The Richmond Family

Olyn and I met up with the Richmond family at Maclay Gardens yesterday for another birthday surprise portrait session! This time the girls were surprising dad, so if you see him, don't tell him about it! His birthday isn't until next month and they want to have it all wrapped up ready for him!www.LongsPhotography.com
Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Lindsey, Frank, Luke and Kelly

I just love surprises! Lindsey, Frank, Luke and Kelly all conspired to surprise Mom with a portrait session of the kids for her birthday. Since Luke and Kelly were only going to be in town for a very short window, we were all so upset yesterday when the weather turned bad. Luckily, the rainshowers broke just long enough to fit in a quick session at Maclay. So, since the first thing Mom will see of her birthday present is this blog post... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Oh, and sorry you got ditched at home last night while the kids ran out to play at the park with me! www.LongsPhotography.com

Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

The Shelby Family

I was back at Maclay Gardens this morning for portraits of the Shelby family... I swear I just need to pitch a tent and stay , I have been there so much! The ground was still a bit mucky from last night's storm, but we found a few dry places to sit! Even though it was a TAD humid, I think we got some really great shots and as always, I had a blast with the Shelbys!I have seen a lot of critters at Maclay-- deer, squirrels, frogs, etc. But this was a new one-- crawfish! I honestly thought it was a weird fluke until we found some of his friends! Sarah was a lot braver than me, she actually wanted to pick him up! www.LongsPhotography.com
Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

The Rice Family

I don't think many assignments can be as tough as photographing a family of 10 adults and 11 children on a hot day in between rainstorms, but that is exactly what we did yesterday for the Rice family. Not only did we get some great shots of the family, but we had a wonderful time meeting everyone and playing around with the kiddos! www.LongsPhotography.com
Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Miss Sara

I had the absolute best session Firday morning with Miss Sara. I have to admit that from 1yr to 2 years... kids just aren't easy subjects to photograph. Sarah was a striking exemption from that rule. She was very cooperative, funny, sweet and loads of fun. I have never met a child her age who was so loving to EVERYONE! Both Olyn and I received at least a dozen hugs and her favorite place to pose was right next to wherever Olyn was!

www.LongsPhotography.com
Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Rice Family-- Part I

So, Friday was a crazy busy day! We met Christy and Kory at Maclay Gardens Friday evening for a somewhat untraditional portrait session. Christy's family will be doing a VERY large family portrait in about a week... when Christy will be in Italy for a wedding. Rather than have her not be in the family portrait, her mom commissioned me to do a separate session of Christy and we will just add her into the photo later.

Since we were going to be at the park anyways, Christy brought along her boyfriend Kory so we could do some couple's portraits as well. These two were an absolute riot and really made the session a lot of fun! I can't wait to get the whole big family together! www.LongsPhotography.com
Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Baby Andrew

I had a great shoot yesterday with Baby Andrew-- his parents met me at Maclay Gardens and we just let Andrew play! He is always so incredibly good for me and yesterday was no exception! Although he had missed a nap, he was absolutely cheerful and so fun!www.LongsPhotography.com
Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Maria & Ryan

I finally got a chance to photograph Maria and Ryan-- just in time for their wedding TOMORROW!! We met up at Maclay Gardens and had an absolute blast at the park. These two are so relaxed and easy going, it was such an easy session!www.LongsPhotography.com
Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Family Portrait Day at Maclay

Wow... what an incredible day we had Saturday for our "Family Portrait Day at Maclay"!! We had so much fun with all the families and the images are really great-- it was so difficult to narrow down favorites for the blog! So here is a SUPER sneak peek-- I can't wait to get through ALL the images!

www.LongsPhotography.com

Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

The Smith Family

I photographed the Smith family yesterday morning at Maclay Gardens-- it was a great preview for today's "Family Portrait Day at Maclay". I really had a lot of fun with the family... getting little kiddos to look at the camera always makes me come up with new creative silliness! :)www.LongsPhotography.com
Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

The Cave Family

Friday afternoon felt less Florida-like and more Canada-like, but the Cave family and I braved the chilly weather and went out to Maclay Gardens for a family portrait session. I have to admit it was kind of nice to have the park to ourselves!

