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We're featured on Tickled Pink Brides Blog!

2009-07-09T12:40:00.003-04:00

Today has been a great day so far and to top it off, we've just been featured on the Tickled Pink Brides Blog! Brittany Sobering, Rock Star wedding planner and owner of Tickled Pink Brides, interviewed me not too long ago about what I'm most passionate about with photography and advice on what couples should look for when choosing a photographer. Check it out here!

My Niece Alyssa turns 1 today!!! A look back on the year....

2009-07-08T10:00:00.003-04:00

Happy Wednesday to all! Today is a very special day because my dearest Niece Alyssa is turning 1 today! Yes, I know we all can't remember our 1st birthday, and for those of you who can, that's kind of weird. Anyway, this is such a milestone for Baby Alyssa and for her Mommy and Daddy, (my Brother, Tony and his wife Gina.) I can remember a year ago today rushing over from Orlando to Sarasota to the hospital to be there as Tony walked out with the biggest grin on his face. It was such a memorable, amazing moment and I was so happy we were all there to witness it. Through the year, we've gotten to see Alyssa grow and develop an adorable, loving personality. Her cheeks are the cutest and I love to pinch them! Wow, now I do sound like the annoying Aunt who always wants to pinch cheeks. Oh well! I am so excited to watch her grow into a beautiful little girl. I can't wait to go shopping and play with her. Here is a slide show of the day she was born and also here are a few images that I photographed throughout her first year. xo - Abby

JULY 8TH, 2008 - SARASOTA FL

NOVEMBER '08 - THANKSGIVING - ALYSSA 4 MONTHS OLD!! LOOK AT THOSE CHEEKS!

APRIL - EASTER - 9 MONTHS!

JULY - 1 YEAR!

Sneak peek from Cathleen and Mike's "City Chic" engagement session - NYC

2009-07-06T22:58:00.003-04:00

I couldn't wait to post my Sexy engagement session of Cathleen and Mike up in NYC this past July 4th weekend! This fabulous couple lives in the city and is getting married at The Ritz-Carlton Beach Club in Sarasota, FL. We figured what better place to capture the true relationship of Cathleen and Mike than in their hometown. Not to mention that I absolutely LOVE the city and I miss it so as my home. There is such an energy and liveliness that can't be described. Despite a little rain, we had a blast traipsing around the city finding amazing spots to photograph in. We headed to The Hudson Hotel, a hip, swanky hotel near Central Park I believe. The interiors were so amazing and it was a playground of backdrops for me! Afterwards, we traveled to my favorite neighborhood, the West Village and then ended in Soho. They were such great troopers as we waited for the showers to blow by. We didn't worry too much about it though as we passed the time by sipping a couple cocktails getting to know each other a little better. I think the funniest part of the whole shoot was when we were in the West Village shooting when it suddenly down poured on us and we quickly had to rush into the nearest place for shelter. We ended up in a gay bar and thought it was hilarious our odds of that. Needless to say, the music was great and so were the drinks! My fabulous helpers, Amy (My sis) and my good friend Kalin assisted in the shoot with providing umbrellas, sugar-free red bull, and directions for the crazy cab drivers. It really was a great time well spent and I'm super stoked (yes I said "stoked") about what we got. Thanks Cathleen and Mike and Amy and Kalin for a great shoot and I am looking forward to your wedding in September!!

A little "Behind the Scenes" of Amy and Kalin helping with umbrellas and all!

A little random creativity that Cathleen had in the bar...

Mike here very determined on hailing a cab....

Wrapping up the evening in Soho!

Stephanie and Jared's romantic June wedding...Gainesville, FL - June 6th

2009-07-06T13:16:00.003-04:00

Happy July to all! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend celebrating Independence Day! I'm so excited about this post of Stephanie and Jared's wedding. For not officially meeting Stephanie until her wedding day, I felt like I already knew her. We definitely connected from her first phone call. You know when you just "vibe" with someone? Well that was Stephanie and I from the get go. I could just tell by our conversations over the phone that she was definitely a "Liga" bride. So the details of the day. The ceremony took place at the beautiful Holy Trinity Episcopal Church with reception following at Ti Amo! Restaurant. This is dear to Stephanie because she works for the restaurant and what better place to hold the reception? Their location rocks with an urban feel, exposed brick walls, and an open-air feel perfect for weddings. Not to mention, the food is pretty darn good too. ;) The fabulous Caroline from Caroline Johnson Photography assisted in capturing Stephanie and Jared's day and we had a blast documenting it all! Thanks Caroline for all your creativity and energy! Now the day started off with some BAD June weather, all of us Floridians know what I'm talking about. Luckily, the sky opened up in just enough time to get some great outdoor portraits! Before the ceremony, Caroline and I photographed Stephanie and the girls getting ready and I have to say, the best part of Stephanie's look, (besides her amazing dress and broaches), was her Betsey Johnson shoes! Ummm, yea, they rocked! She told me that she basically went to all ends of the earth to find them in her size. Never come between a girl and her shoes, especially on her wedding day! Moving on, before the ceremony, we quickly headed to Ti Amo! to take portraits of Stephanie and her bridesmaids while Caroline stayed back to photograph Jared and the guys. I am in love with the images she got of them in the alley reflecting in the puddles of rain. After the ceremony, all the guests headed to Ti Amo! to begin cocktail hour, while Stephanie, Jared, Caroline, and I walked around downtown Gainesville to get some killer portraits of the newlyweds. The reception looked very elegant and chic with the room decorated with assorted white flowers, black and white table cloths, and candlelight. A perfect touch on their personality. Speeches, dinner, and dancing took up the rest of the evening and everyone had a great time. Good wine, great food, and a celebration of love was the focus of Stephanie and Jared's night. At the very end, Caroline and I grabbed a few sexy night shots of Stephanie and Jared in the alley way of Ti Amo!. We all had so much fun and I am SO happy for you two! Congratulations!! xo-Abby

The new look of Liga Photography.com!

2009-06-03T16:04:00.003-04:00

I am very excited to announce the new face of Liga Photography! This website has been in the making since the start of 2009. I want to say a many many thanks to Jeffrey Stoner for contributing to the little "intro of yours truly" at the beginning of the site. I must say I was a little nervous being in front of the camera, but I thought it would be a nice touch and more personable. Jeffrey made me feel very relaxed and I feel like I got a little taste of what it's like to be other side. :) I also want to thank my fabulous designer Jessica Friend for working extremely hard and for collaborating with me on this. I hope you all enjoy the new site and please feel free to leave a little comment. I would love to hear feedback (only if it's nice.) :) Enjoy all!! xo www.ligaphotography.com

A sneak peek of Kelley and Todd's E-Session!

2009-06-01T09:54:00.002-04:00

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend! I definitely had a relaxing and fun past couple of days. Saturday was such a great day! First of all, the Magic won the Eastern Conference and they're onto the Finals! Aaaand....I also had the pleasure of photographing Kelley and Todd's Engagement session!! What a great, fun-loving couple these two are. We had a good time driving around Winter Park and shooting. I swear we saw like 3 other photographers there shooting couples. It was like the mecca for photographers! So I had to try extra hard to find places that weren't so "over-photographed". Here are just a few of my faves. I am very much looking forward to their wedding come October! Yay!

Nichole & Jim - Engagement + Wedding PART II

2009-05-27T15:15:00.002-04:00

Okay so Part II of Nichole and Jim's wedding extravaganza is here! March is seriously a wonderful month to get married and it definitely was a beautiful and shall I say, slightly windy day at The Country Club of Orlando. Every photographer loves the combination of wind and veil. It makes for fabulous imagery! I surely had my feast of veil pics for this wedding! Another element that I loved were the colors that they chose. The bridesmaid dresses were a classic navy blue with a muted moss green as accents. The flowers by the wonderful Greenery Productions were cream and green and fit right in with Nichole's dress. Ahhhh...the dress!! My favorite part. Nichole chose a gorgeous Rivini gown that hugged her perfectly. I loved the lace applique and the simple bow around the waist. She wore the dress, not the other way around! Jim looked extremely handsome and distinguished in a classic black suit and tie. Bob Knapik, my second photographer and I really enjoyed capturing the groomsmen portraits. What a bunch of great guys and so cool! The Buzz Cats kept the dancing and party going during the reception. Songs from the old school Michael Jackson (my favorite), Michael Buble, and the ever-famous wedding song, "Shout" had showing off their best moves, especially Nichole! That girl can dance! The wedding cake by Anna Cakes was amazing as always. Brittany from E-Events did such a great job working closely with Nichole and Jim on their planning. The evening ended with a fun sparkler exit and it was the perfect ending to the perfect day. Congrats Nichole and Jim!! xo - Abby

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Nichole & Jim - Engagement + Wedding PART I

