The Root Photography Blog

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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Rachael + Matt : Epcot Wedding Ceremony (Wedding Part I)

September 12, 2016 by Jensey 2 Comments

I can’t believe this is my second wedding in a row with a two part blog post! Yikes!!

Rachael and Matt’s wedding was the first Epcot one we’ve had in months. It was also the first wedding with nice weather we’ve had since spring. Also, there were dinosaurs. But more on that in part two later this week!! :)

Hurricane Hermine was threatening to make this wedding day an interesting one, to say the least. While their dessert party got rained out and we fought some drops and crazy wind that evening, the wedding morning was actually pretty wonderful! Not only did they get to keep their ceremony outside, but it didn’t rain, and I sweat the least that morning than I’ve sweat since March!

If you’re looking for something to get me for Christmas, I want this fountain in my backyard, please. <3

Rachael got ready in one of the most beautiful rooms I’ve ever been in at the Grand Floridian! There was a little entry room with gorgeous wallpaper and a mirror, so Nate and I were in heaven photographing Rachael’s details. :)

First look time! <3

Uh, remember what I said about Hurricane Hermine? Our pal David of Trinity Wedding Cinema pulled this up an hour before the ceremony!

We rushed around the world for portraits in case the weather had other plans after the ceremony. Lucky for us, the clouds held out, and we enjoyed nature’s soft box of light from this overcast day. :)

Their wedding was officiated by the ever-magical Renee Silverman of A Lovely Ceremony!

Their ceremony had so many sweet moments, as all of Renee’s weddings do, but my favorite is always the ring warming ceremony. Rachael’s sister passed off their wedding bands at the beginning of the ceremony for their guests to take turns holding and praying over, sending positive thoughts to the bride and groom.

That ceremony view, though. <3

Fact : I cried every. single. time. I tried to take a photo of Rachael’s emotional sisters!! <3 The Chinese have a beautiful reason behind why we wear our rings on a specific finger. You can read more about it here, but I love that Renee added this to their ceremony! :)

I MEEEEEEEAN!!! <3

Those first few married seconds! <3

See why I had to split this post in two?! Check back for more from this sweet wedding on Thursday for dinos and castles and rain, OH MY! <3

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Kelsey + Christian : Orlando Florida Wedding Photographers

August 15, 2016 by Jensey 5 Comments

Their mutual love of a Japanese video game brought Kelsey and Christian together as teenagers, and finally they’re married! :)

These two planned their Disney wedding from Oklahoma, and not only was this trip special because they were getting married, but also because it was Christian’s first visit to Walt Disney World!

We loved getting to know this sweet couple and Kelsey’s sweet family. Her family is full of Campbell’s Soup employees, and they surprised us at the end of the evening with a Campbell’s soup onesie, pacifier, and “Future Campbell’s Soup CEO” bib for Baby Root! <3 <3 <3

I love that they had custom cocktail napkins at the bar with random facts about them as a couple. :)

It was a rainy one, y’all (which only means tons of good luck!), but luckily Kelsey had two of the most dapper men on hand to help out! :) Caaaaaaan we talk about the back of this dress for a minute? Thanks. THANK YOU, COORDINATING MONORAIL! <3 Yeah.. About that rain. :/ But see those smiles?! Kelsey and Christian FTW!!