10.10.10 Wedding ~ Angela + Michael

So, I'm not a wedding photographer.  And I tried to convince Angela of this.  I think I tried to talk her out of it, if you want to know the honest truth.  ;)  But Angela has been a long-time friend to Chris and me, such a wonderful supporter of my little photography business, and Parker just adores her son Zach.  How could I say no to her?  Well, at least without giving her fair warning that I truly wasn't a wedding photographer and is she absolutely sure she wants ME?!  Still, despite my fear and my apprehensiveness, she trusted me.  She had faith in me and confidence that I would document their day in my unique perspective, with my own eye. And guess what?  I love her for it.  I loved the entire experience and had a wonderful time.  Angela and Michael were naturals in front of the camera (of course, since they own a film production company), and made my job that day feel almost easy.  (Not to mention that she is stunningly beautiful and they are both extremely photogenic.)  I am honored that I was able to be there not only to photograph her marriage to Michael on 10.10.10, but to witness my sweet friend marry her best friend.  And I'm more than grateful for that.

They were married at the beautiful Cafe Alma in downtown St. Petersburg, FL.  The atmosphere was intimate, warm, inviting, elegant, and amazing.  Such a gorgeous venue, and the staff was fabulous from beginning to end.  Lindsey Matacchiero made Angela look even more stunning with hair and makeup.

Their two sons were by their side during the ceremony.  These little guys couldn't look more different on the outside... but inside their hearts, they've been brothers for a long time now.

After the ceremony, we took to the streets of St. Petersburg to play in the setting sun.  You know me and my beloved backlight... especially at sunset!  ;)  These are some of my favorites from the entire evening, so forgive me if I share more than a few!  There was very little editing done on the color images here... the light was just warm, gorgeous, and perfect.

I wish I could post the whole wedding!  There are so many more that I'd love to share here.  Michael and Angela, thank you so very much for entrusting me with your amazing, most perfect wedding day!  Sweet wishes and congratulations your way.

And dare I say.... I think I could get used to shooting weddings.  :)

xo,

Stacey

Announcing Holiday Mini-Sessions!

At long last.  We're set.  This year I'm happily offering my Annual Mini-Sessions on the beach, and I'm thrilled to be able to offer you six five four TWO spots in the evening.  Our goal is to get the perfect photo for your holiday cards, Christmas gifts, and little treasures to last all year.  I expect these mini-sessions to go quickly, so email or call me as soon as you can to choose your most convenient time.  I look forward to hearing from you soon, and seeing your beautiful families and how the kids have grown since last time.  If you've never had a session with me, these can be a great way to get a quick session in, and get a feel for how I work with your family  Lots of my mini-session clients do turn into "regular session" clients during the course of the next year!

The above design is just a taste of the gorgeous cards I'm offering this season.  ;)

Edited to add:  There are only TWO mini-sessions left at this time.  If you're contemplating booking a mini-session this season, I'd encourage you to either email or call me quickly to reserve your spot!  This is the only time during the year that I offer mini-sessions and this year they're booking fast.  Thanks so much!!  :) All the spaces are filled!!  Can't wait to photograph your families this season!

If you're interested in a regular session instead of the Mini Session (generally we spend at least 1 hour to 90 minutes at the location of your choice), I do have two (just two) regular weekend sessions available in October that I just opened up (one is morning, one is evening).  Weekdays are filled next, but those are almost full as well.  I'm grateful that so many of my clients have taken the early-bird route this year and have gotten their sessions scheduled ahead of time!  Can't wait to see you.

their gifts to me

I love sessions like this. They were waiting in the window for me when I pulled into their driveway.  Mom said they had been looking forward to our session all week long.  They gathered clam shells and wildflowers, bird feathers, rocks and treebark, and stuffed them into my hands before I left.  Precious gifts to me.  Brandon hugged me at least eight times before I left, and Gracie offered me one of her beloved silly bandz.  I think it might have been the elusive glow-in-the-dark variety too, so what an honor that was!  I am a lucky photographer, indeed.  :)

This is such a sweet family, and I'm blessed to enjoy my second session with them.  Ever-welcoming, warm, and delightful in every way.  I melted more than once while editing their gallery images, and I'm sure you will too once you see how darling these kids are.

This year, their session was held at their home, and I loved their energy together.  I was able to be there to document storytime, snuggling, a fun (and funny) game of UNO, romping in the backyard, kisses in abundance, and the most gorgeous sunset ~ right from adirondack chairs in their backyard, which overlooked the water.  It's a joy to witness this type of connection between family members... documenting it with my camera is even more of a blessing to me.  Yet another gift from this family.

