Meet the new clients…connect during the following months leading up to their wedding…document their day…stay friends for life. That’s usually how our relationship with our clients evolve- emphasis on the usually. Sometimes, it doesn’t take months, but just hours to create that relationship. As was the case with Lindsay and Tom, a sweet, beautiful couple from Arizona, whom Khaled and I had never met before their wedding day. Lindsay’s mother had shared some small details about the gorgeous bride, but within seconds of being around Lindsay’s smile, I felt like we had been close friends forever.

Minutes before the ceremony, Lindsay was overwhelmed with emotion, and both family and friends rushed to comfort her. I immediately thought of putting my camera down and giving them space, but right then, I remembered why I was there- to document Lindsay’s day as it happened. We are honored with the privilege to document these priceless moments, and will never thank our clients enough for trusting us with such precious memories.

There are so many details and moments to love in Lindsay and Tom’s wedding but  some of my favorites include Lindsay showering Tom’s face with some cake love, and the part of the night where they placed the couple (sitting back to back) in the middle of the dance floor and asked them questions to see if their answers matched. Their adorable “Just Married” Toms shoes flew up in the air and matched for almost every question! Games aside, Lindsay and Tom are a sweet couple that will stay in our hearts forever. We hope to have an opportunity to see them again soon, maybe a trip to Arizona is in our future!

We’d like to thank all of the vendors that contributed to Lindsay and Tom’s day. The team of talented vendors couldn’t have created a more perfect and elegant wedding!

Bride’s wedding gown: Melissa Sweet, Davids Bridal
Bridesmaids dresses: Vera Wang
Tuxedo rentals: Mens Warehouse
Wedding shoes: Vera Wang and Toms
Hair/Make Up Artist: Vinoy Renaissance
Officiant: Father Damian Amantia at St. Mary
Musician/DJ: Grant Hemond
Linens: Kate Ryan
Florist/Centerpieces: Delma’s
Limo/Transportation: Embassy Limo
Venue/Caterer/Cake: Vinoy Renaissance

Allow yourself to transform like a butterfly, and let your true nature shine.

Establishing my business has probably been one of the most rewarding ideas that have materialized in my life. It hasn’t been easy, but in the last three years, I’ve learned so much. Most of all, I’ve been reintroduced to myself throughout the process. April is just a week away and it’s taken me a quarter of the year to find my 2013 “word”. The funny thing is, it’s been happening all along. Last year, I chose the word discipline to set the tone for the year. I failed in more ways then I’d like to admit, but staying focused on what I needed to work on and learning through the failures helped me succeed more than I could have ever imagined.

This year is all about transformation. Transformation is defined as: A marked change, as in appearance or character, usually for the better. I would not be able to embrace transformation, if I didn’t understand what discipline meant in my life. This year has already showered me with opportunities of transformation, both personally and in my business. Usually, I’d talk myself out of or try to procrastinate my way out of change. This year I’m opening my arms to change and ready to take my business and life to the next level.

This post is to remind myself during times where fear or doubt may try to creep in…that I am ready. It’s that simple.

(Thanks to Sam of Imprint Cinema for this cool snapshot while working together recently).

When I first started my journey in photography, I wondered how every session or wedding could be a photographer’s favorite. Surely, there’s only one that’s the photographer’s favorite, I thought. But to my surprise, I soon discovered that the unique elements and personalities in every photography experience are what make each and every one my favorite.

Emily found our work through Pinterest and after chatting on the phone a few times about her vision and sweet family, we couldn’t wait to meet them! As unpredictable as Florida weather can be, it was a cold, rainy and overcast day but that didn’t inhibit Emily, her husband Jeremy, and their cute little ones from having some fun at the beach! Right before sunset, the sun decided to break through for a few seconds and we were able to capture the last image in this post. It was magical.

We had such a wonderful time with the Chrysler family and I hope they include frequent visits back to Florida on their agenda.

Emily is such a doll, and we thank Collective Creations for doing a great job highlighting her beauty. Something for the guys, definitely check out Jeremy’s Kickstarter project: Mr. Davis: The World’s Best Undershirt. You can thank me later!

Enjoy some of our favorite images from their day!

2013 has offered some fun speaking opportunities, and I’m beyond grateful for the wonderful people that have invited me to share some insights on one of my favorite topics- social media. When Shay and Ashlee asked me to be a guest speaker at their first Business and Branding Essentials workshop for photographers (and any business owner) in Tampa, I was thrilled! I planned on sharing essentials and key strategies on how to use social media the right way, tips on engaging the audience, and boosting a business’s online PR. I was so pumped on sharing as much knowledge as I could and helping business owners utilize social media tools in the best way, that I never imagined to gain even more than I had to offer. I met an inspiring group of entrepreneurs with BIG goals and passion. I walked away feeling inspired, having some major decisions I’ve made reconfirmed, getting re-introduced to myself, and creating 5 6 major action steps to keep me on track on my goals this year.

I can’t thank Shay and Ashlee enough for letting me be a part of such an amazing experience. As Shay mentioned during the workshop, I also wish this workshop existed when I first started my business! However, I’ve learned along the way, that it’s all in God’s time.

A HUGE thanks to the group, for being so warm and inviting! Shay, Ashlee, Katie, Amy, Ben, Shem, Dani, Lauren, Sheyla, and Brianna, I know 2013 has tremendous blessings in store, stay focused and don’t give up on your dreams (and keep those hashtags, @, and bit.lys spreading your news)! ;)

Carolina and Shem, thank you for providing your beautiful space for the workshop. It was perfection!

Thanks to these pretty cool sponsors: Kelly Moore Clark, WHCC , Every Last Detail, Chic Sweets, and Katelyn Brooke Designs.

Khaled passed by and grabbed some behind the scenes and created this lovely highlight video below (I thanked him in XO’s).

Enjoy!

Speaking Social Media at Essentials Workshop from Kismis Ink Photography on Vimeo.

Thanks Shem for grabbing these images behind the scenes:

LOVE these gals! So proud of them!

Do you notice how I’m trying to restrain my hands?! I didn’t do such a good job on keeping them in check as you may have noticed in the highlight video, ha!

Some Instagram iPhone shots I grabbed throughout the day:

This week, Khaled and I are celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary…and it still feels like it was just yesterday. I’ve been reminiscing on all the special details that made the day, our day. Our choice to combine our ethnic backgrounds with other cultures made for an especially unique, one-of-a-kind wedding that displayed our relationship perfectly. A few of my favorite details included Khaled’s custom-made thobe brought from Saudi Arabia by his mom. It has our names embroidered in Arabic around the collar and down the front and it is just absolutely beautiful. My veil was handmade and designed exactly as I had envisioned it. I could not walk down the aisle without a bold statement necklace, and I found the perfect one in an Indian boutique. These details, along with others, made our wedding as untraditional as we are, and we couldn’t have asked for a wedding that described us better.

What special details made your wedding, your wedding? I’d love to see all the different ideas.