2009-05-12T16:47:00.006-04:00

Where do I begin with this lovely couple?? I was so thrilled when Brittany from E-Events called me up and told me to send over a contract for Nichole and Jim. I remember meeting Nichole at our initial consultation and thinking how effortlessly beautiful she was. Let's just say she owns the classic white button down style! There wedding was held at the Orlando Country Club which is a beautiful site and it fit Nichole and Jim perfectly. Here is Part I of II of my post. Our engagement session started in their Baldwin Park neighborhood where Jim proposed and then led on to Winter Park at Casa Feliz. (An Spanish-style historic home here in the Orlando area.)
It was early December and perfect weather. I could tell Nichole was a little nervous and Jim did a great job of making her relaxed. I took this as a challenge and tried my best to make them feel comfortable and relaxed. I really enjoyed myself hanging out and working with them. By the end of the session, we were all sharing what our plans were for the upcoming holidays and New Years. I was so happy with the images I got. A couple weeks later, I invited Nichole, Jim, and their planner Brittany to my office and presented them with the slide show below. A little nervous and keeping my fingers crossed, I pressed play, sipped my wine, and said a Hail Mary. As the slide show went on, I could hear the excitement from Nichole and Jim and when they asked to play it again, I knew they loved it! I was so ecstatic and thrilled, it made my week! Part of what I love to do was wrapped up in those few moments right there. Check out their session below! Their wedding story is to follow so check back! xo - Abby

Up Next....the lovely, adorable, and fabulous Nichole & Jim! 3.21.09

2009-05-08T13:27:00.005-04:00

Another happy Friday to all! I hope everyone enjoys the weekend and Mother's Day! Be sure to call your Mom! Just wanted to give a heads up that my next post will be about Nichole and Jim's Engagement and Wedding! They are such a great couple and I am so honored that I had the opportunity to work with them! There's a lot to post and of course, I am again running out the door to head out of town. My life story, but I LOVE it! This weekend is West Palm! Check back next week for the full post of Nichole and Jim! xo -A

Little Layla!

2009-05-01T11:12:00.002-04:00

Happy Friday everyone!! Just thought I'd post a little somethin' somethin' for you. This is the third shoot I've done with Baby Layla, now "Little" Layla. She's getting so big!
Hope you all have a great weekend! I know I will, because it's my BIRTHDAY!!!!! Yay!
xo -Abby

Jessica and Matt - Engagement & Wedding Photos!

2009-04-28T16:49:00.003-04:00

Well brace yourself for a long one...I thought it would be cool to post both Jessica and Matt's engagement session and wedding since they were so close together. Let's see....how would I describe the lovely couple? I would say real, kind, funny, and all about having a great time. From the engagement to the wedding, I really enjoyed myself around these two. Their dynamic is positive and you know that they are truly meant for each other when they are both willing to hang out in a dumpster together! (See below.)
They just like to goof around and be silly and I think that is one of the key elements to a successful marriage. Jessica and Matt, you two rock!! Thanks for all the great photo opps and I am honored that you chose me to document one of the most life changing events in your lives. Love ya! xoxo Abby

And now for the wedding....

A quick rundown of the who, what, where, and when.... Jessica and Matt's wedding was held at Paradise Cove on March 13th, in Orlando. I love this venue because, well let's face it, where else can you find a beach atmosphere here in "Land-locked" Orlando???
This was a perfect setting for the couple and all their guests. Jess's dress was hand-made and had a "goddess-like" feel to it. Her hair was pinned up with braids inter-twined, and a peacock feather placed perfectly in her hair to top it off! I love her attention to detail. She looked like a goddess and I love this style! Matt and they guys wore khaki linen suites, brown ties, and signature brown "Chucks" (Converse for all of you who don't know the lingo.)All the guests were patiently seated awaiting Matt's arrival by boat. They traveled from their hotel across the lake and stepped straight out and lined up at the ceremony. A string quartet was playing renditions of their favorite songs ranging from Dashboard Confessionals to Cold Play. Jess excitedly walked down the aisle to meet Matt and the ceremony began. I will say that March weddings are one of the most beautiful months to have a wedding and this proved to be true on their day. The reception was absolutely a celebration with the amazing "Black Honkeys" performing. This band will keep everyone on their feet. They made a game where anytime throughout the night, if they start playing "Foot Loose", then everyone has to put these crazy sunglasses on and start dancing like they were straight out of the movie! It was fun and great to photograph! After the cake-cutting and more dancing, Jessica and Matt were sent off by all their family and friends. Bubbles filled the air as they waved goodbye on the boat. I could tell Jess was not wanting the party to end. Congrats again on a fabulous wedding guys!!! A special thanks to Shem for helping me document these crazy kids!

Sneak Peek from my next wedding post! Jessica & Matt 03.13.09

2009-04-23T10:27:00.004-04:00

Hey guys! So I am taking off to my hometown of Sarasota to join in the celebration of my best friend, Jenn's wedding! Here is a link to their engagement slide show that I photographed for them in Louisville, KY back in August. I can't believe my Jenny is getting married! We're all growing up so fast! And yes, I am a bridesmaid. I just might post a few images of the big day! In the meantime, I have so much to blog and so little time. Up next on the blog is Jessica and Matt's wedding!! I Here is one of my favorite images from their day back in March. I am rushing around and have a huge list of things to do, so I can't post the whole thing, but I promise I will next week! Enjoy this beautiful weather all and I'll catch you on the flip side! xo-Abby

A Must Read: The 2U Collection makes a strong point and launches new website!

2009-04-16T09:36:00.006-04:00

For over a year now, I have had the pleasure of knowing and working closely with Amy Morelli from The 2U Collection. I'm sure some of you have seen me mention her from time to time. In Addition to creating Alluring Custom Designed Invitations, she puts her advertising background to work by specializing in advertising/marketing for the Wedding Industry and Specialized Boutiques. One of Amy's recent blog posts was about "The Importance of Branding and Advertising (Part 1)". This struck close to home and so I felt it necessary to blog about her blog and I advise you all to take a few minutes and check it out. I cannot tell you how much I have learned from Amy about the importance Brand recognition as a creative professional in the wedding industry. I initially came to Amy to ask for her help in designing and printing a high end-looking presentation kit to be able to give to my potential clients. I knew that I wanted to go above and beyond their expectations and I knew it had to come with the level of professional design and materials. Now, this wasn't the most inexpensive decision that I made all year, but at that point, I decided to make a long term goal to focus solely on how my company's image and brand. Not only did she produce my presentation kit, but it then led onto realizing that my brand, colors, and logo needed to be apparent elsewhere in all of my collateral. This led onto Project Liga Photography: a whole undertaking of developing my brand and collateral from letterhead and business cards, to thank you gifts and press kits. The result: A solid, consistent brand presenting itself in all aspects of my business. Below are samples of the work she has done for me. This industry is full of a lot of awesome and creative professionals. Ask yourself this question: How will your company stand out above the rest? I could talk on and on about this, but I suggest you hear it from the expert! xo - Abby
2ucollection.com
the2ucollection.blogspot.com

Location change for our May 15th Boudoir Marathon!! - Crowne Plaza Hotel!

2009-03-26T09:09:00.003-04:00

From listening to some feedback about what location for boudoir is best, We decided to change our Boudoir Marathon from a "Studio" environment to a more intimate and relaxed "hotel" environment. The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Downtown Orlando is a perfect mixture of modern-style rooms with plenty of space to capture the romantic, sultry portraits that we are known for. We will occupy two Park Avenue Suites: one for hair and makeup and the other for shooting. This will make the experience all the more comfortable and enjoyable and the best thing is, the price doesn't change!!! Call or email to book your time slot now. Limited space available! 407-557-2047 or weddings@ligaphotography.com
See you ladies there!

Announcing our Spring Boudoir Marathon - May 15th!! 1-6pm $399

2009-03-23T09:08:00.004-04:00

Hey ladies! After many requests from all of you, our infamous Boudoir Marathon is back! This is just the perfect excuse you need to get into the gym! On Friday, May 15th, one day only, we are holding the marathon at the fabulous Studio Blue in Orlando. This is that perfect gift to give to your boyfriend, husband, or fiance. What better gift to give than well, you? It includes:

-A 15 minute portrait session by yours truly
-Hair and Makeup by Knockout Artistry
-Wardrobe styling by Lavish Boutique
-One fully retouched 5x7 print
-15% off our exclusive "Boudoir Books"

This makes a great "Girls Night Out" and their will be music, cocktails, and lite bites served. We have already filled a few slots so call today to reserve your session!
Call 407-557-2047 or email us at weddings@ligaphotography.com A special thanks to Amy Morelli with The 2U Collection for designing this fabulous ad!

