Zoey + Bryce Anniversary Sneak Peak
Good Morning!
Well, it is now officially the last week in January and my 3rd post of the year. It is pretty exciting that I'm doing 300% better this year than last!
These sneak peaks are getting more views through the blog than through Facebook and although you aren't commenting, it does seem like there are a few people reading this now so I'll do my very best to keep It up for you!
Next month I'm even preparing a couple "inspiration" posts for future brides and "how to" posts for photographers as well so go ahead and hit that subscribe button. ;)
It is nice to share some of the stories from my sessions and give you the opportunity to ask any questions that pop up while looking through the posts too.
Meet Zoey and Bryce, my first session of 2014! These two were married exactly 1 year ago today!
A fun loving, relaxed, adventurous and amazingly adorable couple!
We met on a Wednesday afternoon right after the first of the year and had a fabulous time getting creative even with a fast moving cold front bearing down on us. We were going for sunset images but the sky was uncooperative. Instead, we got some nice even lighting from the overcast sky, a great breeze and some lovely cloud drama so it was far from a bust.
Zoey and Bryce visited Key West as a celebration of their wedding anniversary and wanted to commemorate it with a photo session.
We began with the Fort itself since it closes at 5pm daily and not sunset, like the rest of the park. Keep that in mind if you ever visit Fort Zachary Taylor, visit the fort first, then go to the beach.
It is not every day that one can get the following image. Yes, cruise ships frequent Key West in multiples, almost daily, but for everything to come together (lighting, clouds, timing) at just the right moment, its priceless.
After utilizing the many locations within the fort itself, we headed over to the Australian Pines.
The Australian Pines at the state park are a sight to behold themselves. Tall and graceful, curved from enduring the constant trade winds, they provide the gorgeous dappled light I love so much. They aren't native plants (thus the name, eh?) and if it weren't for a group of dedicated, concerned citizens willing to fight in court for over 12 years, they wouldn't exist here today. I for one am very glad they remain.
The front was bearing down on us and I knew we only had time for one more "location" within the park and after consulting with my amazing couple, Zoey and Bryce decided they would prefer images in "the field" over some on the beach. The field is located behind the Fort itself and if you aren't from here, you'll have to look kind of hard for this grass since they mow it every year for the Superboat Races in November. Just go closer to the back of the fort, by the moat, you'll find it.
These two are the most elegant kissers I've encountered yet! You know how you can take dance lessons before your wedding? I think Zoey and Bryce should give kissing lessons! No smooshy faces here!
Lots of playfulness! If you can't have fun, why do it, right?
We got to watch the wall cloud roll in from here. A memorable experience for sure!
Happy 1st Anniversary you two!!! I hope the love you share will bring a lifetime of happiness!!!
Photography by: Mary Veal / Mary Veal Photography
Hair and Make Up by: Calm Waters Spa at Hawks Cay Resort
Jackie + Greg Engagement Sneak Peak
Hi again! I know, you're asking yourself, is this real? Is she actually posting twice in a month? Well, yep! It is still January and I have 11 more months to lag behind on posting but switching sneak peaks over to the blog will definitely help me post more.
Meet Jackie and Greg! A fun loving and adventurous couple who are getting married at The Key West Botanical Gardens this coming April.
I LOVE my clients, all of them, and it is always a complete honor to be chosen as someone's Wedding Photographer, ALWAYS.
However, it is an extra special feeling when locals, people who undoubtedly know some of the other 55 listed local photographers, choose ME to capture the love they share. I couldn't be more excited to be tasked with visually telling the story of Jackie and Greg's wedding day and for this post, their Engagement portraits!!!
We met early on a Sunday morning this past December and had more than a few laughs.
Jackie and Greg are "Fresh Water Conchs" (pronounced "Konk") which means they've lived here for more than 7 years and are most definitely considered locals. They love the flair of Key West and wanted to do more "tourist" type locations. BO's Fish wagon was a great starting place because Greg had a pick up like this one growing up.
It was early and the crowd had not descended upon Duval Street yet so we did a mini tour of Duval and Green Streets with Sloppy Joe's Bar, Captain Tony's Bar, a couple of real (and delicious) Bloody Mary's and a kiss on the corner before we were off to Fort Zachary Taylor State Park for more kisses, a little dancing and lots of romantic hand holding.
Of course no tourist type session is complete without the quintessential Key West Post Card shot in front of The Cuban Coffee Queen!
For those of you that know Jackie and Greg, you'll appreciate the strategic placement with them beneath the scuba diver. I was undecided which orientation I liked better. Which one do you prefer?
Jackie, Greg, you both are amazing individuals and I can't thank you enough for putting your confidence in my talent. I look forward to your wedding in April with great anticipation!!!
