Sunday, April 22, 2007

Suzanne and Josh

We had an action-packed day yesterday with Suzanne and Josh at Bradley's Farm. They really integrated every part of themselves into their wedding-- from the sushi, BBQ and sweet tea at the reception (favorite foods), to slideshows of them growing up, and their beach meets lake theme, the day was really tailored to be unique to them!

Suzanne and Josh's BLING on some of the reception decorations.
Suzanne's first glimpse of her amazing makeup.Does it even need a description?Suzanne's sentimental garter-- it is made from the lace of her mother's wedding gown.Part of the really chic centerpieces at the reception-- the vases had lights in them that really lit up the reception tables! Suzanne relaxing with the girls during their portrait session.Josh taking a quick portrait break only minutes before the ceremony.Bradley's has so many amazing photo locations-- I decided to share those that aren't as obvious as the lake and the porch!I LOOOOVED this fence! The light was perfect and the live oak in the background really sets the mood!Suzanne and Josh held nothing back with their perfect waltz! Those dance lessons really paid off!Josh is a professional fighter and during the engagement session he gave me a quick lesson on how professional fighting works as a sport. I guess I didn't expect fighters to be so huggy-feely!I did Suzanne's bridal portraits at Maclay Gardens last month-- we did a bit of a different take on the traditional Maclay bridals. Who says bride's shouldn't be sexy??
Vendors:
Ceremony and Reception location: The Retreat at Bradley's Pond http://www.bradleyspond.com/
Florist: Connie Simpson, Leaf and Petal
Cake: Tasty Pastry Bakery
DJ: Elite Sounds
Dresses and Tuxes: S&G Bridal

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Friday, April 20, 2007

Sam's Senior Portraits

I met Sam over at Dorothy B. Oven park today for her senior portraits. I really had a blast getting some glam shots!
We are still accepting senior ambassadors for the 2007-2008 school year! If you are a senior and are interested in becoming a senior ambassador, contact me at Linda@LongsPhotography.com

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Thursday, April 19, 2007

Savannah is back!

Savannah came back to the studio today for her four month portraits! Its so fun watching babies grow up! I haven't seen her since she was four DAYS old, so its was so amazing to watch her wiggle and giggle!


www.LongsPhotography.com

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Monday, April 16, 2007

Jennifer and Fred

This weekend Olyn documented Jennifer and Fred's wedding at Dorothy B. Oven Park. The weather may have been a little gloomy, but this bride and groom certainly were not! For the ceremony the guests encircled the couple, making a cermeony that was both intimate and unique, although Jennifer was shocked at how short it seemed!

Jennifer and Fred embraced the season with spring flowers for her bouquet and the centerpieces for the reception.

In spite of uncooperative weather, Jennifer was one of our most relaxed brides! Her complete lack of stress shows in her photographs! She's all smiles!
Unlike most of our fathers, Jennifer's dad did not seem to hesitate in giving her away!
All of Jennifer and Fred's guests had a front row seat for their beautiful ceremony.
Fred and Jennifer are naturals in front of the camera. They were able to relax and be themseleves. It gives many of their images a genuine quality that I really love.
Although Jennifer thought this pose was a bit awkward, I think the end result is really cute!
It's funny how well some couples take direction! This kiss pose went on forever-- even after Olyn put the camera down!It's not often that a father-daughter dance ends in giggles instead of tears!
Vendors:
Ceremony and Reception Location: Dorothy B. Oven Park http://www.talgov.com/parks/commcenter/oven.cfm
Florist: A Touch of Class flowrmaker@aol.com
DJ: Steve Christian www.StevesPartyMix.com
Cake: Publix www.publix.com
Dresses: SG Bridal http://www.sgbridal.com/
Tuxes: After Hours Formal Wear www.afterhours.com

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Sunday, April 15, 2007

Jennifer and Jim

I left Jennifer and Jim's wedding last night with my face so sore! Between the awesome band, great food and the energetic partiers, I think I enjoyed myself as much as the guests did!
Jennifer had Hilly Fields add a single yellow rose to her bouquet, in memory of her grandmother.Although originally planned for outside, the ceremony inside the Shiloh Farm chapel had a really intimate feel.Jennifer and Jim's happiness was really contagious, I don't think you can help but smile when you are around them!This is just before Jennifer "broke" my camera! Thank God for backups!
Through the technical difficulties, they were so calm and laid back. I, on the other hand, was not!Although the rain held off for our portraits, you can see the wind having some fun with Jennifer's veil.The bridal party, including the groomswoman! Sorry to Reagan for constantly referring to the groom's attendants as "the guys"!
Jennifer and Jim had some dance lessons in preparation for their first dance. We took a break in the portraits for a quick demonstration.
And here they are putting those lessons to work in their first dance!
Jennifer is exactly how she looks-- she is one of the sweetest, happiest, most laid back brides I have ever met. I think she is the Miss Congeniality of my brides!
The band was the real highlight of the reception. They are hands down the BEST band I have ever heard at an event. They played a great variety of music and really kept the dance floor packed. They are the TOP of my recommendation list! Check them out at www.SuperHerosRock.com!
The party got a little rowdier as the night went on....
Vendors:
Ceremony and Reception Site: Shiloh Farm http://www.shilohfarm.info/
Florist: Hilly Fields http://www.hillyfieldsflorist.com/
Band: Super Heros www.SuperHerosRock.com
Limo: Classic Limos http://www.classic-limos.com/
Dresses: New Image Bridal

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Thursday, April 12, 2007

I love my job!!