As Promised....Kelly and Damian's "Day After" slide show! - Miami Beach

2009-03-22T12:13:00.002-04:00

Hey all! Happy Sunday! I hear it's beautiful outside, but I am taking everyone's word for it. Still in my Pj's and working frivolously on the computer! Yes, that's dedication. :) I'm excited to post the fabulous Kelly and Damian's "Day After" session. I was so happy I had the opportunity to photograph them more due to their wedding being in December, I had day light savings time working against me. I suggest this for EVERY couple getting married in the Fall / Winter. Enjoy all and I'll be back more with some exciting upcoming Boudoir news!!! -Abby :)

Jenifer and Matt's Wedding! Melbourne, FL 12.28.08

2009-03-21T11:55:00.005-04:00

One of my last weddings of 2008 was awesome! Jenifer and Matt, who live in Boston, married just a few days after Christmas. It was a great way to transition from the Holidays into New Year's! Heather Ahrens and I traveled to the lovely East Coast of Florida to Melbourne where we met Jenifer and the whole family at a gorgeous home right on the water. There we documented Jenifer's getting ready and also the most precious moment of her and Matt seeing each other for the first time. They chose to see each other beforehand because after that, we had a good amount of family photos to shoot and there was going to be no time after the ceremony to take them. Jenifer's dress was a beautiful Maggie Sottero gown and I loved the veil she chose to where. Not to mention an absolutely breath-taking ring that was her Grandmothers! And yes, it's real!(see below)
The ceremony was held at a nearby Temple and then reception at the Indian River Colony Club. Jenifer and Matt have known each other most of their lives and as the Rabbi explained, this was such a wonderful thing when they realized they wanted to be together. After the blessings, toasts, and speeches, Jenifer and Matt and the rest of their friends and family danced the night away. It was truly such a pleasure working with you both! Congrats Jenifer and Matt!! xo - Abby

Kelly & Damian's Day After Session!! - Miami Beach, FL

2009-03-01T10:41:00.002-05:00

I swear I did not hire models! Kelly and Damian have the gift of being great subjects to photograph! Shem and I headed down to Miami Beach yesterday to photograph Kelly and Damian's "Day After" Session as well as Jennifer and Mario's wedding the next day, which is today, so I don't have a lot of time on my hands to write. All I can say is WOW! I really enjoyed this session. We started at The Palms Hotel, then went to the beach, and finally ended up on Ocean Drive. Everything just flowed perfectly! Slide show to follow soon! Have a wonderful Sunday Funday everyone!

Kelly & Damian wed!! - Miami, FL - December 13th, 2008

2009-02-24T21:26:00.002-05:00

One of my many fabulous weddings this past December was that of Kelly and Damian's. What a great, sharp, and not to mention good-looking couple! Last spring I photographed their engagement session down in Miami Beach, where they live. It was then where we really got a chance to hang out and get to know each other. Spending that afternoon and getting some great images really set the foundation of our client relationship for the months and years to come. Kelly and Damian, who met at a Snoop Dogg concert decided to hold their wedding at the beautiful St. Patrick's Church in Miami Beach and the reception followed at the swanky, classic Alfred Dupont Building in downtown Miami. What a fabulous venue decorated with such great detail, amber uplighting, and romantic candles lit throughout. The Dupont Building was a historic bank converted into a place to hold weddings and events. It still even had the original vault inside! Heather Ahrens and I feasted our eyes and cameras on all the detail shots. Kelly and Damian surprised their family and friends with their first dance breaking out into a salsa dance number that they knocked out of the ball park! Very HOT! The newlywed's choice of music was all about dancing and having a blast. From introductions to Jay-Z, to Bon Jovi and the Cure, this reception had everyone in the room dancing, even me! They had such an amazing wedding and fabulous reception surrounded by beautiful decor, delicious food, and most of all, the love from their family and friends. It has been such a pleasure getting to know these two and I really wish you both all the best for many years to come! I will see you this weekend for your "Day Afer" Session, can't wait! A special thanks to the following vendors who contributed to the beautiful success of their wedding: Affairs Remembered, Alfred Dupont Building, Knockout Artistry, The Palms Hotel

Megan and Hunter's "nothing short of fabulous" wedding! February 21st, 2009 - Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando, FL

2009-02-22T17:57:00.004-05:00

I had such a great time yesterday documenting Megan and Hunter's Grand Bohemian wedding!
Heather Ahrens and I set out to the hotel around noon and photographed our hearts out. I met Megan when I photographed her sister Erin's wedding back in November 2007. When Lisa Konecny from E-Event's called me and told me Megan was engaged, I was thrilled that they wanted me to be there photographer. And here were are over a year later, and I feel so much apart of their family. It's such a rare, beautiful thing when this happens. I find it such an honor and important responsibility. Megan and Hunter met in the circus at Florida State University and what better venue to have their wedding held at, but the swanky Grand Bohemian Hotel in downtown Orlando. Lisa and Jessy from E-Events did such an amazing job with the planning and decor. Tommy from Greenery Productions provided the floral design and it was nothing short of spectacular! Seth from Visual Effects and I had such a great time exploring all the great photo opps within the hotel. He also worked on Erin's wedding. Megan and Hunter's ceremony was held on the pool deck under a beautiful tent with chandeliers. Songs from the Beatles, Ben Harper, and Colby Caillat played as guests anticipated Megan's walk down the aisle. After our portraits, Megan and Hunter had a private debut of the gorgeous room where their reception was held. Lisa and Tommy collaborated on what was very dramatic and swanky with purple uplighting, gold accents, along with amazing centerpieces. See for yourself below. Very creative! After introductions, some moving speeches, and dancing, the reception concluded and turned into an "After Glow" party. There, family and friends cut loose and danced their hearts out. Circus-inspired food was provided consisting of gourmet popcorn, sliders, and cotton candy. A perfect, unique addition to add to their party. This wedding was really such a fabulous event! I'm so happy for the newlyweds as well as for their family. Congratulations Megan and Hunter! Also, a special thanks to all the following vendors who I didn't mention who contributed in the success of their wedding: Anna Cakes, Knockout Artistry, Weddings Only DJ,

Real Fashion: Liga Photography featured in Ines Del Mar Magazine!

2009-02-20T14:50:00.004-05:00

Last May I was approached by Ines Del Mar Magazine and asked to photograph a real bride modeling 5 different designer wedding gowns. This is how I met Jennifer and got the opportunity to photograph her wedding held last December. (See blog post below.) Natalie and I flew down to beautiful Isabela, Puerto Rico to meet Jennifer and to capture her in these beautiful gowns. What my challenge was with dealing with a "Real Bride" is something that I face on Saturdays. "How was I going to connect with Jennifer and make her relaxed enough to give me the images that I needed?" Natalie and I got in at 3am and had to be ready to shoot by 7am. We met Sofia, the editor, and headed down to our first location, the beautiful Villa Montana Beach Resort. There I met Jennifer along with her Mom and future Mother-in-law. She immediately went right into makeup and hair while Sofia and I scoped out locations. It was very easy considering the backdrop given to me. I could tell Jennifer was very excited and nervous. This was her first time modeling and the pressure was on. I realized that all I needed to do was approach her like she was one of my brides. I immediately started shooting the breeze with her and just trying to get to know her. From that point on, I just decided to have fun which loosened her up. This approach is what works for me. I feel it is SO important to try and relate with my clients. Just trying to get to know them better is key in getting those great, natural images. And it worked with Jennifer. By the end of the two-day shoot, we were so in sync with one another everything just flowed. I instilled encouragement in her and she instilled her trust in me. It's definitely a give and take when photographing people. It doesn't just "happen", we both have to bring something to the table. A little part of our soul. It's a powerful thing that occurs and there are no words to describe. This photo shoot was successful and not only portrays pretty pictures, but it also displays the connection between bride and photographer. Feel free to pick up this mag at Barnes and Noble Bookstores and other similar locations.

