Jaime Smith Photography

Happy Holidays.

I think. I THINK this my "to do" on my long list of Holiday chores. Not that blogging is a chore in anyway to me. Actually, I miss my computer awfully bad these days. During my break, I haven't been on it except to check my depleting bank account and the weather in over 5 days!  That is pretty much a lifetime to me. I owe her (my computer) a hug. 

The studio will be closed through January 4th, but you are welcome to contact me via facebook or email (jaime@jaimesmithphotography.com.) in the meantime.

Well, as I sit here a night before a night before Christmas, I want to take the time to say Happy Holidays to my wonderful family, friends, clients and happy blog readers out there. I appreciate more than ever you and this AWESOME year you have helped us to achieve.

I wanted to post photos from our family portrait session with Ingrid Damiani, but I haven't had a moment. In the meantime, here is our holiday card which I was overjoyed to be able to use the images in the design. I promise to post a bunch of my favorites from the session after the holidays. I just love them and can't wait to share!

Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and I wish you all a blessed holiday!

 

If you can't read above, below is a close up. I decided to write a brief synopsis of each family member this year.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Jaime

Party of Five + Two

This is the second year one of my best friends and Couture Weddings business partner, Amy Barry, asked me to photograph her family for her holiday cards this year. As usual, she assures me that her kids will be wonderful to work with and it should only take five minutes of my time. You mothers and photographers out there know that five minutes with five kids is practically impossible. Well, not for the Barrys! Her kids are old pros and held their practiced poses beautifully, but I do think your session lasted about ten minutes, Amy.

I decided to post this to show you how amazing Amy and her family is. Number one, she has five children! Hello?! That in itself is an enormous feet. But, to manage the busy life of a Mom and a successful photography business is pure talent and devotion. Amy talks a lot about her trials and tribulations as a mother of five on her Family Blog. Check it out if you haven't before. She has taken a break from it for a while, but in the mean time you can follow her on Facebook which is a constant source of entertainment let me tell you.

I hope she doesn't mind me sharing the email she sent me yesterday thanking me for my whole ten minutes of time. I was just floored by how much my photo meant to her and think it encapsulates her love for her family; "I just want to thank you again for giving me the BEST Christmas Present EVER! I am so happy to finally have my family portrait. It's literally something I have wanted my entire life. I always wondered what my 'whole' family would look like. And now I have my answer. And I have a portrait of it to hang on the wall and cherish forever. Your gift is priceless."  This is why I LOVE my job.

Luv u Amy-Sue!

From left to right: Blaize, Jason, Amy, Brett, Breanne, Brooke and Brenna.

Featured in The Knot Florida!

Chin. Hit. Floor. I was ecstatic when Kiersten Rowland, Photography Coordinator for The Knot, contacted me about using Ashley and Brandon's wedding images on their website's live broadcast. But, then when she called and said she would like to feature their photos as well is when my chin hit the floor.

I don't have much to say other than THANK YOU! First I want to thank my bride and groom, Ashley & Brandon for being so excited about their wedding photos and allowing me to submit their images to The Knot. Then of course, thank you to Kiersten for wanting to feature our photos! I am pinching myself each time I see your amazing magazine in stores! It's been a long road and it feels great to feel validated for it. Thank you.

CLICK HERE to watch Ashley & Brandon's Slideshow from their breathtaking St. Augustine, winter wedding!

Alden & Neal's Wedding

I must admit, I am a bit of a klutz. There have been a few moments at weddings where I have slipped off a chair, tripped over my tripod and a few other mishaps that I don't care to mention. My brides and grooms are usually extremely sweet by not making too much fun of me. Well, in front of my face anyway.  Since I am less than blessed in this category, I am always the first to notice the most graceful woman in the room and anyone who has spent more than two seconds with Alden knows she is just that woman. She was truly a princess the day she met Neal at the end of the isle, and to watch them together was magic.

