple of weeks ago, and I had a total blast! I really love portraits. They are quick to shoot and to edit. And you get this little glimpse into a family's personality. And this family was so beautiful! This is just handful of the wonderful shots we got. 

When Claire first contacted me, she told me about all of the difficulties we might have when taking their photos. But no dilemma is too difficult when it comes to photos. These were the first portraits they had ever had done, and I am so happy to have been the one to take them. So happy with the finished product and the moments captured. 

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I have a knack for finding the strangest campsites. 

But it always ends up being a good time.

This particular site was Kate's Fish Camp - which is actually someone's backyard. Granted, it's a very large piece of land right next to a lake, but nonetheless, a back yard. 

Complete with a stage and a string of lights, it was really unlike any other "campground" I've been to. Only two other campers were at Kate's Camp and we didn't talk much. I can't imagine they get too many people coming through. 

The bathroom was attached to their house, and the shower was outside, which the homeowner was very proud of as he had built it himself.

We also found a string of patriotic red, white and blue lights - which I can only imagine were used for some Fourth of July party many moons ago. 

We enjoyed some beers, relaxed in the hammock, told age-old stories and snuggled by the camp fire. 

It's really nice to get away from it all - even if it means camping in someone's backyard. 

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I visited a country circus this weekend. I didn't even know country circuses existed! But they do in Williston.

The Two Hawk Hammock Country Circus featured clowns, aerial silks, samba dancers and much more. All in all it was cute and a lot of fun. 

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Photographed Gainesville Gone Austin at the Hitchcock Farm at Santa Fe River Ranch last night. It was such a beautiful farm. Anybody getting married should get married here and hire me to shoot it. Please! :) 

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It's not often that you happen across a true, fairy tale romance. Generally it is something you only see in Disney movies or corny chick flicks. But once in a while, you find yourself looking at a love whose fire burns stronger every day. 

That is what I see when I look at Jim and Katie. 

Finding your perfect match is a feat in itself. But finding that certain someone in the mountains of Alaska... well, some would call that fate. 

Jim and Katie met in Skagway, AK- a town with a population of 2,000 in the summer and 600 in the winter.

Jim is an archeologist from Illinois - Katie a journalist from Florida. Transported to Skagway, they had worked next door to each other for an entire summer without knowing the other existed. They finally met in a restaurant through a mutual friend. I guess you could call it love at first sight. 

Two years later, Jim proposed to Katie while cutting down a Christmas tree in the Dyea Flats. Who could say no to that? They will be married in Alaska this coming August, with their Irish Staffordshire Terrier, Scarlette by their side. 

When I think of a love to aspire to, I think of Jim and Katie. 

I cannot wait to see what your future holds and where life takes you. I love you both and can't wait to hug you all again. Give Deedles a kiss for me <3.

xoxo

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I had a fabulous time photographing an improv group last night- UF's very own Generation! 

Their theme this semester is magic.... and I'd say what we ended up capturing was definitely... magical. Well, it was definitely something. :)

Go on out and see them! 

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Sam and I decided to go camping this weekend! We tried to find a spot at Payne's Prairie, but they were all booked. We tried to find a spot anywhere near here... but they were... ALL BOOKED! So, we found the Traveler's Campground in Alachua. 

It wasn't exactly what we had pictured...

We couldn't have a fire, but we could use grilles. Buuuttt... they didn't have grilles. But they did have a swimming pool, donkeys, peacocks, very loud parrots, an emu, goats, horses, etc, etc. So... needless to say, it was an interesting trip- complete with Moe's for dinner, tirimisu for dessert, a game of "Don't eat Pete", a candle for a campfire and so much more. 

I have the best man and together we have the best time :)

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MMMMMMM lasagna!!!!! I visited Newberry High School's kitchen today. After wandering around the campus looking for someone and finding no one, I followed my nose and found the kitchen. 

The Sunrise Rotary Club was cooking up vats and vast of lasagna for their Mama Mia's italian dinner tomorrow night. They are having to feed 490 people and hope to raise $20,000 for their club. 

Everything looked and smelled SO delicious. There was a moment where I caught myself just standing over the food- staring with my mouth open. Unfortunately, a rotary member saw me, too. So we had a laugh at my expense. 

But the moral of this story is... ITALIAN FOOD IS GREAT!

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And coming home after Halloween is just as good as the trick-or-treating. Even little Lucy and Pearl like to sort through the candy. So stinking cute! 

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This Halloween I decided to skip out on the drinking and slutty costumes, and take a trip down memory lane. I went trick-or-treating with my boyfriend's nieces. And a lovely time it was. Except for the fact that there were so few kids out! By the time I have kids, there will be no more door-to-door candy grabbing. Maybe some of you would say that's a good thing, but I say that it's a classic American past time that's going by the wayside. So I guess I'm glad I went while there is still candy to be had!! Happy Halloween!!