Caroline Nicole Photography

This blog has MOVED!!

2011-09-23T11:58:00.001-04:00

I am so excited to announce that I now have a brand new blog (and logo!). I am so excited to share it with you!

www.carolinenicolephotography.com/blog

Go check it out! And leave me a comment to let me know you were there :)

Seth and Michaela: In Love

2011-09-13T23:12:00.002-04:00

To say that I was thrilled to do some photos for Seth and Michaela is a huge understatement! The two are from Arkansas, but Seth is here because he is a member of the Marine Corps and is about to be deployed for Afghanistan. Michaela was here visiting, and they decided they wanted some pictures together before he leaves. The two aren't engaged (yet!), but are clearly in love!

I love how happy they look!

They were so playful - it was fun to watch :)

Such a bittersweet moment - staring out across the water that will soon separate them for a season.

Thank you both so much! It was an honor to work with you, and I will certainly keep you both in my prayers in the coming months.

Meeker Family

2011-09-12T23:29:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago I met up with Tony, Marnie, Ashley, and Jason for a family beach session. I know the family from our church, and now also school, as Ashley and Jason go to the same school as Chris. But seriously, are these some cute kids or what?! :)

Tickle Fight ;)

LOVE!

Ok.. so is this one a more accurate representation of parenting....

Or is this one? :)

Haha - I know the feeling!

Congratulations Whitaker and Heather!

2011-08-26T14:55:00.008-04:00

All summer long I looked forward to shooting Whitaker and Heather's wedding. Just two months earlier I had photographed Heather's sister Jennifer's wedding, so I couldn't wait to work with such a fun family again! And this wedding did not disappoint. It was very different than Jennifer and Brad's - though they are sisters their style isn't the same. But everything was beautiful, and it was a perfect day :)

Ceremony: Riverside Park United Methodist Church
Reception: Florida Yacht Club
Flowers: Island Flower and Garden

I loved her shoes - but this was not an easy shot to get! I am not as tall as a chandelier...

Thanks to the fabulous Corinna for assisting me, and for getting this next shot! :)

They didn't want to see each other before the ceremony, so we did this shot instead.

LOVE the sweet tears ;)

If you've followed my blog for long, these two will look familiar. I photographed Bray and Leslie's wedding back in 2009 in Hilton Head, SC. Leslie and Heather were friends in college. And I am excited that I will be seeing them again soon - Leslie is expecting their first baby, so we'll be doing some maternity photos! :)

And these two, Jennifer and Brad, should also look familiar. Two months after their wedding and they're still smiling :)

I grew up in Jacksonville, so I always love coming back for weddings. Just seeing the skyline makes me smile :)

And here's the slideshow!

Asher is 9 Months Old!

2011-08-20T22:34:00.004-04:00

I have really enjoyed getting to watch Asher grow these past 9 months. It has gone so quickly! But 9 months is a fun age... they're cute, mobile, and have all sorts of new tricks. Asher has caught on quickly - the kid is almost walking! Isn't he a cutie?!

I love this family! :)

Kerri's mom came along for a few pictures with her grandson.

I love all of his little expressions!

Kerri and Brandon recently bought a house, so we headed over for a few pictures.

He wasn't so keen on the idea of laying still for his bottle - he preferred to roll around with it. Guess I was a bit of a distraction!

I can't believe Asher will be 1 so soon! And I can't wait to meet the newest baby Basista! :)

Welcome Baby Avery!

2011-08-18T15:54:00.007-04:00

After getting to record baby Ali's first year, I was so excited when Rye and Eddie asked me to do some newborn pics for their newest little girl, Avery. What a sweet baby! And Ali is a good big sister :)

It's hard to believe how much Ali has grown!

I love this one - it looks like they are telling each other a secret!

I love this one because it shows them all working together as a team.

She wasn't so excited about her bath :)

Congratulations to the three of you - Avery is beautiful! :)

Welcome Baby Brylee!

2011-08-16T22:17:00.004-04:00

Ahh, I love my job! Seriously - does life get any better than this? :)

I had been watching Christy's facebook page, so I was thrilled when I saw that she had finally had baby Brylee.. and even more so because I knew I'd get to meet her. Mom and Dad were of course in love, however, they CLAIMED she has something of a temper.. though I never saw any evidence of it, as she slept like a log for the entire session! :)

I'll get to photograph Brylee again when she is 6 months old - I am so excited to watch her grow!

Ryan and Jessica

2011-08-15T22:15:00.008-04:00

Last fall I had the honor of photographing Ryan and Jessica's wedding. Due to several circumstances, we were unable to shoot their engagement session before their wedding.. so we decided to do it afterwards. This turned out to be a really good idea, as it was actually raining on their wedding day during what would have been our time for portraits of the two of them. So, for this session they put their wedding clothes back on. It was so much fun to have an entire hour, instead of the roughly 10 minutes I usually get on the day of a wedding!

I think this is my favorite!

Congratulations again you two! I hope you love the pictures :)

Happy 1st Birthday, Ross!

2011-08-11T21:17:00.005-04:00

It is so hard to believe that it has already been a year since my neighbors Mark and Kelly brought their adopted son, Ross, home from the hospital. But what a year!
I have known Mark and Kelly since we moved into this house 5 years ago. We quickly became friends, and I knew that though they desired to be parents, the Lord had not yet answered that prayer. Until last year.
It has been so much fun to not only photograph little Ross as he has grown, but to see him in daily life... or at least at our afternoon chats at the mailbox :) He is a smart, funny little guy for sure - he's bound to be quite a little heartbreaker!