PS- What are your favorite Key West "touristy" photo spots? Post your favorites in the comments section. :)
Janey + Phillip's Sneak Peak
Hi! I hope you are having a marvelous 2014 so far and still sticking to whatever resolution you've set for yourself.
This year I'm going to do something different. Instead of posting sneak peaks on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/maryvealphotography) I'm going to post them here!
With the changes Facebook has made to their format it has made it impossible for me to tag the hard working vendors who contribute to each of the events I've had the honor of capturing and I believe it is only fair they receive credit. Plus, hopefully this will give YOU, my valued reader (yes, you're probably the only one since I've been terrible at updating this blog, lol!) an easier overall experience to enjoy my most recent weddings and portrait sessions. I hope you enjoy this new format!
Meet Janey and Phillip! They exude style and class in every way yet are a relaxed and fun loving couple who enjoy the Florida Keys immensely and want to share it with their family and friends for their wedding.
They will be married this April at a spectacular private estate on Cudjoe Key featuring some of the most talented vendors in town so look for their wedding on the blog sometime in June 2014.
We met last month for a couple hours to take their Engagement Portraits and had the best time together!
I was warned when we met that neither one of them likes themselves in pictures so immediately I thought "Challenge Accepted!". It wasn't hard though, they're both beautiful people, inside and out. See for yourself...
Congratulations Janey and Phillip! I'm very much looking forward to capturing your wedding!!!
Soooo, what do you think? Is this better than a sneak peak through Facebook or not? Please comment below.
PS- What was your New Years Resolution? (Post your comment below) Mine was to create more work/life balance and to tell the truth I've failed miserably so far but hey, the year is still young and I will keep on trying! :)
PPS- Are you interested in and Engagement Portrait Session with me? I provide a full upscale experience. For 2014 I'm including an Engagement Session in my basic package now so you will feel more at ease when your wedding day arrives. To make your experience even more pleasurable and stress free, I provide transportation during our session from your hotel, to our photo shoot locations and back to your hotel or requested drop off location in addition to including the entrance fee to Ft. Zachary Taylor State Park if you choose that as a location and ice cold spring water. Please contact me for more information here: [email protected] or 305-433-1237.
Vendors:
Photography: Mary Veal Photography
Lodging: The Gardens Hotel
Hair and Make Up: Beauty Boutique & The Glam Squad ~ For Everything Beauty
Grand Re-opening of Stay Fit in Key West
Last year my husband and I moved from Sugarloaf Key to Key West. Besides the ocean view, I also had to give up my membership to the gym I had joined (and fell in love with) just a few months earlier. That left me with the tough task of finding another gym that I both felt comfortable at and was convenient to get to. I asked around and kept hearing about Stay Fit Studio at 808 White Street in Old Town Key West.
The beautiful flower arrangement above is from Love in Bloom Florist who delivers a cleverly designed bouquet weekly that cheerfully greets clients at the door.
Stay Fit is not your regular "gym" with rows of treadmills and stair climbers with multiple machines for working every part of the body but rather a quaint, friendly studio specializing in a diverse variety of classes and private training with optimized equipment.
I was skeptical at first, since I'm on the introverted side and generally feel excruciatingly uncomfortable and self conscious exercising in "crowds". Well, all it took was attending one strength class with Raquel, the new owner of Stay Fit, and I knew I had found my fitness "home". Not only was the entire staff genuinely helpful, friendly and non judgemental but so were the people who worked out there.
That was over a year ago and I still feel the same way about this wonderful place and the amazing people there so even though my specialty remains in the realm destination wedding photography, you can imagine how excited I was and jumped at the opportunity when Raquel contacted me to cover their Grand Re-Opening!!!
It was a fun and inspiring day!
Raquel organized a full day of 30 minute classes, FREE!!!, to existing members and potential clients alike with an unprecidented turnout resulting in classes filled to the brim with outgoing and adventerous people from all around the lower keys. Several troopers even attended EVERY class offered and those although short, are NOT easy, breeze through without sweating, classes.
It wouldn't be a party without a DJ and there isn't one more full of life, (or more beautiful for that matter) than celebrity DJ Shawna Lacy Wynd with Soundwave who got the crowd started early and didn't quit til it was all over.
Shawna really does bring the party and is responsible for the new black lighting added for cycling classes not just during this event but year round now. Seriously, how fun is that?!!!
Did you know everyone looks tan under a black light? If you haven't tried it yet, get your butt down there! You'll have a blast!
Nobody has asked me (yeah, because you know I am the authority.. haha) but I think all of the classes should use the black light!
Yoga, strength, TRX, Zumba, Stretch AND 80's Aerobics! What do you think?
