She is such a natural beauty, full of great smiles…Taylor: you rock! I love your easy going personality and I just want to know you more! I know that God has great things in store for you!

I couldn’t stop laughing when Taylor broke out these animated facial expressions! Priceless! We found a couch sitting outside some apartments…the “no trespassing” sign was all I needed; I was inspired. To have my girl trespass. But it was worth it! Downtown Ft. Myers can be so random, I love finding new things every time I shoot there!

Thank you for a fantastic session, Taylor & Sue. I loved spending time with you and I sure hope that Subway got the AC working! Phew, that was hot!
Love, Stacy

www.setfreephotography.com

In honor of his first year…I have to post a newborn shot:

And a six month shot (eek! too cute!):

And now…drumroll please…Jacob, the walking, giggling, one year old pirate!

He found his treasure!

His eyelashes and long and lovely…why do boys always get the long ones? It’s no fair!

And of course, we had cake! Because all sessions should end with cake!

Happy, Happy 1st Birthday, Jacob! What more can I say besides this: You have captured my heart. And I love you.
Stacy

www.setfreephotography.com

This is my favorite picture…I have had the hat forever and was just waiting for a baby girl to wear it. Quinn rocked it…I am blowing this picture up, printing it on canvas and hanging it up in the studio. It’s the only picture that I am sure of for my walls!

Quinn’s mom, Jen brought this blanket…I want one! Jen, where did you get this? I love how it photographed! Ahh, Quinn…you are simply gorgeous!

Another fav…I found this little side table at Home Goods and had to have it; but when I went back to buy it, it was gone! I was really bummed until Brandon and I found another one there a few days later…we came to find out from some a few employees that this table was fought over by two customers a few days before! Drama! I must say: this table is worth the drama! It is super fabulous. I mean, I couldn’t stop thinking about it for the two days that I didn’t think I could have it! You can see it for yourself next time you visit the studio!

It’s the hat again. I am going to name this hat: the Quinn. Because she OWNED this hat! Isn’t she just a beautiful baby? I loved holding her and smelling her and just gazing at her!

Congratulations, T family! Quinn is perfect. Thank you for letting me enjoy this special time in your lives with you.
Love, Stacy

www.setfreephotography.com

I had to get a close up shot of her a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e feet! I wanted to gobble them right up!

Adriana’s Mom, Alex had this special cake made–it looked and smelled delicious! It was a perfect way to end a perfect session…all sessions should end with cake!

Here’s a peek at how much this little one has changed in approximately 365 days:

Thanks for stopping by the blog today…I don’t know about you, but I feel like baking after seeing that cake!

Alexandra,
Thank you for the pleasure of photographing your baby again. You have such a beautiful family!
Love, Stacy

www.setfreephotography.com

This shot was requested by the happy couple…I love that it has meaning for them!

Details. Never enough of ‘em for me!

The lacing of the dress…you know the effect that laces have on me…swoon!

Watching Jaclyn’s mom, Debbie help her get dressed was so touching. They are so apparently close and share a beautiful relationship…it always warms my heart to see Moms and daughters in this moment.

Brandon caught this shot while I was shooting a close up of Jaclyn & Debbie. I can’t explain exactly what I love about this picture, but it is one of my favorites. I think it is an abstract view of their loving bond. I. just. love. it!

The eyes say it all here! So much joy!

It was a beautiful ceremony, lots of tears!

Reception goodness:

Fun. I am so glad we took the jump shot! My daughter thinks it’s awesome!

As we left the church and headed for the reception, it started pouring down rain…I was disappointed that we couldn’t take advantage of the beautiful grounds at The Plantation. Thankfully, after dinner the sun came out! Brandon, Heidi and I whisked Jaclyn and Daniel away for a few quick shots. I am so glad we did:

The first dance: it was spectacular! Jaclyn & Daniel wowed everyone with an amazing routine…they were on fire! Bravo, you two! Bravo!! You should be on Dancing with the Stars! I love this shot from one of the dips…you can see the smiles on the spectators, which happen to be the parents of the bride and groom!

The send off was so emotional for me. Amidst all of the action, I heard Jaclyn say “where’s Mom?” Just those little words did me in…even now, it makes me cry! And then I watched as Jaclyn and Daniel each said goodbye to their Moms…and that was priceless to this Mom. I caught Brandon’s eye and he was just as emotional…I think we both imagined our daughter in this moment. We laughed on the way home about how much of a mess we will be if we were crying already! Debbie & Candy: you raised extraordinary children. Congratulations!

Interested in knowing the specs from this wedding? Well, here’s the scoop:
Church: Faith United Methodist
Reception: The Plantation
Wedding Planner: Stephanie Meiser – AlongCameStephanie@gmail.com – 239-839-7001

Thank you for reading the blog today! I hope you enjoyed this fabulous couple’s day…it was truly blessed!

J + D: Thank you for allowing us to capture such beautiful, romantic moments as you join your lives together and become one. When the two of you drove off, I was thrilled for you…and a little sad, I have to admit! I guess it’s the Mom in me. We are greatly looking forward to seeing all that God has in store for you. Congratulations and may God bless you abundantly!
Love, Stacy, Brandon & Heidi

www.setfreephotography.com/weddings

He was super sleepy and easy!

I love the perspective of the rings on little baby toes…you can really get an idea of how teeny tiny they are! Matt’s ring is just AWESOME, I love the texture of it and I want one for my hubby (who lost is original wedding band at a concert three years ago….it was Dave Matthews Band so he is forgiven.)