Jennifer + Zachary's Wedding!! - December 6th, Charleston, SC

2009-02-15T13:07:00.006-05:00

Boy do I have some updating for you all! It's been so crazy since the new year and I have been building up so many weddings and shoots to blog! Here is the beginning of a long string of posts. Jennifer and Zachary's Charleston wedding was absolutely amazing and what a great couple! I met Jennifer last May on a shoot in Puerto Rico for Ines Del Mar Magazine. They are covering a story on a "real bride", (Jennifer) and also designing her wedding. Jennifer and I had such a great time working together, that they asked me to photograph their wedding this past December. Of course I was thrilled!!! So fast forwarding to December 6th, I traveled up to Charleston, SC and it couldn't have been better weather. The Southern city was decorated with Christmas lights and decor. The weather was nice and cold and really gave that "Holiday Feel". My two fabulous photographers, Kristin Florin and Paul Nurnberg helped perfectly document there wedding. I couldn't have asked for a better team! My gal Natalie, the rockstar makeup artist of Knockout Artistry was there doing makeup for all the ladies of the wedding party. Amy Morelli with the 2U Collection designed all the invitations, menus, and place cards consisting of metallic paper, ribbon, and Swarovski crystals. And Maggie Rasmussen of Cleanse Bath and Body provided the favors accented with feathers and crystals at the reception. It was all such a great collaboration and Sofia from Ines Del Mar Magazine designed the wedding beautifully. One of my favorite details on Jennifer was her white fur coat that was such a perfect fit for the occasion and weather. She looked amazing! She also wore two designer wedding dresses from Romona Keveza and Claire Pettibone that she got to choose to wear from our shoot in Puerto Rico. Lucky gal! There reception was held and the beautiful, historic William Aiken House in downtown Charleston. The property is a dream location for weddings. The house consisted of several different parlor rooms. One housed the wedding cake and we photographed the wedding party in another room with a Christmas tree and a fireplace. The house was so charming with creaky wooden floors, crown molding throughout and very old paintings hanging everywhere. Dinner was held upstairs with tables all throughout the rooms. Dancing was in the courtyard underneath a white tent with white lights illuminating through the night. I can't say enough about how lovely this wedding was. I am so thankful and blessed to have gotten the chance to photograph Jennifer and Zackary's wedding and to become apart of their memories that they will never forget. Thanks to you two and I hope to have the pleasure of working with you and your family again! xo -Abby

Back in May in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

Okay ladies.... Announcing a special Valentine's Mini-Boudoir Marathon for $399! February 5th, 4-8pm

2009-01-21T12:18:00.005-05:00

After a few inquiries about a possible Boudoir Marathon, we finally decided that what better time than the present to hold one??? We're bringing our infamous boudoir marathons into the studio and turning up the heat just in time for Valentine's Day!! This one-day only event is going to be held on February 5th from 4-8pm at the fabulous Studio Blue in Orlando. This is perfect for a girls' get together to hang out, sip a little wine, get amazing images of YOU, AND make a sexy little gift for your men! Lavish Boutique is offering designer lingerie perfect for your 15 minutes in front of the camera! Also, hair and makeup will be provided by Knockout Artistry. A custom designed Valentine's Day card provided by The 2U Collection is included along with a fully retouched 4x6 or 5x7 print to go in it. Champagne and goodies will be served so reserve your space today. These sessions are by appointment only and limited space is available.
Can't wait to see you ladies there!

Carissa and David's Wedding - November 22nd - Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra, FL

2008-12-30T10:01:00.002-05:00

Ahhh yes, the holidays are coming to an end and I am in need of catching up on my blog. It's such a whirlwind of things to do and I feel it starts right after Halloween. Christmas commercials, trees, lights, holiday parties, wrapping, visiting family, shooting weddings in between all of it....phew! I've just exhausted myself thinking about it. Although I DO LOVE the holidays and the family, friends, and food, I am very excited to ring in 2009 with a clean slate. That's what it's all about after all right? So my plan for New Year's Eve is to blow off some steam and hang out with my friends in the greatest city in the world, NYC!! I'm sitting in Laguardia airport right now taking a few minutes as I wait for my friend to get here. I figured this would be a great time to show off a little from Carissa and David's wedding. I love this couple. They held their ceremony in downtown Jacksonville and the reception was at the TPC Golf and Country Club in Ponte Vedra, FL. My favorite memory from that day was taking the wedding party on an extra long golf cart around the course for photos. Everyone was really cool, especially because it was REALLY cool outside too! I think it was my favorite memory because I got to drive the cart. ;) Congratulations Carissa and David! Hope you enjoyed the holidays as much as I did! xo-Abby

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Hoult - November 15th, 2008 - Sarasota, FL

2008-12-04T20:25:00.005-05:00

I have to say one of the joys of photographing weddings at my youthful age is having the opportunity to photograph my friends getting married around me. Allison, an acquaintance that has become a dear friend of mine is the perfect example. We were friends in high school, lost touch in those college years, and met back up when we both moved to Orlando. Allison met Jake, her now husband, when they were working together at an engineering firm. They both came to me about a year and a half ago I believe. I was so honored and excited to be documenting probably one of their most important days. Throughout this year's span, I feel like I've built a great friendship with Ally and Jake and for that I am very thankful! I know what I am doing is what I should be doing and things like this just solidify that fact. Here are images from their wedding and a slide show. Congratulations!! I love you!! xoxo-Abby

Love this shot! I love when wind works with me!

Beautiful!

The guys...

Allison's Mother was telling me how creative Ally was with her decor ideas.

I love how organic this looks!

Jake watching Allison walk down the aisle...priceless.

One of the most emotional "giving-aways" I've seen. Allison's Mother walked her down the aisle as her Father officiated.

The color scheme was perfect!

The reception glowed with candles and green flowered center-pieces. The whole room smelled like an evergreen tree and was perfect for the cold front that came in that evening.

The speeches were so moving.

Love this shot!

Congratulations!!

Debbie and Bob's Wedding!! - October 18th - Jacksonville, FL

2008-11-29T09:39:00.003-05:00

So another amazing client that I'm blessed to work with is Debbie and Bob of Jacksonville. What a cool, hip couple. When I photographed their engagement session, we had such a blast walking all over downtown Jax finding cool walls and textures. I'm going to put their engagement and wedding slide show up this time! They're just a fun, artistic couple and it shows with their sense of fashion and also how they decorate their home. The colors were inspired by a peacock feather. So you can imagine the glorious color of purple used and it really showed. Christina with Christina Kreations did a fabulous job with the decor. Debbie's dress was classic and absolutely beautiful. It fit her like a glove. Bob was cool and handsome in his tux and they were both ready to walk down the aisle together. After the ceremony, we all headed to this HUGE oak tree that had to have been around since the stone ages. Bob Knapik and I got some great shots of them in and around it. The weather was perfect! The reception was at the River Club on the 35th floor of the Modis building downtown Jax. It was the perfect venue to watch the sunset and to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. I think the best part of the night is when Bob surprised his new wife with the destination of their honeymoon: Italy!! Bob also arranged to get their marriage blessed by the Pope in the Vatican! Can you believe that? Congratulations to Debbie and Bob!!

Here's their engagement slide show:

...And now their wedding!

I love these flowers! It was a perfect contrast to the purple dresses...

Her Dad was so proud.

Love this shot!

One of the traditions of a Phillipino Catholic ceremony.

Yay! Just married!

Apparently the money dance was a success..

Debbie workin' it on the dance floor.

All of us on our way to get some last minute night shots!

I had to make this one big. Look how fabulous Debbie is!

Dave and Christie's Wedding! October 11th - Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, FL

2008-11-28T11:53:00.004-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! It has been such a great Fall wedding season! I am so thankful to have such amazing clients. Two in particular are the fabulous Christie and Dave of Orlando. Their wedding was held at The Rosen Shingle Creek Resort and the weather was perfect! Some of you might remember their engagement session. They were the couple with all the cute doggies! I know that they so wished the hounds could be there for the wedding, but it was too much of a production. Heather Ahrens and I had so much fun photographing the two of them. A special thanks to Blush by Brandee Gaar, Flourish Productions and Rhodes Studios for creating a wonderful day and experience for them. Here are a few images from their big day. Congratulations Christie and Dave!! Thanks for a great wedding! xo -Abby

This sums up their personality perfectly!

Allison and Jake Wed Today!!

2008-11-15T11:28:00.002-05:00

Yay! So excited for Allison and Jake's wedding today. I'm down in Sarasota, FL about to head out to The Lido Beach Resort to begin shooting their wedding. Ally and I went to high school together and I'm so happy and honored that they chose me to document their big day! Here are a few images from their engagement session we did. Good lookin' huh? Wish me luck and I will try and post a few from today later on. Have a great weekend everyone! xo

Kari and Mark tie the knot! September 6th, 2008 - Lakeland, FL

2008-11-15T09:28:00.004-05:00

This couple is very dear to me. I used to live in Downtown Orlando for about 2 years and Kari and Mark were my next door neighbors! And yes, I did have to borrow a cup of sugar from time to time. They were great to live next to and to hang out with. Especially with me lugging my equipment in and out the door every weekend for my weddings. We would have dinner every now and then. It consisted of looking in our freezers and seeing what we had to throw together. The meals always ended up being great! So when they came back from a trip to Michigan, Kari showed me her ring and announced that Mark proposed to her, I was thrilled! They are such a great couple. Very laid back and content. I was even more excited when they asked me to photograph their wedding. So here we are, a few months later, and I'm just now getting around to posting this. I couldn't be more happier for a couple than I am for Kari and Mark. Congratulations and let me know when you want to do dinner again! xo
p.s. A special thanks to Bob Knapik Photography and Provacative Productions.

The Glitz. The Glamour. and The Reveal. - E-Events and Liga Photography's Office Warming Party a success!!

