Aqualina Resort and Spa
17875 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isles Beach, FL

getting ready | Mayfair Hotel & Spa
ceremony & reception | Mayfair Hotel & Spa
minister | Eddie Rodriguez
cake | Elegant Temptations

This was one of the year’s last weddings and it was well worth the wait. I love it when all of the events are taking place in the same venue and what a venue this is, The Mayfair Hotel and Spa. This is a great location for taking some great shots and the staff is just awesome. If you haven’t met Ulla, make sure you stop by and say hello next time you’re in the Grove.

After shooting the couple getting ready, it was off to the ceremony. Rev. Eddie Rodriguez performed another beautiful ceremony like only he can. (See image below of Melissa shedding a tear during the service) After the formal family portraits were done we hit the streets of Coconut Grove with Melissa and Conrad for some fun couple shots.

Melissa and Conrad were very gracious and accommodating. Throughout the night they made sure I was either eating or drinking.Thank you guys, you were awesome to work with and I hope your guests like your Thank You postcards.

Do you have a Facebook, Twitter or MySpace account? Have you recently thought about joining an online networking site? Well, as you know you these sites have a “Profile Picture” section. You need to put your best face forward. Nothing makes a profile standout above the rest than a great picture. If you’re looking for a professional image to advertise your business or a fun picture that truly captures your personality then this event is for you.

Join us on July 30th from 6pm – 9pm for our 2nd “Facebook Profile Picture Party”. A evening pictures and fun. From an on-site make up artist to a Facebook expert showing you the in and out of Facebook. That same night we will be showing you the photos take and we can event upload them to your profile.

So bring a friend, take some great pictures and get your new image out to the world.

Included:
Gift bags & Door prizes
Facebook Expert On site
Same day Image Viewing
On site Hair & Makeup Touch ups
Upload Profile Picture
Complimentary Retouching

Appointments are required and are $20 each. Please call Jessica or Manolo to reserve your appointment.

Phone 305-596-1885

We shot this session during the holidays. Charlotte and Chuck brought a great personalized sweater for Clay’s photo shoot.  It has been such a privilege photographing Clay from his first 24 hours to now. I can’t wait until our next session.

Do you have a Facebook, Twitter or MySpace account? Have you recently thought about joining an online networking site? Well, as you know you these sites have a “Profile Picture” section. You need to put your best face forward. Nothing makes a profile standout above the rest than a great picture. If you’re looking for a professional image to advertise your business or a fun picture that truly captures your personality then this event is for you.

Join us on June 25th, 2009 from 6pm – 9pm for our first “Facebook Profile Picture Party”.  A evening pictures and fun. From an on-site make up artist to a Facebook expert showing you the in and out of Facebook. That same night we will be showing you the photos take and we can event upload them to your profile.

• Gift bags & Door prizes
• Facebook Expert On site
• Same day Image Viewing
• On site Hair & Makeup Touch ups
• Upload Profile Picture
• Complimentary Retouching

So bring a friend, take some great pictures and get your new image out to the world.

Appointments are required so please call Jessica or Manolo to reserve your appointment.

Who: Anyone who wants a great picture for Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or for their business
What: Photo shoot for your online presence
When: June 25th 2009  from 6pm – 9pm
Where: In Focus Studios – 9415 Sunset Drive – Suite 206  Miami, FL 33173
Why: Why not, appointments required.  305-596-1885

Heidi & David | 12.9.08

Talk about feeling completely safe and secure during a photo shoot. Since Heidi is a police officer and David is a firefighter, I knew that if anything, anything at all were to take place during our photo shoot that all of the expertise required to handle with situation was right in front of me.  To be honest though, I think we could have used another firefighter to put out the fire between Heidi and David during the shoot. I would find a location, set them up for the shot, turn around for a moment and there they were lost in their own world, doing their own thing. Not necessarily a bad thing, ah the perks of a photographer.

A few days ago I was on the phone with a client. As soon as Heather placed me on hold I started to multitask. The first thing I did was to go into my inbox and check for any new emails.

Thank God for the extended hold time!  Everyone in the office saw me jump to my feet and start my “happy dance”. By the way, the staff is used to these sudden bursts of celebration. They quickly wanted to know why, what had happened that caused this sudden leap of joy.