I had so much fun with the Caves-- they are such open people who laugh easily and are so welcoming. Ron is actually running to become the next Sheriff of Jefferson County. Although we only spent a brief period of time together, his civic commitment and honest values make him an ideal candidate for public office. So, if you are in Jefferson County, take a minute to get to know Ron and judge for yourself! :)

Brittany is one of the most beautiful children I have ever photographed-- and one of the funniest as well. Her fake smile makes me giggle so hard!

The more political shot of Ron...Brittany got cold waiting for her dad to change clothes, so she stole her mom's coat. I thought poor Cathy was going to get hypothermia!They are really such a close family. http://www.longsphotography.com/

Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Tiffany and Ryan

I was back at Maclay Gardens on Wednesday for Tiffany and Ryan's engagement session. Its so much fun when clients really get your sense of humor. I laughed so hard with Tiffany and Ryan-- and Ryan's affinity for photos of his behind.

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Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Holiday Portraits-- Day Four

Saturday was our final day of holiday portraits! We met 12 families at Maclay Gardens for a full day of portraits. I know this blog entry is a bit late (and thank you to the three people who called me today worried about me since the blog has not been updated in awhile!), but hope you enjoy these quick favorites! www.LongsPhotography.com

Tallahassee and Thomasville's premier wedding & portrait photographers

Holiday Portraits-- Day Two

Today was the second day of our holiday portrait special and we met up with seven families at Maclay Gardens. The whole day was a blur, but I had an awesome time getting to know so many new faces and hanging out with some old friends! Here are a few quick favs:

www.LongsPhotography.com

Tallahassee & Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Natalie and Blake

I met Natalie and Blake yesterday at Maclay Gardens for an engagement session and I had the greatest time! They are a couple that makes you feel at ease instantly and you really see how well they fit together. Although it was a little chilly, we had a fab time playing at the park!

www.LongsPhotography.com

Tallahassee & Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Danielle and Dan

Yesterday Olyn met with Dan and Danielle for their engagement portraits at Maclay Gardens. We are so lucky to have clients who are so into photography and so much fun to be around! When a couple has this much fun together you know that they have something very special.

www.LongsPhotography.com

Tallahassee & Thomasville's premier wedding and portrait photographers

Andrea and Brian

I have been at Dorothy B. Oven so often lately, it was really nice to do a session at Maclay Gardens! The gardens have special meaning for Andrea and Brian, as they used to spend lots of time at the park talking when they first starting dating.

www.LongsPhotography.com

Tallahassee & Thomasville's premier wedding & portrait photographers

Lex's Senior Portraits

You have to be a determined soul to brave 100+ degree heat for portraits! I joined Lex and her mom, Beth, at Maclay Gardens yesterday for Lex's senior portraits. This Chiles High School Senior-to-be was so much fun to be with and was an awesome model as well!

http://www.longsphotography.com/

Tallahassee & Thomasville's Premier Wedding and Portrait Photographers

Vanessa and Matt

I caught up with Vanessa and Matt this morning at Maclay Gardens for their engagement session. I can honestly say I have never looked at Maclay Gardens the way Matt did! Mr. Curiousity had Vanessa and I both laughing so hard as he investigated plants and wanted to wade into the lake! I think their fall wedding will really reflect their personalities-- fun, laid back and a tad quirky... well Matt is at least!

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Janay and Chris

Ok, the true test if you like someone is to spend an hour outside with them in 95 degree heat taking pictures! Thankfully, Janay and Chris are so endearing and down-to-earth that today's session was a blast-- in spite of the heat! I am really looking forward to their September wedding in Bonifay!

http://www.longsphotography.com/

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

Easter Portraits!

A huge THANK YOU to all the wonderful families who joined me at Maclay Gardens for our Easter portrait special! I had such a great time getting to know everyone!

Here are a few favorites from my very long day!