2008-11-06T11:44:00.006-05:00

Ahhh and that's how the headlines read! So it's the morning after Lisa and my office warming party and let's just say that I'm still in my dress and my makeup is still on. That's how quickly I wanted to blog to tell everyone how great it was and to thank all the friends that came to celebrate with us! The office has been a work in progress since June, but now it's fine tuned and looking FAB-U-LOUS!! I wanted to personally thank all the wonderful companies that joined together to make the night so memorable and fun! Here's my props: The amazing Jeffrey from Jeffrey Stoner Video, Amy Morelli with The 2U Collection, Alicia Zutter from Alicia Zutter Designs, Jay and Aaron from Flowers of Winter Park, Awny from Unique Option, Rashida with BBJ Linen, Tommy Hart from American Audio Visual, Kevin with Moore Fine Foods, and Natalie from Knockout Artistry. Great food, music, people, and great times! Here's the slide show from last night! Make sure your volume is up! ;)

Christina and Ronnie's Marco Island Wedding! 8.30.08

2008-10-27T08:34:00.000-04:00

So you obviously can see that I'm trying to catch up on my blogging!! Ahh! It just keeps piling up!! I ended my Summer with some great weddings and amazing couples! One in particular was Christina and Ronnie. Since she's located up in Atlanta and he's here in Orlando, I was very grateful that I got the chance to finally meet them two weeks before their big day to photograph a few engagement photos. All I would say about them is that they're adorable and so down to earth. The wedding was held in Marco Island at the beautiful Marriott Beach Resort. My second shooter, Zekeshem and I trekked down the night before. This was all going on when Hurricane Gustav was just to the west of us in the Gulf. Luckily, everything was still on, we just couldn't do cocktail hour outside on the terrace. Oh well! If that's the worst thing that happened with a huge hurricane next to us, than we're doing pretty darn good! Here are a few images from their lovely wedding. Now the next step is to get Christina to move down here to Orlando! Thanks again guys for such a great evening!

Lavish boutique and Liga Photography!!

2008-10-21T20:42:00.000-04:00

Hey all! Wanted to post these and I've been meaning to for a while. But, I've fallen a little behind so here goes. A local fabulous lingerie and bedding boutique called "Lavish" located in beautiful downtown Winter Park, (right around the corner from my office), asked me to photograph there line for their new marketing materials. I was super excited because this allowed me to incorporate some of my boudoir photography in with advertising! We had such a great shoot and Jennifer, the owner of Lavish, was a dream to work with! Not to mention all the peeps who help put this together. Here are just a couple images from the shoot. I'm mad that I didn't bring a little video cam to document how fun the day was! To all of you locals, go check her store out! I guarantee you'll fall in love with the decor. And for you non-locals, if you're ever in town.....

The title says it all!! Gearing up for a great night and a tour of our new office!

2008-10-15T09:12:00.004-04:00

Hello all! Hope everyone is enjoying their week and the weather! After many hours of putting our "personal touch" into the new office, Lisa Konecny and I are going to celebrate and open our doors at our Glitz. Glamour. Reveal. party.!

This event has been long in waiting while both of us have been tweaking and fixing up what you should have seen in the beginning. I think we should have our own decorating reality t.v. show. We couldn't have done it without a little help from our friends.
Awny from Unique Option set the mood with his furniture decor and we can't thank Jay Casiano from Flowers of Winter Park enough for his beautiful weekly arrangements giving lovely aromas in the office. I'll post photos when the final finishing touches are done. One word: Chandelier!

A thumbs up from Jeffrey...I feel so special!!

2008-10-04T12:47:00.002-04:00

This Fall we had the honor of getting to photograph our second cover for Playground Magazine, A hip and sophisticated parenting magazine here in Central Florida! Jeffrey Stoner put this image on Face Book so I HAD to blog it too!! This is a pic of him in a bookstore where he found the mag! He also noted to me to please excuse his $5 sweat shirt that he purchased in an emergency effort to get warm at the restaurant he was eating at beforehand. Don't worry Jeffrey! I know your style is better than that! :) Thanks for showing us some support!!

The Holidays are right around the corner! Don't wait till the last minute! You know who you are!!

2008-10-03T16:01:00.003-04:00

Hi All! Hope everyone is gearing up for a beautiful weekend! I know I am! Just wanted to post a little blurb about our upcoming mini-sessions. They are 20 minute portrait sessions of your child, you and your child, you and your dog, you and your....well, you get it! With the purchase of a mini-session, you will receive an 8x12 print of choice along with a two-week online gallery. We're going to be in and around Baldwin Park on Halloween between 3-7pm and on Park Avenue, Winter Park on October 25th between the hours of 9-4. Please email life@ligaphotography.com or call 407.557.2047 to reserve your session. Reservations are limited.

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"Cocktails Anyone?" -----Yes Please!!!

2008-09-24T11:59:00.005-04:00

So Amy Morelli from the The 2U Collection and I threw a little bash at the fabulous Citrus Restaurant here in downtown Orlando. It was a chance to get to know some of our local vendors ranging from wedding coordinators, florists, photographers, etc. The night was a success with some pretty darn good gift bags to take home and great food and cocktails. Here are just a couple photos from last night. Thanks to everyone who donated and came and supported us! I will be posting more images here shortly!!

Amy and me ready for the party to begin!

Me showing off my albums and such. :)

Saturday's wedding - Jamie and Josh Malkin - The Vanderbuilt Mansion - Long Island, NY

2008-09-22T11:13:00.004-04:00

This past weekend I had the pleasure of having two great photographers, Mary Beth Tyson and Heather Ahrens accompany me to Islip, Long Island to photograph the lovely Jamie and Joshua. What a beautiful wedding and I can't say how much I really enjoyed watching the two of them soak in what was happening around them. You could literally see how in love they were. Observing them really makes me see how amazing love is. This is how it should be. Thanks Jamie and Josh for a great day, great weather, and an awesome wedding!! You two really are wonderful.
xoxo -Abby

It's a Girl!!

2008-09-12T12:44:00.003-04:00

Just a quick blurb about our fabulous designer, Jessica: she had a baby! Yes, here's a before and after (birth announcement). She's so beautiful!! Congrats Jess on your precious gift! xoxo

Jenn and David's engagement session in good ole Louisville!

2008-09-12T11:57:00.005-04:00

I'm so happy and excited that I got a chance to photograph my best friend and her fiance's engagement session. They moved up to Louisville, KY this past Winter and shortly after, got engaged! Jenn asked me to be one of her bridesmaids, so there goes me photographing their big day! I couldn't pass up getting a chance to at least photograph some awesome portraits of the cute couple. My good friend, Mary-Beth Tyson is going to be taking care of documenting the big day. She's awesome, so down to earth, and really a great photographer. My fabulous ladies from E-Events Design are taking care of all the planning and working very close with Jenn and David. Their wedding is set to be in Longboat Key in Sarasota, FL. Their theme is "beach chic", is that a term?? Anyway, Here are their photos from my visit up there. I love you guys and I can't wait till April!!!! xoxo -A

Vanessa and Gabe wed!! 08.10.08 - The Ballroom at Church Street Station - Orlando, FL

2008-09-05T14:40:00.009-04:00

Soooo, for my second wedding that weekend, I had the wonderful pleasure of photographing Vanessa and Gabe! I really lucked out by having two great couples to photograph in one weekend! The last time I hung out with them was from their E-Session in Chicago! Below are a few faves from that shoot. We had a blast and really had a good time getting to know one another. Now, it was time to capture their wedding and I was very excited and honored. I had Shem from Blue Lane Photography and the lovely Amanda McCammon assist in capturing the big day. Vanessa and Gabe are so great!! They're a no-fuss, good-time having, couple, that really knows what's important about their wedding: them. Tamuel Cowart from Remembering When Events did an amazing job with the decor and the overall feel of the day. The weather was perfect and allowed us to get some great portraits of them. Vanessa surprised Gabe at the reception with an A Capella version of "The Way I Am" my Ingrid Michelson. It was perfect! It truly summed up their relationship with that act. I was surprised too. I didn't know she had such a beautiful voice! Congrats to you both! xoxo - Abby

Shana and Tony's wedding 08.08.08

2008-09-05T12:42:00.010-04:00

Happy Monday!! Is it bad to say that I already feel like it should be Friday?? Oh well. Anyway....here is the wedding that Bob and I photographed on 08.08.08!!! Shana and Tony exchanged vows at the Sunset Harbor Yacht Club in Daytona Beach. Shana and Tony kept their wedding low key and all about having a good time. When I spoke with Shana on the phone about what she was wanting for photography, I could tell she was not into a big production and she just wanted everything laid back and chill. I'm down for that! Here are their photos and the slide show will be up shortly. Enjoy everyone and have a fabulous day!

xoxo Abby

Jessica and Jay's Wedding 07.19.08

2008-09-05T11:44:00.010-04:00

Wow! When did September creep up on me?? I can't believe how easy it is to fall behind on blogging this Summer. It's flown by and I'm in denial that it's almost fall. Seriously, Halloween is right around the corner and you know what comes right after that. Before I know it, it's going to be freakin' 2009! Anyway, I'm a little late on posting this, but better late than never! How could I not show off the wonderful Mr. and Mrs. McDonald?!? On July 19th, I, along with Lori Barbely, photographed Jessica and Jay's wedding here in Orlando! It was the perfect blend of intimacy along with a big celebration with friends and family. Their ceremony was held at the Oviedo Methodist Church, an adorable church still quaint and keeping to it's old school charm. Afterwards, the reception was held at the Ballroom at Church Street Station in downtown Orlando. Lee Forest Designs did an amazing job with their flowers and DJ Carl kept the night going with wonderful mixes that kept their guests dancing and having a blast! Truly a great wedding and I wish you two all the best!! Below is their wedding slide show. Click here to view their engagement session if you haven't checked it out already!

