Jessica Charles Photography

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Kenisha and Marcus are MARRIED!!

Kenisha was one of the first people who started following my blog, when I started my business. She wrote me, saying that she's getting married but she had no idea when, and she wanted me to do her wedding. I remember thinking, "OMG! SOMEONE LIKES MY WORK!!" It was an amazing feeling, and she was so super sweet. Fast forward a year later, and I get an email from her, saying that they set a date! I was so excited, and thrilled that she remembered me! It was such an honor to meet the two of them and their little girl, Victoria. So, so cute, let me tell you.

My awesome friend and former bride, Jeanine, was my second shooter for the day. She's an amazing upcoming photographer in the area. I LOVED having her assisting me. She is a dream! Thanks again, Jeanine, for everything. I can't wait to work with you again!

Jeanine and I were getting ready for Kenisha to put on her dress, when someone turned on some music and they all started dancing!!! I LOVED IT!!! I can honestly say, that's never happened to me before, and what a perfect way to shake off some nerves.

Probably my favorite picture. Jeanine, you rock. And Kenisha, your legs are KILLER!

I took Kenisha down to the lobby and took some pictures before we left for the church. This lobby is gorgeous! I love this fabulous wall!

Victoria sees her mommy for the first time. She said, "Mommy, you look beauuutiful!"

I'm in love with the movement in these pictures.

I love this idea that Kenisha & Marcus had. Since their last name is Madison, they wanted to take pictures by the street sign in Downtown Tampa. Love this!

Also, let me say that this is the bridal party of the year. So much fun, and so incredibly helpful. It was SO HOT, but they were amazing and chose to have fun instead of being miserable. Seriously, best bridal party ever. Thanks guys for rockin' it!!!

The reception was at the Tampa Club. This was an experience in itself. You shot up 41 flights within SECONDS. I had no idea we were going up so high, and all of a sudden, my ears started popping!! I'm thinking to myself.. well, that's weird.

In this picture, you can see we are higher than the Sykes building, aka The Beer Can, and you can see the University of Tampa in the background!

My favorite part of the night. Marcus belongs to Omega Psi Phi. At one point in the night, the brothers gathered around Kenisha and serenaded her with the sweetest song, while Marcus was at her feet, singing too.

And there was some stomping.......

It was something I've never experienced before. It was quite amazing. I loved every moment of it.

Marcus got some air!!!

Night time view of the city, with the reflection of the dance floor. I love this picture, Jeanine!!

Jeanine, you rock. I'm in love with your talent and so blessed to have you come with me!

Kenisha & Marcus, you finally did it!! I was so honored to be there, and I had so so so much fun. The whole day really flew by. I can't wait to do your Rock the Dress session. It will be AMAZING!!! Yall are the best!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Ten years in the making

It's that time. Breathe in... Breathe out... It's time to go back.
Bolton High School, Class of 2001.. It's reunion time.

I started going to Bolton my sophomore year. I transferred from the rival school, Alexandria Senior High aka ASH is Trash. :) I walked onto Bolton's campus for the first time, completely overwhelmed and scared out of my mind. Here's this GORGEOUS, historic school.. 3 gigantic floors of old hard wood floors and tall ceilings. A student showed me around the campus and showed me where all my classes were. We started on the 3rd floor. My first class was on the first floor in another building. FOR TWO WEEKS, I didn't know how to get to my first class from the first floor. So I would hike up three flights of stairs where I first started my tour, and go back downstairs to my first class. Haha, I can laugh about it now, but it was exhausting! It didn't take long to feel right at home at my new school. I immediately was swollen with school pride, something I couldn't feel for ASH.

It's safe to say that one of the main reasons why I fear my reunion is having to face my senior yearbook picture. It's so bad, I've refused to look at it since I graduated. For all of my life, my hair has never been my friend. It's a mixture of wave, frizz and curl. I straighten it now, I should have straightened it for picture day. Oh, how I should have. Instead, I decide to go the curly route, but when the curls didn't work, I did the thing that has haunted me until this day. I brushed. Yes, I brushed the curls, which then turned into a mountain of frizz. But it doesn't end there, unfortunately. In the picture, the legacy I left behind, my eyes are the size of golf balls. It's oh so horrifically awful. All I can do is pray that no one remembers me as this frizzy haired deer in headlights girl.

A few months after I graduated, my mom, sisters & I moved down to New Orleans. And I haven't seen most of my old classmates since then. Last November, I had the honor of photographing our Class President and another classmate's wedding. (Molly Cook & Jeb Britt) I'm crazy happy that they are married, and I had such a great time at their wedding. I got to see a bunch of old classmates... it was kind of a mini-reunion. It was awesome!

What have I accomplished in the past 10 years? Would my 18 year old self be happy with who I am today? Has facebook helped maintained friendships and help me become friends with people who I never really talked to back then, or has facebook already reunited us, and add to the awkwardness of seeing everybody in person.

What should I wear?

I wish I had pictures to show from back then. Unfortunatley, I lost all of my old pictures and projects in Katrina... not so unfortunate about the yearbook.

But here are two pictures I got from google & facebook.

The front of my beloved school

That's me with my dear, old friend J.R. just after one of our choir performances. Yes, that is a choir dress, not a dress from my personal wardrobe.

I'll end this with a little Bolton tradition, the Alma Mater, sung at the end of all the school functions, including all football games.

"We stand and pledge our loyalty to you.

All of our best, we gladly give to you.

Fair will we keep thy fine umblemished name.

Bolton go forth.

Win honor and win fame!"

Class of '01, I'll be seeing you soon!!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

My favorite Etsy wedding items.

Yes, I love Etsy. I want to shout it from the mountain tops.
If you follow my photography page on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=334200318&ref=pymk#!/pages/Jessica-Charles-Photography/285105999887) you already see a lot of the fabulous links that I share. I can't help myself. Etsy has the most creative people on the earth sharing their creations with you! And what better way to set yourself apart from all the cookie cutter weddings than to have your own personal assortment of Etsy handmade and vintage items!!

So I decided to share some of my favorites on my blog.