Their November, Sawgrass Marriot wedding was as divine as they are and I couldn't be more thrilled for the life before them! Congratulations you two and thank you for allowing me to capture your day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENJOY THE SLIDESHOW!

Candace & Derek's Maternity Session

The day was magical and the weather was perfect, the day Candace and Derek had their maternity session. I have always looked for light and knew I had to capture these two beauties outdoors. I photographed Candace & Derek's wedding the summer of 2007, and I couldn't have been more excited to hear when they were expecting! They are due on Christmas day with their little boy, Conner.

Congratulations you two and I look forward to meeting this little boy!

 

 

 

I was so appreciative Candace didn't mind the 3 wardrobe changes in the car! She and Derek brought a mountain of clothes, upon my request and was thrilled to see this sundress. It made these photos below. I think this one might be my favorite....
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the Slideshow!

 

Mini-Session Outtake

Denise has been a client since Claire was 3 months old. This year she booked a mini-session for their family Christmas portrait, but Claire had other ideas. I thought I would post this cute candid I captured during their session. This is for all you Mommies who think your child is the only one!!

 

and here is one we got just a few moments later.....

 

A Maternity Sneak Peek

I photographed Candace and Derek's wedding back in the summer of 2007 and two years later then are expecting their first baby! I was so excited to photograph their baby bump and even more excited to post this sneak peek! This is a busy time of year for me and won't be able to get to their session for a wee-bit longer so I figured I would post one teaser so they can see whats to come. Hang in there guys, it won't be much longer.

Oh, and Derek...I chose this one for you! Like you said, "All I am here for is to be blurred out in the background." Your wish is my command.  Hahaha!

Holiday Print Order Deadline

Just a quick reminder....

The LAST day for holiday print orders is Sunday, December 6th by midnight!

The last day for holiday cards is Sunday, November 29th by midnight!

Also, all gallery re-posts are FREE so if you want any holiday prints for Christmas, please contact me asap so you can place your order by the deadline. 

Thank so much!- Jaime

The Roache Family

This crew has had a bunch to celebrate in the last few years and I am lucky enough to have been a part of the ride. Our first session together was Lucy's First Birthday where Lucy got to eat her first cupcake, they invited me to their home to photograph Lucy's when she Turned Two, and then I was right back over there a few months later to capture Lucas's Newborn Session. I am with these guys so much that I am thinking I might as well move in with them!

Well, this time of year I tend to get a little sentimental and am so grateful to have such wonderful clients like the Roache family. I thank all of my clients for bringing me into your lives, and feel blessed beyond belief to have been able to capture your sweet memories. But, of course most of all to call you my friends. This is the coolest gig ever!

This year we decided to try out the streets of Old St. Augustine.

We found this door which was too cool and complemented Lucy's red ensemble perfectly!

Oh, happy boy.

Lucas turned one last week! Happy Birthday little man!

 

 

Pure sweetness.

This photo is one of my favorites all year. Magic.

Sweet As Pie

When Jacqueline called me to book her annual holiday session I was super excited, then when she told me about her friend who had a Christmas red 57 Chevy I was already blogging her session before the first photo was taken! This family is strait out of a catalog, and they are just as sweet as apple pie and the greatest bunch of people Jason and I know!

I have know Matt and Jacqueline for years and we even attended The Bradley Method Childbirth class together when we we were both pregnant with our firsts. These two are quite the team and their boys, Matthew and Benjamin, are quite the little darlings.

Thank you guys for your continued love and support and bless you and your family this Holiday Season!

-Jaime

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Things We Do for Love

I thought I would post this shot I took during my most recent session with one of my dearest little clients. I have been photographing Lucy since her 1st birthday and this time her parents, Kayce and TJ met me in downtown St. Augustine for their annual family session. They always come prepared with a a number of wardrobe selections and props. They are a wonderful bunch of folks and the sweetest clients EVER! It's amazing what my clients go through for their sessions, and these two always put that extra thought and love into theirs.

Had a blast with you guys! Hang in there, your gallery is coming soon....