Yvonne and Steve Engagement Session in Florida

After my return from Jamaica, I had an engagement photo shoot with Yvonne and Steve the following day. Yvonne has been a wonderful client, always bubbly and sweet. I had met her before and looked forward to meeting Steve as well. We had a great time together during the shoot and their love and joy is very evident in the pictures. I highly anticipate photographing their wedding next month. Here a some of my favorite shots from the engagement session.

Stacey and Sanai (Kingston, Jamaica W.I)

I first met Stacey in 2002 when I moved to Kingston, Jamaica and began 8th grade at Ardenne High School. We immediately became best friends. Our friendship continued throughout high school and after high school. We lost contact a few years ago until my dad unexpectedly met her again when she was graduating from university with the highest honors, Summa Cum Laude! Go Stacey! :-) My dad informed me that Stacey had a beautful daughter that he met at the graduation. I called Stacey the Saturday night before I went back to Kingston to do Tarin's Photo Shoot and she said that she would try to meet up with me the next day. I was over-joyed to see her and was so not prepared to meet her daughter, Sanai who had become a big young lady (5 years old this year)! While scouting out to see where to do Tarin's session, I saw a ship wreck in the distance. We excitedly went and checked it out. I chose to take a few shots to warm up for Tarin's shoot. Little did I know how much of a model Sanai and Stacey were! In my travels, one of my favorite subjects are children for the very reason you will see in these pictures. They are just a bundle of spontaneous emotion! The following are some of my favorite shots that we took. It was an absolute pleasure seeing you again Stacey and do stay in touch! :-)

Sweet, Sweet Jamaica!

As those of you who read The Artist section on my website (www.shellyedwards.com) know, I was born in Jamaica W.I and migrated to the US in 2001 immediately after completing my bachelor's degree. There was a certain young lady who attended university in Jamaica with me, Tarin Glen. I always admired Tarin for her fashion sence. Towards the end of January this year, Tarin responded to a mass email that I sent and inquired more about what I was doing now. She then visited my website and fell in love with the pictures and emphasized that she had to hire me to take her pictures whenever I visit Jamaica again. I agreed and the long awaited trip came last weekend. Last Sunday, I thoroughly enjoyed photographing not only Tarin, but her son Frank and her friends Andrae and Alicia. Andrae and Alicia make a beautiful couple, both inside and outside. Baby Frank's dad, Frank Snr. was unable to be with us because he had to be at work on an aeroplane. You'll see Tarin's spontaneous tribute to him by waving at an aeroplane. It was uplifting seeing Tarin's interaction with her son as I observed the ardent love, tenderness, pride, and joy as she beamed on him. Do enjoy these pictures as well as more that I will add from my trip to Jamaica.

New Website

Hi Everyone,

The past few months have been very busy for me here at Shelly Edwards Photography. I had several new years resolutions for the business and am very happy that most of them have been realized:

1. Since January, I have received bookings for numerous clients in Florida, New York, and Jamaica.
2. I am now featured on 7 websites.
3. I became the official preferred photographer for the location of Nycaine and Brent's wedding that is featured on my site, Midtown Loft and Terrace (www.midtownloft.net) in Manhattan. Special thanks to the owner, Tarkan for graciously selecting me.
4. I have formed professional relationships with several photographers and videographers in Florida and New York that can be of service to you as a second photographer or videographer. I have also become a preferred photographer for the fabulous Carine St. Jean (www.spectacularaffairs.com) in New York and Sherry Hasmatali-Carey (www.chainofeventsbahamas.com) who is based in Florida and Bahamas.
5. I checked my Google Analytics statistics today for my blog for this past month and attached it here. There are 7 Continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. The places in green represent the countries that people have visited this blog from. As you will see, this month has brought visits from every continent except Antartica! Wow! I am happy to have you visit my site and remember, I'm Available Worldwide :-)
6. I am yet to be featured in a magazine. I'll be sure to let you know once it happens :-)
7. Lastly, I have a new website! Yes, like most of you, I fell in love with my previous one big time! Special thanks to Xcecomp for the fabulous job they did with it. I have attached pictures of the old one (grey background) and the new one (black background). The new site offers a bunch of great features including: great new pictures and songs, beautiful new products for my signature collection, gift certificates, ability to pay online, a special referral program, you can use a section of the contact page to refer the site to a friend, among other things. Do stop by and check it out.

Seems like I have to come up with a longer new year's resolution list next year :-) Thanks everyone for sharing this experience with me and I look forward to being your photographer.