maureen

When Maureen’s mom, Susan, called to schedule her senior portrait she told me that Maureen wanted to either go to the beach or downtown for her session. Since it’s a bit too late in the season to plan on pretty days at the beach, we decided to shoot in downtown Jacksonville. And I think this was a great choice. Maureen really fit in well in the downtown area. And I am always able to get a nice variety of poses and locations when I work downtown. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the beach. But, I also love downtown. Another great thing about the downtown area is that there are buildings to block the wind. Sunday was a beautiful fall day, but about the time we starting shooting, we started getting big gusts of wind. Thankfully, the wind didn’t cause too much trouble.

Here are a few of my early favorites from Maureen’s session. It was very hard for me to choose only a few because there are so many I like. Maureen has a really nice serious expression and a beautiful smile. I like it when I am able to coax different expression from my clients. Again, I love the variety. And Maureen was a natural in front of the camera. I’d start to show her how to pose – and she’d just assume a great position without much instruction.

When we pulled into the parking lot downtown, three beautiful, blonde girls piled out of the van. I looked at Susan and said, “Tell me, please, that all of these girls aren’t yours.” She just laughed and said yes they are. I just don’t understand. Susan has three gorgeous, high school aged daughters and she doesn’t have any gray hair nor she does she just stand there and babble like an idiot – the way I would in her position. How can that be? When I showed my husband, Rusty, a picture of the sisters his response was that he’d have to lock them all up!

Here are a couple of pictures of Maureen with her sisters, Gillian and Catherine. It took me a while, but I finally got the right name with the right sister. Anyone who knows me well knows that names are a struggle for me. Thankfully, Gillian and Catherine were patient with me and corrected me gently until I got it right.

I’m so glad Maureen was scheduled for Sunday because the weather has been dismal ever since. Even though it’s getting dark earlier, we were still able to get some fantastic portraits of Maureen. I can’t wait to get back to her gallery – but it will have to wait. There are a few clients ahead of her!

mat and emmie

Saturday afternoon found me back at the park for a family portrait session with Emmie, Mat and their parents.  I was surprised to find that so many leaves have fallen from the trees,  we had to wait quite a while for the light to be right.  While we waited, Mat ran 100 miles around the park and Emmie explored and played.  Every now and then I’d stop Mat to take a picture or two, then off he’d go.  I got tired just watching him run!  He didn’t slow down often, but when he did – he gave me the most gorgeous expressions.  Here are just a few of the many pictures I took of Mat.

Can you even believe how precious he is?  I know boys aren’t supposed to be called pretty, but Mat is downright gorgeous.  And he was very easy to work with.  Emmie is also quite stunning.  And she is full of personality.  Every time we would have her sit on a stool for me to take a few pictures, she would clap and say, “Yay!”  Emmie was quite proud of herself.  And for good reason.  Just look at her!

Sadly, by the time the light was nearly right for the family picture – Mat and Emmie were worn out with having their pictures taken.  I only got the chance to take a few shots and the kids were uneasy.  I did get one nice family pose.

I particularly wanted a good picture of Mat and Anne alone.  Too often, the kids take priority and couples don’t have their portraits made together.  Emmie is just a tad too young to sit and wait quietly – and we were worried that she would fall into the ditch that was right beside us – so I only took three quick shots.  This is my favorite.  Mat prefers color and Anne likes black and white – so this one’s for Anne.

It was great to have the chance to meet Mat and Anne, and to see their beautiful children.  Just looking at the portraits of Mat and Emmie make me smile.

stephanie and charles

Stephanie and Charles got married yesterday. The Williamsons hosted the rehearsal dinner on Friday night and asked me to come take a few pictures of the party. I have known Stephanie and Charles for quite some time, so I was delighted to be a part of their special night. Since it was Halloween, my regular assistant was busy with her family. My daughter, Megan, agreed to go with me to help out. She was looking forward to it for a couple of reasons. First, I pay her well. And second, she would get to see her dear friend, Greg, Stephanie’s brother. Megan really is a good assistant. She didn’t have much to do Friday night, but it was nice having some time with her.

The rehearsal dinner was held at the Coral Bay Club in Atlantic Beach. When we arrived the first thing we noticed were the decorations on the front porch. Betty did a wonderful job of incorporating a Halloween theme. The fall flowers were beautiful and the bride and groom were a perfect touch. I knew as soon as I saw the bench that it would be a perfect place to take Stephanie and Charles’ picture.

The inside decorations carried on the fall theme. Each table had a bouquet of fall flowers with a beta swimming happily underneath.

Not only was it Halloween, it was Charles’ sister, Cheryl’s birthday. So Betty surprised her with the cutest cake I’ve ever seen! That cake was almost too pretty to cut!

Lee Moore, a long time family friend, was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. After a delicious dinner, there were toasts and roasts, poems and a slide show. Lee read a letter than Don had written him many years ago when he took Charles away for the summer. It was a very touching moment. Charles’ nieces loved seeing the pictures of Charles – and even some of themselves. You can’t have two sisters and not expect them to get you back on the eve of your wedding. Alisha and Cheryl entertained with a poem about Charles – and his relationship with Stephanie. And the entire family welcomed Stephanie with open arms.

At one point during the festivities, Charles wore the suit that Don wore on his wedding day. And he even found Betty’s garter in the pocket!

During the slide show, I took William and Benjamin out to the lobby to try to get a portrait. They liked it much better when Megan asked them to show us some silly faces.

There was so much going on, it was difficult to get the different families together for group pictures, but I was able to get a picture of the entire Williamson clan.

Later in the evening, more friends arrived for a Halloween dance. I was able to get a few pictures of the guests in their interesting costumes.

Best wishes to Charles and Stephanie. I hope the rest of your life together is as much fun as your rehearsal dinner!