The Root Photography Blog

Hope + Mark : Vizcaya Engagement Session

April 27, 2022 by Jensey 1 Comment

She’s “friends” with Disney royalty, he’s one of my all-time favorite Disney park photographers (click here to go drool over his portfolio!) and they’re just as kind as they are beautiful. Shortly after Mark proposed to Hope, he mentioned wanting us to be their wedding photographers, and I think my first response was, “Are you sure?!?!?” It’s been a while since I’ve been so nervous and excited to photograph a wedding day, but if Nate’s photos from their engagement session are any indication, Hope and Mark are certainly going to make our job easy. 🤍
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I first discovered Hope when the pandemic was still fresh and scary and one of the few things that brought me true comfort was the release of Taylor Swift’s Folklore album. I had never been a “Swiftie” in the past, but this album brought me so much peace the hundreds of times I played it in 2020. This was also the time when Haute by Hope showed up in my Instagram feed, and I saw this woman sharing her adventures in learning to sew, and she just happened to be sewing dresses inspired by songs on Folklore. To this day I can’t choose a favorite, but it’s safe to say I’ve been one of her biggest fans ever since discovering her talent and passion for my favorite hobby!

Given that little backstory, I think it was around that time I learned that Mark and Hope were dating and I thought, “Oh, yep, that seems just about right!” Mark Willard and Tom Bricker are household names for us because of their amazing Disney park photography, and we often share their latest posts with each-other. Mark and Hope are the epitome of a power couple to me and I can’t wait to see what they tackle next- This much beauty, creativity, and talent shouldn’t be allowed in one family but thankfully they seem like genuinely kind hearted people so I’ll allow it. ;)

Mark proposed to Hope after a night out seeing The Nutcracker (let’s all just take a moment to collectively swoon here, ok?). So it wasn’t at all a surprise when they were brainstorming session locations with Nate, that the phrase “off duty Parisian ballerina” was thrown out and I knew juuuuust the place- the Ringling Museum in Sarasota! I thought the blush walls would be perfect and sure enough- they weren’t allowing any session bookings.

THEN I remembered a wedding we photographed a decade or so ago in Miami at Vizcaya. It required a road trip for sure but I certainly think it hit the spot- This place is like Paris meets a Taylor Swift music video and well, I think you can see how it all tied together quite nicely in the end. <3

I am counting the daaaaays until we have the honor of photograph their wedding day!!

Until then, enjoy my favorite Nate shoot of 2022!!

Jena + Scott : Disney Cruise Line Wedding Part I

March 31, 2022 by Jensey 1 Comment

Ohhhhh Jena and Scott. <3

From the second we got a red View-Master in the mail for their save the date, I kneeeeeeew this couple was going to be a perfect fit for us. Jena and Scott were originally set to sail February of 2021 but of course Covid had other plans. I’m so, so happy they stuck with their plans and had faith in us to photograph their day!!

My favorite story from the wedding was during Scott’s brother’s speech. Scott called him right after finally kissing Jena, the girl he had a crush on in high school. The only thing that maybe topped the love between Jena and Scott was all the love everyone had for Jena and Scott, not just individually but as a couple.

I want to keep talking but I’m getting antsy to start sharing photos, starting with my favorite!!! We were taking photos at the smoke stack when Donald and Daisy casually walked by and we got to capture this sweet moment! <3

These cruises can be so overwhelming for wedding guests who have potentially never been to Disney, but also never cruised! Jena was an incredible hostess, my favorite thing being when she put all of her guests (and us!) into a big group chat. She was able to use that to tell everyone about where and when to meet, what was going on, and tips for getting the most out of their trip. Their guests always knew where Jena and Scott were if they wanted to join in the fun! <3

Always my must-take photo! <3 “Think Scott will cry?” I asked Jena as we walked to their first look. She laughed, “Oh ABSOLUTELY not!!”⁠ Bridesmaids bouquets, but make them MAGICAL!!
This processional was e v e r y t h i n g.
Ok ok keep scrolling down for part two!! :)

Lauren + Craig : Boat House at Confluence Park Wedding

October 1, 2020 by Jensey 3 Comments

If we’ve photographed your wedding, you’ve hopefully joined our online “clubhouse” for past Root couples. It’s called Root Lifers BECAUSE of Lindsey, the sister of the bride you’re about to meet. So to say this family is special to us is an extreme understatement; they’re family. <3

Lauren and Craig’s wedding story is a lot like some other weddings I’ll be sharing this year: they planned a beautiful May wedding in Columbus, Ohio, before the world fell apart and had to pivot. They rescheduled to September and she was so happy they did; when their original wedding date arrived, it poured allllllll day, so everything would have been moved inside! Instead, we enjoyed the most amazing weather in the 70º’s, and it was the most welcome break for these Florida kids!!

Y’all- we’ve only shot two weddings these past 6 months and I still never even blogged our last two weddings before the shutdown! I definitely feel a little dusty when we start shooting, but it all comes back right away. And I’m a little out of practice when it comes to our workflow after a wedding, trying to remind myself what step is next, lol! Anyway, I thought I’d jump back into blogging with our most recent event and then catch up as time goes on.

On to Lauren and Craig’s day! <3

These two met AT a wedding! Lauren was a bridesmaid and she and Craig even have a photo from dancing at the reception. :)

We’ve photographed Maddie since she was a teeny baby, so I loved seeing how grown up she looked as a flower girl in her aunt’s wedding! <3

Just to prove I’m not lying- This baby is the beauty in the last photo!! <3

First look love! <3

The middle three are all Root brides! <3 <3 <3

His sweet mama was a ball of emotions all day and I. was. here. for. it!! <3

Lindsey’s sweet grandma wasn’t able to make it because of Covid, but she was absolutely there in spirit (and Facetime!)

Special mini session for our favorites!!! This will be the first year they haven’t come down to Florida for a family session since Liam was a BABY and I’m still in denial about that!