Orlando Wedding Photographer - About Amanda

Hi, I'm Amanda :)

Photo by Amalie Orrange, Branded Boss Lady

Hi there! I'm Amanda. I realized I've never actually introduced myself (other than my about-me page), so I figured I'd change that. Where shall I start? Hmm, well, I was born here in Orlando in 1990, but I grew up in Houston, Texas. That's where I met my (super crazy hot) husband Miguel :) We met our junior year of high school in pre-calculus, but we didn't become friends until senior year. We had to take a class called BCIS which stood for Business Computer Information Systems (A class that I'm sure is totally irrelevant now. Oh well). We found the class rather simple and spent most of the time hanging out with each other. We went of to different colleges, me to NYU him to Florida State, and we stopped talking. Toward the end of freshman year, we rekindled our friendship, and by that summer we were dating.  

See? Super hot. Photo by Heidi Veil Photography

We got married in November of 2013 here in Orlando, where we had moved after graduating college. In May of 2016, we welcomed our first son, Lucas, into our lives. In December of 2017, Jonah joined the family. Aren't they the cutest!?

A few more things about me:

• I LOVE Harry Potter

• I also photograph maternity and newborns

• Miguel and I are obsessed with Disney

• Lucas and Jonah are my world

• I graduated from Florida State University (GO NOLES!)

• I bleed Garnet and Gold (Seriously, GO NOLES!)

• Football Season is my favorite season (GO NOLESSSSSS!)

• Weddings make me happy

• Capturing gorgeous images for my clients is my calling

Should You Do A First Look? - Advice From A Wedding Photographer

What is a first look?

A first look is a special moment before the ceremony where you and your groom (or bride) see each other for the first time in a private and intimate setting. Take for instance this series below.

Why Should I Have a First Look?

There are many advantages to including a first look in your wedding day plans.

A first look allows for a more relaxed timeline. 

Wedding days are STRESSFUL. There is a lot going on, and it can be a challenge to keep everything running smoothly (which is why I HIGHLY recommend hiring a planner!). In a typical wedding without a first look, there is approximately one hour between the ceremony and the reception for formal photos. The photos that must be completed in this time are family formals, wedding party photos, and bride & groom portraits. Because family photos take such a long time (it can be difficult to keep everyone present and on-task), this often leaves photographers with 15 minutes or less for the romantic bride & groom shots! 

Enter the first look. When a first look is done before the ceremony, the bridal party photos and the bride & groom portraits are done before the wedding ceremony. This allows for a much more relaxed family formal time, and it allows the bride and groom to enjoy the cocktail hour. Now that's what I call a win-win!

A first look means more romantic photos of you and your new husband or wife.

As mentioned above, when a first look is done before the ceremony, there is more time for bride & groom portraits. More time means that you'll receive a much higher amount of those romantic images in your final gallery. A typical wedding gallery for me when the bride and groom did NOT have a first look includes about 30 bride and groom portraits. When the couple opts for the first look, that number rises to well over 100!

You'll still have that special moment at the altar!

A common push back I hear when a couple does not want to do a first look is that they think the moment when the bride walks down the aisle will not be as special. That couldn't be farther from the truth! You will still get that image of your groom when he first sees you walking up that aisle toward him. A first look helps to build excitement even more, not diminish it :)

I do not pressure my clients into a first look if they are adamantly against it. After all, I didn't do one at my own wedding. But I wish I had. Remember how I said family formals can take a really long time? Yeah, mine definitely did. I have NO romantic photos of my husband and I before the sun went down because of it. That is one of my greatest regrets. So should you do a first look? I think the answer is clear. Yes!

Looking for an Orlando wedding photographer? Click here to schedule your consultation :)

Banyan Estate - Malabar, Florida Wedding - Kristen & Richard

This wedding will go down as one of my favorite weddings ever! All of the details that Kristen and Richard put into their big day were so beautiful! This was my first time photographing at The Banyan Estate, and I sure hope it is not my last. The light in that Bridal Suite! To die for! And that Banyan tree? Simply majestic. Congratulations Kristen and Richard! 

Venue: The Banyan Estate

Floral: Julie Miner Events

Planning: Julie Miner Events

Rentals: Crystals and Crates

Rentals: A Chair Affair

DJ: Blue Skies Entertainment

Hair & Makeup: Moments Metro Salon

I absolutely loved the windows in the bridal suite of The Banyan Estate! The light coming in was sensational.

The outdoor ceremony area of The Banyan Estate is so lovely! Look at all that green <3

Looking for an Orlando wedding photographer for your own Banyan Estate wedding? Click here to contact us now!

Paradise Cove - Orange Blossom Bride Summer Inspiration Shoot

I CANNOT say enough good things about this shoot! I am so so so lucky to have been a part of it with all of these amazing vendors. Amanda from Orange Blossom Bride wanted a fun and vibrant summer inspiration shoot to include in the very first issue of the new Orange Blossom Bride magazine (which you can see here), and this vendor team most definitely delivered. 

Venue: Paradise Cove

Planner: Bella Sposa Events

Flowers: In Bloom Florist

Rentals: A Chair Affair

Stationery: Pretty Peacock Paperie

Dress: Casa Di Bella Bridal Boutique

Cake: Party Flavors Custom Cakes

Hair and Makeup: Brie & Brie

If you are in need of a photographer for your Orlando wedding, contact us here.

Bellewood Plantation - Tanya & Matt - Vero Beach Wedding

This Bellewood Plantation wedding was STUNNING. I loved every little detail, and Tanya and Matt were such a great couple to work with. 

Venue: Bellewood Plantation

Flowers: Lara's Theme

Planner: Lara's Theme

Rentals: Plush Vintage Rental

Cake: Sunshine Cake Design

Dress: David's Bridal

Bridesmaid Dresses: David's Bridal

Menswear: Carditas Formal Wear

DJ: NY Sounds

Caterer: The Flavored Fork

FROM THE BRIDE:

HOW DID YOU TWO MEET?

Matt and I originally met on a dating site, but I kept blowing him off. Finally on a week day he was sent home early from work for overtime and he called me and said "I am off work, I am going to get the kayaks. Just tell me where to meet you in an hour" so at that point i couldn't really blow him off from there. Basically from there it has been a three ring circus. lol

HOW DID HE PROPOSE?

Matt took me back to Ronald McDonald park in Sebastian where he convinced me to go kayaking. It was on a Sunday in August and a good ol tropical storm. He lined the dock with candles, stood there in the pouring rain, thunder and lightening and got down on one knee.

WHAT WAS YOUR WEDDING STYLE INSPIRATION? 

Navy Blue and GOLD!!!! I wanted an elegant outdoor celebration resembling an Italian countryside family dinner. We made our table setup large to feel more comfortable with lots of greenery and white flowers.

Searching for a fine art wedding photographer for your Orlando wedding? Click Here to contact us now.