Diane & Derek : Sneak Peek!

I'm behind. I'm trying to get ahead, but I'm behind. I've got photos to edit, a house to clean, a dog to bathe, and laundry to wash. Sometimes I think that I can just sit on my couch with an open bag of Reese's Easter candy and squint really hard at everything I have to get done in hopes that it will just do itself. 

I'm progressing. Tonight's post will be highlighting Diane and Derek's gorgeous beach wedding which was held on Anna Maria Island. Tomorrow, I plan on making another post. And the next day. And the next. Until I'm totally caught up. And then maybe just one more for kicks. (*P.s. The big announcement has not been forgotten - it's still in the works and it's going to be ultra fabulous! :))

On to the awesomeness that is Diane and Derek:

Double the cuteness.

The groomsmen filing in.

I love this shot of the bridesmaids watching Diane walk up.

:).

Beautiful bride.

Stay tuned for many more photos from this incredible day!

Callie & Adam : Spotlight Session

This is a very exciting post for me. You see, not only are we featuring two extremely special people in our lives, we're also introducing a brand new Starks Photography session option! It's like two fabulous worlds colliding. Like the day I found an unspent IKEA gift card and ate Chick-fil-A french fries that were the perfect amount of crispiness. It's pure bliss.

So what exactly is this Spotlight session, Amy? Well, my friends, I'm glad you asked. A Spotlight session is a Starks Photography original - straight from the combined brains of me and Ben. (Combined brains? That sounded better in my head. You know what I mean.) 

Here's the low down: A Spotlight session is quite simply described in it's title - it's meant to "spotlight" a couple, and the personalities that make up both halves. In these very personal sessions, the couple runs the show - what do you like to do together? Sing karaoke? Go cart race? Run marathons? (<--...we may have to figure out some kind of alternative transportation for me if this is the case). Whatever it is, we want to capture it in your photos. You (the client) choose the day, the place, and the concept. The only requirement - wear your wedding attire! That's what really makes this session super unique. Fun, personality-driven photos with a combined feeling of nostalgia from being able to rock your wedding day get-up. We just show up and take photos of the two of you doing what you love to do together!

Enough babble. If you're diggin' the Spotlight session and want some more info, shoot an e-mail our way! We'd love to set something up with you!

Highlighting this new session wouldn't be nearly as fun without some example photos (seriously, how boring would it be to just read my writing?), and we have Callie and Adam to thank for providing us with some.

I need a whole separate blog post to accurately depict the relationship we have with Adam and Callie. Ok, maybe more like 6. However, since I'd like to maintain some sort of following on this thing, I will make an attempt to be brief.

Callie is my sister, and more importantly, my best friend. You can't choose your family (though I would have handpicked mine anyway), but you can choose your best friends. So it just kind of worked out that Callie and I grew up in the same house. 

Ben and Adam are (now) brothers. They have known each other since elementary school, and have had a tight bond ever since. They like to tell people that it was their plan all along to marry sisters so that they could be family. There are definitely times that I wonder if this is, in fact, the case.

Adam and I met several years ago at Lake Aurora, and we've developed a friendship that has truly helped define our brother/sister-in-law relationship today.

This is the really weird thing - none of these relationships were formed because of another. In other words, I didn't meet Ben through Adam, and Callie didn't meet Adam through me. It all happened by chance, and ended up being the most perfect situation anyone could ask for. 

That story just ties itself up with a cute, red bow, right? :) We'll eventually live down the street from each other and our kids will be best friends. It'll be like Saved By The Bell - The Grown Up Years or something.

Anyway, Callie and Adam just so happen to be fabulous models on top of being fabulous friends, so they were totally up for spending a day in front of our cameras.

Callie and Adam met at Lake Aurora as well, so their session took place there. We "spotlighted" their love for fishing, riding bikes, and...oranges. Ok, the last part was our idea, but it's cohesive. :) 

I promised you the longest post to date, so whether or not you actually wanted that to happen, it is. Check out the ridiculous amount of photos below:

Precious!

A little Jessica Simpson shoe love. Another spotlight of Callie's personality. Not Adam's.

:).

I took one for the team and got in the water to snap this shot.

Fierrrrrrce.

Callie, don't ever tell me you can't do the "serious" face again. Liar.

Sunlight love. <3

Love these two.

Doesn't get much more romantic than dancing in the groves.