To purchase images from the Easter special, visit www.LongsPhotography.photoreflect.com

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Cindy & Kevin

Olyn caught up with Cindy and Kevin yesterday at Maclay Gardens for their engagement portraits. Despite the cold and the wind, Cindy and Kevin were a l0t of fun and I really think it shows in their photos!

www.LongsPhotography.com

Lauren and Krayton

I joined Lauren and Krayton at Maclay Gardens today for their engagement portraits. Even though its January, the gardens are already looking amazing!



This has to be one of the absolute funniest things I have ever seen in my life. It really shows that through any challenge Lauren and Krayton can work as a team!!



And then something a bit more romantic.

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Carly and Matthew

Yesterday I went to Maclay Gardens for Carly and Matthew's engagement portraits. Days like yesterday really make my job worthwhile. This couple is so incredibly sweet-- not only to one another, but also to everyone around them. They were loving, genuine and kind and I really think it shows in their portraits.

www.LongsPhotography.com

The Garber Family

I was back at Maclay Gardens this morning to photograph the Garber family for their Christmas. Sydney must be the most outgoing child I have ever photographed! She made the shoot SO much fun and I have to admit her giggles are completely contagious!

www.LongsPhotography.com

Tiffany and Jason

I photographed Tiffany and Jason yesterday at Maclay Gardens for their engagement portraits. They were absolutely hilarious, especially Jason, who let me know right away that there would be no "rolling around on the ground."

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Vanessa and James; Latisha and Adam

Even though the weather is still a bit warm, we are getting into the swing of fall portraits.

I went out to St. George Island to photograph Vanessa and James' engagement portraits. What a way for them to end their vacation!

Latisha and Adam came over from Apalachicola to have their engagement portraits done at Maclay Gardens. Even though it looked like it was about to storm at any moment, we had a great session with some wonderful shots.

www.LongsPhotography.com

Casey and Walter

I went to Maclay Gardens this week to do engagment portraits for Casey and Walter. The couple is new to Tallahassee and these overachievers moved to town, bought a house, planned a long distance wedding and are studying for the bar exam-- all in the last month! Just listening to everything they had to do made ME exhausted!!

www.LongsPhotography.com

A double-header Saturday

Olyn and I split up on Saturday to cover separate weddings. I don't think the weather could have been more different between our two events!

I photographed Terri and Steve's wedding at St. George Island where there was hardly a cloud in the sky. Olyn stayed in Tallahassee to capture Staci and Andrew's wedding at Maclay Gardens, in between torrential downpours!

Here are a few of Terri and Steve who must have thought I was humorous!











Vendors:
Ceremony and Reception: St. George Inn

Here are a few of Staci and Andrews shots, both in and out of the rain!


Vendors:
Ceremony:Maclay Gardens State Park
Reception: Southwood Golf Club

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Catching Up

I am trying to catch up with everything that has happened in the last two weeks. The spring wedding season is in full swing and we have been spending a lot of time finishing the new house and new studio, so it has been a challenge to get everything edited and posted.

I got to go to Maclay Gardens with Shelley and Josh for their engagement portraits. Here are a few quick favorites:


I also photographed Astro Travel for a feature piece in Destinations Magazine. Congrats to them!

www.LongsPhotography.com

Allison and Scott

I photographed Allison and Scott yesterday at Maclay Gardens for their engagement portraits. Scott's unease was obvious as soon as they arrived, but after about 10 minutes he started commenting, "This really isn't bad! I'm actually having fun!" I swear every one of my grooms comments on how much he hates having pictures taken, but the majority comment later on how painless the process actually was. I swear y'all-- its not like going to the dentist!

Here are a few of my favorites of Allison and Scott:

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A weekend without a wedding!?

It seems to be so rare that I have a weekend without a wedding, but this was one of those scarce jewels. I had the opportunity to get to know some of my future brides and grooms a bit better by doing their engagement portraits.

Kelli and Yancy are getting married next July and their fun, energetic spirit really shines through there photos. These are a few of my favorites:



Natalie and David's wedding is only two months away, but they could not seem less stressed. Their relaxed loving nature made them a breeze to photograph-- they needed hardly any posing, they just cuddled all afternoon! Here are some I like:

www.LongsPhotography.com