Well, here it is, already the middle of December. Where has this year gone?  It seems to me to have just flown by.  2012 has been a year with many ups and downs for me personally as well as professionally.  Computer crashes, new equiptment, upgraded software that had to be learned, tackling branding identity and juggling being overworked.  I've been behind the camera so much this year, which I'm not complaining about, its where I love to be, but I believe I'm reaching a point where I will need to limit my bookings and start being more selective on the projects I tackle.  It does explain why everything else in my business has suffered.  So, my plan for next year will be to book a specific number of weddings which will allow me to keep up with everything else the business needs. For instance, anyone notice I've not blogged since Sept?   Then how do I choose who I blog about?  There are sooo many deserving couples!  I haven't updated my website with new images (besides all of your private galleries) since May and Facebook...hmmm, I'm really not very good at "tooting my own horn" so to speak.    Some self improvment to work on next year I for sure.

2012 has been a trying year for me personally as well.  I lost 2 of my 3 babies (kitties) in a single month. One, hit by a car and the other due to 2 fast growing inoperable tumors.  Lost is one way to put how I felt for a while. Sad and uninspired took over for some time as well. I'm stronger now and have rediscovered my zest for life, embracing the fleeting moments even more. 

This has also been the year I've taken control of my body. I've gained control of my eating habits, choosing fresh and clean eating over processed foods and dedicated substantial amounts of time to working out. I've found long distance bicycling as a sport as have begun learning kite boarding.  Yes, the business has suffered from a sort of neglect but for the first time in my life I feel energetic, strong, more creative than ever and in control of me.  Did I mention I've lost 65 pounds?  That helps too. :) I believe I'm fully ready to take on 2013 with renewed vigor and focus...ready and willing for everything life throws at me. 

Keep an eye out for the new brand "look" coming in next year! :) 

Thanks for following me! I'm seriously going to try to step up my social media efforts and emerge from my shell.   The above paragraphs share very personal information that I wouldn't otherwise have shared publicly last year so it is a tremendous step forward!   

How has 2012 changed you and what big plans do you have in store for 2013? 

I love what I do. I love capturing the love shared between two people. I love meeting new people and sharing in the best day of their lives alongside of their friends and family. I love all of the details and emotions that go into a wedding. I’m a romantic at heart so I guess you could say I just love LOVE.  Every so often I get the chance to work with a couple who exhibit such a strong passion for life and each other as well as what could only be described as a shared energy, that it’s obvious to everyone around them (including them, yes) that they were destined to find each other and commit their lives to one another. This is especially true with Christi and Jason.  

Christi contacted me back in December when she first began planning her destination wedding to Key West. We e-mailed back and forth for months and quickly became friends.  Through her e-mails it was immediately obvious the “glimmer” she had when she spoke of her soon to be husband. She is just an amazing person, whom I’ve come to admire greatly. Christi is beautiful, sweet, thoughtful, generous, organized, independent, strong, AND talented to top it off.  I truly can’t say enough positive things about my new friend.  Did I mention that both Christi and Jason are former Marines too? (More awesomeness about them)   I’m always honored when a couple puts their trust and faith in me by hiring me to photograph their wedding but its an extra special feeling when a talented photographer in her own right decides she must use me for her big day. Check out her website www.crownofbeautyphotography.com  She’s relatively new to the field but I’m positive it won’t take long before she is busier than she ever imagined she would be.

Well, that’s enough of me gushing. Christi and Jason have graciously agreed to share their love story, so, in Christi’s words this is how they met and fell in love:

“We met... hmmm well We met in June my best friend thought we would make a cute couple.. I was purposely not looking for anything serious just a person to date maybe. I was NOT wanting a boyfriend at all. Anyway.. I told my friend Kayla this and she said well let me give Jason your number he is cool and he isn’t looking for anything too serious either just someone to hang out with. So I said sounds great! We started texting and the first night he texted me he stayed home because he had a migraine so he was talking to me a lot because he was home alone. (He always jokes about when he has a headache of how thankful he is he had a headache that night, haha) and we made plans to have dinner and realized we had a lot in common. My friend Kayla told me he wasn't very touchy feely but he must have changed a lot with me because our first kiss was smack in the middle of the dance floor at a local bar we were at. I was like you just kissed me in PUBLIC!! haha I could tell by his smile that night he was already in love with me and I was falling for him too. I used to joke with him and say, MAN I wasn’t supposed to like someone this much, I wanted to be single! Funny how love finds you when you least expect it. Weofficially became boyfriend and girlfriend (old school I know) on July 4th, so July 4th is always a good memory for us. He proposed on Christmas Eve and we were married in May. It has been a great relationship and he is an amazing guy :) I thank God that we both didn't want anything serious and found each other :) “

AND now, this is how their beautiful, beach wedding at the Key West Harbor Yacht Club was!    

I met Christi in her suite at the Key West Harbor Yacht Club early on the morning of her wedding.   She was still getting her hair and makeup done by the fabulous Marie Pierre and the feeling in the room was lighthearted.  She was relaxed and surrounded by her nearest and dearest and everyone welcomed me as if I was a treasured guest.  The warmth and sincerity exhibited by their entire group was overwhelming. Did I mention Christi is thoughtful? ;)  She surprised me with a large box filled with personalized presents!  I thought it was my birthday and had to hold back some tears.  (This box was cumbersome and had to be transported, not checked, on an airplane AND a cruise ship to get to Key West so I REALLY felt special!) She also surprised her future Mother-in-law with a custom embroidered hankerchief.