I have been thinking about this a lot this season-- I am truly one of the luckiest people in the world. How many people truly love what they do? I spend my Saturdays with amazing couples photographing one of the most special days in their lives-- how cool is that alone??

My clients this year have been SO incredibly wonderful-- they are giving me free reign creatively, allotting lots of time for portraits, and treating me like a member of the family! The end result is creative, personal and it makes me even more inspired for the next week!

Even more than on the wedding day, my clients are becoming friends. I have to smile as I have already gotten FIVE requests for me to post Thatcher's Easter photos on the blog, and they were all from clients!! :) I want to thank you all so much for sharing so much with me-- not just your weddings but your lasting friendships. You make this job so incredibly rewarding!

So with that, let me say that you WILL be seeing some changes this year! We are working on lots of new stuff (since we don't stay busy enough with weddings and portraits)! We are working on a new website, a new online shopping cart, we are adding even more sample albums with some cool cover and page options and we have some really cool portrait specials coming up.

Again, thank you all for your friendship and support! And start posting some comments on this blog so everyone knows your out there! (Olyn is worried I am making announcements to my self!)

And to appease all his fans....

www.LongsPhotography.com

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Sunday, April 08, 2007

Carly and Matthew

Yesterday, Olyn and I joined Carly and Matthew to celebrate their wedding here in Tallahassee. That phrasing may sound a bit strange, but I spent a lot of time thinking about the best way to describe their wedding day and that truly gets to the heart of it. They celebrated.

I have loved this couple since the moment I met them. I had a phenomenal time doing their engagement portrait and Carly's bridals. They instantly make you feel like you have been their friend for years and I don't think it is possible to feel uncomfortable around them!

Carly's signature smile:
Her choice of bridal footwear!Matt in his CEO pose:Moments later, the ringbearers brought Carly's gift to Matt. His face was PRICELESS when he realized she had given him a Rolex!Their ceremony was a mix of laughter and tears.Finally! A church portrait that I love!! :) This scripture from Matthew is in the NFC sanctuary just above the farthest pews in the balcony. Not only does it include the groom's name, but the message is dead on. Matt and Carly hired the white stretch limo from Mike's Limos. Why get an awesome limo, if you don't include it in your photos?Right before the couple went into their reception at the Double Tree, we ran across the street to the park and had a five minute photo shoot!Carly's dance with her dad was so touching. She is the youngest of five children and not only did Carly cry, but so did her sisters!This reception felt like a re-run of Soul Train! Its been awhile since I saw anyone do the lawnmower, the sprinkler or the running man!I did Carly's bridal portraits a few weeks ago at Goodwood Plantation. I LOVE doing bridal portraits and Carly was an amazing model! It's so hard NOT to post them on the blog before the wedding-- its like I have such a great secret! (And I'm not too good with secrets!) But I kept them under wraps-- until now!
Vendors:
Ceremony Location: North Florida Christian
Reception Location: Doubletree Hotel
Florist: Debbie Dodson, Mick's Florist
Cakes: Publix
DJ: Randy Traynor, Sunset Sounds
Limo: Mike's Limos www.mikeslimos.com
Bride's Dress: New Image Bridal
Tuxes: After Hours www.afterhours.com

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Friday, April 06, 2007

Jennifer and Kevin

I was back at Maclay Gardens yesterday-- this time with Jennifer and Kevin for their engagement session. It was PERFECT portrait weather-- I really think they must have good karma to get that kind of weather! :)

Sometimes when you see a couple together, you can really see how they merge together to create something lasting and real. Jennifer and Kevin are really this way-- from the first time they came by the studio, I could clearly see why they are a match. I think it shows through their photos as well-


www.LongsPhotography.com

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Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Suzanne and Josh

Suzanne, Josh and I went out to Carabelle yesterday for their engagement session. Its so nice to do portaits on a secluded beach rather than trying to shoot around hairy men in speedos or sunburnt people in bikinis at a lot of our other beaches!!




www.LongsPhotography.com

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Sunday, April 01, 2007

Where have we been!?

VEGAS BABY!!

For those of you who have noticed we have been MIA for the last week-- we have been in Las Vegas as part of a wedding photographer's convention. As dorky as a convention may sound, it was really cool! We had some time to shoot some models in town and we were able to watch two phenomenal photographers shoot a bride and groom out in the desert. We have so many new ideas and we are really pumped for a jam-packed Spring! Thanks to everyone for their patience while we were gone and now that we are back and trying to catch up!!
Our first shoot-- with four hours of sleep and three hours of jetlag!

We went out at night with a model to downtown Vegas!

Out in a dry lake bed-- this is what was going on while the others were shooting the models!

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