The Root Photography Blog

Hayley + Elfyn : Portrait Winners!

September 17, 2010 by Jensey 6 Comments

Remember back in May when we had that big portrait contest?! Well, we were finally able to do our first session with one of the runners-up!! Hayley and Elfyn stole my heart immediately. She started her entry admitting to be a blog stalker (my favorite kind of bride!) and let us know that while they wanted to have us shoot their wedding day, their budget wasn’t Root friendly. :(
“When I first starting reading your blog, your personalities really came through in the photos, and I felt that you matched ours really well! Photographers just don’t seem as fun in the UK! We’d love a photo that Nate climbed a tree to take; we’d love a self-photo in an elevator mirror with the Roots; and we’d absolutely love to see our photo in the blog with Jensey exclaiming ‘favourite!'”

Hayley also let us know she recently lost 40 lbs for her wedding day and was looking forward to having some pictures to show off her rockin’ new bod. Ok, so maybe she didn’t use those words per-say, but still. ;)

Anyway, somewhere between Hayley being crazy flattering to us in her sweet note and the next 3 amazing photos she included in her email, Nate and I fell in love with Hayley and Elfyn! We felt so completely connected to them and immediately knew we not only wanted to give them some pretty pictures of themselves, but we wanted to become their friends! I’m talking friendship bracelets and all! :)

Hayley, you’re such a better bed jumper than me!!!

Hayley and Elfyn spent almost a month in Orlando around the time they got married- How amazing is that?! We scheduled their photo shoot shortly after their wedding day so we could capture them in all their glowy-newlywed goodness! No, seriously, I’m convinced there’s a special glow around a couple for a few weeks after they’re married- See? :)

Hayley, this is why we picked you guys. :)

It felt like we hadn’t shot around Disney’s Boardwalk Resort in ages… Kinda felt like slipping in a comfortable pair of jeans! :)

Hands down, my favorite moment from the session: I told Hayley to walk up behind Elfyn and do something, assuming she’d walk up behind him and give him a bear hug or snuggle or something, and we got this! Hayley for the epic win! ;)

FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!

Hayley ended her contest entry with, “Okay, okay, I give. The underlying reason we’d love to have you for a shoot? We just have to meet Huck! :)”

I feel dreadful about completely forgetting about that part! In fact, it was the night after Hayley and Elfyn’s session that Huck had his little adventure. How terrible is that?

Hayley and Elfyn, we’re so excited to have you in the Root Photography family and as new friends! Can’t wait for our next visit. :) And I promise that next time, you can hang out with Huck!! Thank you for entering our giveaway!!!

Jessie + Nicholas : Revisited

September 3, 2010 by Jensey 7 Comments

Before we get to the photos, I’d like to clarify something: We do not do photo shoots for couples inside the four Walt Disney World parks. Not because we don’t want to, but because only Walt Disney World photographers are allowed. We do, however, do shoots now and then with our close friends. ‘Cause we’re best friends, we’re just hanging out in the park with our cameras, and it’s not like they’re paying us or anything. Got it? Good. :D

Before I blog Nick and Jessie’s wedding day, I thought I’d revisit some favorites from their pre-engagement session from Spring ’08! We did a shoot with them around the Magic Kingdom. :) I hope the fact that we make all of our friends do photo shoots for us is a perk of the friendship, not an “Oh no, here they go again…” kind of thing! :/

Either way, if you’re a photographer with friends as pretty as this, you take advantage of it! :)

Jessie, this is the very moment you won me over for life. Just sayin’.

Nick and I met working in Fantasyland, so a spin on the teacups was a must! :)

Nick and Jessie surprised me by granting one of my biggest wishes- A tour of the Castle Suite in Cinderella Castle! Now I can die happy. <3

Castle Suite mirror shot! :)

Cutest. Couple. Ever. :)

We took a few more shots around Celebration before dinner. :)

Photos from their South Carolina wedding to come Monday! :)

Jenni : Portrait

August 15, 2010 by Jensey 6 Comments

During Jenni and Dan’s engagement session, she casually mentioned she’s sort a big Gwen Stefani fan. But we’re not talking the kind of casual fan who knows all the words to her songs and tries to see a concert here or there-She’s a true groupie! Jenni’s danced on stage with Gwen, she has not one but three Gwen-related tatoos, one being this gorgeous peacock feather that covers the side of her torso. This got us thinking that maybe when we had some free time, we could try to talk her into doing a Gwen-inspired shoot! I was expecting to hear some hesitation, but instead she basically said “anywhere, anytime!” With that, we put her in touch with our past bride, Kalie, who works at About Face and I knew would do a great job on hair and make-up. And seriously- How fabulous did she look?! :)

I think this very first one is my favorite!

Jenni, I love you. :)

The shoot was pretty much all about Jenni, but since Dan looked the part, as well, we had to get some shots of them both! :)

Dan was such a good sport through the shoot- Carrying bags and watching for cars, and coming in a few shots when we needed him. ;) He looked perfect with her, too, since Jenni gave him a rock star makeover. :)

Whew! Jenni and Dan- Thank y’all for everything! We love you and hope to see you again soon! :) And for the rest of you blog readers- We love stepping outside out box every now and again and shooting things other than engagements and weddings! That being said, if you have a great idea for a shoot, contact us! :)