Ashli and Dan's Key West wedding at Casa Marina Resort

One trait in people that I dig is people who are true to who they are and want their wedding to be the same. I like having those kinds of people in my life, and I like photographing their weddings because I feel like life is already just too damn short. A wedding is not just for show; it’s to join souls. I know that for some photographers that’s not a big deal, they can shoot a wedding with really no connection to the bride and groom. I hear all the time from other photographers that they are totally cool with just being a vendor; the guy who comes in shoots the wedding does a great job and collects a paycheck. Years down the line, the couple may look at the photos and not even remember the photographer’s name.

Nah.Not for me. I’m positive that I’ll be friends with Ashli and Dan for years down the line, and that’s how I like it. That’s what feeds my soul, knowing that these images will mean even more to them because I really care about them as people, beyond being just their wedding photographer. I work really hard to make those connections with all my clients, even if we don’t get to meet face to face until the day because it makes a difference in the photos.

Ashli and Dan are big lovers of Key West, having traveled here from DC many times. Every time they came, we got together for some laughs and some donuts, and by the time the wedding rolled around, it was like seeing old friends again. They had told me that their wish was to show their friends and family the magic of Cayo Hueso, this little 4 mile stretch of island. We started the day off at these fantastic luxury condos called The Steamplant, which had some killer light and windows which made for the coolest hanging dress photos and getting ready photos. AND, since my birthday had been a few days before, they warmed this southern boy’s heart by presenting me with a Red Velvet Cupcake, and I relished every bite of it.

Being around Ashli as much as I had been meant that we had built up a lot of trust.  This meant she gave me permission to make some extraordinary and intimate photos of her getting ready, as well as a moment with her mom, where she presented her with a ring that had been her grandmas. And because sometimes those “moments” don’t always go as planned, there was a funny pause where mom didn’t recognize the ring (it had been reset and redesigned) and Ashli gave her one of those “WTF MOM” looks that only a daughter can.

We did some photos around Steamplant with the guys, who were ready to have a good time, grabbing bikes and showing their “moves” a bit, while Ashli and Dan did their first look at The Reach.  I just love that Gazebo on the water. Not only do you have the blue of the water and the sky, which just looked fantastic with Dan’s suit, just a killer cut and style on him The light there is always great, and there’s usually a bit of a breeze which we desperately needed on that hot day