Now, who can host an open house without food?
Not Stay Fit Studio!
Great Events Catering was on hand with healthy and delectable treats, keeping the table (and patrons) full and energized all day!
Certainly, no event is complete without cake and Key West cakes did not disappoint with their beautiful and scrumptious creation! If you haven't tasted one of their cakes, you are truly missing out.
Raquel rallied local businesses and after each class held a drawing for cool prizes from awesome companies like Sebago Watersports, La Petit Paris, The Bistro, The Cafe and Love In Bloom Florist. She has the pictures of the winners but out of respect and because I know I wouldn't really want a photo of me immediately after working out posted anywhere on line, so I am not going to post those pictures here.
If you have not taken the chance to check out Stay Fit Studio, I encourage you to do so. It just might change your life.
While you are there you can pick up some really cool work out gear too.
Thanks for reading! If you've worked out here, please comment below on what is/was your favorite aspect of it and if you haven't, well I would still LOVE to hear from you! :)
Vendors for this event include:
Venue/Host: Stay Fit Studio
Photography: Me :) Mary Veal Photography
Catering: Great Events Catering
DJ Services: Soundwave Productions ~ DJ Shawna Lacy Wynd
Cake: Key West Cakes
Flowers: Love in Bloom Florist
7 Tips for a Picture Perfect Beach Wedding
Congratulations on your decision to have a beach wedding, whether it is in the Florida Keys or another breathtakingly beautiful location!
By following these 6 tips you will ensure it will be a “Picture perfect” day:
1. Communicate with your photographer. Let your photographer know the style and type of shots you desire and, if possible, give them a “Shot list” of your must have shots. Also, make them aware of anything special you’ve incorporated and don’t want missed. It is usually a good idea to meet with them before your wedding day (even if by phone or Skype) so you can establish a relationship. Yes, a photographer is hired help but they are also the person you’ll spend the most time with on your most special of occasions so make sure you like them and your day will be even more fun. 
2. Hire a photographer who specializes in Destination Weddings, especially tropical destinations. These people are experienced in traveling with all of their equipment; they thrive on the new and different, can adapt quickly and are naturally resourceful. Yes, it’s usually a little more expensive to fly one in and pay their hotel but in the long run, you’ll be glad you didn’t rely on just anyone to capture your most precious of memories. Remembering the day, its mood, details and expressions of loved ones are all done through your wedding pictures which will serve as the only lasting testament to how grand your day was. You've put so much into your wedding day, please do yourself a favor and don't "skimp" on your memories of it.
3. Utilize professional Hair and Make Up Artists. Plan your hair and wardrobe around the location and its seasons. Most beaches are hot and windy so plan for your hair to be up or half up. Today’s styles of romantic braids are ideal to keep you looking fresh all day long. Airbrush make up application can cover any skin blemishes and keep you looking flawless throughout the day as welll but you can't do it by yourself. It isn't cheap either but think about how much you have put into everything else, emotionally and monitarily. You will be doing yourself a huge favor by not having to stress about how you will look.
4. Your wedding gown should certainly express your style but keep in mind beaches are sandy and usually hot with high humidity. Lace, Chiffon and light weight fabrics are your best choice along with shorter trains. The lightweight fabrics will flow beautifully, thus, contributing to dramatic imagery and you’ll stay fresher for a lot longer.
5. Plan for an additional day of photography. A day or two after the ceremony have a photo session scheduled so you can utilize the destination’s unique scenery. More often than not, the resulting images are the fine art photos that end up displayed as canvas groupings and large displays in your home. Besides, it gives you a chance to wear that stunning gown again!
6. Consider the time of day. Usually mornings offer fewer crowds and will lend to vividly colored images. Midday (noon) weddings inherently bring harsh lighting so plan for formals either early or later in the afternoon. Sunset beach weddings are always romantic but offer challenges as well. The light fades quickly and if your ceremony is scheduled for sunset there won’t be enough light for formal pictures afterwards so plan for them early. No matter what time of day you choose, don’t forget to have someone bring some water for you.
7. Last, but certainly not least, hire a wedding planner. This deserves an entire post in itself but the short of it is this; You have spent countless hours planning the grandest soiree you will likely ever host, why not have a professional who will advise you as well as keep your timeline and vendors on track for the day? Without the help of a planner, your timeline and the responsibility of it will likely fall on your photographer who already has their hands full making sure they capture all of the important moments and details of the day.
Yes, I believe this topic will be my next "Advice" post.... Why do I need a wedding planner? Stay tuned for the complete run down!
I hope this helps you plan your dream beach wedding! Have any advice to add or questions? Please comment below. I would love to hear it!