Haiti - A view of Port-au-Prince

Last week I was in Haiti, you may have seen my blog post when I was bored in the airport waiting for the rest of the team to arrive:-) These images will be part of a documentary that will hopefully be used to build awareness and action on the need there which is very staggering and significant. I am going to do several blog postings this week and next to give you an idea of what we saw and felt while there. The first posting is going to be of some images in the city of Port -au-Prince. Here's some of the stats as well. It helps put into perspective some of what you will see. I found this on National Geographic so I assume it's pretty accurate.

Total Population  8,288,000

Capital and Population Port-au-Prince; 1,961,000 Area 27,750 square kilometers (10,714 square miles) Language French, Creole Religion Roman Catholic, Protestant, Voodoo

Currency gourde Life Expectancy 51 GDP Per Capita U.S. $1,400 Literacy Percent 53

It takes about 1.5 hrs of flight time to get there from Tampa so it's amazing how close it is, but yet so far away.  In the next few days I'll talk more about the issues and things that we saw.  These were taken as we were driving around the city, from the car. I asked permission to take their picture when I could, but keep in mind these are through the windows as I saw it driving by. Port-au-Prince is a very busy and colorful city. Jobs are very scarce so people were selling anything from water to art. The streets are very crowded and the carry everything possible on top of their heads. The taxis and buses were painted neon colors with people hanging on the top and sides while they speed down the streets.  One guy below is pulling a cart with tons of tires, it was pretty amazing.  Take a look below and you will see the expressions and how beautiful the people are.  Tomorrow, I'll be posting some images and stories on the slums in Delmas. 

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Megan + AJ in Ybor

With my engagement sessions lately I've really been focusing on interactions and expressions and not so much surroundings because it is totally about showcasing the personalities of each couple. Megan and AJ were so much fun to work with, some of AJ's expressions were priceless:-)  I'm really looking forward to their wedding next February!! Random, but for some reason there were TONS of chickens and roosters in Ybor, I haven't seen that before but had to include one of those so you can see how many there were.  Their online gallery will be at www.pictage.com/657144

Janelle and Leon's Engagement Story Video

Several months ago I had the pleasure of working with Arami, from Elegante Films on Janelle and Leon's engagement session. He interviewed each of them separately at the end and below is the final product!! They are an amazing couple and I am so honored and excited to capture their wedding next Saturday, Sept 5th at the Omni Champion's Gate in Orlando. I'm really looking forward to working with Arami, Kerline, from Joie De Vie Events and our whole team!

Engagment Shoot Video | Love Story | Celebration, FL from Elegante Films, Inc. on Vimeo.

Blogging in the airport!

This week I have the privilege of being in Haiti and doing some true photojournalism:-) One of the reasons I got into photography is to allow people to feel the spirit and emotion of people and places that they couldn't experience themselves. I'm sitting in the airport in Port Au Prince right now and already met two great people on the flight over. Random, but there was a mix up in the flight bookings so I actually got here before the rest of our group so I'm bored and they have wifi here which is awesome!! Jean-Philippe was sitting on my right and on his way home from visiting his friends in Kingston. He is from Port Au Prince and helped me get my bags and figure out where to wait for the rest of the crew. Michele, who was on my left who is also from here has been a Catholic priest for 21 years and now lives in rural Illinois but here to officiate a wedding and see his family. It was very interesting to hear his perspective on social issues here and the government which fits in well with what we'll be doing. We will be working with Project 81 to do a photo/video documentary in an orphanage, prison, and hospital to give people a sense of what the need here is and capture the hearts of these beautiful people! Hopefully I'll be able to post a few pics each day so you can see what we're up to!

Real Wedding: Erin + Andrew @ Highlands Ridge

It's crazy how quickly time flies. I remember meeting with Erin and Andrew and talking about their wedding plans and details months ago doing their engagement shoot, and then the wedding is here!! Thinking back to our conversations it was exactly what she had described! From the colors to the cake to the sparkler exit. It was such a fun party, the karaoke and guys who had to sing because they lost of golfing bet, hilarious!! Erin and Andrew, I hope you had an amazing honeymoon and congrats!!! Their entire online wedding album will be at www.pictage.com/632298

Ceremony: First United Methodist Church

Venue: Highlands Ridge

Catering: The Depot

Entertainment: Triple C

Florist: Hobby Hill Florist

Rentals: Taylor Rental

Cake: Darlene Celentano

Gown: Olga's Bridal

Tuxedos: Maxcy's Mens Wear

Hair/Makeup: Cut'n Up

One, Two, Three, Four........

I'm always up for something creative so when Holly, from A Hair Affair Florida asked told me her idea for doing a hair/makeup theme I couldn't pass it up.  The theme is 7 days of creation and they did the first 4 so far.  So you will see part two coming up in the near future!  Here's each of the girls best shot.......

"Let there be Light"

"Sky"

"Land"

"Sun, Moon, and Stars"