Engaged in Pensacola, FL: Christina and Landis

Can you tell they're in love?

Some couples make even my cynical heart happy when I go back through the photos and see the affection in their faces.

Christina has been a long-time collaborator on photo projects, lending her expressive face and creative posing to my creative projects since 2011. I met her fiance, Landis, back when they were "just friends" earlier this year. Even then, Annie and I could tell that there was a spark.

With a couple this photogenic and fun, I shot their engagement as if it were a styled/editorial shoot, with some more creative angles and focuses to impart the idea of story. They love the result, so I can rest in a job well done. I hope you enjoy them as well.

Together in Pensacola, FL: The Edwards Family

Cooler weather in Pensacola means family portrait season. And one of my favorite families to capture is the Edwards/Tipton/(soon to be) Coker clan. Long-term followers of my progress will recognize Karena as a multi-trip compatriot in trips to India, and her daughter and son-in-law Brittney and Brandon from their beautiful beach wedding that I photographed two years ago, as well as their daughter Piper, whom I photographed last Christmas.

When discussing what they might want to do for their family portraits this year, Annie threw out the idea of a paint fight. With a slight alteration to colored chalk, we stuck with that idea and ended up with some incredibly fun shots. This is how you do it, folks. Matching outfits on the beach will get the job done, but if you plan to block out an afternoon to get the whole family together for photos, do something unique!

AND

Courtesy of my lovely wife, a behind the scenes video of the shoot in progress.

Married in Killington, Vermont: Brian and Carly

Brian and Carly, wed 10/04/2015

Almost a year ago, I received the following message.

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Carly is an old friend. She was active in the Pensacola photography scene as a model and graphic artist several years ago before moving to Maryland. I had photographed a number of projects with her (one of which her fiance said was his all-time favorite photo set of her), and we had always had a good time collaborating. At the prospect of photographing Carly's wedding, in Vermont, in the fall, it was not in my nature to decline.

Eleven months later...

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When the airport check-in desk asks "how much do you weigh?"

When I say that Killington Grand Resort is tucked away in the mountains of Eastern Vermont, I mean that it is truly tucked away. My route north from Pensacola ended with a final flight from Boston to Lebanon, NH aboard a Cessna 404 Titan, which made me regret my heavy lunch as the tiny plane skirted just over the mountaintops and settled down into Lebanon Municipal Airport. I met Carly's parents at the gate and together we drove to Killington.

Meeting Vermont

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Whoa.

Annie's work schedule didn't allow for her to accompany me on this trip, so I checked into the lodge on my lonesome and spent the evening checking gear and topping up battery charges. I slept in the next morning and took some time to hike around the lake and get a feel for the lodge. Vermont in October makes an amazing first impression. I had never been that far north before, and I am blessed to have made my first trip during the most perfect time of the year. I was blown away by the natural beauty of the surroundings, and everyone I met in the lodge rivaled their Southern counterparts in their friendliness and hospitality.

The Wedding

2 p.m. rolled around and we started the photos. Working solo, I bounced back and forth between Carly and Brian's dress-up areas, acquainting myself with Brian for the first time and getting to know the family and friends. Carly and Brian are a laid back, fun couple, and their friends and family are as well.

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Surrounded by good vibes and beautiful scenery, the ceremony commenced. Did I fail to mention that Carly is a first-rate comic book nerd? She is, and her dad stole the show by tearing his shirt open before walking her down the aisle to reveal a Superman uniform underneath. #RelationshipGoals. Seriously.

Brian and Carly both claiming Scottish heritage, the ceremony featured traditional Scottish elements, such as literally "tying the knot" with Brian's clan tartan and a ceremonial drink of Scotch whisky from the Loving Cup. The couple kissed as the shadows grew long and we captured some stunning images in the golden hour light.

Following the ceremony and photos, the reception escalated into a 10-alarm party in no time. Between the open bar and the genuinely fun-loving natures of all parties involved, it was the most crazy/fun party I've had the opportunity to shoot in some time. Scotland prevailed over the party yet again as Brian and his groomsmen briefly disappeared from the reception and returned in boots and kilts to finish the night.

Since everyone was staying at the lodge, there was no formal exit. Rather the entire party moved to an upstairs room and passed the rest of the evening with drinks and conversation. I had planned to retire after the reception to pack and get some sleep before rising early in the morning, but Brian wouldn't hear of it. You know you're photographing an amazing couple when they invite you to the after-party, sans camera!

All in all, shooting this wedding was a huge blessing to me, and it is with great pleasure that I delivered their photos a few weeks ago. Congratulations again, Brian and Carly.

Photographed in Gulf Breeze, FL: CrossFit Gulf Breeze

If you follow me on social media, chances are that you have seen my growing involvement/fascination with CrossFit over the last five months.

I've always enjoyed physical activity. After ten years of training in Yoshukai karate and weightlifting for the past five years, giving CrossFit a shot was the next logical step in my ongoing search for novelty and fitness.

I joined CrossFit Gulf Breeze because of its reputation for the safest and most technically sound coaching in the area. I also knew a few people who trained there. Within two training sessions, I was addicted.

CrossFit is extreme by most standards, but that's why I'm there; I love the challenge. It's why people talk about it so much. Intense training self-selects participants who are naturally competitive and ambitious, which is one reason I think people label it as a cult. CrossFit doesn't instill that in people, it simply brings out and amplifies driven personalities.

Coach Jarrett Venn purchased CFGB from founding owner Andrew Tucker over the summer, just before I joined in June. In addition to intensifying the programming to a heavy emphasis on competition-style conditioning, JV has been gradually upgrading the equipment and marketing ever since. He didn't have a large library of content on hand for flyers and social media, so I offered to step in and lend a hand.

I chose to go with a gritty, Spartan style of imagery for the class that I shot. I came in on a Friday afternoon that was positively serendipitous with its very visual and intense workout, good crowd and presence of an adorable husky pup who I am fairly certain will become the resident Box Dog.

 

CrossFit Gulf Breeze

3106 Gulf Breeze Pkwy

Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

www.crossfitgulfbreeze.com

850-203-1798

Married in Pensacola, FL: Dillon and Jennifer

Dillon and Jennifer, wed June 6, 2015.

Dillon and Jennifer contacted me early in the year. This wedding was special in that their decision to engage me as their photographer based on the missions work in my portfolio. Jennifer has also experienced missions in India, and that shared experience turned out to be the deciding factor in their choice of photographer. Pretty cool.

With Dillon in school at West Point, the guests came from all over the map, many of them cadets in school with Dillon. I love shooting military weddings. In addition to the clean symmetry and fun traditions that dress uniforms and close brotherhoods lend to a wedding, military guys are just fun to shoot and tend to pick up on most of my Monty Python references.

That kind of closeness was also visible in Jennifer and bridesmaids. The cheers for Jennifer as she emerged from the dressing room in her dress for the first time was heartwarming. As an individual who finds it difficult to maintain consistent contact with more than two or three friends a quarter, I respect and am amazed when I see large groups of friends exhibit similar intimacy.

Dillon's father, Pastor Chris Aiken, officiated the service with the sly wit that only a father can dish out to his son. The ceremony included communion and music provided by one of Dillon's classmates on the violin. The reception convened with the requisite food and cake, plus an ice cream sundae bar.

Festivities concluded with Dillon and Jennifer exiting through a sword arch. All in all, a fantastic day.

This wedding took place at Calvary Baptist Church in Pensacola and officiated by Pastor Chris Aiken. Catering was provided by the family.