This past week has been super busy around the Watson house. Lots of new stuff in the works plus our wonderful friends Kim & Tyler were visiting from Nashville for a few days. Sadly all this has kept me from being a very good blogger. So I thought I’d post a quick teaser from Sheryl & OP’s New Smyrna Beach wedding last week.

Now back to my giant To Do list that has to be done before this weekend’s wedding and I fly off to New Orleans for a few days. Wish me luck… this list is a monster!

This past Saturday Brad and I shot the beautiful Arielle here in Jacksonville. She was brave enough to battle the intense noon day sun with us as we shot around the Riverside area. Even with 95 degree temperatures she still looked gorgeous. Thanks Arielle for braving the heat, sun and fire ants with us.

Jessica and Kevin are getting married this November! I have known Jessica since we were both 5 years old in dance class together but hadn’t seen her since our freshman year of college. Last month she contacted me about shooting her wedding and I couldn’t have been more excited to reconnect with her. Jessica and Kevin met while working for the same company here in Jacksonville five years ago. What was just an office romance quickly turned into true love. Its easy to see how much these two adore each other. We had so much fun trekking around historic St. Augustine for their engagement session and topped the night off with margaritas and some authentic Mexican cuisine. Doesn’t get much better than that!

Here are a few of our favorite photos from their shoot!

Jessica has mad gymnastics skills. You should have seen this girl in high school.

Kevin had her ring custom made to match the ring Jess wears in memory of her father.

Thanks for spending the evening with us guys, and Kevin we are so glad you chose us over the Gator game that day! You guys are the best and we can’t wait for your wedding to get here!

A few weeks ago some of Brad’s family came down from Tennessee to visit us and spend a little time at the beach. They made a stop here in Jacksonville for a few days before we all headed down to Daytona Beach to relax and enjoy a little time away from it all. Sure it was strange telling people Brad and I were going to Daytona for a vacation but hey… why not!?! We stayed at a great resort right on the beach, got lots of swimming in and I even turned a darker shade of white! I tried telling people I was tan but I just got some funny looks. I get it folks, I’m white… but gosh darnit… now I’m dark white! We had a blast though. We were ready for some time away from work and a few days at the beach was exactly what we needed to rest and recharge. We didn’t take that many pictures, mostly because we were busy playing. We did get to do all the fun touristy things like play putt-putt, race go-karts and feed alligators! I loved our little vacation and having a chance to spend that time with family made it even better. Mom, Tresa, Jeff, Chelsea, and Christian… we love you guys and are so glad you came for a visit. Can’t wait to see you all again at Christmas!

A little shuffleboard with Tresa & Jeff

Brad was pretty good… but I was better!

Go-kart Time

Brad thinking he was Ricky Bobby or something… psh

Brad sharing some sweaty lovin’ with Chelsea

The track Jeff got kicked off of for disobeying the rules. Its always funny to watch a 16 year old kick a grown man out of a go-kart.

Motorcycles bring out Christian’s game face

On to Putt-Putt (which Christian thought was pronounced Foot-Foot)

You can feed the alligators half a cut up hot dog for only $2.95!

Tresa and Chelsea show off their sassy side

B-rad

Christian does the robot

B-rad’s swimming gear… sexay!

Sandcastle time

Brad was a sandcastle building machine…

This was Christian’s first time ever seeing the ocean… he was too funny when he “attacked” the waves.

Everyone should take mini vacations from time to time… even if it is just somewhere down the road. I came home feeling more energized than I had been in quite some time. There is nothing like waking up to the roar of the ocean every morning. Ahh…

This past Thursday I was in Orlando attending the Free to Succeed Tour with the ever inspiring David Jay. It was such an amazing experience and I left feeling motivated and reassured of all the changes that will be taking place at La Dolce Vita Studio in the coming months. Bradford and I have been behind the scenes planning and prepping lots of awesome new stuff for all our clients and we can’t wait to share it all with you soon. For any of you photographers out there I would highly recommend catching the Nashville session, partly because its the last stop on the tour and obviously because its 100% worth it. If you can’t make it, be sure to check out the tour website and buy the DVD. It will be well worth the investment.

Here is one of the only pictures from the night, compliments of Jaime Smith. It was so great being able to see so many friends while I was there.