And a couple of sweet, most-absolute-favorite images I couldn't bear to leave out...

That last one has me melting all over again.  Reminiscing about their session last year.  Thinking about a quote I recently read: 

"We do not remember days... we remember moments."  ~Cesare Pevase

Thank you so much for waiting patiently for your sneak peek, Bruce and Lisa.  I just adore your babies, as sweet as they are, and it's always a pleasure spending time with you.  I'll have your entire gallery ready for you soon, so get ready!  :)

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Small "housekeeping" note:  I will have Holiday Mini-Sessions finalized and announced by Monday!  I'm booking regular sessions well into late October and November at this time, so if you want your photo shoot to take place before Christmas (and in time for Holiday print delivery) be sure to call right away to get on my schedule.  It's a crazy one this year!  :)  Thanks much!

SNOW WHITE

I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this session with Tammy, Bryan, Emilia and Auntie Beth.  Their family is precious, and I have looked forward to this session for months!  Actually, I photographed them just last fall during my holiday mini-sessions, and was so excited to have them book a full session with me this summer!  And this time I got to meet and photograph Beth as well.  So sweet to watch her with her niece, who she clearly adores.

In the above shot, Tammy and Beth's ancestors painted the watercolor above Emilia's chair.  I love incorporating precious things like that into sessions!

And from yesterday's post, by now we've gathered that Snow White didn't like to eat more than a single bite of her apple.... but she LOVED her grapes!

And she loved to read.  And call Mommy "Ariel" (she has beautiful auburn hair) as she read through her princess storybook.

After we read a little, snacked a little, and twirled a little..... we set off for the library to return a few books.

This is why I LOVE being an on-location photographer.  We're not limited to a studio with the same-old backgrounds and props... rather, we can meet at your home, play with your children's special and meaningful things, document your home and the way it looks while your children's belongings fill the rooms and line the walls (because they won't always), and then take off and enjoy a typical morning doing the things your child loves most.  And for me, it's so refreshing!!  And it keeps the kids moving, too, which is especially great for the two-and-under crowd.  ;)

And then we decided, why not just break ALL of the rules and have an ice cream sundae before lunch??

Of course, after the ice cream and strawberries, we certainly needed a bath.  ;)

I really hated to leave.  I could have stayed there all day long if I didn't have a sweet couple of kiddos waiting for me at home.  (And I treated them to ice cream next!)  I have said it before, and I feel it goes without saying, but again: I LOVE MY JOB.  :)  Thank you to the sweet families of Tampa Bay who open their homes and hearts to me and trust me with photographing their children over and over.  I SO appreciate you!!

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I'm starting to fill up for fall sessions, so if you'd like to have me photograph your family this autumn for Christmas and Holiday cards or for those special gifts, definitely give me a call soon to reserve your most convenient date.  I'm booking into October and November, and have a few September dates still open for those who need sessions right away.  Talk to you soon!

THE APPLE

Her breakfast was left unfinished.  Or maybe she had a taste of the fruit and then her attention fluttered elsewhere.  It's certainly easy for a two-year-old to do, isn't it?  But I can't help thinking that maybe, just maybe, sweet Emilia has read Snow White a few too many times, and so, for now, one bite is all she is willing to take of an apple.  ;)

THE MOST ENCOURAGING LOVE | tarpon springs newborn photos

I have begun these little Encouragement Books for my children, at the advice of a wonderful guest speaker who gave the message to my church last Sunday.  The sermon was titled, "The Gift", and it emphasized encouraging, listening to, and appreciating those around you.  Dr. Barry Banther suggested that we take a few minutes each day to write some encouraging words in a small notebook, to give as a gift to that person when they need it most.  I mean, honestly, how many times have you had a terrible day, and really just needed to know that someone really appreciated you and all your hard work? Well, Dr. Banther's message has stayed with me through last week and into this one.  But it wasn't until a few days ago that I started flipping through my calendar because I had just photographed little Olivia and her parents, whose last name was also Banther.  I wondered to myself if they might be related, but casually brushed it off.  After all, Pinellas County is so large and what are the chances, right?  ;)  Well, curiosity eventually got the better of me and I clicked on my client's website link in one of his emails to me.  And what do you know?  Little Olivia is Dr. Banther's granddaughter.

