Carly and Kyle | Fort Zachary Taylor State Park Wedding

Carly and Kyle’s wedding at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West, FL, was a beautiful celebration of love, adventure, and the joy of stepping outside comfort zones. Their love story began over brunch, where they quickly discovered their mutual passion for travel, dogs, and quality time with friends. This connection blossomed into a partnership filled with shared adventures and spontaneous experiences.

Kyle’s proposal was nothing short of magical. During a sunset cruise in Key West, with the golden sun dipping below the horizon, Kyle surprised Carly by asking for her hand in marriage. This moment set the stage for their dream wedding at one of Key West’s most historic and picturesque locations.

As Carly and Kyle’s wedding photographers, Mark and I arrived early to capture the vibrant atmosphere of Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. The park, known for its stunning natural beauty and historic charm, provided a perfect backdrop for their special day.

Cara and Devin | Sunset Key Wedding

Cara and Devin’s wedding day in Key West was a heartfelt day of love and congratulations on the beaches of Sunset Key Resort, surrounded by their closest family and friends. Their intimate ceremony was as colorful and tropical as it was serene and resplendent. Join their wedding journey as they say “I do” with their toes in the sand and the kiss of island sunshine on their cheeks.

Kerri and Raymond | First Flight Brewery Wedding

Key West weddings have a charm all their own, and Kerri and Raymond’s special day was no exception. Their wedding was a lively celebration filled with unique touches and unforgettable moments. From the vintage vibes at Havana Cabana Resort to the spirited reception at First Flight Brewery, every detail was a joy to capture.

Real WeddingsKarrieJuly 2, 2024First Flight Brewerykey west wedding, first flight, havana cabana, truman annexComment

Christina and Bruce | Sunset Key Wedding

Weddings in Key West are always a special affair, but Christina and Bruce’s wedding day was truly something extraordinary. Their celebration was filled with unforgettable moments and stunning backdrops, making it a dream to photograph and every moment was filled with joy.

Crystal and Nicholas | Sunset Key Wedding

Crystal and Nicholas, who initially connected through online gaming, decided to turn their virtual friendship into a lifelong commitment. Nicholas relocated to Texas, marking a significant step in their relationship. Later that year, he planned a special birthday gift during a trip to Wheaton, Illinois. Following a college basketball game, Nicholas orchestrated a heartwarming proposal with an engagement ring hidden in dessert. As the ring revealed itself, Nicholas went down on one knee, and Crystal joyfully accepted his proposal. Their journey brought them eventually to Key West, where I would meet them and help them document their big day on Sunset Key!

Hogs Breath Saloon | Key West Restaurant Marketing and Branding Photography

After new owners took over Hog's Breath Saloon, the iconic Key West establishment that's been a staple of island life for decades, I received a call to work with them on their new branding and marketing photos. The saloon’s website and social media are getting a fresh makeover, and I was excited to capture the content that will be part of this new campaign. Check out my take on how the shoot was planned, some of the creative challenges it presented, and the final outcome of some of my favorite photos from that day.

BrandingKarrieApril 5, 2024Inn at Key Westcontent creation, social media content, marketing shoot, hogs breathComment

Rebekah and Chris | Banana Bay Resort Marathon FL Wedding

There are some weddings that truly stand out, not just for the stunning locations or picturesque backdrops, but for the genuine love and joy radiating from the couple. Rebekah and Chris's wedding at Banana Bay Resort in Marathon, FL, nestled in the heart of the Florida Keys, was one such unforgettable event.

Emily and Ken | Southernmost Beach Resort Wedding in Key West

Emily and Ken’s wedding in Key West was celebrated at the Southernmost Beach Resort with their closest friends and family in attendance. After an oceanfront ceremony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, they joined on the white fluffy sands of the Southernmost Beach to dance the night away and revel in the warm tropical vibes of their wedding day in paradise.

Karen and Curtiss | Truman Little White House Wedding

Karen and Curtiss have a love story that radiates with joy, spontaneity, and adventure. Their journey began when the bride, a college seagrass instructor, caught the groom’s attention while he was leading a group of divers in the lagoon where her students were swimming. She would recount later that he climbed up the ladder, and emerged from the water with a shake of his hair, reminiscent of something out of a James Bond film. And just like that, their love story had begun, and with Key West as both their hometown and their wedding destination, it was a celebration like no other.

Jessica and Michael | Oldest House Key West Wedding

Capturing Jessica and Michael's wedding day in Key West was an absolute delight. Their love story began in Vale Colorado, eventually landing them in the Southernmost City at The Oldest House in Key West, which provided a historic and intimate backdrop for their friends and family. Surrounded by lush foliage and towering trees, we documented their day with cherished family members, each photograph a testament to the love and joy that only a Key West wedding can bring!

