Cypress Grove Estate House - Venue Spotlight

I primarily photograph weddings in Orlando, Florida. We have A LOT of gorgeous venues here! Each of them has something different to offer, and it is important that you book the right one for you. One of my favorite venues to photograph at is Cypress Grove Estate House. It is the perfect mix of Southern Charm and Classic Florida. The grounds are stunning, and the light is always perfect. And the staff? Some of the best around :)

The estate house itself is a classic Florida plantation home that is beautiful inside and out. It makes the perfect backdrop for romantic portraits and family formals. 

The bridal suite at Cypress Grove Estate House is such a gorgeous area for getting ready photographs. 

The light in the bridal suite is great for your portraits with your girls.

The lakeside gazebo at Cypress Grove Estate House is a one-of-a-kind ceremony spot here in Orlando. It's it gorgeous!?

This is one of my favorite spots at Cypress Grove: the oak covered driveway. This spot makes for gorgeous photos.

This spot here is my absolute favorite for bridal portraits. How gorgeous does this bride look!?

And that reception area? Stunning.

Are you interested in having your wedding at Cypress Grove Estate House? Click here to check them out more.

Looking for an Orlando Wedding Photographer? Click here to contact us.

Our Love Story - Part 2

So I left off last week with Miguel and I going off to different colleges. I thought I'd never see him again. Life has a funny way of proving us wrong sometimes. 

My favorite picture of us ever. We were such babies!

Fun Fact: Facebook used to be a lot creepier than it is now. 

One day in January, at the beginning of my second semester at New York University, I got a text from Alpa, my best friend, that said something along the lines of, "OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! Have you checked Facebook today!?" I hadn't, so the first thing I did was log on. Right there, at the very top of my newsfeed, were the words "Miguel Mejias and K (Name Redacted) have ended their relationship. As if Facebook needs to broadcast everyone's personal life to the whole world. But hey, it is what it is. 

Alpa pushed me to find out what had happened because she was curious (read: nosey) and figured I knew him a little better than she did. To be fair, Miguel and I had spoken a handful of times since high school. One time sticks out so clearly in my mind.

My college roommate at NYU, Laura, had also gone to high school with Miguel and I. One day, as I was on a Skype call with Miguel, Laura said, "If he and K ever break up, you give him my number." I laughed and said "ok," but inside I was thinking, "If he and K ever break up, he's mine." So, I did what any nosey 18 year old would do. I messaged him on Facebook. 

A day has not passed since where we have not spoken to each other.

New Smyrna Beach Engagement Session - Savannah & Eric

You guysssss. This engagement session makes me so happy in my heart! Savannah and Eric were giggling and laughing from the first moment. It was impossible not to be affected by their happiness! They are so in love, and I can't wait to capture their wedding at The Delamater House next year!

I mean, can you see how cute these two are!? Eric proposed to Savannah with a PUPPY! Can you say jelly???

Savannah and Eric were totally up for anything at their session. They didn't even bat an eye when I asked them to climb up on these slippery rocks! And they were totally up for frolicking in the water too. :)

And can you say gorgeous!? I can't wait to see Savannah in her wedding dress next March. She's gonna be a stunner for sure.

That smile! Joyful imagery is something that I strive to capture for my clients. Nothing makes me happier than to see my couples genuinely smile in their images. 

I love sweet and tender images too. Romance is at the heart of what I do after all. 

Are you looking for your own Orlando Wedding Photographer? Click here to contact us :)

How To Pick Your Wedding Photographer

When it comes to planning a wedding, you have A LOT of decisions to make! What venue should we get married at? Who should we invite? Buffet or plated service? Indoor wedding or Outdoor wedding? I'm here to make one of those decisions easier: your wedding photographer.

Cypress Grove Estate House Wedding in Orlando, Florida.

1. What Style Do You Love For Your Wedding Photos?

Photographers come in many different styles. Are you drawn more toward a darker and moodier style or do you love light and bright? Do you love true to life photos or a more stylized and romantic feel? Do you want your photographer to document what they see in front of them, or do you want direction on the wedding day? These are all things to consider when deciding on what style you like best. 

Personally, I shoot for a true to life and timeless look. I want my photos to look as beautiful on your 25th anniversary as they look the day I deliver them.

Royal Crest Room Wedding in St. Cloud, Florida.

2. What Products Do You Want From Your Wedding?

Some photographers offer prints, albums, and canvases. Others do not. Some offer albums with all of their packages. Some offer them as an additional purchase. These are things that you need to take into consideration when you are selecting your photographer. 

I offer albums in all of my packages. I strongly believe that everyone deserves a beautiful album from their wedding day, and so I make that happen for my couples. 

3. What Is Your Photography Budget?

I will admit that I am biased when it comes to this topic. At the end of your wedding, your photos are the one thing that you will have to look back on forever. Therefore, I think you should invest as much as you possibly can toward getting the best photographer you can. That being said, there are amazing photographers at all price points. Photographers charge what they charge for a huge variety of reasons. Some cost $1000, some cost $10000. When choosing the one for you, take into consideration what they offer for that price and how they treat their clients. 

If beautiful images are a priority for you, I highly recommend spending $3000 or more on your photographer. Photographers in this price range typically have many years of experience and deliver a beautiful product consistently. Ask to see a full gallery or three from any photographer you reach out to. Remember, what's on their website is the highlights. You need to see what they deliver from a whole wedding day before making your decision.

My wedding day photography collections start at $3200 and include at least 8 hours of coverage with two photographers. I have found that this is the amount of time I need to be at a wedding to deliver my clients the best experience possible. 

Are you looking for your own Orlando wedding photographer? Click here to contact us today!

Our Love Story - Part 1

How We Met

Hello lovely people! Since what I love to do is capture the love of my couples, I thought it fitting to start a series on my blog called "Our Love Story." Every Sunday, I will share a part of my love story with my husband Miguel. I hope you enjoy!

The first photo of us that exists.

Miguel and I met our junior year of high school at Cypress Falls High School in Houston, Texas. He was 16, and I was 15. We were in Mr. Hallmark's 4th period pre-calculus class, and I couldn't stand him. (Side note, Mr. Hallmark was the best math teacher on the planet). We didn't really speak that much that year. Fast forward to senior year, and we were both in a class called BCIS (Business Computer Information Systems). While we still like to think of ourselves as young, the fact that this class was required for graduation for us proves otherwise. It was a super simple computer course. On day one we learned where the power button was. On day two we were allowed to press it. 

Most kids at our high school were smart and got this class out of the way freshman year. Not us! We were procrastinators. As a result, we were two of only three seniors in that class, and the three of us stuck together like glue. We would finish the entire week's work on Monday and spend the rest of the week hanging out and sometimes helping the freshmen. Sometime during that year, I developed a crush on Miguel. Too bad he had a girlfriend. 

The school year ended, we went off to different colleges, and I thought I would never see him again. Life is funny that way.