Stories
central florida wedding photographer
When I think of wedding day bliss I automatically think of Courtney and Nick’s wedding day at Naylor Hall in Roswell, GA. From the rainy and foggy morning, getting behind on the timeline, the beautiful venue, and fun cake! Nothing could wipe the smiles and tears from the couples’ faces. There was even a tearjerker first look with Courtney’s dad that had us laughing and crying at the same time.
The wedding day first look with the couple is one of my favorite moments. Depending on the timeline for the day this may be the only chance the couple actually gets to be alone to enjoy the fact that they are finally at their wedding day! This first look was one of the sweetest.
Before this beautiful wedding day, I had never photographed a Naylor Hall wedding. This wedding venue is absolutely stunning! From the traditional southern porch (with blue roof I might add), to the giant windows that fill the rooms with light. There isn’t a spot on the property that is just, “eh” for taking portraits. This couple really filled every space like the venue was made for them and their day.
Weddings days for the most part run the same. There is the getting ready part, the portraits part, the ceremony, more portraits, of course the PARTY! With that being said, no two weddings are ever the same and I still get surprised with every wedding day I photograph. From little details to a full on horse and carriage for the bride to enter on! Yea, I said it, she entered via horse and frickkin carriage!
Check! I have photographed a bride entering her ceremony in a horse drawn carriage.
How fun is this grooms’ cake?! Little touches like this surprise me every time. This is just another way to make your wedding day your very own!
If you don’t follow me on social media ( CLICK HERE ) you missed the meaning of these last few photos. When I met with Courtney and Nick for our final meeting before their wedding day they had mentioned not wanting to have a formal exit, that they would rather enjoy the company of their guests.. I love this except from the photography standpoint. I wanted their gallery to have and end point and not just a photo of the guests and then nothing. We came up with a “fake exit'“!
Once the dance floor opened we pulled the wedding party outside with the couple and a basket of bubbles. Not only does it give the wedding party a chance to hang with the couple for a few more minutes, but they also don’t have me in their face until the very last minute of their reception. This is a fun alternative to ending your reception early to get all your guests lined up outside for a formal exit.
Whatever you decide to do on your wedding day - first look or not first look, formal exit or no formal exit, just make sure the day is yours. At the end of it all, that is what your guests are going to remember, the details that made the day unique showcasing your love story. That is all that really matters!
Photographer: Krisandra Evans Photography
Venue: Naylor Hall
When Ann-Hamilton emailed me and said she had found the perfect wedding day first look location I was all ears. You all know by now that I am PRO the first look (HERE are reasons why). She said she had found a castle, yes castle, around the corner from the venue. Excuse me! What did you just say?? A castle in the middle of Decatur, tell me more. She sent me the google listing and thought there was no way we would get access to this place.. but….. WE DID!
Not permanent or anything like that, but more frequently. See, my Mom and Grandmother live in Ocala, Florida. While I go and visit them (depending on my wedding season) every three to six months (plus Thanksgiving and Christmas) I thought it would be fun to photograph more Central Florida weddings giving me the opportunity to visit with them more often.
Now what does this have to do with you?!
This means NO travel fees for Central Florida weddings. We both win in this situation. I get to stay with my Mom and Grandma, so you don’t have to pay for travel. You get an amazing Atlanta wedding photographer for the price of an amazing Central Florida wedding photographer! My Atlanta prices will carry over to any Florida weddings I book.
A little about my Florida background.
My family moved to Ocala, Florida from Chicago, Illinois when I was like young, like 2 or 3 young. I still drive through the old neighborhood when I visit my Mom and Grandma. My childhood house seems SO small now that I’m an adult.
OCALA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
I am in touch with my best friend growing up in that neighborhood. Her name is Denise and she lives in MA. We ran into each other, consequently, a few years ago in Las Vegas and had to get a drink together. It had been like 20 years since we seen each other.
I went to high school and college in Central Florida, but left the state in 2006 to attend and pursue my photography dreams at school in MA. After graduation, my boyfriend who I also met in Ocala and I made the choice to move to Atlanta so he could start the further pursuing of his career in tattooing. 8 years later he opened his own tattoo studio!
Actually, today is the 3 year anniversary of him opening Gate City Tattoo.
We both made sacrifices in order for both of us to achieve our dreams. **side note: My boyfriend James and have been together for 19 years this coming December. Anyway.. I feel like it’s finally time to spread my wings photographically and photograph some amazing Spanish moss, natural springs, and beach weddings of my old stomping grounds!
This does not mean I am booking any less in Atlanta! I am still booking and will always be booking here in Atlanta, but see Florida doesn’t technically have a Winter season and it would be cool to also use the 3 months of ice we get here to be in a more warm location still photographing weddings!
Wait, does that make me a workaholic? or just in love with photographing weddings? I am going with the second, haha.
CENTRAL FLORIDA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
The NO travel fees is generated toward any location roughly within three hours of Ocala, Florida. So, yes, Central Florida. Do not let this discourage you if you having a wedding in South Florida (my sister lives in Clearwater!, and I’m sure I can crash on her couch).
So! Florida couples.. lets talk about your Florida wedding and the photography I can provide for you! I’m so excited to meet you and can’t wait to hear all the details of your BIG day.
OCALA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
There isn't a bad location at the Georgian Terrace hotel. Trust me. I've literally been all over that place. It is just stunning - EVEN THE ELEVATORS! Then you add an amazing bride, beautiful flowers, good vibes and you are setup for a fantastic day. And that is just what Kelly and Chris got! They were good sports too! I have them alllll over that hotel and the Georgian Terrace is no small space. I even had them on the roof top. Given the proper amount of time, we will hit all the portrait locations at your venue. I shoot fast for a wedding photographer, test me (haha).
Seriously, do you see what I mean? Just stunning. This is a dream location for any Atlanta Wedding Photographer. Having a wedding in a location like this means you can pretty much have free range of the venue to take portraits (I even got roof top access for the wedding party photos! See a few photos below). If you give me 25 minutes for your portrait session, I will take 26. If you give me 45 minutes for your portrait session I will take 46. I will use every minute you give me.
ROOF TOP ACCESS! yessssssssss. Did I mention I was afraid of heights? Well, lets just say the elevator ride up was interesting to say the least. Like it was high enough to make my ear pop. And all of us in one elevator, ah! Usually, if I keep photographing I am able to block out the scary things like height or bugs or tight spaces.... I have to because you hired me as your wedding photographer and I can't come with a list of things I won't do. I have been part of an helicopter exit. So imagine me on the roof top with no safety rails and a helicopter and a bride and a groom plus the wedding party! Now a helicopter exit, let me tell you how scared I was that I was going to be so busy photographing and not paying attention and get my head chopped off (LOL) - seriously. But, I'm getting off task here. Lets focus! OH, but not before I tell you what happened at my most recent wedding where I sat my camera bag on the ground and somewhere in the ground was a nest of baby spiders, so my bag got covered with hundreds of baby spiders DURING the ceremony. Talk about professional... no one even knew ;-)
Georgian Terrace Wedding Photographer, right?! Ok.
I have to give a shout out to all the amazing vendors this day. Not only did they work with my crazy timeline of wanting to hit all these great locations, but they made sure I had access to each location. And of course to Kelly and Chris for having me along on their wedding day journey. It was truly a pleasure to work with you both and your families. Thank you for trusting my vision. Best wishes for the future!
Wedding Planner: Peachy Keen Planners
Florist and Decor: Peachy Keen Decor
Venue: The Georgian Terrace Hotel
Photographer: Krisandra Evans Photography
OCALA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