Baby Peyton....so precious!

2008-08-31T13:20:00.002-04:00

This week, I've had the wonderful opportunity to photograph three families. I'm still out of town on the west coast of FL, but I wanted to post just a few of my faves from Thursday's "Baby Makes Three" portrait. Here it is!!

Another Machaby sister is getting hitched!!

2008-08-20T15:00:00.007-04:00

I'm so excited and honored to be photographing Megan and Hunter's wedding next February! I photographed her sister's wedding last November (Erin and Lee). They're such a wonderful family to work with and I can't wait for round 2!! Here's their story: They met while performing together in the circus in college. They told me that they were partnered up together on the trapeze and that when the sparks flew. How unique! I LOVE their story! I mean, it's true. You really have to build that "trust factor" in relationships and with Megan and Hunter, that was the first thing they had to do, even before their first date! So, I automatically said that we needed to do some type of trapeze flying in their engagement session, which they happily agreed. I even went as far as calling up Cirque De Soleil here in Orlando to ask to see if they would let us shoot there....yea right! They pretty much laughed at me. Hey, a girls gotta try right? I showed up the day of the photo shoot ready to go, however the weather said otherwise. I told them, we'll do a little shooting indoors and wait for the rain to pass. Well, it being in July, it wasn't looking likely. We photographed at their home, where I had the pleasure of meeting their two adorable cats and where I got to see Hunter's extensive collection action figures. I had to incorporate those into the shoot! After that, we headed to the park, and finally got to squeeze in a little bit of time on the trapeze. The weather just wasn't allowing me to get some great, colorful portraits of them dressed up and looking fab. Megan and I spoke and agreed to to a two-part engagement session and continue it on another day. I couldn't have agreed more! Here are a few from day one and day two. Enjoy!!

Their cat was such a ham!!!

See what I mean?!!

I made Hunter pull these out. Megan told me that one day she walked into their house and there they were, sitting on the book shelf, perfectly placed. :)

Lovin' on the trapeze!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this dress!

Elisabeth + Rich + Antigua = Good Photos and a Good Tan!

2008-08-05T22:05:00.005-04:00

Hey guys, so I've been meaning to blog this one for a while, so here goes. This past June Natalie and I hopped a plane back to San Juan and then over to Antigua, a beautiful island over in what I believe is called the West Indies. Absolutely breath taking. Our mission: to photograph our honeymooners from Connecticut "Trashing the dress" in the waters of Antigua along with a Boudoir Session of the lovely Elisabeth! I prided myself on sneaking my equipment into the Sandals Beach Resort where they were staying and where her boudoir photo session was taking place. I just look like a "really avid photographer / tourist". Phew! No joke, the security there is pretty intense for us photogs. Anyway, those I can't show, but here are a few portraits of their "Trash the Dress" photos. Natalie did the makeup and hair, good job girl! We really enjoyed meeting and getting to know both Elisabeth and Rich and I loved being able to get some kick-ass photos of them on their honeymoon. Thanks to you both for a lovely experience down in Antigua and not to mention, the fabulous tan I came back with (that is now dissipated.) Oh well.

Amy and Peter's Wedding, Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach 7/5/08

2008-07-18T14:35:00.007-04:00

Wow, what a busy Summer! Life is great and so are the weddings! For July 4th weekend, I headed down to West Palm Beach to see some fireworks and to photograph Amy and Peter's Fourth of July wedding bash! Well, I didn't see fireworks on the 4th, but I sure witnessed some the next day between Amy and Peter. (Metaphorically speaking.)
They couldn't have picked a better spot in Palm Beach to tie the knot. I'm talking about the beautiful Ritz-Carlton. This venue is very dear to me, because my sister and best friend, Amy got married there this past December. The fabulous Liana Lehman photographed their special day. Anyway, getting back to Amy and Peter. I had the pleasure of having Bob Knapik helping me document this wedding. The ceremony was held at Bethesda By-The-Sea, a GORGEOUS Episcopalian church right off of the famous Worth Avenue. After the ceremony, we stopped at Royal Palm Avenue to take a few shots of Amy, Peter, and their crew casually walking down the street. The reception was amazing with beautiful tall centerpieces with up-lighting reflecting a hot pink-orange hue. We had a little Puerto Rican flare with the music and let me tell ya, it's imperative to have good music at your wedding!! All I can say is that the looks on Amy and Peter's faces were nothing short of pure happiness as they enjoyed every minute of their reception. They are truly blessed to have the love and support that filled the room that night. Congratulations Amy and Peter!!! xoxo -Abby

p.s. Here's the link to their slide show. I'm having problems implementing it directly into my blog. I will fix it tomorrow! :P

Shannon & Kevin tie the knot! Cocoa Beach, FL 6-21-08

2008-07-18T13:58:00.006-04:00

This wedding was very dear to me. Shannon is the sister of Mike, who is the husband of one of my very close friends Jodi. Did you get that? :) This is the second Miller that I have gotten the opportunity to photograph and I was honored. I finally met Kevin two days before to photograph their engagement session. He's in the military and had attempted several times to make it down to Central Florida to take their engagement photos, but every time, something came up and he couldn't. The wedding took place in Melbourne, FL at the First United Methodist Church and the reception was held at the Cocoa Beach Country Club. Of course it being June in Florida didn't give them a good chance of good weather and it looked even worse when a huge monsoon came through knocking the power out of the church for a couple minutes. That being said, Shannon and her bridesmaids and Kevin and his groomsman made it through the rain and to the church on time. It actually set for a very intimate feel. All the wind and dark clouds. I kind of felt like I was in that movie, "Forces of Nature". After the ceremony, the sun decided to come out and everyone headed to the reception. My second photographers, Zekeshem Parsons and Amanda McMahon and me caravanned to Cocoa Beach and got some great shots of the wedding party on the golf course. I have the bug bites to prove it. :) The night progressed beautifully with some lovely speeches, a moving prayer, and a memorable slide show of Shannon and Kevin. I wish you two all the best for years to come! I'm glad we could be apart of your big day! xoxo...
Abby
p.s. I'm testing out using larger images. Let me know what you all think.

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Sharie and Alberto's Wedding - June 14th - Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

2008-07-07T14:12:00.009-04:00

I have to say that I was thrilled when Sharie notified me that she and Alberto decided to have their wedding in Puerto Rico. The setting: El Convento Hotel right in the heart of historical Old San Juan. This building is so amazing. It's an old convent that was built in 1651. The architecture and detail alone make this an awesome venue for a wedding. They called for rain all weekend long, which made the planners decide to move the ceremony indoors instead of out in the courtyard of the convent. We didn't see a drop the whole time we were there, but I bet you if they didn't move it inside, it would have poured. This wedding was very dear to me because I felt like I got to really get to know who Sharie and Alberto really were as well as meet ALL of their family. I accompanied them on the rehearsal dinner and enjoyed every minute of it, including the tasty skirt steak! Yum! I could also tell that they were so excited tohave me there which made me feel good and so honored! So, moving on to the wedding day. Let's start off with Sharie's dress, or shall I say dresses! Her first one was a dream. Kenneth Pool princess dress with some of the most beautiful beading I've ever seen. This dress fit perfectly with the setting of Old San Juan. Very traditional and she wore it so well. The next, which she changed into at the reception was more modern and fitted to the body. I forget the name of the designer, but it had this gorgeous broach right in the middle. She kept her cool the whole day just laughing and running around getting ready with her bridesmaids. Natalie was their doing all the girls' makeup and of course, everyone wants to take her and carry her around in their purse.
I have say it's great having a makeup artist as your studio manager! Alberto and his best man, brother Arturo were hanging out in their room getting ready, trying to beat the heat. It was very hot and humid! Their ceremony was very intimate just fitting all of their 135 guests. After their walk down the aisle, we headed into the reception which is what used to be the church in the convent. And I'll tell you, a fantastic place for a reception. Cathedral ceilings, candle-lit chandeliers, old world black and white tile throughout. Their colors were classic, elegant with lots of ivory, gold, and greenery. The centerpieces stood tall which was perfect for a place of such high ceilings. The reception began with speeches and toasts, which let right into dancing. They had an amazing band that played awesome music of Puerto Rico not to mention another group of musicians surprising all their guests by storming in playing bongo drums and other sorts of instruments. Truly a good time! Thanks Sharie and Alberto for such a wonderful time and a fantastic wedding! I also want to say a big thanks to Heather and Lucas for all your help in shooting this wedding! You rock!