I explained to them that I had just received an email from “the knot”. In Focus Studios had just been selected for their “Best Of” South Florida issue.

This was a huge honor and it was the 3rd year in a row we have received this award. The reason I get so excited about this award is because these awards started in 2007 and we were on the first list. Then in 2008 we were chosen for the “Best Of” again. At that point I also found out we were the only South Florida Photography Studio that stayed on the list from 07 to 08. And, like they say third times a charm.  In 2009 we made the list again.

Thank you to “the Knot”, for all of you who made this possible and especially for those “knotties” that voted for us. If you are out and see the new issue on stands, please make sure to pick up your copy. It is full of great information, and not only for weddings, it is truly a great resource for any event.

(copy of email from The Knot)

You have been chosen as a top wedding professional in The Knot Best of Weddings 2009!

 What sets this honor apart from others is that it’s not just your colleagues (or even The Knot) bestowing this award on your business—the recognition comes from real brides who were thrilled with the level of service you brought to their wedding day.

Ok, so you’ve either read this before or you’ve heard me say it, “I love kids”. I love the “all eyes on me” portrait sessions.

I find it very funny knowing that I’ve planned the session, mom and dad have several things in mind for the session and then there’s the baby. We all know the baby is the one who calls the shots. These sessions are always fun and yes, always unpredictable.

getting ready | Miami Beach Resort & Spa
ceremony & reception | Miami Beach Resort & Spa
ceremony | Rev Eddie Rodriguez
videography | Artistry Wedding Films
make up | Gloria Pelo

Angie was in her make up chair with Gloria Pelo finalizing her lipstick. All the bridesmaids were dressed and ready for pictures. I do have to say everyone look beautiful. I know asking Angie to lay on the hotel floor is huge but I know she trusted me and the image would be gorgeous. After the ceremony we took a quick trip to the beach with the bridal party and then headed to the top floor for the party. I know the entire family was very ready for the celebration, after months of planning it was here. Alan for Artistry was there to catch every second and the night went off with out a glitch. Good this for Angelica & Adolfo, their Miami Planning Group was also there to assist in the prep work of the wedding.

We decided on Downtown Miami for Jennifer and Ferly’s engagement session. They both enjoy the downtown area and its also close to home, which is always a nice perk.

The time of day was perfect for the shoot. Everything just fell into place and once we were all warmed up we realized we had spent about an hour shooting and so we wrapped up. When they came in for their private viewing, to my surprise they knew Jessica and Mike who were getting ready to walk out of the office after their private viewing. Six degree of separation, it’s a very cool thing.

ceremony & reception: Artesia
officiant: Rev Eddie Rodriguez
florist: the blonde tulip  
linens & chairs:  ab cover designers
caterer: paella party  
consultant: purple diamond occasions
cake:  we take the cake 

I knew Jazline was very excited about her wedding day, the closer I got to her place the more excited I became.  I remember how pumped she was after her engagement session and so looking forward to her big day.

Upon entering her room…I saw all of the bridesmaids dressed and ready to go, the flowers were delivered, the hair was done and all that was pending was for Jazline to slip into her beautiful dress. She didn’t’ skip a beat..she took my “wedding day guideline” very seriously.

Jazline was very upbeat and happy throughout the day, of course once she saw herself in her dress she did get a little teary eyed….tears of joy.
I had a great time photographing her and capturing her energy. As soon as I was finished with her I ran over to photograph Raul. He was just as pumped as she was and ready to marry the love of his life. I always try to remain the observer while the ceremony is taking place.  After all I’m there to do a job. No matter how one might try you can’t help but get pulled into the ceremony once Rev. Eddie Rodriguez begins to officiate.  He spoke about Jazline’s mother who had passed and the fact that although not physically there with us she was there in spirit, proud of her daughter and her new husband.

Hello, not a dry eye in the house. Ever try to compose a picture while looking through a river of salt seeping out of your eyes?
After the ceremony the three of us went around the property and captured some great images, the night time shots are my favorite. A great time was had by all. Enjoy the pics.