Wekiva Springs | Florida

Nate and I used to have adventure days on Mondays. We would pack up a camera, some extra clothes, and some snacks and head out to one of the many state parks in Central Florida for the day to explore and play and take pictures of butterflies, dragonflies, exotic wildflowers, and on lucky days... gators and wild boar. Those days were especially special to us since we just got to run away together for the morning and spend quality time together. When Dana contacted us to ask if we'd be interested in shooting her elopement in Wekiva Springs we were all, "Does Stevie Wonder wear sunglasses?" Oh yeah!

We have been so excited for Dana and Jame's elopement for months now! We had been dying (read: DYING) to get to shoot an elopement so when Dana emailed me to ask if it would be possible to tack a trash the dress session after the ceremony I was hearing heavenly choruses. (Hallelujah!) This was like a dream come true. I don't know why more people don't do this. Looking through the images put huge, goofy grins on our faces because the entire morning was just so much fun. It was ridiculously hard to choose just a few images to share as a sneak peak. I hope Dana and James (and their family- hi MOM!) enjoy these 10 teaser images...

Locationgasm






You do? Me too!


Looovvveee this...


Oh Hello, Favorite


Ring shots (Behind the scenes)


And bam- guest star!




Bring on the rain...

This morning I was thrilled to get a message from our friends at Trash the Dress letting me know that they had selected some of our images to be featured. (Hello Josh & Lisa! You little hotties!) Of course I was thrilled because I love trashthedress.com! It is such a wonderful resource for brides thinking of participating in one of these fantastic sessions. Head on over there to see our feature!

Nate and I love (read: LUUUUUHHHHVVVEEE) these sessions! These sessions are always fun, romantic, and a bit steamier than others and we like it like that! We call them "Encore Sessions" and you can see some examples of them on our website and here on our blog. The sky's the limit with these sessions as we can literally go ANYWHERE and do ANYTHING for the pictures. Now, I know what you're thinking...

But Becka, it's my wedding dress! I just can't ruin it!
Okay, I understand. Let's chat for a minute about that.

First of all, we call these sessions "Encore" sessions for a reason. It is your encore. It's your time with your husband to get all dressed up again and get some show-stopping images of you both in all your wedding-attire glory. But this time, we will have tons of time and no limitations on where we can go. On your wedding day we want to keep you looking pristine and so we won't say, for example, "Go lay in the surf of the ocean over there". But for an Encore session, we can! And just because we can trash your dress doesn't mean we will. Yes, you will probably get it a bit dirty and possibly a bit wet. But that is the sort of thing we can work out ahead of time. Let us know how far you want to go and we'll plan out an amazing session based on that. Right now your mind is filling with the limitless possibilities isn't it? Don't fight it...ours is too!

Second, I understand the feeling of nostalgia. I really do. I kept my high school cheerleading uniform for years. (And yes, I would periodically put it on just to see if it would still zip. Don't judge.) But, you're not going to wear it again. (Unless you decide to do what I did with my uniform which was really just torturous so let's spare you the pain.) It is most likely going to hang gracefully in your closet. Why not hang it on your wall as an amazing image? Why not memorialize it in the way it deserves?

Lastly, I know that some of you will not budge. And I know a little part of you will be sad because deep down you would really love to take the plunge into the Atlantic Ocean in a gown. But, you'll stand firm in defense of your beautiful dress. Admirable. Really it is. And for you, I suggest an alternative. Many brides go out and buy a stand-in gown. A stunt double, if you will. It's truly a great idea. You can pick up used dresses on the cheap online or at the sales at your local boutiques. Then you can be free to pose with reckless abandon for our cameras and we'll be free to ask you to jump up and down in a puddle. Everyone's happy.


If you're interested in one of our Encore sessions, shoot us an email. We can calm your nerves, discuss ideas and options, and have some fun planning the perfect Encore for you and your husband.

WEKIVA, FL

Lisa and Josh bring the windy weather. When we shot their wedding in August it was on the tail end of Hurricane Fay. (You may remember their super dramatic shot in front of the storm clouds.) When Lisa contacted me after her wedding to ask if we would be able to shoot a trash the dress Encore Session for her I was more than excited! Josh and Lisa had been so much fun to shoot at their wedding and we were thrilled to get to see them again. What thrilled us even more was that Lisa was up for anything with her dress. Of course, in true Lisa and Josh fashion, they brought the windy weather with them. But we managed to get some great shots of them all around (and in) the springs. Thanks guys for being so much fun!

We also spent a little bit of time getting some pictures of these two in regular clothes since we hadn't gotten the chance to do an engagement shoot prior to their wedding. I just love how comfortable they are in front of the camera!

Now...for the dress


Encore Sessions are so steamy! You'll be hearing much more about them when our updated website launches in December. Until then, have you heard the song Mondo Bongo? It was playing in the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith when they were dancing together at that bonfire party in Mexico. It's hot stuff. As I was finishing these images I just couldn't help turning on itunes and finding this song. It just fits the entire mood of these water images. Listen here, you'll know what I mean: Mondo Bongo










We had an audience. :)

ORLANDO, FL


Today we got to see our newlywed friends, Josh and Lisa Sears. You may remember them from their beautiful wedding a few months ago. We were so excited to get to take them around for an Encore: Trash the Dress Session this afternoon. We're currently sorting through all the beautiful shots but for now, here's our favorite five:

More to come...

First, I'm not sure if you've heard yet but we are working on a brand new version of our website. It is going to be B-E-A-utiful and we are very excited about it. Along with the makeover we are going to be unveiling something we like to call "Encore Sessions". You'll be seeing that term used more and more in the coming months. These sessions refer to boudoir, trash the dress, day-after sessions, and a few others that are being kept secret right now. ;)

Onto the real post...


ST. AUGUSTINE, FL:

We were so excited when Bonnie suggested a trash the dress session in beautiful St. Augustine. Not only is it Nate's hometown, but it's just overflowing with character and fantastic locations at which to shoot. We were like kids in a candy shop! Steve and Bonnie were such AMAZING models. We made them walk all over downtown St. Augustine and then took them to the beach and they stuck with us the whole time. Can you believe this is Florida? I've been asked a few dozen times if these were shot in Ireland. As much as I'd like to say "Heck yeah!" the answer is "No, just gorgeous St. Augustine, Florida." As if the castle of a fort wasn't enough, Bonnie had a special bouquet made of Mango Calla Lilies just for the shoot! How amazing is she?!

*Come on friends, 100 hits and only 4 comments?!?! You can do better than that!

St. Augustine, FL

We had such a fantastic time in North Florida this weekend shooting this trash the dress "Encore" session for Steve and Bonnie. When we first met them and were discussing possible locations Bonnie suggested St. Augustine and Nate and I immediately started dreaming up ideas. Steve and Bonnie were such natural models and such troopers as we led them through downtown St. Augustine and then to the beach. They were up for anything and helped us make some photography magic. There's so many more to come but here's our 5 favorites: