Mackenzie's Bridal

Mackenzie and I traveled to 30a for the perfect scenery for a bridal session and the weather was wonderful! Its pretty common for there to be hick ups of some sort during the wedding process and I love that when things didn’t go quite as planned this bride adapted and embraced it. Mackenzie forgot her bouquet at home (which is typically a must have for bridal portraits)… but with a quick trip to Publix we were able to improvise with a home made bouquet. Here are a few favorites from this session!

Pregnancy Announcement

“Those who sow in tears shape reap in joy.” - Psalm 126:5

This verse resonates with my heart in a very personal way. It reminds me that the call to motherhood isn’t always an easy path to venture but the destination is worth the sufferings along the way. I can’t tell you how many tears women like myself, Annalee and many of my other friends have wept waiting to carry the gift of life. It is such a painful season of waiting and longing but it brings comfort knowing we aren’t alone in our suffering. I am so happy to share the promises of God were fulfilled for this sweet family. Help me rejoice with joy, God is so good!

Mr. and Mrs. Martin

Tiffany and Jeramey were an absolute dream to work with and I knew instantaneously I would want to share their love story. {Alongside their love story I will be sharing a few fun tips for the bride to be and how the photographer recommends choosing your perfect “getting ready” space.} 

Tiffany and Jeramey met on his birthday and according to him, Tiffany was just what he wished for when he blew out his candles. The couple enjoys adventure as well as the quite solitude of hanging around their home together. 

The choice to elope was easy for them, as they valued intimacy and an intentional experience with the focus only being one another. They sought this day as not only a commitment to their love for each other but the holiness of marriage before God. 

On the eve of the new year, I traveled to Navarre to help Tiffany and Jeramey celebrate their love. The couple shared the most heartfelt vows on their wedding day with the background of the gulf waves crashing the shore. Jeramey referenced how he fell in love with Tiffany because of her genuine heart and how she cares for others in such an intimate and nurturing way. Tiffany talked of Jeramey’s love for God and family alongside his ability to always make her laugh. Their personal vows were sealed with a kiss and a champagne toast just before the rain came upon us. 

The venue Tiffany chose was perfect and quite frankly every photographers dream.

The three most important tips for choosing where to get ready on your wedding day:  

1.     Choose a very well lit area {THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH NATURAL LIGHT} 

2.     Have your makeup and hair mostly done {Photos of brides “getting ready” does not mean that you have to book your photographer for additional time during your entire hair and makeup process, trust me!} 

3.    Tidy up the space {Think of how you clean 5 minutes before some one comes over, your wedding day space should be just as neat}  

“Jeramey and I both knew that we wanted to have beautiful photos of our wedding for future memories and to share with our family and friends since they were not able to be there. That is why we chose Gray Images Photography. Amber did so much more than just photograph our wedding. She helped me prepare for weeks before our ceremony, helped me coordinate the day of, and kept me at ease all throughout the day, all while taking the most stunning pictures of us. She even sent me a list of essentials that I needed to pack for my wedding day. Amber was completely invested in our day and gave 100% of herself to capturing every single moment. Her thoughtfulness throughout the day will always stick with me. She is a true master of her work and we are so grateful that we chose her to photograph something so special to us!”

The West Wedding

One of the best perks of growing up in a small town is watching people you know grow up and marry the love of their life. I try to fast forward and forget all of the awkward growing pains of the teenage years, acne, braces and first kisses.

Savannah and Blake are not only two compatible, passionate people, but they know how to bring the party to the wedding. Photographing this wedding was so fun for me.

Wedding Venue: The Sheraton at Bay Point Panama City Beach

Wedding Coordinator: Clay Keels of Panama City

Hair and Makeup: Kaitlyn Brown of 30a

Flowers: Hallmark Flowers

Videography: Jason Tuno

Anna & Jesse

W A R N I N G grab a Kleenex!

Anna and Jesse sure know how to bring on the water works and I’m not exaggerating (this time).

A little back story before we get started…

Anna was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and Type One Diabetes Mellitus in adolescence. For those of you how are not medical or are looking at the screen confused, let me explain the two (very briefly).

Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive lung disease, causing persistent lung infections and ultimately decreases the ability to breathe. For people with CF, limiting exposure to germs is vital because mucus in the lungs causes clogs, which cause germs & bacteria to become hostage. This situation leads to infections, inflammation, breathing difficulties, respiratory failure and some other complications.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is a disease of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ who’s main duty is to produce insulin, something that people with Type 1 DM parents able to do (or maybe they just can’t produce enough insulin). Type 1 DM is an autoimmune disease which means it starts with the body’s immune system attacking itself. In Type 1 DM, the immune system destroys beta cells (the cells responsible for producing insulin).

Anna and Jesse met in 2016 when Anna was competing in the miss shorter pageant and it was love at first sight. Fast forward to the year 2020… I know what you’re all thinking, 2020 has been quite a doozy! For a second I want you to imagine being Anna and Jesse. Because of Anna’s underlying medical conditions, her quarantine requirements (thanks a lot COVID 19) were extensive (to protect herself from terrible and/or life threatening complications). Anna spent countless days, weeks and even months in quarantine. During this time her and Jesse were not able to visit and when they finally could, they weren’t able to kiss because of the risk associated with Anna possibly catching COVID. I just want to emphasize how heart breaking that is for a young and enthusiastic couple. I have to brag on Jesse and Anna, where as most couples would have fallen apart or been overwhelmed by the circumstances, these two did not. They never once lost site of their joy, love or faith to each other and this right here is a true testimony of love.

Jesse contacted me through family to book a photo session in early September. This photo session was going to be the first time Anna had been out of quarantine with her immediate family. You’ve probably already guessed it by now (or you’ve seen my instagram) but Jesse had plans to propose to Anna during the “family photo session.”

Oh but wait… it gets BETTER…

Not only did Jesse steal the session by dropping down to his knee during the photo session but he and Anna kissed for the first time in SEVEN months!!

I cried, they cried, their family cried. After all of the time that had passed, Jesse continued to hold on tight to the joy of what was coming. The pandemic has stolen so much joy from so many people of different ages and circumstances, but I can truly say these two embraced it with true elegance.

I hope you enjoyed this little love story. Here are a few of my favorite photos from their session!