We are tired. We are so very, very tired. But also so very excited to get back to work and apply all the great new ideas we took away from the Florida Professional Photographers convention in Orlando last week. We had a wonderful time hanging out with our friends from around the state and attending some killer programs.
Of course, one of our favorite parts of the convention is the print competition. Krystal and I believe strongly in competition so we keep pushing the envelope, always trying to bring our work to a new level. And we had a pretty good run this year.
First, Krystal and I both received the Florida Service Award for our contributions to the art and profession of photography in Florida. We are very honored to receive this recognition.
Second, Krystal received the Florida Degree of Photographic Excellence for her many achievements in print competitions from year to year. Since the inception of the FDPE in 1961, only 171 of these awards have been bestowed. It's a great achievement, and I'm also thrilled to have done well enough in the competition that I'll also be receiving the FDPE at the 2009 convention.
Third, we did pretty well in this year's competition, repeating our first place multi-maker album win.
Second Place Wedding Portrait - Circe - by Krystal
First Place Multi-Maker Wedding Album - Going Green - by Matt & Krystal
First Place Multi-Maker Open Album - The Bravest - by Matt & Krystal
Also, "Going Green," Sommer & Alex's album from their beautiful wedding last year, won a Fuji Masterpiece award. We're incredibly thrilled by that. That's our second Fuji Masterpiece Award in two years.
Finally, we both made the coveted "Florida's Top Ten." That's Krystal's third year in a row as one of the top ten photographers in Florida, and the first time I finally made it, too.
All in all, a great experience, and we're so thrilled to have done so well again this year. Now we just have to top that next year...
Best,
M&K
Of course, one of our favorite parts of the convention is the print competition. Krystal and I believe strongly in competition so we keep pushing the envelope, always trying to bring our work to a new level. And we had a pretty good run this year.
First, Krystal and I both received the Florida Service Award for our contributions to the art and profession of photography in Florida. We are very honored to receive this recognition.
Second, Krystal received the Florida Degree of Photographic Excellence for her many achievements in print competitions from year to year. Since the inception of the FDPE in 1961, only 171 of these awards have been bestowed. It's a great achievement, and I'm also thrilled to have done well enough in the competition that I'll also be receiving the FDPE at the 2009 convention.
Third, we did pretty well in this year's competition, repeating our first place multi-maker album win.
Second Place Wedding Portrait - Circe - by Krystal
First Place Multi-Maker Wedding Album - Going Green - by Matt & Krystal
First Place Multi-Maker Open Album - The Bravest - by Matt & Krystal
Also, "Going Green," Sommer & Alex's album from their beautiful wedding last year, won a Fuji Masterpiece award. We're incredibly thrilled by that. That's our second Fuji Masterpiece Award in two years.
Finally, we both made the coveted "Florida's Top Ten." That's Krystal's third year in a row as one of the top ten photographers in Florida, and the first time I finally made it, too.
All in all, a great experience, and we're so thrilled to have done so well again this year. Now we just have to top that next year...
Best,
M&K
For those of you who have been wondering what the "School of Rad Coming Soon" icon on our homepage was, your wait is over. We are pleased to announce the very first "School of Rad" Photographic Workshop, this October 28th-30th in beautiful Jacksonville Beach, Florida! Hop over to the School of Rad website for the juicy details.
This is a hands-on, tell-it-like-it-is, no holds barred workshop. This program isn't about blogging or branding or any of that trendy "look how fabulous I am!" clap-trap, it's about giving you a stronger foundation in photography and business. This program is about lighting, posing, processing, and selling. You will leave this workshop with the tools in hand to realize your visions through photographic lighting and composition.
Want to learn how to light your images?
Want to learn how to make your images crisp and vibrant?
Want to learn how to design amazing wedding albums?
Want to learn how to actually get anyone to pay you for all this?
Then enroll today for the School of Rad, fall semester. We believe in small class sizes for individualized attention, so only 20 spots are available. Don't delay!
And you'll be pleased to know there are no essay questions on the application ;)
This is a hands-on, tell-it-like-it-is, no holds barred workshop. This program isn't about blogging or branding or any of that trendy "look how fabulous I am!" clap-trap, it's about giving you a stronger foundation in photography and business. This program is about lighting, posing, processing, and selling. You will leave this workshop with the tools in hand to realize your visions through photographic lighting and composition.
Want to learn how to light your images?
Want to learn how to make your images crisp and vibrant?
Want to learn how to design amazing wedding albums?
Want to learn how to actually get anyone to pay you for all this?