Meg loved the tree branch shot of baby Declan, so we re-created it with a twist…we went for the striped scarf. She loves stripes, I love stripes…and because of our mutual affection for them, I had to whip out this scarf from my personal collection. If you hung out with me at all this last winter, you have seen me wearing it. It’s from the Gap Outlet, I love it and I was actually willing to risk Elijah going potty on it. All of the love of stripes, I tell ya!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Lots of Love,
Stacy the Stripe-Lover
www.setfreephotography.com

I always love it when the mother of the bride laces up the back of the dress…it’s one of those moments that all girls dream of; that all mother’s dream of…and it’s also one of those moments that I take way too many pictures of. I can’t help myself…I narrowed it down to one for today, along with some other details:

Selene, with her Mom and brother:

Ahh this photo…possibly my favorite. Selene was raised by her grandparents, who walked her down the aisle…each of their expressions is priceless! I love the joyful look on Selene’s face; it feels like she is looking forward into her future with Rafael with hope and excitement.

Here’s a closer look–I love closer looks.

Rafael catches his first glimpse of his bride:

This brief exchange is monumental: As Selene takes Rafael’s arm, and her grandfather gives her away, this moment brings to life the saying “who gives this woman?” I absolutely love seeing how Selene’s grandfather embraces Rafael and presents the two of them to the officiant. You can see that he approves of this marriage, and that warms my heart.

Tears rolled down Selene’s cheeks as she said her vows. They were rolling down mine, too. And Rafael’s. And Heidi’s (my #1 assistant! She’s fabulous!).

It was a beautiful ceremony!

Here’s a look at the reception details…the green was magnificent!

This is the moment where Heidi and I both lost it completely. I am usually prepared for the father-daughter dance, since I see it often enough, but I still miss my Dad (he’s up in Indiana) and when I see a connection like this, I can’t help it. I couldn’t hold back the tears! Selene was crying, half of the guests were crying…thankfully I was able to shoot through my tears to capture a smile that is worth a thousand words:

These portraits are so sweet…can you feel the love? I can. I am reminded of the passion shared by these two as I review their wedding photos…and I believe in true love all over again. I needed that!

Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Alberto. I couldn’t be happier for the both of you, and I know we will keep in touch through the years. Your wedding was everything a wedding should be…full of love, beauty, family and friends!

Lots of Love,
Stacy

Flowers by Patty’s Flower Shop
Ceremony & Reception: North Star Yacht Club

Set Free Photography | www.setfreephotography.com

Katy will set a beautiful tone to your wedding day as guests begin to arrive…and of course, she will play as you walk down the aisle…it’s an unforgettable moment and she will enhance it musically!

Some info about Katy, and how to contact her:

I hope you’ve enjoyed another fabulous wedding resource! Stay tuned for more, I have a few things up my sleeve…
Love, Stacy

www.setfreephotography.com

About the shoot–it was for a catalog that Lace & Roses is putting together for the Bridal Show coming up at Harborside on July 11th. I hope you will stop by their booth and meet Ashley & Lacey–they are fabulous! I’ve watched them both in action and I was amazed. They can lace dresses and do alterations like nobody’s business…they make it look easy…only it’s NOT easy…it’s not easy at all!

Let me introduce our bride models:
Lauren, Christine and Chelsea

And our groom models:
Andrew & Nate

Kicking things off, we have Christine in a gorgeous gown with a flower strap…and guess what? It’s removable. Love that! Then we have Christine with her “bridesmaids” and here’s something fun: the sash is interchangeable! Choose your matching color and you are coordinated in a snap!

Lauren just made my lens fog, she is so smokin hot…I loved her in every dress, and she has such great looks! I wish I had that great of a “serious” face. Oh, and someone better hold me back from buying those pink shoes! I want them!

Chelsea and Nate had great chemistry…they laughed like a real married couple does after they say their vows. Don’t tell Chelsea I said that, though…she won’t be sporting her own wedding dress for a looong time. Right, C?

Here they are again, Mr. & Mrs. Chemistry:

I love this picture because we found a wine cellar and it completely fit in with the feel of this dress. But the wine cellar isn’t what “makes” this picture. It’s the chemistry. I’m tellin’ ya…wow!

One of my favorite images–Andrew & Christine. I believe them. I really believe that they are happily in love with each other.

I love this picture. I don’t know exactly why, but I just do.

Christine gave me the idea to shoot wide with the chandelier in the shot…thanks, Christine! Your idea rocked!

Chelsea + Ruffles = Sassy

We worked hard for this image, it was a group effort…Ashley tamed the wind and we got it. I was doing the happy dance and clapping a very annoying clap.

A celebratory hug was in order.

A high five, too:

Don’t you just feel like putting on a wedding dress and twirling around?
Here’s the info for Lace and Roses:
website: www.laceandrosesbridal.com

They are located at:
11742 Metro Parkway
Fort Myers, FL

And their phone number is: 239-489-2845

The gorgeous hair & makeup was done by the talented girls at Studio RK. They really did an amazing job creating a “bridal” feel. I personally go there for my hair & nails and I will never, ever, ever, ever go anywhere else. Not ever. Debby (hair) and Pam (nails) are two of my favorite people…they introduced me to Keratin and Shellac and my life has forever improved.
Studio RK Website: www.studiorksalon.com
Phone: 239-489-4144
Address: 6420 Plantation Park Court
Fort Myers, FL 33966

Thanks for stopping by on Wedding Wednesday, I hope you have found my resources useful.
Love, Stacy
www.setfreephotography.com

Happy Friday!
Love, Stacy
www.setfreephotography.com