Such an appropriate ending! :)

Callie and Adam - you know we love you both tremendously. Thanks for being so

stinkin' fantastic!

Callie & Adam : Spotlight Session - Sneak Peek!

I have chicken and yellow rice burning on the stove, and I'm posting a blog. Clearly, my priorities are straight.

This is going to be the shortest post to date, because tomorrow, I am going to make the longest post to date; It's all about balance.

Callie and Adam are two of our most favorite people in the entire world. BFF doesn't even begin to describe our bond. More on them tomorrow. I am literally about to burn our house down.

Here's one of the many favorites from their spotlight session (*details coming tomorrow! :)):

Neglectful.

Lately, the blog has been reminiscent of a child waiting to be picked up from school; Sitting on the curb, Power Ranger backpack in tow, frantically glancing up and down the street in search of the familiar family minivan. Dread overcomes him as he slowly realizes that he is experiencing a kindergartner's worst nightmare - being forgotten.

I'm a neglectful parent.

So here I am - driving 90 and rounding corners on two wheels to make up for lost time. I'm hoping that my blog child doesn't hate me too much, and that, perhaps, a McDonald's ice cream cone will make up for my carelessness.

(This is an extra from Brittney and Austin's wedding - recently, I've been getting into using textures while editing).

***

I'm setting a realistic goal for myself - 2 to 3 blog posts per week. However, it would be nice to have something to hold me accountable - like gold stars, or twenty dollar bills.

Victoria & Luke : Married!

I've been a slacker blogger lately. I promise to do better. For reals.

Victoria and Luke contacted us after hearing about our work from my cousin, Ashley. The wedding was planned in record time, as Victoria is leaving to join the military on January 20. I have no idea how they pulled it off, but Victoria and Luke's big day was nothing short of beautiful. 

The ceremony was emotional and touching, and it truly captured the love shared between the couple. The couple was surrounded by their closest friends and relatives, which gave the entire day an intimate and special vibe. 

No matter the distance, I'm certain that Victoria and Luke's marriage will flourish with every year that passes. To the newlyweds - thank you for allowing us to be a part of your memorable wedding. And Victoria, thank you for selflessly serving our country - you will be in our prayers! :)

Here's a few more from the day:

The gorgeous bride getting ready.

I love this shot that Ben captured of Victoria at the alter with her father and Luke.

<3.

A favorite of mine.

The Mr. and Mrs. ;)

Victoria & Luke : Sneak Peek!

We had the privilege of photographing Victoria and Luke's beautiful, intimate wedding yesterday in Spring Hill. There will be a bigger post in a couple of days, but here's a sneak peek:

My absolute favorite.

So sweet.

More to come! :)

Brittney & Austin : Married!

"I'm nervous." Yesterday, this was my frequently used phrase on the way to Brittney and Austin's wedding in Winter Springs. Ben's ultra-sensitive response? "You just gotta get in the zone, babe." Ugh. His cool-as-a-cucumber attitude annoys me a little. I think it stems from jealousy. I know he's right, but I always get a little anxious before I photograph any kind of event or session. Fortunately, as we pull up to the shoot location, the nervousness almost immediately subsides as giddiness sets in. I really do love my job so much.

Brittney and Austin got hitched at Metro Church. The day was filled to the brim with love, laughter, and a whole lotta dancin'; quite the recipe for a good time, in my book. It was truly enjoyable to watch Brittney and Austin spend time with their closest friends and family. I can't count how many kind words were spoken about the lovely newlyweds, and to me, that says a lot about Brittney and Austin as a couple. It's very apparent that they have made a major impact on many people through the course of their dating relationship, and I have no doubt that this will carry into their beautiful marriage.

Here's a few plethora from the day :) :

A shot of the gorgeous bouquet:

Another look...

Getting reading for the ceremony.

Two of my favorites from the day...

Boys will be boys. :)

Triple the cuteness!

Hello gorgeous! :)

Father/Daughter. First Dance. Mother/Son.

Pink and black. Artsy design. CAKE. I'm in love.

Note to any boyfriends who attended the wedding: Check out the following to see how excited/aggressive your girlfriend looks about the bouquet toss. :)

This day wasn't short on dancing...

....or singing! Austin's sisters are extremely talented.

<3.

Snow in Florida? For this Winter Wonderland affair, indeed.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Green! And enjoy your first Christmas together as husband and wife! :)