Then enroll today for the School of Rad, fall semester. We believe in small class sizes for individualized attention, so only 20 spots are available. Don't delay!
And you'll be pleased to know there are no essay questions on the application ;)
We had the pleasure of photographing Jennafer & Scott's recent wedding at the Plaza Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach! Despite the rain that made them move the wedding indoors at the last minute, everyone was like sunshine.
And you know it never hurts when you get a bride and groom as cute as they are to make our job even easier!
My favorite parts of the wedding were Scott's brother, Lee's, hilarious toast. No seriously it was toast! You'll see. Complete with a "pause for uproar." And the crazy dancing!! You wouldn't know it from the first half of the day but they have a bunch of seriously dancing fools at their wedding, it was so funny. Be sure to check out Grandpa playing the sax and Mrs. H being thrown into the dance pit!
Thank you guys for welcoming us to your table for dinner and for making us a part of your wedding day! We are very honored.
Cheers,
M&K
Dad seeing her for the first time.
Being pronounced man & wife!!
You can see that Lee worked hard on his toast, lovingly folding & refolding it back into his pocket after practicing. :)
Go daddio go!
Mrs. H in the mosh pit!
Venue: The Plaza Resort & Spa, Daytona Beach
Florist: CC's Flower Villa
And you know it never hurts when you get a bride and groom as cute as they are to make our job even easier!
My favorite parts of the wedding were Scott's brother, Lee's, hilarious toast. No seriously it was toast! You'll see. Complete with a "pause for uproar." And the crazy dancing!! You wouldn't know it from the first half of the day but they have a bunch of seriously dancing fools at their wedding, it was so funny. Be sure to check out Grandpa playing the sax and Mrs. H being thrown into the dance pit!
Thank you guys for welcoming us to your table for dinner and for making us a part of your wedding day! We are very honored.
Cheers,
M&K
Dad seeing her for the first time.
Being pronounced man & wife!!
You can see that Lee worked hard on his toast, lovingly folding & refolding it back into his pocket after practicing. :)
Go daddio go!
Mrs. H in the mosh pit!
Venue: The Plaza Resort & Spa, Daytona Beach
Florist: CC's Flower Villa
18/08: Irresistible Isabella
Isabella is our first official Christmas Card shoot of the year! And her mom brought in the cutest dresses for it, love the vibrant color. And wouldn't you just die to have hair like Isabella's?
Yep it's getting to be that time again already when we start getting bookings for family and children's sessions. Each year we get more and more families contacting us as part of the unofficial "battle for the best Christmas Card" contest. :-)
So far we're winning! We've heard reports from far and wide that our Christmas Cards outshine all the others on the refrigerator, a high honor indeed for us photographers! Call us sooner rather than later, it looks like it's going to be a nutty year!
Enjoy the sneak peek Lisa & Isabella, you were just lovely to photograph my dear.
Cheers,
Krystal
Yep it's getting to be that time again already when we start getting bookings for family and children's sessions. Each year we get more and more families contacting us as part of the unofficial "battle for the best Christmas Card" contest. :-)
So far we're winning! We've heard reports from far and wide that our Christmas Cards outshine all the others on the refrigerator, a high honor indeed for us photographers! Call us sooner rather than later, it looks like it's going to be a nutty year!
Enjoy the sneak peek Lisa & Isabella, you were just lovely to photograph my dear.
Cheers,
Krystal
17/08: You Made My Day!
Sometimes you wake up and the day goes downhill from there... and then you get a random email from some wonderful person like this:
Krystal & Matt,
I've been an admirer of your work for several years now. Ever since I started to first see your work through my college/church friend Jemma. Since that time, you have been a part of several other weddings of friends and acquaintances: I just LOVE how you are able to capture each of their personalities and honor their personal occasions.
I so enjoy looking through your updated blog and I was trying to find out how to 'subscribe' in some way so that I might receive emails updates when you add material to the k-journal/blog... is this possible? I would like very much to be in-the-know :) I just want to kick myself every time I see that I've missed out when you have offered a spur-of-the-moment photo session opportunity!
At this point in my life (25-year-old gal trying to find her way in a big world!), I don't have the fortunate occasion to be engaged or wed.... but if those are set in my future, I know I will go straight to you for my engagement/wedding/baby photos! Despite the lack of personal photo event opportunities, I have continued to recommend you to each of my engaged/newlywed friends and now I have the pleasure of recommending your skills to my sister and brother-in-law who are expecting their first child, a boy. I'm crossing my fingers that they'll choose to take some professional shots of their new bundle (set to arrive in October)..... I am the corny kid of the family, so I'm sure my sister will roll her eyes at my suggestions at first ;)
As a side note, I wanted to send my gratitude for your involvement and support of Camp Amigo. I have personal interest in this because I am an Occupational Therapist and have worked in Gainesville with individuals who have sustained severe burns and multi-trauma. I respect your promotion of this cause and I would certainly support your future work related to causes such as this. Related to that, I used to spend a good deal of time with Equine therapy/Hippotherapy and I also appreciate your promotion of Horses Helping People of North Florida. My time spent volunteering in that capacity was always rewarding and I'm so glad that you have had the opportunity to work with them.
Well here I've written you a mammoth email.. but that just goes to show you all the things that have been whirling in my head over the years and somehow connected me to your work ... I just had to get it out there.
In short: you are appreciated, please keep up your inspiring creativity and spunk!
All the best,
Bridgette
Thank you so much Bridgette you made my day! And hopefully these images will make yours :-)
All the Best,
Krystal
and one for her friend who showed up and I ended up putting to work :)
Krystal & Matt,
I've been an admirer of your work for several years now. Ever since I started to first see your work through my college/church friend Jemma. Since that time, you have been a part of several other weddings of friends and acquaintances: I just LOVE how you are able to capture each of their personalities and honor their personal occasions.
I so enjoy looking through your updated blog and I was trying to find out how to 'subscribe' in some way so that I might receive emails updates when you add material to the k-journal/blog... is this possible? I would like very much to be in-the-know :) I just want to kick myself every time I see that I've missed out when you have offered a spur-of-the-moment photo session opportunity!
At this point in my life (25-year-old gal trying to find her way in a big world!), I don't have the fortunate occasion to be engaged or wed.... but if those are set in my future, I know I will go straight to you for my engagement/wedding/baby photos! Despite the lack of personal photo event opportunities, I have continued to recommend you to each of my engaged/newlywed friends and now I have the pleasure of recommending your skills to my sister and brother-in-law who are expecting their first child, a boy. I'm crossing my fingers that they'll choose to take some professional shots of their new bundle (set to arrive in October)..... I am the corny kid of the family, so I'm sure my sister will roll her eyes at my suggestions at first ;)
As a side note, I wanted to send my gratitude for your involvement and support of Camp Amigo. I have personal interest in this because I am an Occupational Therapist and have worked in Gainesville with individuals who have sustained severe burns and multi-trauma. I respect your promotion of this cause and I would certainly support your future work related to causes such as this. Related to that, I used to spend a good deal of time with Equine therapy/Hippotherapy and I also appreciate your promotion of Horses Helping People of North Florida. My time spent volunteering in that capacity was always rewarding and I'm so glad that you have had the opportunity to work with them.
Well here I've written you a mammoth email.. but that just goes to show you all the things that have been whirling in my head over the years and somehow connected me to your work ... I just had to get it out there.
In short: you are appreciated, please keep up your inspiring creativity and spunk!
All the best,
Bridgette
Thank you so much Bridgette you made my day! And hopefully these images will make yours :-)
All the Best,
Krystal
and one for her friend who showed up and I ended up putting to work :)
The location was perfect for the homey "old fashioned" theme for Savannah & Tim's Wedding!
A friend volunteered their vintage inspired tin-roofed home that matched just perfectly with the colors and wildflowers that were a part of their day. Savannah even changed into a sunflower print sundress at the reception that matched their cake! Too cute!
Inspired by her theme I edited several of their wedding images in a vintage sepia tone with grain and it turned out just beautifully with her styling. Can't wait to show them all off!
We hope you enjoy your sneak peek and look forward to having you over soon for your "Premiere."
Cheers,
M&K
A friend volunteered their vintage inspired tin-roofed home that matched just perfectly with the colors and wildflowers that were a part of their day. Savannah even changed into a sunflower print sundress at the reception that matched their cake! Too cute!
Inspired by her theme I edited several of their wedding images in a vintage sepia tone with grain and it turned out just beautifully with her styling. Can't wait to show them all off!
We hope you enjoy your sneak peek and look forward to having you over soon for your "Premiere."
Cheers,
M&K
Heavens, I hope not!
Just had to spread the news, Matt and I had 3 albums merit and go loan at the Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition this summer! This also means that we both earned enough merits to get our Master's degrees in photography, to be awarded at National Convention this coming January in Phoenix, AZ.
Congratulations to our clients whose albums rank among the very best in the world for 2008, Sommer & Alex, Kirsty & Peter and Cat & Jan! It sure does help that you are all lovely and gave us loads of creative license. Yay!
Cheers,
M&K
Ps. We are MUCHO behind on blogging. Lots to come!