I can safely bet that this sweet little girl will have her very own Encouragement Book (or nine), judging from the adoring way her parents beheld her (and grandparents, too, I'm sure!).  This is often why I prefer holding newborn lifestyle photo sessions in the comfort of my clients' home ~ everyone is relaxed, they can truly be themselves, and life is real.  The photographs always reflect that, and I love the results.

Olivia has more love surrounding her than I can even describe, and it was a joy to listen to her parents softly whisper and sweet-talk into her ear as they fed her, held her, rocked her, and gazed into her eyes.

I am so happy I met this family (in more ways than one)!  And I cannot wait to watch Miss Olivia grow into a strong, confident, beautiful girl because of all the love and encouragement she will receive during her sweet lifetime.  We should all be so blessed. Love~

Stacey

IT'S HERE. THE CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHER.

I know you've been waiting!  Head on over to THE CREATIVE MAMA for the  2 n d  A n n u a l  T h e   C r e a t i v e   P h o t o g r a p h e r s e r i e s.  It's a full TWO WEEKS packed full of interviews with amazing photographers, giveaways, contests, and inspiring articles, tips and resources for photographers, mothers, artists and any "creative mamas" out there.  You will not want to miss this, I promise!  In fact, so many people visited The Creative Mama blog today that it took a toll on her servers... over 6,000 people clicked over today alone!  :)

Angie Warren, the heart and soul behind this blog, has worked so very hard to organize this amazing feature for you, and I do hope that you'll click on over for a visit, leave a comment or three, enter a giveaway, and subscribe to the blog.  Even better, grab a The Creative Photographer button and paste it to your own blog, tweet about it, share it with your friends and colleagues.  We'd be so grateful for you spreading the word!  We're excited to invite you to be a part of this wonderful sharing community of women.

As you know, for Angie's For The Love of Photography series last year, I was humbled and honored to be asked to write a guest post, telling my little story and exactly why I do what I do.  Soon after, I joined Angie's newly formed group of regular contributors and have loved every minute of it!  I can't tell you how amazing it feels to be among such talented, strong, insightful artists, mothers and women.  These girls are pretty fabulous, and I'm humbled to be able to be a part of this team.

PS... if you want to catch up on a few of my latest articles on The Creative Mama, you can read them HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.  And you won't want to miss THIS ONE either. ;)

SEE YOU SOON AT THE CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHER!

SACRIFICES AND BLESSINGS

I've had this post on my mind for several days now.  Trying to find the right words.  Thinking of the importance of this session, and really, of every session I am commissioned to shoot.  I will tell you that immediately upon meeting them, I could tell that this darling baby girl is loved beyond her wildest dreams, and by so many people.  Her Daddy is undoubtedly thinking of her while he's overseas fighting for our country and protecting our freedoms, his daughter's freedoms, on a daily basis.  Her Mama has strength like I've never seen, and she is to be thanked for her many sacrifices as well.  I know it isn't easy. But I will say that there aren't many things in this life more recognizable and powerful than a parent's love for his/her child.  It's a beautiful thing to see.  And let me tell you, this child is loved.  Truly adored.

We met at a natural spring in this area, and the entire park was beautiful.  I plan on going back just as soon as I can.  The fields were beautiful and the light was delicious.  Backlight is my soft spot, you know.   ;)  And so are snuggles with Mommy.  Watching them together was mesmerizing.  And I must confess that I just kept shooting, and smiling behind my camera, long after I'd gotten the images I'd intended on getting... they were just too sweet together and their connection was so obvious, their adoration so mutual.  It really was precious and hard to turn my eye away from.  Every child should be this blessed!

Daddy was only in for a short while, in fact he was leaving the next morning and would soon be on his way back overseas.  But watching him interact with his daughter was touching.  You see, he hadn't seen since she was just a few weeks old, and she had just turned one a few days before our session.  I imagine he'd had to get to know his daughter all over again as a toddler.  And that made me realize how lucky my children are to be able to see their Daddy at home every day.  It also reminded me to be extremely thankful for those who sacrifice that very precious thing for our sakes.  I don't think we could ever thank our servicemen and women enough.

Ami, Frank, I'm grateful that you were so willing to be in front of my lens.  Your daughter has such a sweet smile and personality.  You're doing a great job with her, and you are both such an inspiration of strength to me.  Thank you!

I have so many more images that I'd love to share, but I have to save some lovely surprises for their gallery.  Thank you everyone for stopping by the blog.  I appreciate you being here!  And I'll be back with more sessions to share soon.

xo,

Stacey

FOR HEATHER

This shoot was perhaps one of the most important sessions I've ever done.  I have permission from Heather to share her story with you, in hopes that it will inspire other women... mothers, sisters, daughters, grandmothers, friends, to approach whatever challenges come their way with hope, strength, grace and peace.  To celebrate your life as it stands today, and to keep hoping.  To keep pushing.

