http://megphoto.com/blog/ Meg Baisden Photography Blog en-us http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=362&alys-beach-florida-wedding-photographer http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=362&alys-beach-florida-wedding-photographer Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:50:00 GMT
Good morning, friends. AND a special 'hello' to Margot, who I know has been anxiously awaiting her blog debut! Well, the wait is finally over - check out all of Margot + Patrick's wedding day goodness...

Want a personalized wire hanger of your own? You can find them on Etsy.com

How precious is this?

Meg was totally impressed by Margot's creativity - she kept telling me on our drive home "oh, and you know what else she made herself? The gloves!" or "Did you know she actually sewed additional layers and stuff onto her dress? AMAZING!" ... I have a very passionate wife!

Check out a little of Margot's handiwork...

Meg would like me to point out that Margot also fashioned this headpiece herself.

An ode to Rapunzel.

Another look at Margot's bridal bouquet, courtesy of Nouveau Flowers

Hello Patrick.

This boardwalk makes for a grand entrance. Check out the series...

L-O-V-E Mom + Dad right here.

We've all seen these paper lanterns at weddings by now, but I've never seen them as floor decor! Meg says they look like bubbles.

A decadent dessert table in lieu of a groom's cake. I dig it.

Now, these unique cake toppers are actually vintage salt ... pepper shakers that have been used in multiple family weddings over the years. The bride and groom on the left faced the front of the cake, with the exhausted new mom and dad facing the back. A meaningful family heirloom with some humor!

Awesome food stations courtesy of Townsend Catering

Dancing with Dad.

Bouquet toss...

Garter Toss...

and some great dance floor action.

Jumping '

Vintage getaway car courtesy of A Bride's Ride.

Many thanks to talented Jennifer Warwick-Lewis of It's A Shore Thing for making our day easy-peasy.

]]> http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=349&oil-of-olay-daily-facials-cleansing-cloths http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=349&oil-of-olay-daily-facials-cleansing-cloths Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:24:00 GMT
Okay kids - just a quick note tonight, as I sit here with a freshly washed face ... I have to share my absolute love affair that I've had going for several months now with all things Olay Daily Facials. My mom introduced me to these fantastic cleansing cloths during some girl talk about breakouts + traveling, both of which I've done an awful lot of recently. Now your skin and my skin might react differently to these handy little wipes, so use at your own risk - but my personal experience earns these a (not-so-sought-after) Bees Knees Award.

The cloths come in different formats (wet, dry...) and different formulas (oily, sensitive ...) - but my preference is pictured below on the left. They are dry (just add water!), pack easily, and the wipe itself has a slightly 'coarse' side to help with gentle exfoliation. If you check them out, let me know what you think. Also, if you have some favorite beauty picks you want to share with the world, add a comment below. G'night!

]]> http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=361&meg-baisden-photography http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=361&meg-baisden-photography Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:22:00 GMT
Ha ha! My favorite shoe shot took top billing in our most recent contest - which I'm sure had absolutely nothing to do with me telling everyone it was one of my 'all time favorites' and going on to actually vote for it once myself! Riiiiiiiiiiiiight.

Well, since I figure our second place shot was only trailing behind by two votes, I'll send Reilly + Doug that as their signature series print instead - since both are from their wedding. Unless, of course, Reilly decides she loves the shoes more than Doug! (kidding, kidding)

Congratulations to the shoes.

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: megan ... tom - engagement, originally posted thursday, may 20, 2010

just a peek: kati ... troy - "bridal", originally posted thursday, may 6, 2010

newlywed: selina ... adam, originally posted friday, april 30, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

just a peek: kati ... troy - "bridal", originally posted thursday, may 6, 2010

just a peek: kati ... troy - "bridal", originally posted thursday, may 6, 2010

just a peek: kati ... troy - "bridal", originally posted thursday, may 6, 2010

just a peek: kati ... troy - "bridal", originally posted thursday, may 6, 2010

newlywed: selina ... adam, originally posted friday, april 30, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

hot off the press: reily ... doug, originally posted thursday, may 27, 2010

]]> http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=344&five-sisters-blues-cafe-pensacola http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=344&five-sisters-blues-cafe-pensacola Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:06:00 GMT
Hello friends! You may have noticed, I have been absent from my blogging duties for a while - there's been A LOT going on in my life these past weeks, so I sincerely apologize for leaving y'all hanging. The 13th edition of Three to Share has some big announcements, so without further ado...