Happy 1st birthday, Ross!

This is the same picture that we took at each session.. (here he is as a newborn, and at 3, 6, and 10 months old.)

Just in case he has a future as a pianist :)

Hmm.. wonder how this will taste...

Not too bad!

I love this shot, because to me it represents Mark and Kelly as parents. They are two of the most loving parents I know - always there for their little boy.

Ross is a cute kid, but I think this is my favorite shot from the day.

Getting pictures of the three of them was difficult - Ross wanted to explore!

I took several shots from the front as Mark and Kelly pushed Ross in his little car, but I think I like this one the best.

Thank you two so much for allowing me to be a part of Ross's first year! What an amazing God we serve!

Brandon and Megan are Engaged!

2011-08-09T21:33:00.006-04:00

It feels a little funny to say that Brandon and Megan are a fun and sweet couple.. they certainly are, but is it ok to use those words to describe a couple who enjoys football and motorcycles??

We met up a few weeks ago for part one of their engagement session. For this part we decided to shoot at the beach... part two will include their bikes :)

They brought Jax along for a few pictures.

I love how happy they look in these next 2 pictures.

They are both big Purdue and Seminole fans, so I had them bring along a blanket to incorporate that. (This makes me extra excited for their wedding - I already know they have great taste!) :)

I couldn't decide which of these next two I liked best, so I posted them both.

Stay tuned for part 2, and of course for their 11.11.11 wedding!

Alyson's Maternity Session

2011-08-02T22:32:00.006-04:00

Alyson has been one of my closest friends for the past 5 years, so I was thrilled to be able to do a few maternity photos for her. She and her husband Rob were expecting their third baby at the end of July. They are going to be busy for sure - they also have a 3 year old (Dax) and a 2 year old (Charlie). When we took these photos, they didn't know if it was a boy or girl - they like to be surprised. But little Richie arrived safely just over a week ago :)

Waving to the baby :)
Not too sure about the baby... or the camera! But look at that face - is she cute or what? But just in case you were wondering, she may already be taken - my son Chris seems to really like her :)

Congratulations you two! Thanks for being such great friends - and we are excited to be sharing this journey with you :)

Welcome Baby Audra!

2011-07-21T08:52:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of meeting brand new little Audra, along with her parents Ronnie and Vikki. She is a precious little girl who is definitely loved! Her parents wanted to focus on getting pictures of them with her, so it was fun to watch them snuggle with her :) And I'm excited to watch her grow over the coming year, as we'll be doing pictures every few months.

There's just something about baby toes :)

Congratulations Bryan and Sarah!

2011-07-20T09:33:00.009-04:00

Bryan and Sarah's wedding was a picture-perfect destination wedding. The couple lives in Connecticut, so everything was done long-distance. (Fortunately they had the help of the fabulous Laurie Hartwell!) So it was a smaller wedding, but that meant that everything was so relaxed. And instead of the typical evening dance reception, they opted for a morning brunch with plenty of time to visit with the friends and family who came to celebrate.

As a side note, it really is a small world. Partway through the morning I was talking to Bryan's mom, and it turns out that Bryan and I had gone to high school together in Jacksonville (he graduated a year after me).

Planner: Laurie Hartwell - A Wedding To Remember
Flowers: Amanda's Florist
Cake: Creative Cakes and Candies
Music: DJ Shane
Venue: Crowne Plaza

They did something I had never seen before, but loved - a "ring warming" ceremony. The couple's wedding rings were passed from guest to guest so that each could wish a special blessing over them.

These next few are my favorites!

Ok, maybe this one is my favorite :)

Congratulations you two! Thank you for the honor of being a part of your day!

Happy Fourth of July!

2011-07-17T14:25:00.007-04:00

I know it has been forever since I have posted pictures of my own family. I take thousands of pictures of my own kids, but I confess I usually put them on the computer and then don't do anything with them due to lack of time. So I am trying to get better...
Anyways, we had a fun time on the fourth so I thought I'd share :)

We worked around the house for most of the day. Josh is still sleeping in our room at 2 months old because the nursery hasn't been painted yet, so Mark got started on that. After the kids took naps we loaded up and headed to a friend's house for a cook-out.

Anna loves to color!
After filling up on hotdogs, hamburgers, cookies, and cupcakes we decided it would be a good idea to top it off with some ice-cream...
Here's the onset of a sugar-induced coma.

I had to get a picture of just the two of us.. exactly 9 years before this, we were celebrating the fourth with another group of friends... together for the first time... and Mark asked me THE question:
"So... can I tell people I have a girlfriend?"
And the rest is history ;)

Then it was off to watch fireworks. While we waited one of our friends got out some sparklers, which the kids loved!
How many guys does it take to light a sparkler? :)

Anna loved holding the sparklers...until at some point she decided she was DONE. Unfortunately, she decided that while holding a lit sparkler in her hand. She started running over to me holding it out. However, in one hand I was holding Josh, who was wrapped in a (probably very flammable) blanket. In the other hand I had my camera. So I couldn't exactly help her out - all I could do was run backwards and yell until someone took it from her. Ah, the joys of having kids :)

Then it was time for the fireworks!

I hope you had a wonderful day celebrating with friends and family!

Congratulations Billy and Jessica!