Erica and Luis - Engagement Session - Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 6.13.08

2008-07-02T15:34:00.003-04:00

June was such a wonderful month! After our trip to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and Tricia and Matt's wedding, we headed back down to Puerto Rico to beautiful Old San Juan to photograph Sharie and Alberto's wedding!! Lucas Draper and Heather Ahrens accompanied me on the trip to help in covering their wedding. They called for rain all weekend, but I didn't see a drop! While we were there, Erica and Luis, one of Sharie's friends, asked me to photograph their engagement session. They're getting married August 8th in Minnesota. Luis is from Puerto Rico, so they thought it would be nice to incorporate a little bit of his heritage into their wedding. And that's where I came in! The afternoon before Sharie and Alberto's wedding, Erica, Luis, Heather, and I set out on the beautiful town of Old San Juan to get some fabulous, colorful photos of them.

This is from Heather's point of view...

Heather shoots Canon and I shoot Nikon. Throughout the whole shoot, we kept switching cameras and playing around with them. So much fun and a little bit of a challenge! This is a nice one that she shot. Thanks Heath!

Ines Del Mar Magazine / Marea Magazine photoshoot - Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

2008-06-29T10:07:00.004-04:00

So over Memorial Day weekend, Natalie and I headed to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico to shoot a fashion spread for Ines Del Mar Weddings Magazine!! We didn't get in until 3am and had to start shooting at 8am! Yikes! I didn't really care about sleep, I had adrenaline pumping the whole day of the shoot. Not to mention lots of coffee!! We met up Sofia, the editor and her two assistants. Our first destination was this really cool resort / restaurant on the beach. It was decorated with white sheer curtains, bright orange couches, with pieces of driftwood and sand dollar chandeliers everywhere. Now and then, the wind would ever so gracefully pick up the white curtains and blow them up in the air. Even it being May, the weather was perfect. Our model, Jenny, is a real bride living in Charlotte, NC. Ines Del Mar is planning her wedding and in this shoot, she is modeling six different Claire Pettibone wedding dresses and the one that's her favorite, she gets to wear for her wedding day!! How lucky is she? She is so nice and down to earth too, which really helped in connecting with her through the camera. Natalie was in charge of hair and makeup and did an amazing job, as always. ;) After the first location, we went onto another area on the resort property, horse stables (one of my favorites!), and then into downtown Aguadilla. We were so pooped by the end of the day, but I was very satisfied and relieved that I got the shots! The next day, we one more shoot to do, which was photographing the cover for Marea Magazine, a women's lifestyle surf publication. This took all of an hour to do so we had the rest of the day for some much needed R & R. Natalie and I booked a horse-back excursion and we got to ride on the beach! One of the things that I've always wanted to do in life. :) Here are a few of my favorite images from the shoot. The issue is set to come out in December '08. I'm so excited that I got the chance to work with one of my favorite magazines! It was a little nerve-wrecking, but a confidence builder for sure!

Tricia and Matt's Museum Wedding!! 06.07.08

2008-06-28T12:49:00.004-04:00

May and June have flown by! With all the traveling that we have been up to, I can't believe it's already July! And with that being said, I'm constantly trying to play "catch up" with my blogging! Phew! One major event in particular that I've been SO meaning to blog is Tricia and Matt's wedding that was held at the Orlando Museum of Art on June 7th. My second photographer, Bob Knapik and I met up with the crew at the JW Marriott to photograph their getting ready and for some fun portraits. Up in the bridal suite were Tricia and her bridesmaids getting ready and toasting with champagne. We photographed all the details, from the rings, jewelry, the dress and shoes. I loved their colors! It was periwinkle, I believe, and chocolate with a touch of white. Very classic! We headed onto the Orlando Museum of Art, an awesome venue to tie the knot here in Orlando. In the main gallery hall, they have a fantastic colorful glass sculpture that stands pretty much from floor to ceiling. That is where their ceremony was held. Shortly after the ceremony, we all headed outside to catch the most perfect light for portraits! The reception was just the right amount of space with again, the periwinkle and chocolate setting the overall look and feel of the evening. You could tell that the bride and groom were ecstatic and really enjoying themselves. Brandee with Blush By Brandee Gaar did a fantastic job coordinating this beautiful wedding! Everything ran smoothly with great music and food. At the end of the evening, all their guests lined the sidewalk blowing bubbles, creating a perfect exit for Tricia and Matt! Congratulations to both of you! I am so honored to have been apart of your day. xoxo - Abby

South Beach "Day After / Trash the Dress" with Jodi and Roland!!

2008-06-20T15:12:00.003-04:00

I have had such a blast getting to know Jodi and Roland! Their wedding was not too long ago (back in April). About a month later, we met up again in Miami Beach to initially shoot their "Day After" session. When I talked to Jodi on the phone the day before our shoot, she said, "I want to trash my dress too." I LOVE that attitude! We both arrived in South Beach in ridiculously hot weather, them in Roland's nice pick up and me in a God awful mini-van (rental.) Ugh!! I about cried at the counter. Anyway, we braved the hot Miami heat and had some fun walking around finding random corners to shoot on. We stopped by the infamous Delano and Loews Hotel. That's where they honeymooned. I asked what they did the whole time, if they went to any good restaurants, etc. Apparently they never left the hotel and one night for dinner, had French fries and champagne. My kind of couple!! Thanks Jodi and Roland for some great portfolio work. I look forward to many more shoots with you two in the future. It's been a pleasure. -Abby

Andrea + Mike's beautiful beach wedding... May 17th, 2008

2008-06-09T08:21:00.005-04:00

So, needless to say, keeping up on blogging has been quite a challenge for me this wedding season. I appreciate everyone's patience as there's only so much time to blog in one day! :) Getting on to talking about the lovely Andrea and Mike. This couple is so great together. About a year ago, I photographed their engagement session in Tampa and got a chance to know a little bit about them. Their pride and joy are their two dogs, Ebony and Isabella. They said if they could have them in the wedding, they would.
The big day was held on North Redington Beach, FL, just in between St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach. They kept it simple. One maid of honor, and one best man. The ceremony was a quick one, held right on the beautiful white sands with the sounds of the waves in the background. Short and sweet is what I like to call it. Then off to the reception where guests enjoyed cocktails on the terrace while the sun set. Andrea changed into a fabulous reception dress just in time for introductions and to enjoy the rest of the evening. It was a hot one, but it cooled down as the night progressed. Their cake was not a traditional one, which didn't surprise me at this point now knowing a little bit about Andrea and Mike. They had their favorite cakes from P.F. Chang's and The Cheesecake Factory. Yum!! Needless to say, I had a slice of the chocolate and it was HEAVEN!! I want to say thanks to my second photographer, Zekeshem Parsons for helping me photograph their big day! Hope you two enjoyed Hawaii!!
xoxo Abby

Hanging out with the fabulous Jillian and Nick!! - Sarasota, FL

2008-05-28T12:32:00.002-04:00

I have had SO many engagement sessions lately!! During one of my many trips to Sarasota, I got to hang out downtown with Jillian and Nick. They're getting married in Lake Mary this September! It was a really hot morning, so we decided to drive everywhere instead of walk. The funny thing was that all of our locations were totally within walking distance. We all agree, better cool than sweaty! And again!! Cute shirt Jillian! I love that my brides have some style! So crucial. Nick was a real tropper, traipsing along with Jillian where ever we wanted to go. Thanks for a fun morning! See you two in September!!

Carissa and David's Engagement Photos!!

2008-05-28T11:58:00.004-04:00

I finally got a chance to meet up with Carissa and David at the famous Park Avenue in Winter Park to take their engagement photos! The first thing I said to Carissa was, "I love your shirt!". And of course she said, "I got it at Nordstrom Rack!". Which there is none of those stores here in sunny Florida. Oh well. On to the shoot! We walked around Park Ave finding cool areas and textured walls to take photos. That's what I love about that area, you can always find a new place and it looks completely different from the next. Carissa and David are getting married up in Jacksonville on November 22, 2008! Looking forward to being apart of your big day!!

