You’re reading the Root Photography Blog!

Smith Family : Celebration Florida Family Portrait Session

March 23, 2016 by Jensey Leave a Comment

The spring before my family moved to Celebration, Florida from Tennessee, I did an internship with the Walt Disney World College Program to help me decide whether I wanted to stay at school in Tennessee or move with the family to Florida. I mean let’s be honest, I kneeeeew I wanted to move to Orlando, but it was a good excuse to come work for Disney a little sooner. ;)

Before long I was unpacking my Celebration bedroom realizing this was now home! And sure enough, these were three of the faces I met first as a Celebration resident. :) This family lived right behind us and I was as old as Cole, the oldest brother, and Charlotte was going to be a freshman at Celebration High with my little sister. There’s really nothing that makes a new house feel like a home more than your little sister running around with her new best friend! And as it turned out, Charlotte’s family was also from Tennessee, and in even more of a “small world” moment, Charlotte’s brother even went to high school with my suite mates at UT Knoxville!

Anyway, Charlotte emailed us last year saying that her parents will soon be moving out of Celebration following her dad’s retirement but they wanted to surprise her mom with a family session for her birthday. So. Stinkin’. Sweet. Charlotte’s brothers are now married and there’s a new star of the family, little miss Morgan! It was so fun meeting the newest family members. :)

Pam, Hershel, Kip, Missy, Morgan, Cole, Johanna, and CHARLOTTE! We love y’all and wish you the best, neighbors! <3

Kathy + Jeff : Orlando Wedding

March 22, 2016 by Jensey 2 Comments

Kathy and Jeff met each other in college when they were on their school’s bowling team. For several years they were just friends, and as they both ended their relationships, started talking a lot more. It wasn’t until Kathy spent the summer with her sister out of state that they started dating as soon as she returned. Jeff proposed in the courtyard of Kathy’s apartment complex with his great great great grandmother’s ring! It didn’t take long for them to start planning their dream Disney wedding, which is where we came in! :)

ate

Kathy’s father surprised her with her late mother’s pearl necklace, and there wasn’t a dry eye to be found.

Kathy and Jeff wanted their family to be a part of the first look but not riiiiiiight there, so we were thrilled to find out the groomsmen got ready in a room overlooking our favorite first look spot at the Boardwalk. :)

One of my faaaaaavorites! <3

Ah, yes. As their guests took their seats, we heard thunder rumbling in the background but hoped for the best.

Loved these sweet boys. <3

Kathy supplied her guests with paper parasols to protect them from the sun, but they ended up being extra useful when the sprinkles started. And then…. :/

The sky opened up and we finished the ceremony in the pouring rain! This has neeeeeever happened to one of our weddings, it was so crazy! But Kathy and Jeff were amazing sports, and the guests took it in stride. Loved this day. :)

Soooooo much good luck for these two! ;)

I was thrilled the sky cleared up for some post-ceremony portraits on the way to their wedding reception!

Our favorite Disney DJ, Charles Miles! <3

Kathy and Jeff, thank you so much for having us and being so wonderful!! :)

Kim + Mike : Orlando, Florida Anniversary Session

March 16, 2016 by Jensey 2 Comments

Ohhhhh, our yearly sessions with these #rootlifers. <3

It’s hard to believe it’s almost been 5 years since these two were married! We photographed their engagement session at Ohio State, wedding at the Brevard Zoo, and anniversary sessions at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and then their home in Baltimore. Our travel hasn’t matched up for a shoot with them for a while, but we’re always so thankful for their patience and persistence to make something work! We finally were able to match schedules and photograph last year’s anniversary session around the Art of Animation resort. :)

I love that Kim “Disney Bounded” as Ariel for the second part of their session! :)

Kim and Mike, we love you more than you know! Can’t wait to see what fun our next shoot brings! :)

Ashley + Bradley : Cypress Grove Estate House Wedding in Orlando

March 14, 2016 by Jensey 3 Comments

I can’t think of a better wedding to feature in March than a gorgeous plantation wedding with more towering green trees than you can shake a stick at. Their wedding may have taken place in November, but everything about Ashley and Bradley’s wedding, colors included, make me think of spring. :)

These guys came to Orlando from Canada for their wedding, and instead of having a Disney wedding, they got married at the gorgeous Cypress Grove Estate House. Every time I’m there I wish we were there more often, it’s so beautifully southern and I love getting a “Tennessee” fix every now and then. Plus, Ashley loved it because it reminded her of Edward and Bella’s wedding venue in Twilight. ;)

This was our first wedding with RW Events, and Rachel was such a pleasure to work with! She kept things cool when nerves ran high and the day went off without a hitch. Reverend Kevin Knox performed the ceremony, and Kristin of Our DJ Rocks kept the dance floor packed. It really was such a wonderful day! :)

This. Venue. <3

First look time!! :) Ashley and Brad saw each other before their ceremony and we were able to get their portraits and wedding party photos done in great light! The sun went down shortly after the wedding and we wouldn’t have had any time for these portraits otherwise.