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You can’t go home again! Or can you?    I recently went back to my hometown the place I was born and where I spent the first eighteen years of my life. Living in the south for the last twenty-three years, I have often wondered if I was missing something by not being back in the DC/MD/VA area.  Not just the food, culture, public transportation, but my past, my memories, a sea of firsts. I hadn’t been back in about ten years and we really excited for the chance to show my now grown children my past.

Somewhere during the trip I started to realize that it wasn’t like I remembered and time hasn’t always been kind to my beloved city.  By the end of the trip I was ready to get back to my house, my bed, my dog, my home. It was wonderful for a while to eat the foods, hear the music I missed, ride the Metro, but than it changed and it wasn’t so wonderful anymore.  That makes the place of my birth a nice place to visit, but no longer my home, still familiar and comfortable just not quite the right fit.

So I guess I understand that old adage now, as we move forward in our lives and our way of thinking the things we used to hold dear may be better left as just that a sweet memory.

Five years ago today I started on a new journey.  After many years of just being friends, dating not dating Kyle and I were ready to make it official.  We weren’t sure if the wedding was going to happen, not because of us but due to Mother Nature. As the minuted ticked by I remember watching the tv to see what Katrina was going to do.

As we got closer to the time for the photo shoot I had scheduled with our Photographer prior to the ceremony all I could think about was marrying my friend.  The photo’s we took in the French Quarter have turned out to be some of my favorites.

After returning to the hotel I was relieved to learn that all our vendors but one had shown up.  The one who didn’t make it was the DJ but thanks to me having back up music on CD and the chef loaning us his boom box the rest of the day went off without a hitch.

Some of our guests were unable to make it due to the hurricane, our honeymoon that was supposed to be in New Orleans got cancelled.  Our adopted home city was devastated and it took us 6 months to get our wedding license.    But it’s all part of our history, our story that we will pass on to our grandchildren and they to their’s.   And even with everything that happened then and since I would still do it all over again!!!!!!

All of our guests that did manage to make it in to the city and out again safely.

I love to travel, and I love weddings.  This past weekend I had the chance to travel to Shreveport, Louisiana to photograph on of the greatest couples I have ever met.  Chloe, Shaun, their family and friends showed us such an awesome time and we are looking forward to going back.

I am editing the pictures and they are awesome!  Here is a quick picture of the bridal party.  More coming soon.

My husband and I love New Orleans.   We like it so much we had our wedding there in August 2005.  Now we go back every year any chance we can.

I was excited for the trip this year because I figured it would be the last time we would have my two youngest children with us.  Turns out that was the least of my worries.  Our trip was started out pretty normal and New Orleans was beautiful as always.  I was looking forward to the chance to take photographs in this city again and eating all those favorite foods of mine.  Our trip started out just fine but day 2 turned into something not so great.

We had to cut our trip short and rush back to Orlando due to my falling ill.  Turns out I had pneumonia and a few other things.  As my Dr. put it “I was really sick”!  But I am doing much better now.  Sadly I didn’t get many photo’s taken due to being so ill.  But I get another chance for our anniversary when we go back to Louisiana for a wedding.  I’m kinda excited because we are going to Shreveport and New Orleans.  This means new places to capture awesome images and who dosen’t like that?

Here are a few photo’s that I managed to shoot before I got sick.

This next picture is located right across the street from the convention center and the hotel where we were married.  We were married the weekend of Hurricane Katrina which I will write about closer to our anniversary and this is part of the memorial they placed in this spot.

“Lot’s of people think we just met and it’s too soon for us to be getting married”.  I remember that as one of the statements that Kaymoi made to me.  But they meet when they were in middle school and dated for a while in High School.  After some time apart they found their way back to each other and are planning to get married in the fall of 2011.

I love this couple and not just because Brittney is Kyle’s daughter but because theyare so much fun and I enjoyed the day we spent together.  The were up for everything and anything and we laughed a lot.  Thank you guys for making my job so easy.

This is my blogsite.  A combination of website and blog that shows you my images and what goes on with the person who creates them.  This segment is all about the adventures of planning a wedding from the step-mom’s point of view.

This weekend was the first meeting of the two familes.  While I had no apprehension going in a few other’s expressed various concerns over the days leading up to this meeting. 

Saturday afternnon arrived with clear skies, lots of sunshine and anticipation.  I am happy to report that all parties were present minus the brides Mom and the get together was a great event.  The conversation flowed easily and their was plenty of  laughter in the room.  Later as we were cleaning up the groom remarked to me that he was glad it went well.  He said was worried weall wouldn’t get along.  Or even worse something would happen like the secne in Father or the Bride where Mr. Banks ends up in the pool. I just laughed to myself  as we finished up at the thought of Kyle falling in a pool.

Well that’s all I have to report right now.  It would appear that we are off to a good start but only time will tell.  I welcome comments and or advice and  if you haven’t seen the movie you really should watch it.

Till Next Time

It was a warm, sunny spring day in Altamonte Springs, Fla.  It had been Ashley’s dream to marry at the Altamonte Chapel since she was a little girl and Dean was determined that she get her dream.  I’ll never forget the passion I heard in his voice when I once suggested another location closer to their reception venue Ceviche.  He let me know in no uncertain terms that this was what his bride wanted and this was what she was going to get. 

