This site shows photography for weddings, newborns, families, children, and high schoool seniors.
This little baby is just 10 days old here. She was happy to sleep blissfully for her newborn portraits, and when she did wake up toward the end of the session, she gave us such a sweet smile and direct eye contact.
Little C looks like she is having the best dreams.
Isn’t she such a pretty baby?
I love how alert she already is, and her eyes are amazing.
Rolling camera bags don’t roll well on the sand. And the more you do it, the less well they roll. I don’t ever go to the gym, though, so photography is excellent exercise for me. I have photography to thank for somewhat defined biceps. Although I do have to admit that for my next beach session, I discovered I could put the camera bag into my red prop wagon (why didn’t I think of this sooner?), and then rolling on sand is much easier. I don’t need arm muscles that big.
Rolling camera bags aside, I arrived at the beach in St. Augustine on a beautiful, cloudy day–the kind of cloudy day photographers dream of. The clouds were just enough to diffuse the light into dreamy softness, but not thick enough to venture into grey wet-blanket syndrome. I was also fortunate to be with a family full of fun energy. They were on vacation from Tennessee, where they have some land in the countryside. They used to have a rooster, but are currently roosterless. Apparently roosters are given to a little too much crowing.
As a city girl, I love the idea of chickens, roosters, and even miniature cows (and yes, miniature cows do exist–they’re touted as perfect for small families who don’t need 15 gallons of milk each day), but I don’t love the idea of getting out of bed at 5 in the morning to milk the cow. So for now, I’ll be content with my two girls, my two dogs, and my cat who’s not quite sure if he’s all cat or part dog. I think that almost counts as a small farm? They certainly keep me busy enough.
This first picture was meant to capture exactly that–the wonderful chaos of parenthood. And somehow with that whirlwind of child energy around us as parents, we still find time to be a couple (and enjoy the breeze).
10 comments
Awww what a cute family! LOVE the one of the sisters!!!
Oh these are so sweet! Love that first one:) And the last two as well! Looks like you had some beautiful light to play with!
I love these!! What fabulous beach colors, and that first shot needs to be BIG – it’s so fun! And thanks for the tip about using a wagon for equipment in the sand 
Love that first image!!! So much fun! Great set of images here… I am sure they will be thrilled! Beautiful location!
Oh, what a beautiful day to capture a gorgeous family!! I love the beach setting…there is nothing more relaxing than that:) Their outfits are just the perfect pop of color too. My favorite pictures are the family ones…so awesome and fun!! I just love how you did this session!!
Beautiful family..great shots, they look like they were having so much fuN!
Katherine…Loved the pics! Thanks for giving us a few great memories from an awesome family getaway
These make me smile. I love the movement and just fun here! What wonderful memories.
These all just make me smile! They look so happy and looks likeso much fun! Great captures!
What a beautiful family! So jealous that I don’t live near a beach. Your photos are gorgeous!
The rain gushed on their first date, and then the bumper fell off her car. Casey, a true gentleman, went to work to fix her car, and whether he knew it or not then, he had successfully impressed Noelle. A man who will fix a bumper in the rain is definitely a keeper. Perhaps it was only fitting that rain clouds gathered on their wedding day at the Lightner Museum, an ironic homage to that first beautiful date. The guests looked up anxiously at the sky, and the wedding coordinator went over the backup plan details for the ceremony in case of a downpour. Everyone huddled together, the guest chairs empty and waiting.
But it didn’t rain. The weather was a little cooler, which was fine by everyone, and minutes before the ceremony was to begin, guests ventured out to the chairs, almost surprised that they were still dry. Noelle walked out arm in arm with her father, who was also the officiant for the ceremony. The wedding was lovely, and Noelle was radiant.
At the end of the ceremony, a surprise box filled with butterflies ready to be released was presented to Noelle and Casey. The butterflies flitted into the summer sky, but a couple butterflies were a little reluctant to leave the happy couple. As you’ll see in the pictures below, one particular butterfly was a stowaway on Noelle’s dress as she made her first exit from the ceremony with her new husband. And yes, I did say “first” exit. The happy couple came round for a second exit through the arch of swords.
There were so many details that made their day special, and Noelle and Casey are a perfectly matched couple–the kind that you just know belong together. Congratulations again, and I wish you much happiness in your life together!
The Lightner museum is a lovely venue for a wedding, and one of my favorite details is the pond filled with koi fish.
The butterfly stowaway…
This is the “fertility bell.” They rang the bell six times (if memory serves correctly). Noelle and Casey didn’t know until afterwards that each ring of the bell brings a child, according to legend. :)
The paper planes were a perfect finishing touch for Noelle and Casey’s wedding. They had flown into Saint Augustine from Hawaii for their wedding, and right after the wedding, they were scheduled to fly back to Hawaii. They plan to settle back down in the Jacksonville area, though (who says our beaches can’t compete with Hawaii?).
And last but not least, here are some of the vendors that helped bring this day together:
Makeup by Amanda Hopcraaft
Music by Feedback Entertainment
Coordination by The Wedding Authority
11 comments
Lovely work! What a beautiful couple!
Gorgeous images, such a beautiful couple! Love the detail shots!
These are gorgeous! Beautiful bride and love the location of the wedding!
WOW, what a gorgeous wedding! You captured every moment so well, I felt like I was there! Love all the details!!
Stunning! The stained glass with the dress picture is breathtaking.
Ohhh, what a beautiful wedding!!! I love the location and the bride is sooo pretty….and he’s very handsome:) You seriously did such and amazing job with capturing the whole day for them. I love when brides include the photographer in the getting ready pictures as well. I think my favorites are the ones of them outside the museum…such a pretty location as well. Awesome!!!
