JACKSONVILLE ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS: KATIE + BLAIR

Some of you might recognize Katie from her sister's wedding (Mandi's wedding post is here. Her sister, Kelly's engagement post is here.) I know I have mentioned them a few times, but Katie is the youngest of the infamous "Walters sisters." These three girls all got engaged within one year of each other and will all have been married within a year. I know what you're thinking; "Their poor parents!" However, their parents couldn't be more thrilled and I am incredibly touched by how each of these girls is loved and adored in their own way. All of their fellas are outstanding gentlemen. The best part is... I get to photograph all three of their weddings :) I consider myself a pretty lucky girl to get the opportunity to work so closely and consistently with this amazing family of theirs. But enough with the sap, let's move on to the mushier stuff:

Katie and Blair brought their sweetheart of a dog, Bruce, along for the session. Our original location had fallen through, so we made a quick last minute change of plans. I gotta say, it worked out pretty perfectly. It was so sweet to watch these two flirt with one another. Though I'm not a seasoned veteran, I can't imagine that their eyes could have held anymore love and adoration for each other. They will be getting married at the downtown library next year (SCORE!) and I can't wait to see the whole family again!

Also, today is Katie's birthday. If you could, just take a second to whisper out a quick birthday wish to this sweet, kind girl on her last birthday as a single woman.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATIE!!

ST. AUGUSTINE ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS: MELISSA + CHRIS

I first met Melissa and Chris while I was photographing another wedding. Melissa was a bridesmaid to Christine (her wedding post is here) and I heard from her a few months later to discuss her own wedding planning. I immediately fell in love with the adoration between this couple. After hearing their story, it was made perfectly clear to me that both of these people held no reservations in their love for each other. They have bonded through very difficult and stressful times and supported one another so unconditionally so early on in their relationship. Now, they are working on their future together. I could not be more honored to be included in their wedding next April and I am SO looking forward to seeing these two again!!

Ashley Lane

Last week I had the awesome opportunity of testing out a camera I've had my eye on for quite some time. I'm in the midst of selling my Nikon to get the Canon 5D, and I cannot be any more anxious to get my hands on it again. Thank you Mel and Brad for allowing me the chance to actually TRY it before I buy it, I am so grateful to you both.

I've been having some questions about why I decided to switch to Canon, and I guess there's no better place to give a review than here.

I was a little wary when I first got the camera in my hand. I had heard horror stories about its focusing system and horribly designed access of settings.

As far as the settings, my fears were eased with about 30 seconds of rummaging through the menu and fiddling with the buttons at top. It wasn't any harder to navigate than my Nikon was when I first got it, it just had a bit of rearranging. As long as you know cameras and what their settings affect over all, you won't have an issue.

As for the focus, it does pain me to say that it will take some getting used to. I'm used to have dozens of focusing points to choose from, although I rarely took advantage of it. I normally used my center point and recomposed anyway, but it was nice having the option if one subject was lacking the contrast needed to "help" my camera's autofocusing system. The Canon's autofocus was a bit slow and touchy at best. I never realized how much I rely on my Nikon to pick up my slack and compensate for my trigger-happy snapping.

All of this can be forgiven though... because I have now witnessed firsthand the marvels of Canon color and skin tones. I absolutely loved every second of shooting with it and editing after. I'm sure the 50mm 1.2L lens they lent to me with the camera had a bit of something to do with it, but pish-posh, I am still uber committed to the Canon.

Here are some of my favorites from the session. Thank you Ashley for being my guinea pig (and what a gorgeous guinea pig you are!)

Oh, and welcome to my new blog!