Heather was very recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  She called me within a few days of receiving the news with an urgency and a desire for a photo session to celebrate her body and respectfully honor it at this time.  I was grateful and humbled that she chose me to help create these photographs for her, and my hope is that they will uplift her during this time, and years from now.

I was so proud of her strength and grace throughout the session!  We talked about being comfortable with our bodies and the strength within them; how life takes you on a journey and your body is the vehicle that carries you.... you go from being 100 pounds soaking wet when you get married, to pregnancies and births and the changes each milestone brings to your body.  You spend months or even years loving and hating the skin you're in, your weight, your shape.  But after a while you gain confidence in your body and accept and cherish it for its amazing capabilities to not only carry you through life, but also to perfectly nourish your babies, to help you work and walk and move and do and be.  Heather has finally accepted her body, complete with flaws and miracles, however with her diagnosis comes the reality that her body with certainly change again in some way, depending on which treatment option she must undergo.  It is my hope that these images will make Heather smile and be hopeful ~ if not today, understandably, then maybe next week, next month, or next year.  That's the wonderful thing about photographs.  They last forever, even when your life seems to change and evolve and leave those times behind.

In the same vein, I want to make you aware of a very important local event happening here in Tampa tonight, benefiting All Children's Hospital and Moffitt Cancer Center through Cure on Wheels (which has donated more than $50,000 to cancer research in just two years!).  The 4th Annual Crack up Cancer Comedy Show will be held at The Improv in Ybor City.  Taken directly from The Improv's website:

"The 4th Annual Crack up Cancer Benefit comedy show benefits that innovative research and 100% of the profits made from the event will go directly to that end.  The benefactors of this fundraiser will be Cure on Wheels.  The 4th Annual Crack up Cancer Benefit will take place on Wednesday June 16th, 2010 @ 7:30pm.  The event will feature three local and regional comedians, including Master of Ceremonies, Mike McCarthy (The Comedy Barbarian) and a performance from the BILL OHSE and AL ROMAS.  The bar will open at 6pm, and show seating begins at 6:30pm. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the night of the show."

You can purchase tickets in advance by visiting www.improvtampa.com or you can purchase them at the door. Can't wait to see you there!

While you're at the show, make sure you enter the raffle to win a free session and 8x10 print from Stacey Woods Photography. It's a $415 value, so don't miss out on the opportunity to make some beautiful memories of your own.  Several other fine local business and organizations have donated all sorts of amazing items to CUC's raffle as well.

The founders of Crack up Cancer are also some of my very favorite clients.  Jack and Brittany Bevilacqua are very passionate about finding a cure for cancer in our lifetime.  They strongly believe in everything they're doing to help aid cancer research and awareness.  And so do I.

Heather, we're doing this for you too!  My prayers are with you this week.  Know that you are not alone, and that you have many people pulling for you and believing in you and that we have faith that you can beat this disease.  It was an honor to spend the morning with you, and getting to know you a little better.  xxoo

OCEAN BY THE SEA

I had the honor of photographing this sweet baby boy under one of my favorite piers here on the Gulf Coast.  I thought it was only fitting to document him near the waves, given his name and how important the water is to his parents.  Introducing little Ocean, photographed at just ten days old. . .

And a few taken at his home. . .  what sweet love surrounds him.

Thank you, Billie and Doug, for waiting so patiently for your sneak peek!  I hope you love the images.  I've got lots more where these came from, but of course we have to leave some surprises for your gallery.  ;)  I'll have the rest of your photographs ready for you to view this week!

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I also have a quick bit of info to share:  I am holding my first-ever "casting call" for newborn models, preferably under 3 weeks of age.

The requirements are as follows:

~newborns with dark skin

~model release must be signed, and images will/may be used for local gallery display (inquire for details)

~singletons and multiples all welcome

~shoot must take place within the Tampa Bay area at your home or other location of Stacey's choice

If you and your baby/babies are selected to participate, you will receive a complimentary photo session and print credit.  Sessions are limited.  Please inquire for further details if you are currently expecting or have a brand new baby, or if you know someone who fits the bill.  Feel free to pass this link on!  You may call 727.698.0344 or  email me at stacey@staceywoodsphoto.com for more information, or to be considered.  Include a snapshot if you like.  I can't wait to meet you!

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Thanks as always!  And stay tuned for lots more images from the pier.