Online Doodle’s of the “Other” A-Rod

Semirra & Alex’s wedding took place at the amazing Doral Golf Resort and Spa. Luck was on this couple’s side as the weekend’s rain storms stopped just prior to their sunset wedding. The recent rains, coupled with Semirra and Alex’s bright smiles made this gorgeous PGA golf course look absolutely enchanting, a wedding photographer’s dream.

Here are some photos as a teaser while we complete the final editing.

The bride looked incredible, her hair and makeup were done at the resort’s spa.

When the rain stopped, we walked the golf course, taking some amazing sunset shots.

I have a couple more weddings this year at Doral and can’t wait to be back. This is an absolute gem in the heart of South Florida.

Also, I wanted to share the message Semirra left me following her engagement session.

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Featured on Elizabeth Ann Designs.

I nearly fell off my chair (actually my couch) as I was fast-forwarding my DVR the Nikon logo caught my eye. I backed up and viewed this incredible TV commercial.

Has Nikon finally established a marketing department?

Looks like they have invested some serious cash in marketing with top level talent like Ashton Kutcher as a wedding photographer. Its great to see some of that D3 cash at work.

I hope this is the start of some aggressive marketing campaigns from Nikon.

My blog updates have been a bit slow the past couple of weeks, stay tuned I have some updates in the works.

Humility is a grace in the soul and with a name known only to those who have had experience of it. It is indescribable wealth, a name and a gift from God. - Saint John Climacus

Last week I traveled to St. Louis to visit my brother, his wife and my nephew. While it was super cool meeting my nephew for the first time, I also had the amazing opportunity to visit the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. The cathedral is home to the largest mosaic collection in the world. While the cathedral itself is breath taking it was these simple words that have had the most impact on me.

“America will remain a beacon of freedom for the world
as long as it stands by those moral truths
which are the very heart of its historical experience.
And so America:
If you want peace, work for justice.
If you want justice, defend life.
If you want life, 
embrace truth - truth revealed by God.”

Pope John Paul II
St. Louis - January 27, 1999

I can’t help but feel these words are as relevant today as they were the day they were spoken.

If you are planning a wedding at the Basilica of Saint Louis please give me a call. I would love the opportunity to shoot a wedding at this magnificent cathedral.

There are a myriad of gorgeous places in Miami, but the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens are amongst the crème de la crème of beautiful locations. I had the pleasure of meeting up with Alex and Semirra for their engagement photography session. Alex and Semirra will be wed next month at another of Miami’s amazing locales. The Fairchild Gardens are very important to the couple and Alex was a great tour guide. Between the beautiful gardens and the loving couple, this engagement session was destined to be a success!

There is currently a Botero, Chihuly and Lichtenstein art exhibit throughout the gardens. We had some fun with one of the Botero pieces! Engagement and Wedding photography is always rewarding, but when the couple being photographed is up for having some fun with their pictures, well that makes for an unforgettable experience and amazing photographs for the couple!

While we made our way through Fairchild, Alex and Semirra got me all caught up on the first-rate plans they have for their wedding day. It sounds like the couple will be taking their cue from the Fairchild Gardens with their flowers. They sound amazing and I can’t wait to see and photograph the wedding day. The couple have planned a very intimate and special wedding at one of the premiere PGA golf courses in the country.

Below is a quick preview…

John 3:16-18

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Certainly one of the most recognized verses in the bible was today’s Gospel reading. These words always bring great nourishment and comfort to my faith.

I am in St. Louis for my nephew’s baptism, while I have enjoyed the weekend and am eager and looking forward to getting back home to Florida.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Sisy and Miguel planned a beautiful, magical wedding. Their day started cloudy and as I drove to Sisy’s home, the South Florida rain filled the streets. Traditionally, rain on your wedding day is a good luck omen. I smiled, knowing this would be a wedding to remember and a perfect start to Sisy and Miguel’s married life. By the time I arrived at Sisy’s home, the rain had stopped and the sky cleared, producing one of the gorgeous sun filled days South Florida is known for.

Sisy and Miguel’s ceremony took place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Miami Beach.  This is one of my favorite churches – the classic European architectural details make this not only a beautiful venue in which to exchange wedding vows, but also a wedding photographer’s dream! The ceremony was followed by gorgeous reception at The Ronald W. Shane Center in Miami Beach.

The bride was gorgeous as she walked down the aisle in a fabulously chic Monique Lhuillier gown. The groom had an ear to ear smile for the entire day and eyes only for his beautiful bride. 

Below is a quick peek at some of the images I captured.

I’d like to thank Sisy and Miguel for letting me be a part of their incredible day. The bride and groom are honeymooning in Hawaii, where I am sure they are having an unforgettable and romantic time. Thanks go out to Todd for giving me a hand with this wedding.

I’ve got some amazing destination weddings and engagement sessions coming up. Until then… enjoy every day of your engagement, it is a special time in your life! 

We must respond. Over 22,000 are feared dead and millions have been displaced. It is estimated that more than 41,000 people are still missing. You can help. Following the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis millions in Myanmar (Burma) are in desperate need of your help. Relief agencies around the world are struggling to respond. You can help. Reports are available from all the major news outlets including Fox News, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, The Sun and others.

Please consider making a donation to one of the many relief efforts no mater how small. I have provided direct links to some below.

Catholic Relief Services | UNICEF 

 Direct Relief International | International Red Cross

Please say a prayer for the many lives lost and the millions that must start over again.

After the fantastically fun engagement session I had with Gloriana and Ryan, I just knew their wedding was going to be one to remember. Couples like Gloriana and Ryan make wedding photography such a rewarding experience.  After our engagement session and mini-tour of South Florida that included stops in Key Biscayne and Coconut Grove, the bride and groom ran off to Vegas…

No, they didn’t tie the knot in Sin City with an Elvis impersonator presiding! This jet-setting couple lives in Japan and too much time, attention and airport layovers had gone into planning their Fort Lauderdale nuptials for them to throw all that by the wayside and get married at a Vegas drive thru wedding!!  They arrived back in Florida in time for their sensational wedding.

Below is a sneak peek at some of my images.

I’d like to thank Gloriana and Ryan for allowing me to be a part of your glorious day. The happy couple are honeymooning in California and the Caribbean.

I’d like to send out big thanks to Todd and Isis for a major hand helping me cover this wedding. 

Last weekend I shot a fantastic engagement session with Sisy and Miguel. As our day progressed, the bride and groom to be updated me on all the plans for their amazing wedding day. The excitement they expressed when telling me about their upcoming wedding is reflected in their engagement photos. I had such a great time with this lovely couple and I can’t wait for their wedding. Sisy is going to be a gorgeous bride. I can’t wait to see the look on Miguel’s face when she walks down the aisle.

Below are some of my favorite shots from the session.

Be sure to check back soon. On the day after Sisy and Miguel’s wedding I am planning a day after session. What I’m cooking up for these two is very cool and I can’t wait to share it with you. 

Here is a quick update on another portrait session I recently had. Leo was so cool, I have been taking pictures of him and his family for several years but this was the first time it was all about him! He looked sharp and ready for his First Communion. Enjoy!

I also wanted to share this prayer Leo’s dad emailed me the other day. We are truly blessed.

God, grant me serenity to accept the things I can not change, 
courage to change the things I can 
and the wisdom to know the difference;
 living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; 
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; 
taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, 
not as I would have it;
 trusting that You will make all things right 
if I surrender to Your will; 
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. 
AMEN!