Stephanie + Dominic's Beach Wedding!!

2008-05-20T12:32:00.002-04:00

On May 10th, Lucas and I drove to Clearwater to photograph Stephanie and Dominic's wedding at the Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach. The hotel was beautiful! A perfect backdrop for a beach wedding. Stephanie and her girls were getting ready in her bridal suite, while Dominic and the guys were hanging out in their room. Stephanie chose a gorgeous salmon color for her bridesmaids' dress, which they all wore very well! It complimented all the girls! Hard to do. The flowers were a beautiful arrangement of pale, pastel roses with pearls placed throughout. The weather held out for the ceremony and our portraits. Although a little hot, everyone seemed to have a great time. The reception was held in the hotel just in time for everyone to cool off. Guests were served crab stuffed shrimp along with chicken and and vegetables. Very tasty! Stephanie and Dominic danced all night with each other and their friends. The music was great and so were the people! Congratulations Steph and Dom!!

Janielle + Adam's wedding!! Lakewood Ranch, FL

2008-05-20T10:17:00.002-04:00

I think it's safe to say that I am experiencing blog overload! So, you might begin to see more than one post a day due to all the shooting I've been doing, which isn't a bad thing. ;) On April 26th, Lucas and I photographed the lovely Janielle and Adam's wedding!! They tied the knot at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club in Sarasota, FL. What a beautiful day it was for a wedding! Janielle was absolutely drop dead GORGEOUS with her amazingly unique embroidered wedding dress and veil. She also had another ridiculously beautiful dress that she changed in for her reception. If you were all to know Janielle, it's totally her! :) Adam and the guys showed up promptly at 4pm in their chocolate brown three-piece suits, ready to take some fun photos and start the celebrating. We truly had such a wonderful time capturing their memories and all of the fun details throughout the day. Congratulations you guys! Hope your honeymoon was awesome!! xoxo-Abby

Sharie + Alberto's Engagement Session!!

2008-05-16T09:38:00.002-04:00

On Mother's Day, I met up with the fabulous Sharie and Alberto at their lovely home in West Orlando. It had to be one of the windiest days Orlando has seen in a while. Surprisingly, it really didn't affect our shoot. Wind can be really good, or really bad. There's no in between. :) Sharie and Alberto's wedding is right around the corner on June 14th of this year. I can't wait for it! It's going to be held in beautiful old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Two of my favorite photogs, Heather Ahrens and Lucas Draper, are accompanying me to capture their big day. I'm so looking forward to it!!! Sharie and Alberto: See you in about 3 weeks!! xoxo -Abby

Christie + Dave + Abigail + Daisy + Coco's Engagement Session!!

2008-05-12T13:25:00.007-04:00

Talk about a cute family! Ok so just to clear things up, Christie and Dave are the couple, and Abigail, Daisy, and Coco are the doggies! A couple weeks ago, I met up with the fam at Lake Eola to photograph their engagement session. We had a blast hanging out downtown and by the Lake. Christie and Dave had a little helper take the dogs so we could continue taking photos without them. You can definitely see their fun personalities shining through their photos. See you two in October!! Give my love to the pups! xoxo-Abby

Hanging out with Colleen, JT, and Steve (the dog)...

2008-05-06T13:48:00.003-04:00

So a couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Colleen and JT! We met in this cute little neighborhood called Baldwin Park to photograph their engagement session. They also brought along Steve, their dog. Probably one of the cutest, silliest dogs I've ever met. Here's what we came up with. I'm so glad we got a chance to hang out and get to know each other. I'm very much looking forward to being apart of their day in November! :)

Holly + Christian's "Trash the Dress" Session!! New Symrna Beach, FL

2008-05-01T17:26:00.006-04:00

Trashing the Dress has to be one of my favorite portraits to shoot. It takes every rule and guideline about preserving your wedding dress and throws it out the window.
Holly and Christian are one of those "practical" couples that realize that they'd rather have great photos of them together as newlyweds in their wedding attire, rather than preserving it. I know, I know...I sure would think twice about trashing my "future" wedding dress, but then I'd be missing out on someone photographing me rolling around in the sand with my new husband. Thanks Holly + Christian a great experience and some great portfolio shots! xoxo-Abby

Jennifer + Jeremy's Amelia Island Wedding!!

2008-04-29T11:01:00.005-04:00

Last Sunday, I traveled up to Amelia Island to photograph Jennifer and Jeremy's wedding at the Ritz-Cartlon. What a beautiful venue! Jade McCully, my second photographer, drove down from Savannah to meet me. We started off photographing Jenn and her girls in the bridal suite. You couldn't ask for better weather! Their ceremony took place on the lawn facing the Atlantic Ocean. Guests enjoyed cocktails afterwards on the lawn while listening to steel drums. The reception was a very intimate one accommodating their 50 guests. Jenn and Jeremy looked so happy while listening to their guests' speeches and toasts. They ended their magical evening dancing the night away. Congratulations Jenn and Jeremy!! Hope your honeymoon went well! xoxo...Abby

Jodi + Roland's Wedding!! 4.18.08

2008-04-23T16:54:00.019-04:00

It's been a crazy busy past few days for me! Last Friday, I had the honor of photographing the lovely Jodi and Roland on their big day!! I met up with two great girls who assisted in shooting this beautiful wedding. Melissa Powell and Zekeshem Parsons were great! They really helped have the day run smoothly. I started off at her maid of honor, Barbara's house, to photograph Jodi getting ready. We had just enough time to get some great portraits of her before heading to the church. I got a chance to see Roland right before the ceremony to let him know that his bride looked absolutely breath-taking! Their wedding party consisted of mostly children and young adults, which is something you don't see very often. Fortunately, they were so well behaved, that it made our day soooo much easier than expected! Jodi and Roland's reception was held at The Jacaranda Country Club in Davie, FL, (south of Ft. Lauderdale.) Their colors were a beautiful yellow and pale green. The sunlight was hitting all the tables and glassware to give the room the perfect glow just in time for their introductions. Their first dance was touching and perfect. At the end of the song, all their guests joined and Jodi and Roland were just barely dancing in the middle, kissing while everyone was dancing around them. I think that was my favorite moment of the day. Congratulations you two!!! xoxo, Abby

Kelly + Damian's South Beach Engagement Session!

2008-04-18T23:27:00.009-04:00

This week has been a whirlwind of photo shoots and traveling, but I love it! Things tend to get to stagnant when you're in the same town week after week. I need to shake it up, and that's why I love my job! I've been in South Florida since this past Wednesday. I started off my trip to South FL by meeting up with Kelly and Damian, my fabulous Miami Beach couple, for their engagement session. We headed to the design district, then off to the famous Delano hotel and ended up at the Shore Club. I love shooting down in South Beach because anything goes!! We're also doing a "Day After" session in early '09. Trust me...we will be going back to SoBe. Here's a few of my faves from the shoot. Thanks Kelly and Damian for a successful shoot! See you next December! xoxo -Abby

Jennifer + Mario's Sexy E-Session!!

2008-04-07T19:00:00.009-04:00

This past Friday I met up with the lovely Jennifer and Mario for their Engagement Session in Winter Park. What a cute and I might say, sexy couple! We started of at this hip, swanky restaurant called "Luma" for some vino and apps. Shortly after we headed off to Park Avenue and began snapping away. I call Jennifer my "model" of the day. Mario was all laughs while Jenn was striking her poses. Their wedding is in March of 2009 in Miami Beach. This is going to be a great wedding!!

Aimee + Scott tie the knot! Anna Maria Island, FL 3.14.08

2008-04-01T20:00:00.022-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, Heather Ahrens and I had the honor of photographing Aimee and Scott's wedding on Anna Maria Island, FL. It's a very small island right off of Sarasota and is so quaint and beachy. Aimee grew up on the island so they found it proper to get married there.
The ceremony and reception was supposed to be held right on the beach, however, rain put a damper on the day. Normally in Florida, it rains really hard for about an hour and then clears up. This wasn't the case for Aimee and Scott's day, but they didn't let that get to them! The coordinators quickly moved the chairs under a pavilion and the guests huddled under to witness their beautiful ceremony. About an hour later, after all the portraits, the sky began to open up just in time for sunset! We grabbed the wedding party and ran down to the beach to catch the last bit of light. Perfect!
What a fun group of people. The reception quickly began after that and it was the perfect way to end the day. They say rain on your wedding day is good luck. I know that Aimee and Scott definitely don't need it!The next day, I headed back out to Anna Maria Island to shoot their "Trash The Dress" session. The weather was BEAUTIFUL! Scott was so cute. He brought a portable radio and champagne to kick off the morning.
It was such a pleasure getting to know you both and I wish you all the happiness in the world!

Despite the rain, we got this fabulous photo! Love the yellow!!