Dean and I have been friends for many year’s.  We worked together and kept each other company on some long nights.  I held parties at my house for his kids and he bought me a birthday cake once since no else seemed to remember my birthday.  I didn’t think this day would ever come, so  I was as happy for him as I could be.  Ashley is a wonderful woman and just what Dean needs.  As she was getting ready to go marry her man there were many tears  joy by her and her family.  So much so I wanted to get a hankie and just sit with them and cry.

The ceremony was short but sweet and when Dean and Ashley went in for round two on their first kiss as husband and wife the audience just clapped and shouted with joy.    At the reception Dean beamed from beginning to end.  For the first time in a long time he was in a room at the same time with everyone that he loved and it was mostly due to his new wife. Ashley was radient and content to watch her new husband as he bounced around all night like the Energizer Bunny. The cake which tasted as good as it looked was baked by the wife of  Bobby Fishbough Manager at  Tin Can films which also did the video.  I was so touched that Kyle and I were able to share in those special moments with Ashley and Dean.   And we can never thank them enough for letting us not only capture their day but seating us at the table with Dean’s family at the reception who kept us very entertained thoughout the meal.  Dean and Ashley may you have a very blessed life.

Here are some photo’s from their day.

This last image is one that kinda sums up Ashley and Dean in my opinion.  We were creating some images during the reception and towards the end I wanted them to stand in the door way.  Kyle handed Dean the flowers and before we could give him any direction he looked at them with this look on his face that made us all laugh.  Ashley quickly grabbed a beer bottle and this image was created.  They are a fun, loving couple and I am proud to call them friends.

When I look at other’s blogs and websites I see them doing things like ten things about me or ten things I like. I thought of doing something similar. Then while watching Ace of Cakes a show that I really like I got the idea to just start a series of things that I really like/love. So once a month I will talk about some random things that I love.

I’m not sure if it will really help anyone know if they want to hire me but you will get to know me a lot better. And in the process you will find out just how eclectic and broad my taste and interest are.

So here is a short list of Books I love.

1. Danielle Steel books are wonderful sometimes they take me a minute to get into them but once I do I can’t put them down till I finish them. I think every girl needs a little romance in her life sometimes.

2. Donald Trumpbooks are like an obesession with me. I can’t always afford them at full price but whenever I see them at Barnes and Noble on sale I buy it. Even though I may not read it right away. This is a big deal because I used to have so many books that I have had to stop buying them and just borrow them from the library.

3. Christopher Lowell’s books make me happy and I have read them all and keep them next to my bed. My secret desire is to have him come and help me redecorate my house using only Ikea products.

4. This is actually a big one and I could go on and on about this for days but I will try to restrain myself. I have this thing for Vampire books. But not just any vamps certain ones only. There are three female authors who each have a series of books involving some the kookiest, funny, sexy, or just plain badass female lead characters ever. The first is by Mary Janice Davidisonwho writes about Betsy the Queen of the UnDead and lover of shoes. She’s like Carrie of Sex in the City but with fangs. The whole Undead series is one funny ride full of lots of interesting  humans, ghosts, wares and vamps. All I can do is laugh when I read her books.

Then there is Charlaine Harris who writes the Sookie Stackhouse novels now more widely known as True Blood. I was reading the books way before the series came out and while I like the series the books are way, way better. Sookie reads minds and dates vamps, and wares. She gets into all sorts of messes, while still holding on to her serving job. You never know what Sookie is going to end up doing next and her passion with vamp Eric is great reading.

My absolute favorite series ever that I love,love,love is the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series by Laurell K Hamilton. It’s not just that this character has more lover’s than I keep track of. But she carries a lot of weapons and knows how to use them. I really like reading about strong woman who go after what they want and don’t wait on a man to always rescue them.

5. My last book that I love has to be the Bible because it has everything I need in it to know how to live and love myself, my family and my fellow man. It brings me more comfort than other book I know. And when you think about it, you can find murder, betrayal, forgiveness, miracles anything you need all in one place.

And there you have it a little bit more about me. I really do love to read and always have. I thinks libraries are wonderful places and visit mine once a week. So yes I am a nerd and I like to read books!

 

It was a beautiful evening for a wonderful beginning as we arrived at the lovely Tavern on the Lake for the launch party of the Orlando chapter of Wish Upon A Wedding.

This is a wish granting organization that was founded this year and hopes to make wedding wishes come true for US citizens where one person has been diagnosed with less than three years to live.  This is an organization that we at C&K Photography hope to be a part of since making people’s wishes come true is something that really moves me.

We had a good time that evening.  The music provided by DJ REKKA was great and kept me moving my head and my feet all evening.  The decor was stunning and me being the foodie that I am have to say that the cake pop provided by Cake O Licious were as beautiful as they were tasty.  We enjoyed the Mango Sorbet that Three2OH  served and my husband went back for the Carmel Ice Cream as well.  There was a photo booth that was fun but you won’t see them here because we got a little crazy with them.  The highlight for me had to be the cupcakes made by Cakes by Design Inc .  I love cake all cake and they did not let me down Sylvette was a delight to talk to and of the two flavors there I’m still not sure which was my favorite the Pina Colada or the Chocolate Coconut. 

All in all it was a great evening, fun to party with the people who make the parties happen for so many others.  As much as you hate to think of someone dying I think this is a great charity and if you know of someone who is in that situation but is still looking to get married please send them to the website or have them contact me so we can make a wish come true.