Wow, what a stunning couple! These images are just beautiful, I love the way you captured everything … LOVE the shot of them about to walk under the swords. Beautiful work!!
Really beautiful! I bet they are thrilled with the way these turned out. I like the detail shots and the ones with the bridal party – fun. And of course the bride and groom – really lovely.
You captured their day so beautifully….I love how they let the butterflies go in their ceremony! I am sure they will be so pleased with these.
Catherine, you made Noelle look like a model. You did an amazing job on these pictures. I am so happy Noelle chose you to capture her wedding. You did an awesome job!!
Thanks everyone! And Jeanette–I’m so glad you all enjoyed the blog pictures.
As soon as I saw these triplets walking toward me, I was struck by how cute they are. They were not only extremely cute to me, but also to the tiny biting bugs that swarmed in unusual numbers that day. And although the smoky air (back during the Florida forest fires) wasn’t noticeable in our photographs, it was like wading through steamy soup. The children scattered in three different directions, the bugs in hot pursuit. If they ran far enough, they might disappear in the smoke. The stars were simply not aligned that day for us, and although reshoots are rare for me, I suggested we stop and try again on a different day. I’m so glad we did. Our next session went wonderfully. Little A unwrapped her winning smile, and the little boys were ready for a happy adventure. N family, it was a pleasure!
Little A was a sweetie with her favorite bear.
This is one of my favorite pictures. Isn’t he a natural model?
Family pictures with three-year-old triplets is a challenge that’s worth the effort. But how, you ask, do you get triplets back in their parents’ lap after they’ve run afar? The “rotten egg” race trick. It works like a charm on my own kids, too.
8 comments
This is such a beautiful family! The kids all have amazing eyes – I love how rich and real these images are.
Gorgeous family and lovely images. Love all the playfulness captured!
These are lovely. What gorgeous brown-eyed babies!
I actually know this wonderful family and used to take care of these cuties when they were babies. I think you did a fantastic job of truly capturing their amazing personalities GREAT photos!
What a great looking family. I love the natural interactions you caught here.
these children are simply beautiful, and you’ve captured them wonderfully. Gorgeous session.
What beautiful children! And these images are fantastic! I really like the ‘older’ feel of your brown toned BW images… it suits the styling perfectly.
They are a seriously cute family!! The pictures of the kids make me smile…so fun and full of personalities. You are a real pro….I can’t believe how awesome these turned out with 3 kids of that age…that’s sooooo difficult:) I think mom picked out the cutest outfits too. Awesome pictures of some seriously adorable kids!!!
For months, Florida had been seared with summer heat, the dry land bursting into forest fires that consumed thousands of acres, and smoke drifting into Jacksonville so thick that the skyscrapers faded ghostlike in the horizon. Finally, the rain arrived, our lawns revived and lush. The water has been much needed, and I love being able to sit with my girls on a rainy afternoon, the rain beating a soothing rhythm on our skylights. Rain for photography, though, is a trickier thing. On one hand, a downpour is likely to ruin that perfect hairdo (not to mention expensive camera equipment), but on the other hand, stormy weather can make a pretty backdrop. The rain stayed away for this couple’s maternity session, but the clouds were especially dense with the promise of rain the next day. This mother-to-be is stunning, and right away, I could see how supportive her husband is and how happy they both are. I can’t wait to meet their baby girl in just a few weeks!
The sky was very grey overall, but a patch of fiery clouds over the dunes was a lovely backdrop.
There’s something so serene and beautiful about beach dunes.
I love how carefree she is here. And doesn’t she look amazing? The last trimester of pregnancy can be difficult, but she carries it off so lightly!
19 comments
gorgeous .. i love the colors in the first 2 shots! and what a beautiful mama .. i bet if you saw her from behind she wouldn’t even look pregnant!
Such a gorgeous setting and Mom-to-be. Beautiful images!
LOVE these!! I just love, love your beautiful beach tones and lighting. Gorgeous!
Gorgeous couple!! They will be so happy with these!
These are gorgeous Katherine! Love the backdrop of the firey red sky in the first few. And what a beautiful mama!
so pretty! she is so cute! You did a great job!!
Beautiful momma and your settings are just stunning! The colors in the images really make them pop, too. Just lovely!
Beautiful session- she is truly just glowing! They will surely treasure these photographs forever
Beautiful mama-to-be!! Love the location and how you captured the relationship between mom and dad. So sweet!
Wow!!! Simply beautiful and touching! The two of you are so very lucky and the baby will be welcomed with warm and open arms. Proud for you and I look forward to meeting this baby girl:) Love you both – Carol
Love this location. The sky is stunning. Beautiful couple…beautiful mama!
Beautiful pictures of two beautiful people. That little girl is so lucky to have you as parents and also the grandparents.
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful couple. Your love for each other and the baby shines through in each picture. I know you are ready to welcome her into the world. You have truly been blessed!
STUNNING photography, Katherine! So well done! Of course, it helps that the subject is gorgeous, too.
Wow…SO unreal. I wish I could look that good pregnant. These are awesome. Love the location and light.
These pictures are gorgeous. Congratulations
Thanks everyone!
Beautiful pictures!!
[...] first met the parents of little E at their maternity session, and it was easy to see how excited they were for the arrival of their little girl. She’s [...]
4 comments
What a doll! Love that last shot!
adorable .. love that sweet little smile in the first shot! and her expression in the b+w closeup .. too cute! looks like a great session!
Those are all so sweet and perfect!
This baby seems like she knows more than she is letting on! Love her expressive face! The first pic is great, and I love the B&W