Who:

meg baisden

What:

#1 overall photographer

When:

second quarter

Where:

wpja contest

As many of you know, Meg has been a proud member of the WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) since 2005. Throughout the years, she’s built a nice collection of award-winning images, and received numerous accolades for her work.

She started things off with a 10th place award in the ceremony category way back in 2005. In 2006, she collected her Gold Medallion, and became a member of an elite group of award-winning photographers within the organization. Some photographers that have been members for years are still hoping for a Gold Medallion!

We say all of this not to reminisce…but more to set the stage for our next announcement…drum roll please!

Meg Baisden | WPJA 2008 Quarter 2 | #1 Overall Photographer

Winning first overall is BIG! It took a combination of four winning images in one contest! This included a first place image in the emotion category, a second place image in the ceremony category, and two additional eighth place images! All said, this created a combined score high enough to put Meg first in the entire organization! If you’d like to see the set of images that resulted in this prestigious honor, then visit our Florida page on the WPJA site (just click on the little Gold Medallion):

WPJA Florida Listing

So what does this mean…well for starters, it carries the prize of pride. The WPJA consists of photographers from all 50 states, and from countries from all across the globe. The membership numbers into the hundreds! But more than that — it gives us the top spot in Florida, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Oh yeah…and it puts us on the map! So look out world!

Speaking of the Caribbean…we often get asked if we are willing to travel for wedding day coverage. The answer is a resounding yes! We do travel…all over the United States, into the Caribbean, and even Europe. Basically…wherever the wedding takes us!

Earlier this year, we were commissioned to photograph a wedding in St. Thomas (USVI). Take a peek!
http://megphoto.com/slideshow/lauren_tony/

And right at the end of last year, we travelled to the Bahamas for a wedding at the Atlantis Resort. You can see that one on the blog:
Bahamas Wedding

As we enter the new 2009 season, we will have some new & exciting destinations to announce. So stay tuned & thanks for reading!
~ Charles

PS — we have received numerous complaints about the fact that we haven’t been blogging! Settle down people! The good times will roll again…we haven’t disappeared, or forgotten about you…we’re just waiting on some design updates for the blog. When those are done, we’ll be rolling out the posts like Florida State rolled over Western Carolina. Stay tuned!

Who:

Amy + Justin

What:

Wedding

When:

April 27, 2008

Where:

Eden Gardens State Park | Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort

I remember the first time I met Amy face-to-face. Charles and I were in Atlanta for the wedding of Heather + Michael last July and Amy agreed to swing by and meet us at our hotel restaurant. We had already spoken via phone and emailed back and forth quite a bit and Amy + Justin had even signed a contract and retained us for their wedding date - so this meeting was more of an excuse to get to officially meet and chat about her big day… and I just remember how incredibly striking she was to me. And it was more than just ‘wow, she’s a beautiful girl’ - which is undeniable, but more the absolute joy she shared when she spoke with such excitement about marrying her very best friend. We did not have the opportunity to meet Justin until we shot their engagement session in Seaside late last year, but in that session I could see her affections were returned. Just the way these two look at each other… It makes you want to fall in love all over again.

With such amazing chemistry between these two, how could I not make this wedding another 100:1 feature?

Again, we’re trying to share a little bit more about how we ’see’ a day, start to finish - so here’s a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Pay special attention to their ‘first sight’ in the garden - I think that just maybe you can actually FEEL the love:

Girls spend hours primping, hugging, and even a little bit of crying.

Guys dress in a matter of minutes, throw a football in the house, and hit golf balls in the backyard. Incredible.

Eden Gardens State Park is a gorgeous venue located just north of 30-A in the Santa Rosa Beach area. As far as outdoor ceremonies go, it is definitely one of the favored non-beach spots along the coast.

Amy + Justin’s first sight was just breathtaking. Even Charles cried a little.

It was so touching to see two people so in love, and so overcome by emotion. They began the long walk towards each other here…

… and I’ll never forget Amy saying, barely above a whisper, “Come to me faster.” I was a pile of tears when Justin eagerly RAN to meet his bride!

