Amanda + Ryan Step Into The Limelight | St. Armands Circle & Lido Beach | Sarasota, FL

Amanda and Ryan’s story started through family and friends. Ryan’s brother began dating a girl who eventually moved to Wisconsin, and Amanda became friends with her. They met through that connection, but it wasn’t until later that friends started telling them, “You two should get together.” Eventually, they listened. Two years later, here they are.

About a year ago, Amanda and Ryan made the move to Sarasota after career opportunities brought them from Wisconsin to Florida. Now, they’re getting ready to start another chapter together, this time as husband and wife.

Their October 1st wedding will take place at the Sarasota County Historic Courthouse. Built in 1926, the courthouse features beautiful Spanish and Mediterranean Revival architecture, making it an intimate and memorable setting for their wedding day.

For their engagement session, we spent the evening around St. Armands Circle before heading over to Lido Beach. Amanda and Ryan were so easy to be around, and we had a lot of fun together throughout the session. By the time we made it to the beach, the evening light was absolutely perfect.

They’re also hoping their two dogs, a nine year old pup and a much newer addition to the family, can be part of their wedding day. It sounds like October 1st is going to be a pretty special one for this family.

We had a great time with Amanda and Ryan and can’t wait to see them again October 1st.

Lead Photographer | Jeff Mitchell

Hayley + Robbie Step Into The Limelight | Philippe Park | Safety Harbor, FL

Engagement Session at the Park: Squirrels, Style, and a Surprise Headbutt

Some engagement sessions are pure magic. Others are magic with a side of chaos and comedy and those are our absolute favorites.

I met up with this amazing couple (and their four-legged third wheel) at a beautiful park here in Florida. It was one of those rare afternoons that makes you forget it’s technically still “sweating season.” The sky was moody and overcast, which gave us perfect soft light, and the temperature was shockingly pleasant for this time of year. A true Florida miracle, no bugs, no melting, just vibes.

Now, let’s talk about the real star of the session: the dog. Not only was he wearing a matching bandana (yes, fashion matters), but he was also completely and utterly hypnotized by squirrels. I’m talking full-on, cartoon-style obsession. Every. Single. Time. One scampered by, his eyes locked in like a furry heat-seeking missile. We had to pause more than once to let him come down from the excitement. Honestly, I think he was having the time of his life.

The couple? Equally delightful. They brought multiple outfits, and the bride-to-be looked stunning in every one. Each look matched not only the groom-to-be but also I kid you not their dog’s bandana. That’s next-level coordination, people.

Now, let’s talk about the moment. Mid-session, while we were walking toward a new spot, the groom took a serious hit to the head on a low-hanging branch. It was one of those heart-stopping accidents that make everyone freeze. We all laughed at first, those nervous, panicked laughs because it looked like something out of a sitcom. But then we realized: ouch.He was clearly in real pain, and honestly, probably seeing stars. Despite that, he pulled it together and kept going, without a single complaint. Total trooper.

These two were just so natural, sweet, and fun to photograph. You can feel how much they adore each other and how much fun they have together. We wrapped up the session with golden light sneaking through the clouds, a few more dramatic squirrel sightings, and a very happy pup who definitely thinks he was the main character (he wasn’t wrong).

To this beautiful couple: thank you for the laughs, the love, and the reminder that the best sessions are the ones where everyone, dog included, just has fun.

Lead Photographer | Natalia Fontes

Location | Philippe Park