The perfect birthday gift in Sea Island Georgia

What if you could come up with the perfect birthday gift for the most important people in your life? 

Memories are what we cherish the most, but they tend to fade over the years. Stories get altered when passed down through generations. Older family members might start to have a hard time remembering certain occasions. As we get older, we start to lose the ones that mean the most to us. There are so many beautiful celebrations in life that are worth remembering. 

A perfect example: My mother asks for the same thing every year, which is, "I just want some photographs of you and your sister." I decided to surprise her two years ago and she came home to a gallery wall of framed photos from a secret session we did. She was beside herself and many tears were shed. She said that she loves looking up every day and seeing her precious family on her wall. I honestly can't remember many gifts that I've given her over the years, but this one has stuck out the most because of her reaction on that day and every day since then. 

Jennifer contacted me on a Saturday and I was photographing her husband, Landon's, 40th birthday a week later. We chatted on the phone and she explained to me how important this celebration was in their lives. They live in Colorado, but travel to Sea Island, Georgia every year for vacation. They decided that this year that they would incorporate Landon's birthday into their yearly vacation. We talked about how Jennifer wanted the actual party photographed, but then we discussed the possibility of incorporating a family session into her coverage. I'm so glad that we did. These photographs and moments are so dear to my heart because they are the only tangible thing that is left from this celebration. Jennifer and Landon's girls will only be this age once and they are growing so fast. These are photos that they can share with their future families. These are stories they will be able to look through for lifetimes.  

What I love the most about this entire day was the fact that I got to see a small window into their lives. I was there while they were getting ready for the party, all the way through to the toasts and tears, during. To be able to tell a complete story of the day is something that resinates with the very intention I have when photographing people. I'm honored they let me in, to encapsulate some of their memories. 

Planning by the incredible (and gorgeous blonde you see pictured bellow): By Sutton

How to choose the perfect wedding accessories

Finding your wedding dress can be hard enough, but then you add in the task of finding the perfect accessories to go with it. I love using resources, such as Pinterest, to help give me style inspirations, but that can become overwhelming and cumbersome.

I think the best thing to do is keep it true to you and your every day look. For example, if you're someone who has a classic wardrobe, you might opt for a classic veil. Let's look at some examples of veils (and of course, you have to also choose the length and detail).

This one keeps it classic, but I love the detail in the trim:

Here is a very thin veil. This style is one of my favorites because it is so simple that it doesn't take away from the dress. I feel that you could pair this veil with absolutely any style of wedding dress or even a gorgeous pantsuit. (Veil courtesy of Vocelles):

A classic mantilla is always beautiful and keeps with certain traditions (mantilla courtesy of St. Patrick:

Another classic look: 

This floral veil was a showstopper!

Or, you can go with something off the wall and gorgeous, such as this creative veil from Jurgita Bridal: 

Now, let's take a look at bridal headpieces. These are such a great way to add a little extra to your look. The great thing about them is that you can wear them with or without a veil. They bring this whimsical element that is sure to be a showstopper. 

Here are a few examples of some favorites that I've photographed over the years:

(Courtesy Jurgita Bridal)

(Courtesy Vocelles; A Bridal Shoppe)

I love this embellished headband. (Courtesy Vocelles; A Bridal Shoppe)

These next two are hair pieces that look like flowers. I love how one bride used it as her "something blue"!

This bride opted for real flowers and the outcome is gorgeous!

If you don't want to wear any bridal head pieces, you do have other options. You can wear gorgeous statement jewelry, like the cameo necklace pictured bellow:

Or, you could skip all of the accessories and make a statement with your hair!

Whatever you decide, just remember that it's your wedding day and you should stay true to you. 

For more inspiration, head on over to my Pinterest!

West Palm Maternity Photographer

When it comes to maternity, I really want the story to be about the mom and baby. Pregnant women sometimes feel like they have lost their identity, and I love to help them see that they are still beautiful and wanted. The story is theirs and I’m just there to capture it.

This was Jenna’s third child and she wanted to do something a little different. She knew this was going to be their last time having a baby, so this felt like the perfect way to preserve it. She left her husband and kids in Tampa to come do this session in my home. I believe she really enjoyed that time to herself and with her new baby, as a month later he'd be born and things were sure to change. 

You can see the feature in Embrace Magazine. 

Jupiter Beach Family Photographer

Melinda is a fellow wedding industry friend, as she is an extremely talented florist. She and her family were visiting Jupiter Beach from New Jersey and decided they wanted to find a Jupiter Beach Family Photographer while in town. We decided to do the session at the gorgeous Admirals Cove Country Club. Bennett was just about the cutest baby and I had a blast photographing this gorgeous family! 

Taliah Boudoir Session

Have you ever connected with someone the very instant you met them? This is what happened when I first met Taliah. We met when working together in a restaurant 15 years ago. She was someone that I stayed in contact with on social media, but I hadn't seen her much since those days. There has always been an energy about her that has caused me to gravitate toward her. She's been through a lot, but still maintains such a positive outlook on life. More than that, she maintains a positive outlook on people. 

I had been craving a personal shoot. My blood needed something that made my veins feel alive. I knew that I wanted it to be boudoir focused and that I wanted to photograph a woman of color. Of course, Taliah popped in my mind. She lived in Atlanta and I happened to be traveling up there for a wedding. I reached out, nervously asked if she would be interested, and was delighted when she said,"Hell yeah!" I knew that we would create magic together. 

I showed up to her house and she was finishing up her hair and makeup. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted with the warmest full-body hug. My whole being felt warm and welcome; she has that way about her. She has an infectious love and I wanted to convey that through these photographs. I wanted her to just "be" and stand before me. My job was to be still and listen to everything she had to tell me through her movements. I don't know if I did her justice, but it was my goal. I left this session with a feeling of wholeness and hope. 

I love being a West Palm boudoir photographer, but I also love that it affords me to travel to people like this goddess.