Jason was relaxing with his guys in another suite and was just as calm and lighthearted as Christi.  (I’m telling you, they really do “go” together like two puzzle pieces) 

When it was time for the ceremony, and once we made sure Jason wasn’t going to see Christi, we headed to the club house to line up for the processional.     It was now time to get these two married!!!

Christi had her beautiful bridesmaids precede her while Jason and his groomsmen waited anxiously at the altar. She was escorted by her lovely mom, Cindy. It was also Cindy’s birthday so they all had double reasons to celebrate!   

The ceremony was extremely touching.   (I can’t cry and take photos so I had to work hard at keeping it together)      

After the ceremony we got a few quick formal shots and a couple “art” type shots then headed directly into the reception.       The resturant Jacks at the Key West Harbor Yacht Club catered lunch for everyone with a full menu of choices.    Brian Roberts with Semi Tropical Music sang and played guitar both before the ceremony and during the reception.  He helped to set a fun, relaxed tone for the event and before long had the girls shakin it to some island tunes.    Christi and Jason had their first dance as husband and wife on the scenic verandah looking out at the boats in the harbor. 

Afterwards, they cut their starfish theme cake and fed each other with playful whimsy. Before we knew it the day was done and it was past time to get everyone back to the cruise ship so we loaded up on the Old Town Trolley and headed over to Smathers Beach for a super quick 5 minute beach shoot. Then we managed to talk the driver into stopping momentarily for this “post card” shot.  Our last stop of course was at the Westin for an ultra fast shot in front of the cruise ship before I waved all of my new friends bon voyage. All in all it was an absolutely perfect day!!!

Congratulations Christi and Jason!! I hope you have a very long and happy life together!!!  

Vendor List;

Photography: Mary Veal Photography www.marysveal.com

Venue: Key West Harbor Yacht Club  http://floridamarinaclubs.com/ourlocations/key-west/

Hair and Makeup: Studio Marie Pierre www.studiomariepierre.com

Music: Brian Roberts www.brianrobertsmusic.com

Cake: Cakes by Karol www.cakesbykarol.com

Officiant: Steve Torrence www.keywestofficiant.com

Catering: Jack's at Key West Harbor Yacht Club  http://floridamarinaclubs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/jacks-menu.pdf

Cinematography: Cine Verde http://www.cineaverde.com/

Flowers: Boquets custom made by her bride's maid Deb Valis

Bride's gown: Custom made

Bride's maids gowns: Victoria Secret

Groom and Groomsmen's suits: Perry Ellis

I'm happy to announce that we have a winner for the destination wedding photography contest I hosted last month. Thank you to the 7 couples that entered and my apologies to the 3 of you who's dates I'm unavailable for. After a long and heated debate with several of my peers and a consult with my attorney I've decided to forgo public voting and choose the winner myself. There was only 1 couple that followed all of the rules and included everything I asked for. One entry wasn't even for a destination wedding but I've got to give them credit for trying. Yes, I am giving it away, free, but that doesn't discount the huge commitment of both time and expense that I'll be investing in my winner. I wanted the winning couple to be people who would truly value the prize I was offering. The way I look at it, if you aren't to be bothered to tell me your story, share details about what you're planning, include a picture and tell me why you think you should win then I'm less likely to believe you'll appreciate the considerable energy, time and commitment I will be giving you. In the words of Lara at Photo Mint; My commitment when I book a date isn't "I’ll shoot your wedding as long as nothing better comes along” It’s a “I’ll shoot your wedding even if my mom’s in a coma in the hospital” commitment. I don't mean to harp on the subject but seriously, do you only half fill out a job application and fully expect to be called back? No, me neither. That said, there was one couple that stood out to me in sincerity and originality, oh, and yes, they put in the energy to fully enter the contest. So without further ado........... The winners are…………………….... Drum roll please...................

Chris Hagen and Amandalyn Jones of Chicago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     They are having their destination wedding in Charleston, South Carolina.    

This was Chris’s, yes, Chris’s, submission:  (It's been edited down a little bit because Chris really put his heart out there and after speaking with him he felt like if I published the entire submission he'd be left feeling as if he was standing naked in Times Square. Well, I certainly don't want to punish someone for being honest and putting it all on the line or discourage others from doing it too so this is the official public version.)

Date: November 16, 2013

Now wasn’t that one of the sweetest things you've ever read?  My goodness guys, I can’t tell you how happy and excited I am for the two of you! Congratulations on both your engagement and winning the contest!!  I’m honored to be your wedding photographer and look forward to telling your wedding story with visual artistry!   :)               Now go book that live band! 

Can't visualize it? Its ok, here's some pretty pictures Amandalyn has pinned over on Pinterest.com.  I'm not showing you any of the pictures of gowns she has up because I don't want to ruin the surprise.  You'll see it next November!

The first 3 photos are by Mario Testino via Vogue. I couldn't find a photo credit for the hair piece but you can find it on Etsy in a shop owned by Amanda Judge called Untamed Petals. The first drink photo had no photo credit and the last one, the drink shot, is by Charles Walton IV. Although I'd love to claim these beautiful images as my own work, they are not and I'm a stickler for giving credit where credit is due. :D 

Comments, ideas, suggestions??????   Don't be shy, congratulate this obviously oh so in love couple! 

PS- There were 92 likes on the blog post that held the contest information. One of you is the reason Chris heard about the contest and that means one of you won the contest within the contest!  So, if it was you, please step forward!  (We'll verify you're his friend or a friend of a friend and then the prize is yours! 

PPS- Thank you to everyone who "liked" and or "shared" the information on the contest!  Stay tuned, I've got more in the works!!!  :D