Tonya Beaver Photography

Jenna and Thomas are engaged!

Erica and Emanuel are engaged! Friendhsip Fountain, downtown Jax

Kara and James are married! - Queens Harbour

 

Family Time!

One of my sisters lives about 5 hours away and was passing through Gainesville so we all met to see each other.  Rarely is all of my immediate family together so of course I brought a camera.  I am so blessed with such an amazing family.

These are all my nephews and niece.  The oldest is Alex, who is 11 and my middle sister's kid.  Then there is Brynna who is 3, Brayden who is 2, and Braxton is about 6 months.  They are my oldest sister's kids.

This is Brynna, Brax, and Bray.  Brothers and sister.  I get teared up every time I look through these pictures.

 

My oldest sister, Michelle, with Brynna.  Since there are 3 sisters in my family, we really wanted Brynna to have a sister as well.  Nope, she got 2 brothers who I'm sure will gang up on her in a couple years.  Brynna insisted we take this picture.  This is a child that has always screamed and cried when I tried to take pictures of her.  She posed for this all on her own.

This is my fam!  From left to right - my middle sister Jaime, her son Alex, mom, dad, Michelle is holding Brynna, Bryan (my bro in law) who is holding Braxton, and me holding Brayden.  We literally had to take around 25 pictures, and this is the best we could get.  I always tell them they are 10 times worse than any family I've ever shot.  They won't shut up and smile for 10 seconds so we can get done.  

The sisters.  We all live in separate towns and live very busy lives but are still very tight.  I love them to pieces.  My sisters were straight A students.  Jaime is an RN for Hospice and Michelle is a CPA.  I've always been the creative one of the family :)  Not so straight A.

Susan and Kurk are married! Castle Otttis and Tasting Room - St. Augustine

Susan is one of the most laid back brides I've ever worked with.  Some couples really stand out b/c they don't leave each other's side and they don't stop cuddling and kissing.  Susan and Kurk were definitely in that category.  After cake feeding and even during fast dancing, he would hold her face and kiss her so sweetly and not let go.  They are just that sweet.

These were snapped as we were waiting for the door to be unlocked at the top of the staircase.

This are up on the roof of the castle.

Often times during the couple's formals, I pose them and say 'just be' and act like I'm changing batteries or something.  I love the photos where they just seem in the moment.  It's like I'm not even there.  It's definitely an art to get people in a beautiful positions, giving instruction, but letting them feel like they are alone in a room, just being in a moment. 

A beautiful cake...and delicious!  One of my favorite parts of the night! :)

I love snapping the little details of the day...

This is what I mean by holding her and not letting go after the cake cutting.  Oh they were so sweet.

The last dance

Susan and Kurk had their reception at the Tasting Room in St. Aug.  It was my first visit to the Tasting Room and can I just say, I was so impressed.   The food was out of this world, and the staff was over the top.   Rose of Sharon Jacksonville was the florist (I am a huge fan of theirs!) and McGee Engeterainment was our dj (also a great choice).  It truely was a perfect night.

Jana and Brendon's engagement session - Jacksonville Beach

We started at Jax Beach pier, but summer is in full swing and the beach was packed!  I like to do sessions in the evening so the sun isn't too bright...who would ever thought there would still be people hanging on the beach at 7pm!  We just moved locations and still had a great time.  Jana and Brendon had some more great news to tell me...they are always full of surprises! I honestly have the BEST job ever!

Hillary and Andy are married! Mayport Navy Base - Ocean Breeze

It was a soggy Saturday at Ocean breeze on Mayport Navy base so the wedding was moved indoors.  Hillary and Andy didn't let it bother them at all.  Everything was gorgeous.  Hillary and several of her family members are great photographers so it's going to be fun to see each other's photos.

Photography seminar with Marcus Bell

Marcus Bell is one of the world's best and most famous wedding photographers.  Based out of Australia and very busy with his business, he was only going to be doing one seminar in the USA in 2009...and PPSNF was able to get him to Jacksonville!  This really was an amazing opportunity, and I'm very thankful to have been able to learn from him.

(photo by Arved Grass - this photo was last minute and does not include everyone) 

Thank you to the Professional Photographers Society of North Florida for hosting such an amazing event.  I really enjoy knowing the other photographers in the area.  Everyone is so fun and laid back...not at all what you would expect from a room full of competitors! :) 

Michelle and Mike are married! Laterra Resort and Spa @ World Golf Village

More to come...

Tara and Trey's Engagement session - Jax Beach Pier

We nearly were struck by lighting in this shoot. Okay, so not that dramatic...but it was really scary.  This is after last week's attempt at their session.  We drove all the way to Little Talbot Island except it was dead high tide meaning NO beach and it started to rain out of the blue.