This is a very exciting announcement: My family recently opened a brand new restaurant here in Pensacola! It's called the Five Sisters Blues Café and it's located downtown in the Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood. The restaurant has been under construction for a few years, and had been a dream in my father's head for many years before that - many years before me, in fact!

The five sisters are my dad's mother, Jeannette, and her four sisters: Cora, Dorothy, Sara, and Margaret. It is from these wonderful ladies my dad learned how to cook and also developed a passion for hospitality. And blues, well that was the soundtrack of his life, so to speak. This restaurant is an homage to these soulful ladies and his southern roots. And, it's a true family restaurant - daughters, cousins, aunts, and spouses have really come together in recent months to help this restaurant go from idea to reality. So exciting!

If you're in the neighborhood, and you have a hankering for some home-cooked goodness, stop by 421 W. Belmont Street and get your fix! They offer scrumptious Southern cuisine, Sunday brunch, a full bar, live music, patio dining, and on/off-site catering. I can honestly tell you *everything* on the menu is delish! My suggestions? Start with a refreshing Mint Iced Tea and some oh-so-yummy Fried Green Tomatoes. Then choose a filling entree, sandwich, or salad. And DO NOT leave without having dessert! Choose from 3 kinds of bread puddings or the cobbler du jour. Meg and I agree: the pecan cobbler is absolutely to die for!

It is with a tinge of sadness that I announce that I have left MBP and Pensacola for Boston. Yep, that Boston - up there in New England, the one with the Red Sox and Paul Revere and where Elle Woods went to school, and also where they seem to have their own vocabulary. ;)

My husband is originally from there, so it's a big homecoming for him and quite a new adventure for me! I've never lived anywhere that has four seasons and white Christmases, or a fanatical sports culture. I'm looking forward to all of that and more!

Although it seemed short, I have many great memories during my time here at Meg Baisden Photography. Getting to see all of you readers during the most special day of your lives (to date) has been quite a pleasure and a privilege. Meg and Charles are gracious employers and friends and I certainly do not see this as "good-bye." My home is here and I will be back visiting often and I hope to see them in Boston, too!

Thanks so much for embracing my little contribution here! If you're interested in keeping up with me, check out my own little blog that I just started!

I bid you all a very fond farewell. :)

And now for an update from Meg...

Hello readers! As you have now learned, last month we said a tearful goodbye to Jamie. It's been a sad transition, not just because we were losing a great employee, but also because of what she had contributed here on the blog and in the album-design realm for all of you. She made our world a prettier place and invented this little series that I loved from her first installment. I am happy to say that the Three to Share series will continue on - with snippets from me and whoever else I can strong arm into sharing goodness here.

Another change I'll be making (effective immediately - I've always wanted to say that!) is in regards to post titles and categories. Now that we have officially wrapped up our backlog with our flashback series, it seems silly to continue referring to recent work as "hot off the press" - as everything will now be hot off the press; so I'm retiring those two categories. They will live in the archives, so you can find what you are looking for there - but moving forward, I will be switching up our title format a bit so that it's easier to find what you are looking for in our search box. That's all for now!

Enjoy your weekend.

]]> http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=360&jamaica-wedding-photographer-meg-baisden http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=360&jamaica-wedding-photographer-meg-baisden Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:01:00 GMT
On our final day of photographing this lovely couple, we took L + E back to all of the places they visited during their time in Jamaica. I especially love it when our destination clients schedule a post-wedding newlywed session so that we might have a little extra time to take advantage of the scenic surroundings and create even more art for the home.

