St. Pete, FL Photographer

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you’ve probably seen me talk about “brand photo shoots” recently. Annnd you’ve probably been like, what-the-what is a brand photo shoot?! You probably know the definition of “brand” or “branding,” but what does a photo shoot have to do with all that? Well, the ladies of Flourish Collaborative put it like this:

The number of times I’ve written the first sentence of this blog post and then deleted it is bordering on ridiculous. But what-oh-what do I even say about something as epic as reaching the anniversary of my first year of Apt. B Photography?? What words could do justice to this past year? It feels like yesterday that I decided to rebrand my business. To reinvigorate it. To put myself out there in the biggest way possible and actually make my dream job happen. It was just a year ago that I was carrying around a notebook filled with names for my business that just weren’t quite right. I can still remember so clearly the punch-in-the-gut, goosebumps-all-over, that’s-the-ONE feeling I got when “Apt. B Photography” finally came to me. I can still taste the excitement on the day I sent my inspiration board to my designer, so ready to see my business’ brand come to life. I swear I was just yesterday sitting in my apartment struggling with my website, unsure if it would ever be ready to launch, and scared that even when it did launch, no one would contact me

Valerie + Kenny knew that they wanted their wedding day to be spent surrounded by friends and family. They wanted to begin their lives together with the support and love of the people who meant the most to them, because it would be these people who would stand by their side throughout their marriage. No matter what life throws at them, they know they will be able to handle it. Not only do they have each other, but they have a support group cheering them on every step of the way. Valerie + Kenny, your day was exactly what you wanted it to be–a beautiful celebration of your new adventure together with a wonderful, special group of people who love you to the moon and back. Sending you so much love out in Colorado as you are embark on this first chapter of life together. <3

Some of my favorite moments at a wedding are the smallest ones. The the loving glance between a mother and her daughter. The groom’s hand on the small of his new wife’s back as they chat with their friends. The bride glancing down at her wedding ring with a smile on her face. Old friends hugging tightly, reunited. The groom reaching over to wipe a tear from his wife’s cheek during the toasts. Rachel + Johnny’s wedding was full of these small moments. It was an intimate gathering of their closest friends and family, and their reception dinner in the dining room of the Harper Fowlkes House felt like the best Thanksgiving dinner ever–a time when family comes together over delicious food to just love each other and celebrate all the good things in life.

HUGE thanks to all the amazingly talented vendors who helped bring this shoot to life…

When planning an engagement session, I always ask my clients what they like to do for fun together, because often that will help us pick a shoot location that’s perfectly them. Stacey + TJ told me that they love to watch the sunrise together on Tybee, and I knew right then that I was going to adore their engagement session. There is nothing prettier than sunrise light over the water, and I’m so glad they were game to chase some lovely light with me. After we spent some time with our toes in the sand and the sun on our hair, we headed downtown to Reynolds Square, to the spot where they got engaged! It was the perfect place for a few more smiles, hugs, kisses, and laughter…and we were even joined by some special guests right at the end of the shoot. You’ll have to scroll down to see… <3

To say I loved everything about the afternoon I spent with Hannah + Mason for their engagement session would be an understatement. It was simply perfect–the location, the light, the laughter, and most of all…the love. You can see it in the way Mason looks at Hannah. You can see it in Hannah’s smile. You can feel it when their arms are wrapped around each other. It’s the sweetest of loves, and as much as I adored their engagement session, I know it’s going to be even more special to capture their love at their wedding this summer.

There is nothing I love more than a sweet Savannah engagement session, and Alex and Ricky’s session was about as “Savannah” as you can get. From Wormsloe to Oglethorpe Square, from Factor’s Walk to River Street, and from brick buildings to Broughton Street…we covered it all! And if all the prettiness wasn’t enough, I also spent the whole shoot laughing my head off with these two lovely people. Alex and Ricky never stopped smiling and giggling, and you can see in their photos how much they enjoy spending time together. I can’t WAIT for their Oglethorpe Square and Soho South Cafe wedding this fall! <3

It’s exactly one month until Misty + Shayne’s wedding at Woodlawn Plantation, and I’m getting SO excited!! I first met this sweet couple last fall when we did their engagement shoot, and I absolutely adore the two of them. It makes me so happy when my couples are the kind of people I would be friends with even if I wasn’t shooting their wedding. We had the best time wandering around downtown Savannah for their engagement shoot, and I think I laughed more during that shoot than any other. Misty and Shayne have a blast together no matter what they are doing, and you can tell that they are going to enjoy a long life together filled with fun, laughter, and love. P.S. How uh-mazing is Misty’s flower crown?? Her super talented sister made it for her the morning of the shoot. #mindblown

What’s better than getting married? Getting married twice (to the same person) of course! I had the honor of photographing Rosa and Matt’s intimate legal ceremony in Pulaski Square a couple of months ago, and it was the prettiest, most perfect day to say “I do.” Then you may have seen photos I posted on social media from a black tie wedding I attended a couple of weeks ago at the Cathedral here in Savannah–well, that was Rosa and Matt’s religious ceremony! So I got to be both guest and photographer, witnessing their commitment to each other twice, from two different perspectives. It was just the best way to celebrate two of my sweet friends starting their lives together. <3