2011-07-14T23:03:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago Jessica contacted me about doing some photos for her and her new husband, Billy. The pair had just been married in Pennsylvania, but were here on their honeymoon. So they wanted some good pictures on the beach, and of course I was happy to oblige :)

Favorite :)

Congratulations you two! :)

Eddie, Rye, and soon-to-be-big-sister Ali!

2011-07-09T16:49:00.007-04:00

If you have followed my blog for long, you may remember little Ali. She has just turned 2, but for her entire first year I had the honor of photographing her every few months. So it was fun to meet up with her, Rye, and Eddie - isn't it nuts how fast they grow?!
This session was even more fun because Ali is going to be a big sister in just a few weeks! Eddie and Rye are expecting another little girl, so we combined some pictures of Ali with some maternity photos.
Congratulations you three! I can't wait to meet the newest addition :)

Normally I take pictures of the parents pushing their kids on the swing...

I think for some reason this is one of my favorites.

Ok, this has to be my favorite from the day!

Congratulations Adam and Valdora!

2011-07-09T11:25:00.008-04:00

Adam and Valdora's wedding was just about as perfect as they come. Beautiful couple, well-planned details, fun party - what more could anyone want? It was an honor to be a part of it all. Here are a few of my favorites, with a slideshow at the end.

Planner: Rachel Hobgood
Flowers: Thallo
Cake: Publix
Video: Visual Effects by Seth
Ceremony: Holy Name of Jesus
Reception: Eau Gallie Yacht Club

I love her smile!

Adam and Valdora decided to see each other before the ceremony. For one, it gave us time to get a few more pictures. And they had each written a letter to the other that they read. It was such a sweet moment!

Godspeed Atlantis!

2011-07-08T17:14:00.007-04:00

Today we had the privilege of having front-row seats to the final space shuttle launch. Mark works for a company that does contract work for NASA, and for each launch his company is given a few passes to otherwise restricted areas, that they then raffle off. He won a pass a few years ago, and we got to watch the launch of Atlantis from the closest spot that anyone is allowed to go, right next to the Vehicle Assembly Building. This time our passes weren't quite as close, but they were still awesome! Because one million people were expected to be up there, we had to leave pretty early and ended up getting there about an hour before the launch. But the kids were good, and the weather cooperated.
There were speakers set up so we could hear the conversations back and forth, as well as the countdown. Every time one of the various departments would say they were a "go" for lift-off, the crowd would cheer. And yes, I couldn't help but tear up when I heard "Godspeed Atlantis" over the speakers! During the final 15 seconds or so before it took off, the crowd was absolutely silent, and then once it was up in the air everyone cheered again. It was neat to be a part of such a patriotic moment.

Chris just loved the binoculars :) Doesn't he remind you of Wall-E?

Anna loved them, too! She didn't quite get the concept of putting them on her eyes, though :)
She's got Pop wrapped!

Today also made me remember how proud I am of my husband. Since he works on the Space Center property, he was able to point out all of the various buildings and structures and tell us what they were. It was like having our own personal tour guide!

Anna LOVES it when you kiss/tickle her belly; she'll yell "sit down" at you until you do it again and again.

Our first family photo since Josh's arrival!

3...2...1...

Blast-off!

Atlantis cleared the tower.

Right up until just minutes before the launch, no one was even sure if it would be able to go up due to the weather - rain was nearby, and there were a lot of clouds overhead. But literally right before it was time, the sky above the launch pad opened just enough for the shuttle to go through. Amazing!

It was a bittersweet day - so proud of what our country has been able to accomplish, but sad to see the end of an era!

Joe and Ann are Engaged!

2011-06-28T10:57:00.005-04:00

As soon as I walked up and saw Ann's bright smile, I knew that hers and Joe's engagement session was going to be a good one... and these two did not disappoint! I am already excited for their March 2012 wedding, which will apparently be "mid-west themed with a southern flair"... does that sound fun or what?

See? Told you they are fun :)

Favorite :)

Christy And Nathan Are Having A Baby!

2011-06-25T22:43:00.004-04:00

I guess it is probaby due to the fact that I just had a baby of my own, but I have really been enjoying working with couples who are also expecting or have just had babies.. and Christy and Nathan were no exception to that. They are expecting their first baby, a girl, in just a few weeks. So I met them at their home to document this special time. I can't wait to meet baby soon!

Beautiful belly :)

Big sister Molly :)

I think this one is my favorite!

Congratulations you two! I can't wait to see you again soon!

Congratulations Brad and Jennifer!

2011-06-23T16:02:00.012-04:00

Last month was definitely crazy! Just two weeks after I had Joshua, I shot Mark and Janel's wedding.. and the next morning I got up, drove 2 1/2 hours to my sister's house in Jacksonville to drop off the baby, and then drove another hour up to Amelia Island for Brad and Jennifer's wedding. Crazy? Yes. Worth it? Oh my word - absolutely.

I loved every second of their wedding! Jennifer did an amazing job of planning everything. Everything was simple, and yet every detail was thought out. It was such a beautiful day, and I enjoyed getting to shoot in a different location - Amelia Island is such an amazing place.

Ceremony: St. Michaels Catholic Church
Reception: Ribault Club
Flowers: Island Flower and Garden
Cake: Bliss Cupcakery
Catering: Mai Oui Gourmet

Beautiful bride, beautiful Church :)

Can you guess where they went to school?

It was a perfect evening for an outdoor reception.

You'll be seeing these two on here soon! This is Jennifer's sister Heather and her fiance Whitaker, and I will be shooting their wedding next month!

