 |
 Follow Meg in her journey to reach 100,000 pins. |
Long time blog readers might remember our flashback series where we posted some of our older work that (up to that point) had never been shared publicly. While the flashback series offered us seemingly endless amounts of content, it became tedious having to download entire archived weddings to the harddrive to create those posts. With the relaunch of our blogging efforts, I've had to ask myself whether I really want to let go of the two years of unshared work or if I should try to continue the flashback series until we are finally 'caught up.' What I've decided to try (for now, anyway) is a month-by-month overview, with a handful of highlights from key events. That way y'all still get to see what we were up to during that time, I get to fulfill my goal of "journaling" our work, and some really lovely couples can finally get some blog love!
Today I want to start where we left off with September 2010. Here are some of my favorite shoots we tackled that month:
Sunday / September 5, 2010 = Jessica + Chris Engagement Session -- Sandestin |
| Monday / September 6, 2010 = Cody + Jackie Engagement Session –- Alys Beach |
| Friday / September 17, 2010 = Leigh + Chris Engagement Session -- Seaside |
| Saturday / September 25, 2010 = Cody + Jackie Wedding – Sandestin |
| Thanks for taking a spin back in time with us today - look out for October 2010, coming soon! |
|
My recent reminiscing about The Price Is Right got my wheels turning about another part of my childhood that so defined the fabric of who I am today that it must be shared. No, I'm not talking about my education, my politics, or my family. I'm talking about our grocery store. Publix.
|
| A grocery store? (you ask with doubt). Ab-so-lutely. The older I get, the more I realize that I am a true Floridian. I despise cold weather. Skiing requires a lake and a boat. Boots are something used in Thanksgiving day plays at elementary schools. And I've shopped at both the Piggly Wiggly AND the Hoggly Woggly (no relation). My sentiments were perfectly expressed on Facebook recently when my cousin, Susan, posted this graphic defining the essence of a true Floridian: |
About a third of the way down, you'll find a little dilly in there that really sums up the Floridian's attitude towards Publix: "You know... that no other grocery store can compare to Publix". Now before you start assuming that I've been in the sun too long, let me explain.
Publix wasn't just a grocery store. It was THE place to go if you lived in Florida. Growing up in a family of seven (!!), shopping for groceries was part sport for us. Some of my earliest childhood memories include riding in the "buggy" at Publix with my mom. The tradition included visiting the bakery for a free cookie. The choices were sugar or chocolate chip. My passion for food was evident at an early age. I weighed 100 lbs. in the 4th Grade. Needless to say, free cookies were very much in my wheelhouse. But it's not just my childhood that built a bridge between me and Publix. It was also my first summer job. I started in the deli when I was a young buck of 18 years old, and returned for several summers during my college years. |
Now that I'm older, I love Publix for other reasons. It's the largest privately held company in Florida. It's also been the fastest growing company in Florida for several years running, according to Florida Trend magazine. They sponsor just about every community distance run from Miami to Atlanta, and give back to their community. Oh, they also make the best subs around (seriously... you have to try one!!). In fact, I incorporated a pair of Publix subs into my proposal to Meg (a picnic lunch that I packed for an afternoon at the beach).
So it's easy to summarize that Publix is good for our state. But there is one other key reason I love Publix - it's the last grocery store that still embraces southern hospitality as a policy. Whenever you shop at Publix, instead of battling demoralizing checkouts lines, you'll often find a cashier waiting for you at the front of the lane asking "Are you ready to check out?". Next, you'll be whisked through the checkout process by an army of baggers. Lastly, they'll take your groceries out to your car for you, load them, and refuse your gratuity (I always insist). It's just... the way things should be done.
Meg has also found ways to love Publix (since I do the grocery shopping). Being the avid blog reader that she is, she has embraced Publix through blogs like Southern Savers and I *HEART* Publix. |
| So for those of you that have stumbled across the "It's a Florida thing" graphic, perhaps now you'll have a better grasp of what role Publix has played in this Floridian's life. And the next time you visit our lovely Gulf Coast, swing by Publix... and enjoy! |
|
We have the great fortune of being in a profession where clients can become more than just clients - sometimes, when we are very fortunate, our clients become our friends. We have been blessed by the amazing people that this job has brought into our lives. Lifelong friendships have been formed. We've vacationed with former clients, worked the same wedding with former clients-turned-vendors , held the babies of former clients ... I could go on and on.
I am thankful EVERY. DAY. for the wonderful friends that we have made along the way. Your photographs become, in a way, OUR photographs because we shared in those moments TOGETHER. We're emotional voyeurs - watching you, documenting you, breathing with you. |
| It's a very intimate thing, what we do. We've calmed nerves, fetched drinks, bustled, placed veils, held wedding dresses up when the bride (how do I say this politely?) used the facilities, dried tears, signed the marriage license, 'taught' couples how to cut the cake, corralled guests, and so on. Too many times we have been the last to capture a photograph a loved one before they pass on ... that honor and responsibility is the most sobering of all... Ours are the photographs that your children's children will someday display at their weddings... We can't help but take a bit of ownership of your marriage and your families... And I don't know if that is true for every vendor, or every photographer even. I know we are not alone in the sentiment - but I'm not certain that is something ALL vendors/clients experience. I can only speak for myself and tell you that it is true for us... |
| I'm always a little surprised, then, when a client does or says something so wonderfully generous... Listen, I know that we have amazing clients - we spend the most intimate day with you - it's so easy to know your hearts. But when that kindness is expressed - or rather, directed - towards us ... well, that just blows me away... |
| In the past 2 days alone I have received countless messages of love and support from our clients and friends in the relaunch of this blog. On your anniversaries, often before I can even congratulate you, I receive your sweet notes thanking us for documenting your day (<--- that's crazy!) |
| On Monday I received a package in the mail from our former bride, Melissa, who works for Spanx (bless you Sara Blakely, says every woman in the world!) - and who, upon my inquiry about a product, sent me two samples in the mail! That's so generous (and unnecessary - not that I'm not appreciative - I AM!) - it just makes me so thankful to have a job that brings such warm and giving people into our lives. |
We've received tips at the end of the reception (*ahem* TOTALLY UNnecessary - a topic I will touch on some other time), thank you cards galore, gift cards to our favorite restaurants, wine, chocolate, macaroons, edible arrangements - and now - SPANX! ;)
|
| But the thing that makes my heart sing is your written words. Maybe because nobody really writes anymore (well, more than 140 characters, anyway.) So when I come across posts like this one - oh boy - pass the kleenex. (I love you, Stacie Shea - how had I never seen this until now?!) |
| This job continues to be an embarrassment of riches: lovely people, beautiful weekends, happy days... and some amazing new friends. Thank you for making our lives so beautifully full and rich. And thank you for sharing in my lovefest. |
| {UPDATE! Several hours after writing this post - a package arrived in the mail from UPS. I couldn't let this opportunity go by without publicly thanking Maria & Chris for their thoughtfulness. M&C (hey, y'all have the same initials as us!) - we are headed to NYC later this year for a shoot - let's plan to get together while we are in town, yes? Thanks so very much - you made our Wednesday!} |
|
|
2013 Archives
|
|
Jan
|
Feb
|
Mar
|
Apr
2
|
May
|
Jun
|
Jul
|
Aug
|
Sep
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Dec
|
|
|
|
|
