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.

Ashley and Alex | Schooner America 2.0

When Ashley and Alex met in college, they realized a mutual love of architecture while hanging out in the same circle of friends, but eventually their affections for each other grew. With a passion for movie nights, ski trips, hiking, brewery-hopping, city sight-seeing, and - appropriate for a wedding in Key West - long naps on the beach. I would get the opportunity to be part of their wedding day celebration, as they invited family and friends down to paradise and got married aboard the historic Schooner America II!

Real WeddingsKarrieMay 24, 2022Key West Bightdestination wedding, fort zachary taylor, december weddingComment

Elizabeth and Steven | Audubon House

In a town where destination weddings for visiting couples is the norm, it was a welcome delight to celebrate with Elizabeth Toppino and Steven Davies, two Key West locals who brought together friends and family for their joyous celebration as they said their “I do’s” and danced the night away as husband and wife!

Real WeddingsKarrieMay 23, 2022Audubon Housedestination wedding, fort zachary taylor, december weddingComment

Ava and Adam | Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

So much love, family, and happy memories! That’s what comes to mind when I think back on Ava and Adam’s big day in Key West! Originally meeting online, they realized they shared love of the outdoors through fishing and camping trips.

Once Adam knew Ava was “the one”, he proposed during a sunset cruise in Key West, and realized they loved the town so much they had to get married here as well! Enjoy their wedding day below and relive all the happy memories together as they celebrate at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and declare their love to the setting sun.

Taralynn and Eric | Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

He proposed during a historic snow storm on the Seattle waterfront, cleverly hiding the ring in some foil so that she wouldn't notice a big clunky box in his pocket. Their Key West wedding was originally set for Summer of 2020, but like so many other couples, Taralynn and Eric would have their big plans put on hold.

But finally on a beautiful afternoon with their children at the altar with them, the couple were finally able to exchange their vows with warmth of the setting sun, accented by a gentle tropical breeze and the love of their friends and family around them.

Real WeddingsKarrieNovember 17, 2021Fort Zachary Taylor State Parkkey west wedding, fort zachary taylor, beach wedding, covid19Comment

Gretchen and Bobby | Cheeca Lodge Islamorada Wedding

Gretchen and Bobby were supposed to have their dream Florida Keys wedding when the pandemic hit and everything got put on hold. Come summer of 2021, it was time to make the magic happen, so we made the drive up to the beautiful Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada, where we would capture not only their beautiful seaside ceremony, but a family portrait session and a Trash the Dress all in one day!

Juliana and Bobby | Fort Zach + Key West Garden Club

The first time Juliana met Bobby, she told him to “buzz off”. Thankfully, he tried again. A few casual first dates turned into a few years, a few adventures, and a few adorable fur-babies, finally landing with them deciding to tie the knot with the picturesque tropical landscape of the Southernmost City as the setting for their perfect summer soiree. Check out their gorgeous Fort Zachary Taylor State Park wedding and Key West Garden Club (West Martello Tower) reception.

Donna and Grant | Key West Courthouse + “Tour About Town” Key West Elopement

I met Donna and Grant, as they reached out because they were going to elope to Key West and wanted to celebrate with some fun photos not just of the ceremony, but of them enjoying the island as well. Check it out!

Breanna and Chris - Fort Zachary Taylor Engagement Shoot

Breanna and Chris love Key West, so when they scheduled their vacation to the Southernmost Point of the United States, they reached out to schedule their Engagement Session at the same time. Check out some featured images from their photo shoot with me at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach.

Real EngagementsKarrieAugust 23, 2020key west photographer, engagement, engagement session, fort zachary taylorComment

Alex and Carlie - Surprise Engagement Session on the Beach

Alex and Carlie had been dating for a while when he started planning a trip to Key West, Florida. This gave him the perfect opportunity to plan an even bigger surprise…and undercover engagement session!

Lindsey and Keith | Key West Butterfly Conservatory Wedding

When a relationship begins in grade school, then picks back up 12 years later, you know it was meant to be! Lindsey and Keith waited for the perfect moment and the perfect place to get married, choosing Key West, Florida for their destination elopement, and made it extra special by inviting the monarchs, colorful birds, and even two flamingoes as guests to their wedding when they exchanged their vows at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.

Alexis and Brandon | Pier House Resort Key West Wedding

Brandon had submitted his application for a mortgage, when it landed in the hands of Alexis, the woman who would change his life forever. After meeting in person, Alexis knew that he was “the one”, and they were inseparable from that day on. With a love of travel, their romance would eventually lead to a destination wedding in Key West, which I was glad to become part of!

Real WeddingsKarrieFebruary 3, 2020Pier House Resortbeach wedding, fort zachary taylorComment

Which Portrait Session Option is Right For Me?

Whenever I have a family contact me about a portrait session, after receiving the packages and pricing, I often will have the discussion with clients about the differences between the types of sessions I offer. Instead of trying to describe the variation of images from each location and session length, I thought it would be easier if I just showed you!

So Many Ways to Get Wedding Photos in a Fortress!

It would be tempting to think that photographers on a small island would quickly tap out on ideas when they shoot at a location like Fort Zachary Taylor’s historic civil war fortress all the time, but necessity is the mother of invention, and when your job is to continually innovate and push yourself to the next level, you have no choice BUT to be creative!

Tips and TricksKarrieOctober 28, 2019Fort Zachary Taylor State Parkfort zachary taylor, portfolio, wedding venue, weddingComment

How to Plan a Proposal with an Undercover Photographer

Since undercover proposal sessions are photographed incognito, without the ability to give additional direction for the best posing, lighting, and other logistics, these tips help make sure you get the most out of your Key West Proposal shoot before the session has even begun.

Julianne and Anthony Celebrate a Key West Wedding Weekend

When an adventurous animal-loving couple decided to make their way to the warm and sunny beaches of Key West for their destination wedding, I had the opportunity to serve as their photographer on not just one, but two days! Relive their big day here

Paul and Madison's Surprise Engagement

The surprise started early in the day, when Paul informed his girlfriend that he had booked a surprise photo shoot at a nearby beach. What she didn’t know, is what REAL surprise awaited her once they got there!

Matt and Jordan's Undercover Proposal in Key West

When you’re getting ready to ask the love of your life to marry you, what better place than with the clear blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean behind you? Such was the scene when Matt popped the question, and I was there to document the moment, hidden in the bushes as it took place.

James and Sonia's Secret Engagement Shoot in Key West

Sometimes your Proposal Photographer is in plain sight, like this session I did with James and Sonia, where she knew all about the “fun couples beach photo shoot”, but it was not until halfway through the session that she came to learn the REAL reason for the session!

Ryan and Jasmine - A Rooftop Fortress Style Key West Proposal

When Ryan called me to discuss his plans to ask his girlfriend Jasmine to be his wife, he said "Whatever we do, I want her to feel really special,” landing with the decision to do it atop the historic fortress at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, high up over the park and overlooking the ocean in the background.

Photography