And here's the slideshow...

Happy Birthday To Me! :)

2011-06-23T08:36:00.005-04:00

Wow - the big 3-0... what a strange feeling! Strange because I still feel like I am 18.. so I'm trying to wrap my mind around this whole middle-aged thing. But, if the 30's are half as good as the 20's were, then I'm in good shape! After all, in my 20's I graduated from college, got married, had 3 kids, and started my own business - so I am looking forward to what lies ahead.

I know that I have been WAY behind in blogging lately. Yes, I have been updating with the recent sessions and weddings I have shot (though a little slower than usual) but I know I haven't been posting anything else.. as you may know, about 6 weeks ago I gave birth to my 3rd baby, Joshua William. He is (of course) a beautiful little guy, and I am enjoying every second.

However, between keeping up with shooting and editing (in the first 5 weeks of his life I shot 4 weddings and at least 3 portait sessions!) not to mention 3 kids... Let's just say it's been a little busy! But I have to say - never has life been so sweet.

Well, baby's fussing, so I am going to have to cut this short... but the main reason that I wanted to do this post was to announce my first ever sale! I figured that everyone loves a birthday, so go ahead- pretend it's yours! Today only, if you enter "happybirthday" as a coupon code for your gallery, you will receive 30% off of any prints you order. If your gallery has expired, shoot me an email and I'll get it right back up for you.

And stay tuned to the blog... I have a ton in store!

Mark and Janel are Married!

2011-06-16T21:48:00.005-04:00

A few weeks ago I had the honor of photographing Mark and Janel's wedding. They are a fun couple, and it is always a joy to work with couples who love Jesus :) I hope you enjoy their photos and slideshow!
Ceremony: Central Church of Christ
Reception: Space Coast Association of Realtors
Flowers: Amanda's Florist
Music: It's Your Party
Catering: Renaissance Catering

I loved her shoes!

The bridal party was a lot of fun.. as shown in this shot by my second shooter, Laura.

And here's the slideshow!

Congratulations you two! I pray God's blessings on your new life together.

Twardzik Family

2011-05-24T15:46:00.007-04:00

I was so excited to be able to do some photos for Zeke, Pam, and their three girls. They are members of the same church as us, and are such a fun family! And if you are in need of any work around your house, I highly recommend Zeke - he completely remodeled our bathroom a few years ago, and did a beautiful job :)

This was her "cheese!" face :)

Love this one of Zeke and Pam!

Collin and Brenna are 4 Months Old!

2011-05-18T16:17:00.006-04:00

A few weeks ago I got to do Collin and Brenna's 4 month pictures. They have grown so much in 4 short months - from itty-bitty newborns to babies with real personalities.

I caught a grin :)

The babies turned 4 months old on Easter, so we had to get this shot.

Miss Brenna

Collin isn't quite as strong as his sister, but he managed to hold his head up for a quick shot...

but not for long :)

On Mother's Day, I had the honor of photographing the twins' baptism at our church, Covenant Presbyterian. It was a special day of recognizing the Lord's hand in their lives.

I love how proud Matt and Anya look in this picture.

Collin went first...

Brenna wasn't so happy about the situation :)

After the service we grabbed some pictures of their families, who were in town for the occasion. Talk about some proud grandparents!

Thank you so much Matt and Anya for allowing me the honor of being a part of such a special time!

Baby Asher Is 6 Months Old!

2011-05-13T13:50:00.005-04:00

A few weeks ago I met up with Brandon, Kerri, and Asher for his 6 month pictures.. isn't he getting so big?! We decided to change things up a bit and do this one outside, which I love. And despite the fact that it was early in the morning, he was still happy!

Hmm.. wonder what this will taste like...

Who IS this crazy lady?!

I can't wait to see the three of you again in a few months!

Walker, Annie, Olivia, and (almost) Baby!

2011-05-09T13:14:00.006-04:00

I was so excited when Annie contacted me about shooting some maternity/family photos for her. For one, I love working with this family! They are a lot of fun, and Olivia is precious - she's gotten so big! And Annie was due just about the same time as me, so it was fun to compare notes :)

I love Olivia's expression, and the perfect lighting, in this one.

Excited about baby brother!

Are they a cute couple or what? :)

I love this one!

There's just something sweet about this one.

Walker and Annie definitely have their hands full with this little girl - she is BUSY! It was really hard to get her to look at the camera for a shot.. but I finally caught one :)

Just after we did this session, Annie gave birth to a healthy little boy, Noah. Congratulations!

Jessie, Ray, and (almost) Baby!

2011-05-02T21:47:00.005-04:00

I don't know if it is just because I am in the same boat, but shooting maternity sessions has become one of my favorite kinds to do. And meeting up with Jessie and Ray was no exception! Jessie was great - she was willing to hike through the brush, climb up on logs, and just about anything else for a good shot :) And it was also fun to work with her, seeing as how she is due just a few days after I am. Congratulations you two!

Congratulations Doug and Katherine

2011-04-30T10:02:00.006-04:00

There is just something about the simplicity of weddings like Doug and Katherine's that I love. Everyone was so laid-back and having a great time - it was a beautiful day.

Another reason I loved this wedding was the venue: the Florida Carriage Museum. Back in 2009 I photographed Travis and Cori's wedding at the same location. It turns out that Katherine is a friend of Cori's, and when she saw the pictures from that wedding, she said she knew she wanted me to shoot her wedding as well. Wow - what a compliment! But I think this is one of my favorite wedding venues ever.. it is just gorgeous. Open fields, flowers, horses.. it just doesn't get any better. Until you throw in a beautiful couple as well :)

I love how happy Katherine looks in this shot that my second shooter, Kaylee, grabbed.

