A few weeks ago what was only an idea in a photographers heart quickly became a reality as Kristen Weaver created the Images for a Cure national fundraising event.

Images for a Cure is a one day event where hundreds of participating photographers will be shooting portrait sessions for a discounted session fee of $100.  All the session fees from the event will be donated directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.  This day in age it seems virtually impossible to find someone who has not been touched by breast or other forms of cancer.  A few  years ago Bradford’s aunt was quickly taken by the disease in a matter of months.  We are so honored to take part in such an incredible event that allows us to use our talents and bring something beautiful to an ugly disease.  Join us on October 11, 2009 as photographers across the country will be shooting portraits to help raise funding to further breast cancer research.  La Dolce Vita Studio is proud to be offering mini sessions on Sunday the 11th for $100 each.  Our mini sessions are perfect for family photos, holiday photos for Christmas cards, or just because.  Please contact us at info@ladolcevitastudio.com if you are interested in booking your session.  Book soon as only a limited number of sessions are available.

*Session fee does not include prints or disc of images.  All product can be purchased separately.

We met Lindsey & Ethan years ago when we still lived in Tennessee.  All of us played on a co-ed softball league together and while Brad and Ethan were shining stars on the team, Lindsey and I, well lets just say we weren’t earning any MVP awards that season.  Unfortunately, as so often happens when you move away you lose touch with people and so it went with Lindsey and Ethan.  We had not seen them in over two years when Lindsey found out through Facebook we would be in town this summer.  She immediately booked us to shoot a portrait session of her and Ethan.  It was so awesome to get together with these guys again.  They both share a warmth that is so welcoming and laid back and we instantly felt as though not a day had passed since we saw them last.  We shot around Smyrna, TN which is a suburb of Nashville that has a sleepy little downtown area perfect for a photo adventure.  Below are a few of my favorites from their session.

Lindsey & Ethan, we are so glad you guys drove up to see us while we were in town.  You were so much fun to work with (as we knew you would be.)  Lets not let another two years pass before we see you again!

Earlier this summer while we were in Tennessee, we shot a beautiful portrait session with Candace & Hugh near their home in McMinnville.  Candace had emailed about booking a portrait sessions because the last pictures she had of her and Hugh were from their wedding nearly ten years prior.  We knew it was definitely time for an update.  We decided to do their session in the areas surrounding their home because it had absolutely breathtaking views of the hilly country side.  We fell in love with the rural fields and barns and all the golden sunlight trickling through the trees that day.  Below are a few of our favorites.  We hope you enjoy!

I cannot get over how sweet and wonderful our clients are. After Jenn & Kelvi’s wedding, Brad and I started packing our gear and getting ready to call it a night when our lovely couple gave us this adorable lantern style candle holder with a card inside thanking us for all of our hard work that day. It made us feel so special and appreciated. How sweet it is to think that amidst the whirlwind of their own wedding day, Jenn & Kelvi took the time to think about us. Knowing the impact we have on our couples and their families on one of the most important days of their lives brings us so much joy. Not only do we let them into our hearts but they let us into theirs as well. We work in a business of emotions. Each wedding day, we lend our hearts fully to our clients so that we can see their wedding as it is meant to be seen. The love, the joy the laughter and everything else that comes together to make their day so special. We are there to see it and live it first hand. There is no way we can create art from these feelings and memories if we do not open ourselves to it. It is so good to know how much it means to our couples that we were there loving, and laughing along with them.

Thank you Jenn & Kelvi.  You guys are the best!

I cannot tell you all how excited I am to finally blog this gorgeous wedding!!!!  I’m not going to lie, this was literally the HOTTEST wedding we have ever shot.  Jacksonville had temperatures well over one hundred degrees this weekend but we didn’t let it stand in our way.  This wedding was nothing short of fabulous.  There was an abundance of love and joy as friends and family from all over the country came together to celebrate this amazing couple.  Jenn & Kelvi held their ceremony and reception on the grounds of one of Ponte Vedra’s newest wedding venues, Palm Valley Gardens.  The lush gardens and rustic features of the Palm Valley house complimented Jenn’s wedding perfectly.  The ceremony took place under a large oak tree overlooking a small pond just behind the house.  Afterward, guests enjoyed dinner and dancing under the moonlight to the accompaniment of the Mystery Band on the back patio.  It was truly a dream wedding for such a beautiful couple.  We just adore these two and love every minute we have gotten to spend with them.  They are one of those couples that come along and have such a strong love for one another that you cannot help but be affected by it.  Jenn & Kelvi we feel blessed to have been a part of your lives on such a beautiful day.

We wish you lots of love, happiness, and adventures together.

War Eagle!

Below are some of our favorites from the day.  Be sure to watch the slideshow to hear one of my FAVORITE songs ever and to see more of the incredible details from this wedding.

Venue – Palm Valley Garden
Flowers – Liz Stewart Floral Design
Catering – The Perfect Pear Catering Company
Band – The Mystery Band

Jenn’s bouquet was incredible.  We all know I adore peonies and thanks to Liz Stewart Floral Design, peonies were everywhere.  I was in floral heaven.

I’m positive that Kelvi cannot take a bad photo.  He is an absolute natural in front of the camera.

Seriously… are the groomsmen smokin’ hot or what?! I LOVE this shot of Brad’s.

Hello gorgeous!!!! This is one of my FAVORITE shots.  Jenn looks stunning in my humble opinion. (True story: both of my favorite shots from this wedding are Brad’s shots.)

Jenn made sure her guests were all prepared for whatever Florida threw at them.  Insect repellant, fans and ice cold water bottles were at the gate as guests walked to the ceremony site.

Little known fact… I am a sucker for flowers floating in water.  Something about it just makes my heart go pitter patter! Even better if its a peonie in water!

How gorgeous is this wedding party?!  They were so amazing at making the Florida heat look like a breeze.

The catering by The Perfect Pear Catering Company was absolutely phenomenal!  I know the last photo is of the set up but I really really like it.  Its so clean and earthy and makes me happy.

I love this shot of Jenn’s dad.  He looks so dapper in his tux.  Very James Bond.