Kirsty & Peter:
Sommer & Alex:
Cat & Jan's complete album is featured on our website in the album gallery.
Just had to spread the news, Matt and I had 3 albums merit and go loan at the Professional Photographers of America International Print Competition this summer! This also means that we both earned enough merits to get our Master's degrees in photography, to be awarded at National Convention this coming January in Phoenix, AZ.
Congratulations to our clients whose albums rank among the very best in the world for 2008, Sommer & Alex, Kirsty & Peter and Cat & Jan! It sure does help that you are all lovely and gave us loads of creative license. Yay!
Cheers,
M&K
Ps. We are MUCHO behind on blogging. Lots to come!
Kirsty & Peter:
Sommer & Alex:
Cat & Jan's complete album is featured on our website in the album gallery.
31/07: Amy & Jason
The fourth time is the charm! With all the crazy rain-showers we've been having it took four attempts to get together with the charming country duo, Amy & Jason.
And they did it in 97 degrees with 80% humidity, which as you Floridian's know is the equivalent of slogging through a rainforest. Holding bugs and clouds at bay they managed to look fresh and fabulous despite it all! Definitely Army strong.
Downtown Williston was a great backdrop for a little bit of country and a little bit of city and the hat and boots were just the perfect touch to round out the shoot.
Just in case you are wondering, yes, they both have amazing piercing eyes, no Photoshop! I can't wait to get a chance to photograph them this January. Matt and I might have to have a little friendly wager to see who comes up with the best portrait that features them.
Enjoy the sneak peek!
Matt & Krystal
And they did it in 97 degrees with 80% humidity, which as you Floridian's know is the equivalent of slogging through a rainforest. Holding bugs and clouds at bay they managed to look fresh and fabulous despite it all! Definitely Army strong.
Downtown Williston was a great backdrop for a little bit of country and a little bit of city and the hat and boots were just the perfect touch to round out the shoot.
Just in case you are wondering, yes, they both have amazing piercing eyes, no Photoshop! I can't wait to get a chance to photograph them this January. Matt and I might have to have a little friendly wager to see who comes up with the best portrait that features them.
Enjoy the sneak peek!
Matt & Krystal
30/07: Amanda & Greg
We we're lucky enough to photograph the delightful wedding of Amanda & Greg recently!
And as you can see they made our job a lot easier by being pretty damn good looking. Add to that Amanda infectious laugh and it just gets better and better.
Despite the rainy summer day and threatening skies we even managed to go outside for a few photos, yay!
Enjoy the sneak peek the rest of your images will be online soon.
Cheers,
M&K
I love this shot of Amanda's dad giving her a kiss before they walk to the ceremony!
Oh yeah, that's right! They do ride the Soul Train.
I promise it wasn't as long as it looks, but if was plenty funny when Amanda's dad unfurled his toast notes.
Wedding Planner Extraordinaire: Melissa at Masterpiece Weddings (and her "bossy associate" Kristin) You can see some pics of them in action just a few posts down!
Flowers: Dan Hathcock at Unforgettable Events
Cake: Debbie's Sugar Art
Music: Jay's Entertainment
Reception Venue & Catering: Steve's Cafe Americain
And as you can see they made our job a lot easier by being pretty damn good looking. Add to that Amanda infectious laugh and it just gets better and better.
Despite the rainy summer day and threatening skies we even managed to go outside for a few photos, yay!
Enjoy the sneak peek the rest of your images will be online soon.
Cheers,
M&K
I love this shot of Amanda's dad giving her a kiss before they walk to the ceremony!
Oh yeah, that's right! They do ride the Soul Train.
I promise it wasn't as long as it looks, but if was plenty funny when Amanda's dad unfurled his toast notes.
Wedding Planner Extraordinaire: Melissa at Masterpiece Weddings (and her "bossy associate" Kristin) You can see some pics of them in action just a few posts down!
Flowers: Dan Hathcock at Unforgettable Events
Cake: Debbie's Sugar Art
Music: Jay's Entertainment
Reception Venue & Catering: Steve's Cafe Americain
22/07: VaVaVoom: Brittany
Shhhhhhh! This is a surprise for hubby.
The lovely Brittany recently did a VaVaVoom boudoir session with us and is brave enough to share just a few with our blog watchers.
Can't wait to put together your "Black Book" album sugar!
Cheers,
Krystal
The lovely Brittany recently did a VaVaVoom boudoir session with us and is brave enough to share just a few with our blog watchers.
Can't wait to put together your "Black Book" album sugar!
Cheers,
Krystal