After the ceremony Doug and Katherine were taken around the property in a horse-drawn carriage. The coordinator for the FCMR offered to take us in a golf cart to chase them down so we could get some pictures. Let's just say that flying across a field in a golf cart while 8 months pregnant and trying to take pictures at the same time is no easy feat! But it was well worth it!

After the reception, Katherine wanted to get some pictures IN A LAKE. Umm, can we say, amazing? I love my couples! :)

And here's the slideshow...

Thank you so much you two!

What Good Friday Means To Me

2011-04-22T21:47:00.003-04:00

For the past year, I have been participating in a Bible study through an international organization called Bible Study Fellowship. Each year they focus on a particular book or group of books of the Bible, and this year we have been studying the book of Isaiah. I have learned a lot over the course of the year, but one thing has stood out more than any other, and it seems appropriate to share it on this Good Friday.

In Isaiah 6, the prophet Isaiah has a vision of heaven. He sees the Lord sitting on His throne, with angels all around - it is a clear look into the holiness and awesomeness of the God he served. The notes I was given on the passage point out that as a result of this vision, Isaiah was never the same. The road ahead of him was not an easy one, but this vision enabled him to continue on - after all, he had seen the Lord.

So the question that has to be asked is: "when have I seen the Lord in such a way that it carries me through?"

Instantly, I can see it in my head. The date was December 13, 2001. I was in the car on my way home from Jacksonville International Airport, and a beautiful sunset was spreading across the sky. In that moment, I saw the Lord. Not in physical form, but with every fiber of my being I knew He was there. What made that so important in that moment is that I was leaving the airport just hours after my dad's body had been discovered after his little plane had crashed while attempting to land at the airport.

In that moment, my faith was redefined.

No longer was it the faith of a child that has been raised in the church, hearing stories of how Jesus loved me.

Instead, that faith became a rock. Because what I say I believe has to be true. If it isn't, then I don't get to see my dad again.

Which brings me back to today. Good Friday. The day when Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus. It was on this day that the perfect Son of God gave up His life for us.

So that we could have hope.

Thank you, Jesus.

Adam and Valdora are Engaged!

2011-04-17T23:18:00.007-04:00

From the moment I first met Valdora, I couldn't wait to work with her. And when I met up with er and Adam for their engagement photos, I was not disappointed! Aside from being a gorgeous couple, I loved the thought that she had put into the session. It was her idea to start off at Da Kine Diegos, a local burrito restaurant. And for the beach photos, they even brought their beach cruisers. I was in heaven :) And I know that their wedding, which is coming up in a few months, is going to be incredible!

LOVE this one! :)

Riding the bikes on the beach proved to be a much harder task than we'd planned on. It was high tide, so there wasn't really any hard sand to ride on.. they gave it a valiant effort, though!

I love the simplicity of this one.

Ok, this is my favorite from the day! I love the light, the grass, the way her hair is blowing, the way they are looking at each other.. (insert happy sigh)...

This is a close second for my favorite shot from the day!

Does Valdora look like a model or what?!

We decided to try riding the bikes on the sidewalk, which was a little easier...

Well, almost :)

Thank you so much you two! I can't wait for June! :)

Charles and Logan: Photo Booth!

2011-04-01T22:24:00.006-04:00

To say that I was really excited when Logan asked me about the possibility of setting up a photo booth at hers and Charles's wedding reception would be a huge understatement. It was actually something that I had thought about several times, but just had never had the opportunity to pursue. So when she mentioned that she wanted to do it, I jumped at the chance! I think the booth was a huge hit - every time I looked over, there were at least as many people at the booth as there was on the dance floor. I had another photographer, Rachel, taking most of the shots - though it was impossible for me to resist jumping in and taking some of my own. But it went perfectly - the guests really got into it, and seemed to enjoy playing with the props that we had available. If you are interested in having me do one at your event, shoot me an email at caroline@carolinenicolephotography.com for more info and pricing.

This next one was definitely my favorite. Hysterical!

Logan's grandparents joined the fun :)

Even their parents got in on the action! Here's Logan's mom and dad...

followed by Charles's.

Congratulations Charles and Logan!

2011-03-29T21:41:00.005-04:00

I was so excited to work with Logan and Charles for their wedding! For one, they are a super sweet, cute, and fun couple. Not only that, though, but they have great taste! They really chose some amazing vendors - I was honored to work with such amazing professionals. In addition to photographing the wedding, Logan and Charles also asked me to do something REALLY fun - I got to set up a photo booth for their guests at the reception! So stay tuned - I'll be posting some pics from that really soon. Here are the vendors from their wedding: Planner: Lauren from A Wedding To Remember Flowers: Eau Gallie Florist Cake: The Pastry Studio Entertainment: DJ Latin Lou from DJ Shane Entertainment Printed Materials: Decoratifs Ceremony: Eastminster Presbyterian Church Reception: Suntree Country Club

A big thanks to Katie for helping me out.. I loved this shot she grabbed of Charles getting ready - with both his Dad and soon-to-be Father-in-law helping out!

And here's the slideshow!

Congratulations Logan and Charles! Thank you for the honor of documenting your day!

Congraulations John and Holly!