]]> http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=359&negirl-jamaica-wedding-moon-dance-villas http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=359&negirl-jamaica-wedding-moon-dance-villas Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:07:00 GMT
"Welcome back to Jamaica, Mon!" - I say, wishing there were some fruity drink in my hand, toes in the sand, instead of sitting behind a computer. Ah, well. Mind if I sit back and simply enjoy the view with you all today?

L takes shoe fetish to a whole new level with 3 pairs of heels - for a beach wedding, no less!

L surprised E with a really thoughtful gift...

She had these cuff links made - one shows where they first met, the other shows where they were wed, and the medallion on the box is where they got engaged. How great is that?

On the left - Jamaican rum favors for the guys and pashminas for the girls. On the right - Steel drums played as the bride walked down the aisle.

Can you believe crafty L made all of the drink umbrellas, these cute place cards, and so much more?!

L + E spent their first Jamaican sunset on this bad boy the night before their guests arrived, as they explained to their guests when it pulled up on the beach, just steps from their reception.

As their guests where just finishing with dinner, this fire-dancer made quite the surprise entrance!

UP NEXT: a scenic Jamaican newlywed session. See you tomorrow!

]]> http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=358&moon-dance-resort-negril-jamaica-wedding-rehearsal-dinner http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=358&moon-dance-resort-negril-jamaica-wedding-rehearsal-dinner Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:28:00 GMT
Welcome back to our first day of coverage in Jamaica. We'll start off this three-day weekend with the rehearsal dinner of L + E* at the scenic Moon Dance Cliffs Resort. We managed to (just barely) escape the rain clouds for this outdoor soirée - which was lucky for us, because the views were so picturesque.


*Our clients are thrilled to have their wedding shared on the blog, but have requested that we not disclose their full names online as our groom is a law enforcement officer. Happy to oblige!

The groom's cake was a tribute to the Texaco gas station where these two first crossed paths many years ago.

]]> http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=357&the-caves-resort-negril-jamaica http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=357&the-caves-resort-negril-jamaica Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:01:00 GMT
Meg ... I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Jamaica for a fantastic three day wedding weekend this past May. The trip, like so many of our wedding contracts (as my wife continually reminds me), would fall over our very own seven year wedding anniversary. What's a wedding photographer to do?

Well, in this case - the stars all aligned, as I was able to give Meg a fantastic anniversary treat - hopefully making up for several years of lackluster efforts. You see, a year or so ago we were published in a fantastic bridal magazine called Caribbean Bride - they ran a multi-page feature on the Bahamian wedding of Shonna + Harris at the Atlantis Resort that we shot several years ago. In that same issue, there was a feature on a fantastic boutique property in Negril, Jamaica: The Caves. Meg took one look at the photos of this place and went "I'm just putting this out there - if we ever go to Jamaica, I'd really love to splurge on this resort!"

Fast forward to April 2010 when I let my wife in on a little secret - I had booked our Jamaica hotel accommodations at The Caves - which just happened to be a hop, skip, and jump away from the wedding property. To ensure we would have a minute to catch our breath and enjoy ourselves, I even added two nights to the end of our stay.

I'm putting all of this out there because I know we have a lot of clients that are in the early phases of planning for the honeymoon and I wanted to offer up our glowing review of this property. It was the best trip we have ever had - better than our own honeymoon by far - and 100% of the credit goes to the amazing staff at The Caves. We could not have been better cared for here and I am so appreciative of our time spent in Jamaica.

Meg and I like variety and have always thought the idea of returning to the same essential vacation over and over (instead of trying new things with each opportunity) was a bit... well, odd (to us.) BUT after our stay here - we could absolutely see returning. I could go on and on about our experience here* - and I plan to, just as soon as I have a spare hour, over at TripAdvisor (which is a goldmine when planning for international, or even US-based, travel.)

*I guess it is worth noting that we are not affiliated with this property nor are we being compensated for the endorsement - we just figured it was the least we could do, after the staff went so far above and beyond to make our stay so enjoyable.

I'm also adding some of our personal (mostly) point-n-shoot photos taken during our stay. Enjoy the view!

We had breakfast several mornings under this white umbrella overlooking the water.

