For all of you who didn't know I was on a 10 day fabulous trip to Aruba. Mike and I flew out of Bradley on Thursday, July 31st and arrived in the beautiful, tropical Aruba around 4:00. After the hassle of getting our luggage and the car etc, we finally left the airport at 6 towards our mission... to locate where the festivities the following day would take place. Tara and Steve booked me to go to Aruba to photograph their wedding taking place at the Machebo Bay Beach Resort, on Friday evening the 1st of August. So after scoping out the scene, Mike and I checked into the hotel, and did a little site seeing, relaxing and light drinking to kick off the start to a great week.
Friday morning we got up and relaxed at the beach, had a good meal and then went off to photograph the wonderful Steve & Tara. I photographed the guys for a bit and then left Mike with them to handle the rest. I have to say it was so awesome having Mike with me and shooting with me. He's only done it a few times, but I really do enjoy having him around.... and he really enjoyed it too!
So at 6:30 (because it was on "Aruba time") the setting couldn't be more perfect. The wedding took place on the beach with the sun setting above the stunning Caribbean waters. Steve and his 9 groomsmen walked the beach aisle, followed by the 4 bridesmaids and the model like bride. The ceremony itself was beautiful, as they emotional spoke their personal vows to one another with the sun falling slowly behind them, it truly was picture perfect.
The wedding continued with family photos on the beach, followed by the bridal party and of course the bride and groom. As they were in their engagement photos this couple is a photographers dream. They were up for anything, and you'll see what I mean when I post the other shoot I did of them later! They are the most down to earth, kind people you could ever meet and it truly was a pleasure to photograph them.
They had about 50 of their closest friends and family join in their celebration and celebrate they did. It was so wonderful to see how close a family they were and what great friends they really did have. As the night continued so did the drinks, and more and more people found their way to the photo booth, resulting in some hilarious photos, with men in very little clothing... they were too funny!
The next morning Mike and I relaxed again at the beach and then around 1:00 went to go pick up my parents, sisters and brother in law and we continued the week with a family vacation!
We had a great time, pretty much just relaxing and sipping more cocktails than we probably needed to, but hey that's what vacations are all about... right?!
On Wednesday, we got back together with Tara and Steve to do another shoot, this time it was casual, and in the water. We had so much fun, none of us anticipated being wet and we all came out soaked... especially them. I had such a fun time photographing them, and it looks like they had a great time as well!
Wednesday night we planned on doing a family photo, of my parents, sisters, brother in law and of course my hubby. We all wore khaki and white and found some great spots on the
Aruba beaches.
The rest of the week was spent relaxing and eating the amazing food that Aruba offers.... if you haven't been and have the chance email me for some great restaurants!
Anyway, so now I'm back to reality and we come back just in time to paint the inside of our house... so I'm finding myself a little further behind with work than I would like to be but I do have some free time and will certainly do my best to catch up. So thanks for bearing with me in advance!
Keep checking back for more updates, hopefully I will keep posting!
I also finished Kate's senior portraits. I had a great time photographing this photojenic girl. I went to her house and did a bunch of inside and outside stuff... there are several favorites that you can see on the slide show, but here is just one favorite.
they just went on and on about how wonderful it was and how great the food was etc.... so wonderful they even bought a place there! 
Since then they have invited us to Aruba 3 times now, and every time has been just as they originally described. This year however was something different because we were ALL able to go.
I have tons of work to do and to post but I brought my laptop with me
to Aruba and went through a few photos so I figured I would post them, as I keep having people ask me when they will see some of them... so here you all are, hope this takes the edge off for a bit!
Aruba beaches.
I mentioned after I photographed Steve and Tara's wedding in Aruba I decided that we should also do a casual shoot. So I got them up bright and early on the day they were leaving to do one last photo shoot in Aruba. 
each other and just being playful and having fun. 