2011-03-13T21:47:00.004-04:00

John and Holly were just one of those couples that I immediately liked :) From our very first meeting, I knew that their wedding was going to be well-planned, beautiful, detailed, and fun. And they did not disappoint! Holly did an amazing job planning everything, and they chose some of the best vendors that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I have way too many favorites from this one.. so be sure to watch the slideshow at the end!

Venue: The Moorings, Vero Beach
Flowers: Eau Gallie Florist
Cake: A Piece of Cake by Elena
Reception Music: The Bus Stop Band

Holly was a stunning bride!

And the guys weren't so bad, either

I love the way Holly is looking at John in this one.

I think this is my favorite from the day!

I have been to a lot of fun receptions, but I really think this one topped the list, thanks to the band. Seriously, they kept everyone, young and old, on the dance floor and having a great time.

The candy bar was amazing! I admit I had a few chocolate-covered espresso beans... ;)

Check out the cake! It is probably the most unique one I've seen.

Congratulations you two! It was an honor to be a part of your day.

James and Laura are Married!

2011-03-08T22:15:00.002-05:00

Here's a wedding that I actually photographed last October.. but am just now blogging... (yes, I delivered the images a long time ago!)
While I am always honored to photograph someone's wedding, when I am doing it for another photographer that feeling is even heightened. So when my friend Lisa asked me to help out with her sister's wedding last October, I was both excited and humbled. Lisa would have photographed it herself.. but it's kind of hard to be a bridesmaid and a photographer at the same time :) So I was glad to help out!
Laura and James's wedding was just gorgeous.. it was held at the Highland Manor, over in Apopka. I think that is one of my favorite venues!

This one makes me smile :)

Lisa and Laura getting ready.. wonder how many times they sat like this while they were growing up?

Laura and James decided to see each other before the ceremony. That way, we were sure to have time to get some good photos of just the two of them.

This little girl kept running up to me so that I would take her picture :)

Lisa's twin boys were the ring bearers.. how cute are they?!

Congratulations you two!

First Ever Contest!

2011-03-07T08:55:00.003-05:00

I am so excited to announce my first ever contest!

In 2010 I was privileged to photograph some of the cutest kids ever. So I thought I'd have a little friendly competition... whose kid is the cutest? To vote, go to www.facebook.com/carolinenicolephotography and look at the photos in the contest gallery. To vote, simply leave a comment on one of the photos. In order to be eligible to vote, you have to "like" Caroline Nicole Photography.

The contest will end on Friday at 6pm.. and the winning family receives a free 16x24 gallery wrap - $140 value! So go vote now!

Baby Ross is 10 Months Old!

2011-03-02T21:58:00.004-05:00

I think I say this every time, but WHERE does the time go?! I can hardly believe that little Ross is about to turn 1.. it seems like just yesterday we were celebrating and helping Mark and Kelly get ready to bring the little guy home. But I have really enjoyed watching him grow over the past months!

Here's his "watch me grow" picture.. and here are the ones at 6 months, 3 months, and as a newborn. I love how you can see Mark holding the toy keys in the corner... these pictures are always tricky to get - how do you keep an active, wiggly baby still? Answer - you move FAST!

We headed over to a nearby park.. he wasn't too sure about the grass :)

I love this one!

Someone is getting teeth!

Right as we were getting ready to leave, Ross decided it was time to give Mommy some kisses. Don't you love sloppy, open-mouthed baby kisses? :)

Joe and Ananda's Growing Family

2011-02-23T22:53:00.008-05:00

To say that I was thrilled when Ananda asked me to do some pictures for her and her family would be a huge understatement! She is one of the most beautiful women that I know, and that was even more true when she was pregnant with her fourth baby.

We met up at the same beach where she and Joe had gotten engaged 3 1/2 kids ago. I was so excited to document such a special time for this special family!

Little Nathan :)

He was trying to show me how old he was!

Hannah and Asher...

See? Told you she is stunning!

There's something about this one that I really love.

How cute are they?!

Beautiful family

This is definitely one of my favorites from the day.

Love his "cheese!" face! :)

This was just about the spot where they got engaged. I think they thought I was a little strange for suggesting this shot, but I had to do it!

Just a few weeks after these were taken Joe and Ananda welcomed baby Miriam into the world. Congratulations you two!

Congratulations Sonny and Megan!

2011-02-17T22:16:00.008-05:00

Ok - I think this may possibly be the longest wedding post I've ever done - I just had way too many favorites!

Sonny and Megan's wedding was just gorgeous! Megan chose a "Beauty and the Beast" theme for her wedding, which could have been cliche but Megan pulled it off beautifully. And I have to admit, while I am ALWAYS honored when a couple chooses me to photograph their wedding, this feeling was magnified during this one. Several times throughout the day I heard it mentioned how Megan had dreamt of this day since she was about 3 years old! When I heard that, I was struck by the fact that this was an incredibly important day for her - and I had been chosen to record those memories that would last the rest of their lives. Wow - talk about humbling!

Anyways, every detail was perfect, thanks to some amazing vendors:
Venue: Tavern and Chapel in the Garden
Catering, Flowers, and Cake: Encore Catering of Central Florida
DJ: Premier Entertainment

Here's some of my favorites, with the slideshow at the end.

Doesnt' Sonny look handsome? Not like a beast at all :)

Megan's sisters had planned a little surprise for her...

A horse-drawn carriage!

I loved all the photos that they had placed around. Most were of the two of them (I saw a lot of their engagement photos) but some were special family photos. I thought it was such a neat touch!

