We at AtEssence wish you peace, love and joy this holiday season, and are looking forward to a wonderful new year!

Mark & Gina Slideshow Highlights

Mark & Gina's Wedding, November 22nd 2008

Mark & Gina's wedding was as fun and spirited as they are. The day was full of laughter, big smiles and touching moments. Despite a foot injury that had him in a cast only a few days before the ceremony, Mark was a trooper all day. He even danced into the night with his lovely bride. Gina looked like a princess in her gown, as was asked for an autograph from a couple of little girls as we traipsed around downtown Ft. Lauderdale taking pictures. With our portraits done, we wandered back to The Riverhouse for a fantastic night of celebration. The weather was simply stunning, the music was great and joy and laughter of the people around us was intoxicating. We have so many pictures from this wedding, it was almost impossible to only pic a few for the blog!! We can't wait till Mark and Gina get back from the islands so we can share the rest with them :)

Wedding Salon at the Biltmore, Coral Gables

On Monday November 10th 2008, the Biltmore in Coral Gables played host to The Wedding Salon. The Wedding Salon is a luxury bridal showcase that features the best of the best wedding vendors in the industry. They produce shows once a year in New York, Los Angeles and Miami. We at ArtEssence were very pleased to be selected as one of the photography studios to exhibit in this year's Miami showcase. It was a fabulous evening. Brides and their guests were greeted with Chocolate fountains, Hypnotiq cocktails and cake samples at every turn. What could be better?

As a special gift for the brides we met at the Wedding Salon, we are including a complimentary Wedding Guest Signature Book with each of our collections. Your signature book will be designed with photographs from your engagement shoot, and printed on fine art paper so that the guests at your wedding may write their thoughts and warm wishes on the pages of the book. It's a perfect way to display and remember all those who shared your wedding day with you!

Angie & Kirk, Coral Gables, Florida

What a lovely evening for a wedding! With the time change it's much darker much earlier, and it makes for beautiful dramatic wedding photography. Shooting with good friend and talented photographer Tracy Arhendt, Jessica shot for Kirk and Angie at Coral Gables Congregational Church. The architecture inside the chapel is gorgeous, and helped to create an intimate setting for this special ceremony.  After our time at the church was done, the party got started at Coral Gables Women's Club. Angie looked absolutely radiant dancing with the dear friend of her departed father. We're sure he was smiling down from above :)

Mark & Gina's Engagement Session

Meet Mark and Gina, our favorite spunky "soon to be's". In November Mark and Gina will say their vows, so we took some time this past weekend to goof off a bit and have some fun at the beach. Mark was a good sport, even through soaking wet clothes and a piggy back ride, and Gina worked the camera like she OWNED it- "excuse me, Gina, it's Vogue calling.... yeah, they're begging for you". We shot into the night, and would have kept on going if we didn't look quite so nuts out there in the dark with camera equipment. The biggest issue we've had was deciding which photographs to post- so many great shots!!

 

Nicole Miller Special

On Sunday July 20th, ArtEssence Studio will be offering a special discount to guests at the Nicole Miller Bridal Trunk Show. Join us at Nicole Miller in the Town Center Mall, Boca Raton From 1 pm to 4pm. This is the perfect opportunity to find the gown you're looking for and meet with select wedding vendors to help complete your special day. ArtEssence Studio will be offering 10% off our 2008 Photography Collections, and 50% off a "Trash the Dress" session for attendees. As soon as you find the dress of your dreams, why not make plans to have some fun in it? ;-) 

When in Rome...

We've gone International!!! While traveling around Europe in June, I did a little ArtEssence shooting in one of the most enchanting places I've ever visited. The Colosseum is associated with gladiators, and wild beasts... great battles of strength and will- of course this is the perfect place for wedding portraits! With my 'work' done and and plethora of art and history in front of me, I set off on 15 days of exploring and shooting. (Translation: eating and drinking). It was an amazing trip. Pictures from the journey (lots of them) are posted on my Multiply and Flickr sites. 

Jennifer & David, May 18, 2008

I had the pleasure of helping out a friend a fellow photographer on May 18th. Tracy was photographing Jennifer and David's wedding in Sunny Isles, and invited me to come shoot with her. The bride and groom had a special treat planned. As guests mingled and enjoyed cocktail hour, fresh cigars were professionally rolled and cut to order. Of course, I got caught up in the details, and was taken watching the process. Nimble fingers (he still had all 10) made fast work of rolling and slicing away. Don't try this at home!

Sarah & Ludwig, April 20, 2008

It could not have been a more beautiful day for Sarah & Ludwig's wedding. The Palms Resort on south beach played host to this lovely couple. We were able to steal away a few minutes before the ceremony for Sarah and Ludwig to see each other. It's such a joy to be able to photograph those moments when a bride and groom see each other for the first time. With wedding day jitters aside, we took to the sand for a uniquely Florida ceremony.

Stacy & Scott, April 11, 2008

Karaoke at a wedding??? Oh yeah!! We had such a good time at this one- Scott, Stacy and their family were an absolute pleasure to spend time with. Dan even got in on the singing action. Scott, the groom, announced that the audience was in for a treat, and boy were they ever. Dan took the mic and performed this Jersey girl's favorite, "Living on a Prayer". The wedding guests loved it. I was able to stop laughing just long enough to shoot it, and ArtEssence now officially can add "side show" to our list of services. The room was filled with laughter and dancing, while an amazing sunset filled the sky. It was a great night with a great couple.

Christina & Joe, March 22nd, 2008

On March 22nd Christina and Joe said their I do's in Delray Beach. It was a rainy day, and of course, an outdoor ceremony was planned. Christina remained in good spirits as a quick change of venue was arranged, and the resulting ceremony was a fun, unforgettable event. After the ceremony, we adjourned outside for a dove release... the birds didn't seem to mind the rain at all :)