Matt and Eric | Casa Marina Resort Wedding Day

It was spring of 2019 when Matt went on a first date to the movies with Eric, and even though they didn’t love the film, they still considered that the first day of their love story. I would eventually meet them when Matt planned a surprise engagement photo shoot and Eric said yes! Fast forward to the big day of the wedding, when the guys came back to Key West and officially tied the knot at the Casa Marina Resort.

Real WeddingsKP StudioFebruary 1, 2024Casa Marina Resortdestination wedding, casa marina, same sex coupleComment

Best Locations to Propose and Plan a Surprise Engagement in Key West

When it comes time to choose the perfect location to ask the love of your life to marry you, there are a lot of options in Key West! If you’re planning to pop the question and want to set up a surprise engagement session, undercover proposal shoot, or similar moment that your significant other is not expecting, then in addition to booking your photography to capture the moment, you’ll need to think about the perfect location.

Teresa and James | The Reach Resort Wedding in Key West

When Teresa and James were referred to me by a mutual friend local to Key West, they reached out to me about not just their upcoming Key West wedding, but also their welcome party which would be taking place the evening before. As I came to know them better in the months leading up to the big day, I knew this was going to be a lovely couple to be part of their love story.

Karen and Keith | The Reach Resort Wedding in Key West

Karen and Keith’s Key West wedding at The Reach Resort was celebrated in style with an oceanview ceremony on the gazebo over the water, a balcony cocktail hour, and beachfront reception with dinner and dancing in the Caribe ballroom. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Real WeddingsKarrieOctober 30, 2023The Reach Resortkey west wedding, resort wedding, rain backup, the reach resort, caribe ballroomComment

Alexis and Christian | Opal Key Resort

When Christian’s cousin introduced him to his friend Alexis, the start of a relationship was formed. Fast forwarding from there, they would eventually end up on a boat together, floating down the same river where they’d had their first date, and Christian proposed. It was only natural that between their love of the water and a love of the outdoors, that they should choose Key West for their destination wedding. This is where I met them and was able to capture their big day at the Opal Key Resort and Marina.

Susan and Tim | DoubleTree Grand Key and Smathers Beach Elopement

Each wedding holds its own unique charm, and Susan and Tim's special day was no exception. Let me take you on a journey through their intimate Smathers Beach wedding, as I had the privilege of capturing every heartfelt moment as they celebrated their elopement in a special ceremony on the beach and photos around town.

Why You Should Hire a Planner for your Key West Wedding (a Photographer's Take)

Your wedding day is naturally one of the best days of your life. It consists of all of the little (and big) things that represent you as a couple, a day for all of your friends and loved ones to enjoy and one that you’ll remember forever. There are so many aspects that you need to focus on in order to bring it all together though, which is why this can be such a stressful period for brides too.

Hiring a wedding planner can make this joyful time a little easier on your nerves. Here are a few reasons why you should consider hiring a professional planner:

Client Education, Wedding PlanningKarrieJune 13, 2023wedding planning, destination wedding, hiring local, timelineComment

Brian and Bry | Fort Zachary Taylor + Smokin Tuna Saloon

Sometimes a little screen time is a good thing! Especially when it results in you meeting the love of your life! One day Brian ended up in conversation with….well….Brian! Besides the uniqueness of meeting a partner who shares your same name, they knew pretty much instantly that it was “right” from the start! They’d been to Key West several times with a group of friends, and have so many special memories here, including walking along Truman Waterfront when “Big Brian” proposed! They knew when it came time to plan the big day, they had to have it in paradise.

Kaitlin and Blaine | The Reach Resort Wedding Day

Going to a friend’s for a birthday party might not seem like the start of a typical love story, but for Kaitlin and Blaine, it was the genesis of a beautiful relationship that started as they both arrived to the party, ended up on the same four-wheeler together, and the rest - as they say - was history! I knew they had something special when I met them first during their Engagement, and was thrilled to find out soon after that their wedding would also take place here in paradise as well at none other than the beautiful Reach Resort.

Key West Destination Wedding Packing Tips

Throwing a wedding in your home city is one thing, but throwing it in a different state, country, or on an island like Key West is another. Destination weddings have become a popular way for brides and grooms across the globe to celebrate some place different and give guests a ceremony they’ll truly never forget. However, planning and hosting a wedding outside of where you live does come with its challenges.

Tips and TricksKarrieDecember 5, 2022wedding planning, destination wedding, what to pack, travel tips, hiring localComment

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