The Root Photography Blog

Disneyland Holiday Family Session!

January 15, 2017 by Jensey 4 Comments

The week before Christmas, Nate and I had the honor of going to Disneyland for a work trip. But just not ANY work trip… A trip for a session with favorite Root Lifers, Liz and Bryan! Just to recap, we photographed their wedding at Walt Disney World years ago (see that here!) and their anniversary session at Disneyland last summer…

Which you can see again here! :) Last summer, the weather was warm but lovely and we were able to get to the park first thing and beat the crowds.

This year, however… :/ We were “lucky” to get to experience a rare sight- Rain in Anaheim! Nate and I had followed the forecast like crazy people leading up to our trip, but the rain didn’t pop up in the forecast until we got there. Unfortunately, this meant rain or shine we were making it happen. Luckily, they were wonderful sports, as was Liz’s sweet family who we were also photographing! :)

We actually got really, really, REALLY lucky with the weather. We may have had to start our session after lunch instead of first thing that morning, but the rain held out until our last set of photos! I was so thankful!! :)

Liz’s parents are two of my favorite human beings on Earth. Her mother is pure sunshine and it’s impossible to not smile when she’s around! :)

Sibling photo ;)

Oh, Tower of Terror! :/

Liz was showing off her newest Disney tattoos to me, but Nate took this photo thinking to anyone else, it looks like I was admiring her biceps, lol. <3

I MEAN! And yes, that’s Ellie, her pup, riding in a doom buggy from Haunted Mansion!

Colschens and Youngs, we adore y’all!!!!!!!!!!!

Kait + Brandon : Boardwalk Inn Wedding in Orlando, Florida

January 13, 2017 by Jensey Leave a Comment

We never know how our couples are going to find us.

Nate and I are lucky to have a business based on word-of-mouth referrals. These often come from our couples singing our praises on wedding websites, message boards, or sending us to their friends and family members. We once booked a shoot because my mom called the Chase Credit card line, and in making small talk with the nice woman on the phone, found out she was having a Disney wedding and shared our information.

We met this lovely bride Kaitlyne because she was the Buy Buy Baby employee who helped us register for our baby shower! :) For nearly 3 hours, we followed Kait around the store while she showed us what we need and what we don’t need, answering our million questions about bottles, cloth diapers, and snot suckers as we went along. We really clicked and found out she was not only engaged, but planning a Disney wedding! Kait’s wedding was only 6 months away, but we gave her our card and let her know we’d love to answer any questions or help out with her planning in any way.

As soon as we got to the car, I told Nate I know she probably has a photographer already, but how fun would that blog post be if we shot her wedding?! <3

SO here we are, 6 months later. This is Kait, who helped us register for the most wonderful treasures for who-knows-when-but-hopefully-someday-baby-Root, and her HUSBAND Brandon, and we’re so tickled that they invited us to be their wedding photographers! :)

Kait and Brandon first met at work when she was his boss. Annoyance led to playful sparring, then flirting, and before they knew it, they were a couple. These guys are so much fun to be around and my cheeks were sore from smiling!

Our day started meeting Brandon at the Boardwalk Inn while we waited for Kait to get there for their first look. :)

FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE. The second before Brandon turned around to see his bride! <3

Those red shooooooes! <3

Kait truly looked like a princess, and I was obsessed with the beading on her dress! <3

These guys <3

And then we were treated to the quickest, most epic of Disney sunsets!

Disney wedding planner Amy! <3

I love that Kait met Brandon at the end of the aisle and they walked down together. <3

Reverend Tim Herring led the guests to a ring warming ceremony. Each guest takes their wedding bands and says a silent prayer over them, or just some positive thoughts. I love a good ring warming ceremony but always cringe a little when they’re on the Boardwalk. Luckily no wedding bands were dropped during this special moment! <3

This little one’s face kills me! :)

Their wedding reception was supposed to be outside at Italy Isola, but got moved inside for rain. Luckily it held out during Illuminations!

LOVE this shot Nate got. <3

Too. Many. Favorites. :)

Kait and Brandon, we were so honored to be a part of it all!! Thank you for having us!! :)

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Scott + Michael : Christmas Eve Surprise Wedding <3

January 2, 2017 by Jensey Leave a Comment

Y’all… Buddy the elf got it all wrong. The best way to spread Christmas cheer ISN’T singing loud for all to hear; it’s inviting your family and friends to your home on Christmas Eve for a surprise wedding! <3

While we wouldn’t usually take a wedding on our anniversary, Nate and I were in Disneyland when we first got Scott’s inquiry and we both got goosebumps! It wasn’t a matter of “if” we’d make it happen, but how, seeing as we’d have to shuffle some family plans to make it happen. I’ve always wanted to photograph a surprise wedding, and I honestly can’t think of a better way to spend our 9th anniversary afternoon than seeing this beautiful couple exchange vows. <3

This was the beautiful view Scott and Michael’s guests were treated to when they arrived for drinks. :)

Last minute cheat-sheet prep by their close friend and officiant, who also doubled as bartender. I told him he could make a killing here in Orlando combining those two services! ;)

THIS GIRL. <3 I fell in love with Michelle on our first shoot together, and she was 1/2 of the reason we got the incredible honor of photographing this wedding! Scott was going to hire a client’s daughter to shoot the event, and Michelle insisted he hire us. After a few minutes, they realized they were both talking about ME! Scott has cut my step dad’s hair for years! Such a small world. :)

It seemed their guests figured out they were there for a wedding at varying times, but I got to be present for a couple light bulb moments. :)

After everyone arrived, Scott and Michael led us to the back porch for the ceremony.

It took Scott’s sweet mom a good minute into the ceremony to realize her son was getting married!!

I loved Scott’s excitement when Michael put his wedding band on! :)

Every time I look at this photo, I get a lump in my throat. <3

The usual suspects! ;) See more photos of Michelle and Pocket HERE!

Marriage license time!!

The real star of the day- Warren! <3

Our favorite. <3

Scott and Michael, we hope y’all know how much it meant to us to be a part of this exciting chapter in your story!! From one Christmas Eve couple to another, we truly wish you the happiest of ever afters. Cheers, friends!!