I managed to get my 6-month pregnant self onto a chair to get some shots of everyone dancing.. all of a sudden I heard the DJ announce for everyone to turn and wave at me! Good thing I had the right lens on for the shot!

And here's the slideshow...

Congratulations you two! Thank you for the honor of being a part of your day!

My Pictures

2011-02-14T09:54:00.005-05:00

Last week I challenged myself to remember that my camera is for more than just business - but that it can also be used to capture moments from my own life. I had planned on taking a picture a day of some of the beauty that is all around. It didn't go quite as planned....

The first day I was struck by the beauty of the Word as I did my quiet time in the morning.

Later that day I was outside with Chris and Anna, and I decided to bring my camera with me. Chris LOVES riding his bike, but he loves it even more when Devon, who is in middle school and lives across the street (the boy in the background) is outside. Devon lets Chris follow him all over, and teaches him new tricks on their skateboards, bikes, etc. Chris was in heaven.

Then their favorite time of day: Daddy came home! Anna immediately climbed into his car and into his lap.

Both of my kids LOVE watching TV. I try to limit it to no more than 2-3 shows a day - but they ask for it constantly.

I probably should have stopped them from jumping on the furniture, but they were having such a good time together!

Another show... I couldn't help but laugh at my little couch potatoes.

One day Chris walked into the kitchen and suddenly recited the Pledge of Allegiance - I had no idea he knew it! He was so proud!

Me and my babies :)

Anna just ADORES balloons!

Chris was BEGGING to take a picture with my camera... I very reluctantly agreed, and the whole time kept thinking about the amount of money he was holding in his little hands.. but I have to admit he got a cute shot :)

She just loves Mickey Mouse!

Play time with Daddy!

Ok.. so you see, it didn't go quite as planned. I'd envisioned myself taking pictures of beautiful flowers, or a sunset, etc. But instead, I found even more beauty and enjoyment in those closest to me. So, I guess the lesson here is to remember to not just capture moments for my clients, but to look for them in my own life as well.

Welcome Collin and Brenna!

2011-02-08T00:10:00.012-05:00

If you've followed my blog for long, you may remember when I posted about a very special maternity session a few months back.. it was for my friends Matt and Anya, whose amazing friend Chari had offered to carry a child for them. Well, the Lord blessed them with not 1 but 2 wonderful babies, who were born a little early but completely healthy on Christmas Eve! I was THRILLED when Anya called me just a few days later to set up a time to do some photos... and I am so excited to share them with you here! Isn't God good?!

ps.. there are a lot more pics than usual on this post.. just couldn't help myself!

When I first arrived they were snoozing away...

But the nap didn't last long!

In between shots quick snacks kept them happy...

Anya wanted this shot of them with the ribbons, since we had used the same ribbons around Chari's belly when she was pregnant.

What's up?

Proud Daddy!

Beautiful Momma :)

Precious new family!

Silly face :)

Yay! I sort of caught a smile!

Someone had some milk :)

Matt and Anya, I can't tell you how excited I am for you, and how blessed that I got to take these photos! I can't wait to watch them grow up! :)

Just Thinking...

2011-02-06T22:32:00.004-05:00

Life these past several months has been crazy, to say the least. Between my four year old little boy, my one year old little girl, my husband, my house, my pregnancy (due May 14th!), and a growing business... whew! Throw in the holidays, and let's just say that I've had to depend on the Lord for some extra energy :) But life is so good, and so sweet, and I am so blessed.

But tonight I had a thought. I am sitting here at my computer after a really really good weekend. First, I booked a wedding (yay for Megan and Brandon's 11.11.11 wedding!). Then, I met with another gorgeous bride, Allison. Then Mark and I got to go away BY OURSELVES to a beautiful little bed and breakfast in Amelia Island for a night. It was perfect. We got lost on the beach, had a rare quiet dinner, I got to soak in a huge bathtub, we got to sleep in until 9 and have breakfast cooked for us... wow.

Before we left, it never occured to me to bring my camera. After all, why would I - I didn't have plans to shoot a session. This wasn't a work trip!

But yesterday my sister in Jacksonville called me... she knew we were close, and her neighbor had just received a 3-day old baby that she would be fostering. My sister wanted to know if I could stop through on my way home so she could bless her friend with some photos. My heart sank - my camera was 3.5 hours away - at home.

So that got me thinking... I absolutely LOVE this job. I love recording special moments for my clients. I love that moment when I know I've gotten THE shot - a bride looking into her groom's eyes, a father dancing with his all-grown-up daughter, or the look on a new mom's face as she gazes at her newborn prize. There's just something about those photos that makes my heart feel as though it will burst.

But maybe I've forgotten something... what about pictures for me?

Sure, I am pretty good about taking pictures of my kids. Last week Chris was sitting outside - he had pushed our lawn mower down the sidewalk, and was watching some lawn men across the street - all while wearing a dinosaur nose. Mark came and got me so I could grab a picture - it was just too cute.

Then there was the day that I caught Anna - she had climbed up onto Chris's chair at the table and was finishing his uneaten breakfast.

But what about me? Amelia Island was beautiful - why didn't I bring my camera to capture the sea gull gliding across the water, or the neat texture of the old brick, or even the front of our quaint little bed and breakfast? When I drive around town here at home, I am always looking out the window for good spots to take my clients to for their sessions - but why can't I just take a picture of that beautiful field by itself?

I guess I have kind of forgotten how to play.