The Caves is an intimate resort built in, among, and on top of a vast structure of caves (who saw that coming?) The caves themselves are open for snorkeling, kayaking (which you can see later on), swimming, diving, and sunset or starlight private dining. The largest, as I understand it, is also available for intimate weddings.

We managed to squeeze in lunch at this gazebo several times during our stay - but we passed on the blue loungers for some hammocks in the shade.

A small saltwater pool is available to the guests, as well as a jacuzzi deck - though the real attraction is the open water mere steps below.

We stayed in the cozy Two Birds 'hut' - that boasted very high ceilings and an outdoor shower - which sounds a little iffy, but was a daily highlight here. There's nothing quite like looking up and seeing trees, flowering shrubs and open sky overhead while sudsing up.

Our room was one of twelve individual properties at The Caves - which makes for such a wonderful contrast to most other island all-inclusive resorts. We could be as social or private as desired while partaking in the luxury amenities of better-known mega resorts such as guided tours by kayak and spa services - both of which we found time to squeeze in.

Our unit was the smallest on property (hey, we are struggling artists, after all!) - but when the staff so graciously offered to (complimentary) upgrade our accommodations on our second night (after learning of our anniversary) - we actually turned them down, we were so in love with our room!

The following shots were taken after our wedding weekend coverage was complete - I took a few shots while Meg ordered us up two Dirty Bananas at the bar. So, technically it was after 5pm during cocktail hour - but the indulgence was a lot like having dessert before dinner. To even it up, we had another after dinner as well :)

The view from those blue loungers from above...

Ready for my next nap.

We had dinner at this little spot on our first 'night off'

And we had this private waterside cave scheduled for our anniversary dinner. There were probably one hundred votives and blooms dotting the walls...

Surrounded on three sides by the rushing tide, we had to cross small wooden bridges to our candlelit table.

It was a magical trip - I only wish it weren't over.

Can't get enough of the view? See some more in our personal snapshot slideshow:

(embeded object)


Tomorrow I'll share the first day of our three-day wedding weekend coverage in Jamaica. See you again soon!

]]> http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=347&fort-pickens-bridal-photography http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=347&fort-pickens-bridal-photography Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:04:00 GMT
I know, I know - let me apologize right off the bat - it's been too long since we blogged! I've got a lot of goodness lined up now (there's the silver lining!) and wanted to kick off with a bridal session from this past March I've been waiting to share until lovely Lexie tied the knot. Well, this blue-eyed beauty is now a MRS and I can share a few of my favorites with all of you. Enjoy!

We'll be back again on Monday to unveil some international excitement -- so check back soon!

]]> http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=356&jacksonville-florida-wedding-photographer http://megphoto.com/blog/index.cfm?postID=356&jacksonville-florida-wedding-photographer Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:45:00 GMT
We kicked off May 2010 with the Jacksonville wedding of Maddie + Mark. We met these two lovebirds through our good friends, and past clients, Valerie + Ryan - who you'll see a little later on. (Mark was a groomsman in Valerie ... Ryan's wedding.) Being asked to shoot their wedding was like getting invited to eat at the cool kids table - we were so excited to be invited back into this circle of friends!

Meet Maddie - this girl is always happy ... smiling!

Dad seeing Maddie for the first time - LOVE IT!

A little ink.

Maddie, you are beautiful!

Mark - you aren't too bad yourself! ;)

The boys started their morning off right!

Here comes the bride...

Maddie + Mark are both runners and named each table after a run they completed together... and there were A LOT of tables!

Their garage is devoted to Mark's other love - his motorcycle - so this was a fitting cake topper!

First Dance.

Y'all might remember Ryan + Valerie here from a few years ago...

Y - M - C - A

And perhaps the funniest thing I have EVER seen in some 200+ weddings ... the girls did an impromptu routine to the Backstreet Boys - HYSTERICAL! We also taped a little video of this gem - so I'll see if we can throw that up here soon...

Ryan channeling his inner Superman.

It's good to be married to someone who keeps you laughing... or for Ryan, someone who keeps laughing at his jokes ;)

All in all, a really fun day that we were so thrilled to have been a part of - thanks to our new friends for having us!

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