Stacey and Avery's Engagement Session, Florida

Silent river runs deep is a Jamaican saying that I think applies to Stacey and Avery! :-) I met Stacey and Avery in person several weeks before their engagement session and wasn't sure how the session would turn out. I knew I wanted to do something different and after months of trying to figure out which location would be good, event planner, Sherry from www.chainofeventsbahamas.com suggested the venue we selected. I checked the website and immediately fell in love with it!!! :-) I hoped the couple would love it and they sure did! :-) I suggested the couple visit there in advance to pick out their costume and see which props they liked. Well, that was that, by the time I turned up for their engagement session, for a while I didn't recognize them at first. I was like, "WOW, who is this?!!!" :-) Soft spoken Stacey and Avery became a cross between Marilyn Monroe, Dorothy Dandridge, and a pimp looking guy! :-) Stacey even came up with her full story line and all!!! :-) I was like, "Let's work it!!!" This session was not on my to do list because I never dreamed that the opportunity would ever present itself for me to have all the amazing vintage props and sets we had! :-) Stacey also wanted a session on the beach so we did an additional session the following day on the beach and she said she had some interesting ideas but little didn't I know that it involved strawberries and whipped cream, cough, cough, (clearing my throat) before Avery pretended to re-propose to her!!! :-) So Ms. Soft-Spoken Stacy and Avery totally showed out and worked the session becoming a fun, sultry diva and hi rolling guy and their acting was so natural! :-) What I especially loved was the amazing chemistry that they shared and was so transparent in all their pictures!!!! :-) Thanks Stacey and Avery for 2 wonderful evenings and I anxiously await capturing your wedding!!! :-)

To view their slideshow click on the link directly below or go to www.shellyedwards.com/SAengagement I included some of my favorite pictures below. Do enjoy :-)

Karla and Duane's Wedding in Sweet, Sweet Jamaica W.I

One of the things that I am passionate about even before I became a professional photographer was to go back to my island home of Jamaica and capture the essence of the richness of the culture, history, people, and breath-taking beauty! I started to do so and each new opportunity that I have makes me excited to figure out how I would like to portray it in pictures. When Karla and Duane contacted me to do their wedding and I saw that I would get to capture the University of the West Indies Chapel, the nearby ruins, Terra Nova Hotel, and DEVON HOUSE, I was like, "YES!!!" :-) Each venue was PERFECT in relaying the idea of old time Jamaica from the 1880's when the Devon House Mansion was constructed! :-) I chose to go with a plantation feel and envisioned relaying the story as if it was the love story of the first owner of Devon House, George Stiebel who also had the honor of being Jamaica's first black millionaire. Once I decided on the story line 2 days before the wedding, I only had 2 days to gather all the props and am so grateful to God how it all came together, characters and all! Special thanks to Sal, Andre, and Alecia for their help with lighting! :-) Duane and Karla were amazing hostesses! :-) They DEFINITELY made me feel very welcomed, were excited about me being their photographer, and did a FABULOUS job of being excellent actors at Devon House. The wedding was down-right HOT with beautiful decor, lovely attire, about 8 musical instruments and performers, a slide show that included their first kiss as infants, and other special things that I will let you wait until you watch the slide show to see! :-) I was delighted to see many of my former university friends and started to miss them again even before I left :-) Karla and Duane, a heartfelt thank you for choosing me to capture your special day and I wish a lifetime of love and happiness!!!! :-)

I have included some of the pictures below. You can view the slide show by going to: www.shellyedwardsdestinations.com/KDW or by clicking the play button below.