So this week, I am going to try to change that. I think I am going to try to take one picture each day that is just for me.. (and post it here). I'd love it if you could join me on this project! If you do, post a link in the comments section, or send me an email. I do know life is busy, so I may need grace (and I promise to give it to you, too!).. but I am going to try.

So I'll see you tomorrow.

Baby Asher is 3 months old!

2011-02-04T15:20:00.004-05:00

I'm back! No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I've been working on catching up on client orders, albums, etc., which doesn't leave much time for blogging... but I've been shooting some as well, so here's a recent session.

A few weeks ago I headed over to Brandon and Kerri's to capture baby Asher, who is now 3 months old. He is getting so big! It was fun to watch him, and try to catch his smiles. It was getting close to naptime so he was a little grumpy - but I managed to get some anyways :) Is he getting cute or what?

I love the way Brandon and Kerri are looking at each other in this one. They make a great team!

Finally caught a smile!

I love the fuzz between his toes :)

Another grin

He finally couldn't take it any more...

Thanks again Brandon, Kerri, and Asher! I'll see you soon for his 6 month pics :)

Congratulations Greg and Sarah!

2011-01-18T15:56:00.005-05:00

Greg and Sarah are seriously one of the most laid-back couples that I have ever worked with. But they are also a lot of fun, and completely in love :) Not to mention that they have great taste - they chose some amazing vendors for their wedding!

Flowers: Amanda's Florist
Cake: Oleander Bakery
Music: DJ Shane
Catering: Renaissance Catering
Ceremony: Port St. John First United Methodist Church
Reception: Cocoa Civic Center

It takes a lot of help to get a bride ready!

A few days before the wedding I was going over some last-minute details with Sarah on the phone, and she nonchalantly said "Oh, I saw in the church's paperwork that they don't allow any photography during the service, after the processional." At first, I thought she was joking. Then, I thought maybe she meant that I couldn't use flash, or that I couldn't move around. But no - she really meant that there was no photography allowed during the service! As soon as I arrived at the church, the pastor confirmed the rule. But I was determined to somehow get some pictures.. fortunately the door at the back had a window in it, so I stood outside and shot the entire ceremony through the window! This was my vantage point:

But with a zoom lens, I was able to get shots like this:

Then we headed over for the reception.

I LOVE this shot from their first dance:

And the look on Sarah's Dad's face.

It was a great party!

Congratulations you two! And thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day.

Keith, Leslie, and Tori

2011-01-06T22:19:00.005-05:00

Just before Christmas I met up with this adorable family to get some photos. They are originally from Kentucky, but Keith is stationed here with the Military. Because they aren't "Floridians", they wanted an "un-Florida" location for the shots (as in, not at the beach!). It was fun to shoot somewhere a little different! And isn't little Tori just about the cutest little girl you've ever seen?

She is definitely a princess...

But she is still a little girl!

I think this is one of my favorites from the day.

Once she laid eyes on the playground, we were given no choice but to let her play. And what little kid doesn't like to swing?

Love the pure joy :)

Ok, here's another favorite!

Keith and Leslie, you have a beautiful little family and it was an honor to work with you!

Greg, Jen, Evan, and (almost) Baby

2011-01-05T21:27:00.007-05:00

Recently Jen contacted me about setting up a combination family/maternity session. I was excited to see them again after doing their Christmas photos last year, especially since their family was about to grow! Jen had put a lot of thought into her photos, and wanted to go with a more "nautical" theme - And I love it!

Little Evan has really grown. I think this little guy is one of the most expressive little kids I have ever seen - what a cutey!

After shooting over by the boats, we headed over to Greg's favorite place: the golf course!

And I am excited to announce the arrival of little Tyler just a few days ago! Congratulations to you all!

Congratulations Ryan and Jessica!

2011-01-03T22:57:00.004-05:00

I know I say this a lot, but I am going to say it yet again - I seriously have the best job ever. And it is couples like Ryan and Jessica that make that true!

I met both of them early last summer at a Bible study at our church, and it was neat to get to know them in that setting. This couple has been together for a long time, and in that time they have been through a lot - so it made their wedding that much more special.

As a side note, Jessica is a fabulous hair stylist! I've started going to her, and she does a great job :)

I hope you enjoy the photos, and the slideshow at the end!

Their reception was held at River Rocks.

We had planned on doing some fun photos outside after the ceremony.. but unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate - it was getting dark, cold, and it was starting to rain. We made a valiant effort regardless, but only managed to get about 5 shots. Fortunately, though, we hadn't had time to shoot their engagement session before the wedding, so we had decided to do a "trash the dress" session instead - so sometime in the next few months we'll get some more fun photos of them :)

I love how happy she looks!

Love this shot of Anya :) You'll be seeing some more of her on here - she is a brand new mommy to twins, and I get to do their newborn session in a few weeks!!

And the slideshow...

Thank you two so much for the honor of being a part of your day!

Congratulations Logan and Megan!

2010-12-22T23:15:00.006-05:00

Logan and Megan's wedding was such a beautiful day! The ceremony was at the Porcher House, which is an old historic house in Cocoa. The reception was right next door at the Civic Center, and was catered by A Chef's Touch. Eau Gallie Florist did a beautiful job with the flowers, and the cake by Oleander Bakery was perfect! Megan had wonderful taste for sure :) I loved how everything was so classic and simple!

I had fun playing with some off-camera lighting :)

Congratulations you two! Thank you so much for the honor of being a part of your wedding.