Durell and Doug {wedding}

Durell and Doug's beautiful wedding was full of laughter and love. It was such a pleasure for me to document their wedding day.

Durell came to my studio for a bridal portrait a few weeks before her wedding. I am loving having a quiet consistent place to create photographs. I also enjoy having the option of using the incredibly beautiful window light that floods my 3rd floor studio or to turn on the studio lights to create the light I want.





Glenn Certain Studios created a feast for the eyes (and the camera!).

Taylor and Nick {engagement}

Nick wasn't so sure about this whole engagement session thing. I wandered around the park with Nick and Taylor, getting to know them, learning about how they met, and we stumbled on the topic of Vespas. It is clear Nick really likes his Vespa, and he and Taylor love heading out on a Sunday afternoon. So we decided to meet up again next week with the Vespa! Stay tuned...

Okay, so I know I'm way behind on my blog...

Maybe I should just accept that blogging is not my highest priority. Here are a few of the things I've been up to:

1. Loving and taking care of Rachel who had surgery a week and a half ago. The surgery went well and she is up and about, determined not to miss anything life has to offer. It will take 9-12 months of hard work to get her knee back to normal, but she has a great attitude and work ethic. I am so hoping she is able to start helping me photograph the beautiful weddings coming up. I love working with her.

2. Getting my first exhibit up and then taking it down, and then the best part: donating 13 LARGE :) framed prints to Hope Haven Children's Clinic. (I'll post those shots later).

3. Enjoying engagement shoots, weddings, children and family sessions and working with couples and families to design beautiful bound books and framed pieces for their photographs.

4. Working on a new project for the Cummer Museum funded by the Weaver Foundation. I've been following artists into underserved schools and photoraphing the artists working with children, nurturing their creativity.

5. Having fun with my oldest son, Jesse, home on spring break! Woohoo!!!

Thank you for reading my blog. It's hard to explain the joy I feel in my work. Photographing a couple starting out on a life together, or welcoming a baby, or a family preparing to say good bye to a loved one is such an incredible experience for me. Daily, my clients bring me in contact with what is most precious and meaningful in life. So far, I just haven't found the right words to articulate what a powerful experience it is to witness the special connections that happen in front of my camera--and the beautiful variety of expressions of love.

family portrait commission

My first solo photography exhibit opens February 5th

I am so excited about this show. It is a compilation of the non-profit documentary work I've created over the past 8 years. It opens this Thursday from 5-7:30 at the Wilson Center for the Arts South Gallery. This exhibition was made possible by an artist's grant from the Community Foundation of Jacksonville, and the generous support of the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, and Hope Haven Childrens' Clinic.

I admire...

my daughter Rachel. I love her passion for life--she loves literature and nature and her family, her friends and watching people. One of her greatest passions since the age of 4 has been basketball. I can still remember her--so little, often the only girl on her team those first several years, fighting for the ball, loving the challenge. How strange it was for me who never played a sport to have a daughter who seemed to feel the most free when she was dribbling a ball. How strange it was for me to feel such exhilaration watching her play. I have always loved the look on her face as she intently played the game, completely in the flow. On the court, she was completely free.

Last week, Rachel went up for a lay up during a high school basketball game and collided with a player on the other team. We watched from the stands as our daughter who has loved and played this sport for 12 years and never been injured, did not get up. My heart sank deeper than I knew it could as I watched her curled away from the crowd on the floor holding her left knee. We knew it was bad. The next day, the orthopedic surgeon confirmed she has torn her ACL. She will need surgery to repair her knee and 9-12 months before she can play again-a time frame that takes her well into the season of her senior year.

Now I am in awe of her strength, her grace as she accepts this loss, a death of sorts. It's hard for me to believe she is only 16--to have such commitment, passion discipline and drive for something at her age is remarkable to me. To face the possibility of losing something so special to her, something she's given so much of her heart, body and soul to, is heartbreaking. I didn't know how sad it would be for me, how deeply I would miss seeing her on the basketball court with her team.

I am so proud of you Rachel. You are a beautiful and amazing young woman. How did I get so lucky to be your mother? I know you will take this challenge as you have taken every challenge--you will give it everything you have, you will not give up, you will learn from the hard parts and you will discover new treasures. I love you.

Durell and Doug

I learn a lot about couples during their engagement shoots. For instance, I learned that Doug does NOT like to spin around in a public park, but Durell does (she was a preschool teacher). Doug does like to be silly and he likes architecture even more. He also LOVES to pick up Durell. The three of us had a wonderful time in a park near my studio. I can't wait for your wedding in only a few weeks! Click here to see more...

Peter and Blair {engagement}

I seriously have the best job in the world (at least for me it is)! I feel privileged to get to know so many special couples and to document their weddings. And I get to hang out with them on beautiful beaches! Blair and Peter are delightful. I loved learning about them and hearing the story of Blair's ring (it has a great history!). Thanks, you two, for a delightful afternoon! SLIDE SHOW

Susanne and Mike {engagement}

My daughter, Rachel and I had a blast hanging out with Susanne and Mike on a beautiful December day in St. Augustine. I'm looking forward to photographing them again at their wedding near Sarasota in May. Click here for their slideshow. I love getting to know couples before their wedding day--each one is unique.