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Kirsten + Walter : Disney Saratoga Springs Engagement Session

September 22, 2016 by Jensey Leave a Comment

Kirsten and Walter are from a small town in Florida and even though they went to high school together, they didn’t meet until years later. Walter was a month away from moving to Chicago when they met, but they knew they had something special, and it only took one year of a long distance relationship before Kirsten moved to Chicago as well. One year later and they missed the sunshine state way too much and knew it was time to come home. Walter proposed at Victoria and Albert’s, and we’re so excited for their wedding this weekend!! :)

These are a few of my favorites from their engagement session around Disney’s Saratoga Springs, a resort that’s extra special to these two. I loved the autumn-y feeling that some of these photos gave, and we had so much fun getting to know Kirsten and Walter around a resort that we don’t frequent too much. Wedding photos to come next! <3

Summer : Our Portrait Giveaway Winner!

September 21, 2016 by Jensey 1 Comment

Seeing as today is the last day of summer, it seems like the perfect time to share our session photos from our session with beautiful Summer! <3

Last summer, Nate and I had a portrait session giveaway. Summer had not one but TWO entries by her mom and aunt for her to win a shoot with us. They were both incredibly touching, but it was her Aunt Juliana’s that won us over.

Two year old Summer already battled pediatric liver cancer that had metastasized to her lungs. Summer had major surgery, a stem cell transplant and high intensity chemo, and is still always looking to play and find a way to be happy. Summer is still fighting away, and if you want to know more about her, you can read more on her Alex’s Lemonade Stand page here.

We returned to the Grand Floridian for Summer’s family session, which happens to be where we photographed her parents’ wedding, too. <3

My favorite part of the session was when Gina and Bob pulled out Summer’s Beads of Courage. I’d never heard of this organization, but they help children coping with serious illness record, tell, and own their story of courage. It’s impossible to look at this portrait of Summer and not feel overcome with emotion when you learn that each bead this two-year-old is wearing represents a type of hospital occurrence (like a needle stick, infusion, surgery, medication challenge, clinic visit, etc.)

#SummerStrong, indeed. <3

Summer’s session also included some friends, like her very best friend who happens to be the daughter of her mom’s very best friend. <3

Beautiful Root bride Juliana!!

I also have to point out that Summer’s adorable ensemble was handmade entirely by her grandmother!! Jo-Ann has seriously inspired me to step up my sewing game!!

Kisses for her new cousin! <3

Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaavorite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The whole gang. Crifasis, you have our hearts. We can’t wait until next time!! <3

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Lilly : Orlando, Florida Family Session Photographer

September 19, 2016 by Jensey Leave a Comment

Kate did the Walt Disney World College Program years ago and was so excited to introduce her two year old to her favorite place. :)

Friends, meet Lilly (And Shellie May.)

Before we could get her to smile, Lilly was a biiiiit unsure about these two strangers and their giant cameras!

But then we slowly became buddies! :)

Thank you to Shellie May for making Lilly brave, and for coordinating with her outfit. ;)

Nate gets my favorite photos of toddlers while running backwards and shooting. I don’t know how he does it, but I’m so grateful he does… The next photo is my faaaaavorite! :)

Kate, thanks so much for reaching out to us, and we hope you had a wonderful rest of your trip! :)

Rachael + Matt : California Grill Wedding Reception and Epcot Dessert Party (Wedding Part II)

September 15, 2016 by Jensey 1 Comment

Before you read this, make sure you’ve read Rachael and Matt’s Wedding Part One!!!

Epcot wedding days are early wedding days. Most of our brides pull all-nighters before their wedding, because they’re drunk on wedding magic, pixie dust, and adrenaline! Well, that and their hair and make up team is showing up at 3am. ;)

We tend to set our alarms for 4am to start our day, get back home to take a nap after lunch, download cards, feed Huck, and head out for the dessert party. It’s not uncommon for me to wistfully tell Nate how amazing it’d be to have a room at the resort we finished at so we could just walk to our room and crash! Well, imagine my surprise when we left Rachael’s wedding and Nate pulled the car into the Boardwalk to valet! He told me he made lunch reservations (which I was a little peeved about because I just wanted to go home and sleep!!), but we checked in to our room instead. <3

It was so fun to just walk into the back entrance of Epcot a little early for the dessert party, grab a drink at the Rose and Crown, and shoot some fireworks!

But back to the wedding. ;) Their reception took place at the California Grill, probably my favorite Disney reception spot! I can never get enough of all that natural light and that view of my favorite park.

Rachael and Matt love dinosaurs. Like, LOVE dinosaurs. Rachael painted a bunch of little gold dinos to sprinkle around their tables, and she and Matt entered their reception to the Jurassic Park theme song! :) Rachael’s favorite movie is The Good Dinosaur, and their cake was themed to Pixar’s “Lava” short with characters from The Good Dinosaur around it. Juuuuuuust wait for the photos, y’all. <3

SO much love for this wedding. ENJOY!!!!!!

Kicking things off with my favorite ring shot of the year so far, a la Nate’s camera magic! <3

That viiiiiiiiiiew! <3

Sing it with me now!

“I have a dream I hope will come true
That you’re here with me and I’m here with you
I wish that the earth, sea, the sky up above-a
Will send me someone to lava!”