The magic moment:

A thoughtful gift from his bride - a locket with a photo of Justin’s late father that he wore down the aisle.

Following the first sight, we were supposed to meet up with the bridal party and family and roll right in to group formals, but with a setting so perfect and such awesome chemistry between the soon-to-be weds, we had to take a few minutes for some couple work.

And because we don’t show group formals much outside of 100:1 features, here are a few extra for you:

If you thought the first sight was something, just wait for the ceremony:

The reception was held at the lovely Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort.

The couple was greeted by their fans on the waterfront patio & had their first dance as the sun was setting… unfortunately, with overcast skies we didn’t get that pretty orangey pink hue overhead, but the upside was nice, even light!

The best man ended up stealing the show with a musical toast. It had an Adam Sandler-esque quality & delivery… I’ve never laughed so hard!

All in all, a beautiful and emotional day that reminded us why we love what we do. Thanks for letting me share.

- Meg

Who:

Ashleigh-Anne + Matthew

What:

Wedding

When:

April 26, 2008

Where:

Tallahassee, FL | Florida State University Alumni Center

You’ve met Ashleigh-Anne once before when we featured her bridal session on the blog. Now she’s back (complete with hubby) and we’re sharing her wedding with you! Here goes:

~ Charles

Who:

Katie + James

What:

Wedding

When:

April 20, 2008

Where:

Panama City Beach, FL | Bay Point Marriott

Katie + James came to Florida to have a laid-back destination wedding. We’re pretty sure they hit the mark! They had an adorable beach wedding at the Bay Point Marriott in Panama City Beach, FL with a relaxed reception under the stars. Check it out.

~ Charles

A few pretty details to start the day.

Too bad this place doesn’t have a view.

Going to the chapel…err, beach.

We do.

Blue skies & palm trees.

The first dance.

I love the “breakin’ it down” shot…

Congratulations guys!

Who:

Kelly + Robert

What:

Wedding

When:

April 19, 2008

Where:

Ocean Springs, MS

We made our first visit to Ocean Springs, Mississippi last month for Kelly + Robert’s wedding. For those of you who don’t know, Ocean Springs is right next to Biloxi (typically associated with gambling). Well, I guess you could say it was our ‘lucky day’ because this wedding was adorable! (careful - the puns could go on & on!)

And because Meg was on a roll when pulling and creating these collages/storyboards/groupings last week - she made yest ANOTHER 100:1 series! But don’t get used to it - she’s cut off for a little while - it’s busy season, you know - I need her focusing on other stuff for the next few weeks- so enjoy the last 100:1 for the next little bit, anyway!

~ Charles

When you pull up to a quaint little church built in 1892 with a 1956 classic Bentley parked out front, you know it’s going to be a good day!

Rob + the boys:

Kelly + the girls:

We do:

We only had time for a few quick newlywed portraits in the chapel…

… before these two had to be rushed off to their backyard reception:

Let the details begin!

Everywhere you looked, lanterns dotted the reception - around the perimeter, lighting pathways, over the cake table, even suspended over the dance floor!

The place cards were arranged on a custom door system that Kelly’s dad built for her! Too cute. Next up…oyster shooters!

The newlyweds made their grand enterance from the second floor overlooking their many fans guests anxiously awaiting their arrival in the courtyard below:

Toasts + dancing:

Thanks to the newlyweds for having us - when Kelly contacted us a full TWO YEARS prior to the big day - we were flattered and a little shocked that someone wanted to have us there so badly that they would retain our services before any of the rest of their big day details had even been hammered out! But we are so glad that y’all did and are really thankful that we were given the opportunity to capture such an awesome time in your lives. Now that the big day has passed, you don’t need to be strangers, okay? We’d love to photograph the next chapter in your lives - and we won’t require a two year notice either! Besides , I’m pretty sure y’all will only get nine months when that time comes! ;)