The Sweetest Little Backyard Wedding Since I Don't Know When

A back yard transformation and a slightly non-traditional celebration

I love backyard weddings. They're intimate, low key, and often quite creative. You'd have to be, honestly, when working with a small space. But of all the backyard weddings I've done, Erin & Paul's was the most memorable.

Welcome to Wonderland

I don't have any photos of how this yard looked before (Oh, how I wish I did!) but when I say it was transformed, I mean it! I honestly didn't recognize it when I walked in. The fairy lights, the textiles, the plants - it was all so dreamy! And it could not have been more perfect.

Up For Anything

When I introduced myself to the bride and groom, they shook my hand and said, "You're the photographer, we trust you - just tell us what you want us to do." (Words every photographer loves to hear!) I honestly didn't know what I wanted to do, either, especially given the small space, but once we got started the magic just flowed.

I mean...look at these two!!! PERFECTION!

The posing was so accidentally editorial I was squealing inside, and the late afternoon light that came peeking through the trees could not have been more perfect.

Everything I asked, they happily did. Every time I made stupid noises or embarrassed myself, they laughed along and went with the flow. It was fun.

Something Different

Erin & Paul had already gotten legally married, so they chose to do something different with their family & friends present. As they stood together under the pergola, family members got up and shared letters, poems, or words of encouragement for the couple, who then exchanged some very touching vows. It was truly an intimate and sweet affair, and I feel so fortunate to have witnessed and captured it for them.

Every wedding is different, and every one is special in its own right. What I love about the small ones is the closeness, that sense of inclusion - like I'm being let in on a really special secret. And I get to take that energy, that softness, and infuse it into the pictures I take, so they never lose that feeling, no matter how many years have gone by.

Check out the full gallery for the rest of their story: https://www.erin-paul.purpleflyphotography.com/ and leave a comment below with your favorite image!

Location matters

What's the best spot for our photo session?

I'm so glad you asked! There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a location for your session, whether it's for engagement or maternity. You want to make sure it's accessible, first and foremost - is there parking? Is there a long walk to the site? Is it crowded?

Second, you want to consider what vibe you're going for. Rustic? Organic? Urban? Glamorous? If you've got a style in mind, I've got a location for you. Check out some of my favorite spots in the Gainesville area:

Dudley Farm Historic State Park - Newberry, FL

Dudley Farm is a hidden gem here in North Central Florida. Full of history, raw texture, and real Florida nature, it's a perfect and versatile location for almost any kind of session. I especially like to bring couples here, though, because there's so much room for interaction - between the couple as well as between them and the environment.

(check out all it has to offer here: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/dudley-farm-historic-state-park )

Downtown Gainesville, Florida

What's not to love about Downtown Gainesville? The options for backgrounds are almost limitless! From the regal architecture of the Hippodrome Theater, to the eclectic Sun City Center, to the historic Firestone Building a few blocks away, there is something interesting everywhere you look!

(More details at: https://www.visitgainesville.com/explore/downtown-gainesville/ )

Micanopy Historic District

Micanopy (mik-an-o-pee) is kind of like the town that time forgot - in the best possible way. Everything looks like it came straight out of history book - aged brick walls, rustic buildings, quiet streets, and some of the biggest Live Oak trees in Florida. It's perfect for a vintage-style session or, if you're really adventurous, a modern vibe against a historic backdrop!

(More information at: http://www.explorehistoricalachuacounty.com/location/micanopy-historic-district/ )

Florida Beaches

I admit, I'm a sucker for a beach session. No, I don't love trekking across the sand with all of my equipment, but I DO love what the beaches have to offer in terms of visual interest. My favorites? Marineland Beach and its coquina rocks, offering a unique texture to every scene. And Boneyard Beach at Big Talbot Island, with its driftwood and scraggly old trees. It's a total mood. (More about Boneyard Beach here: https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/boneyard-beach )

Historic Thomas Center, Duckpond Area, Gainesville

The Thomas Center is a popular place for a reason - between the beautifully appointed gardens and the gorgeous Mediterranean-revival architecture, it's got everything you need for a photo session. I wish I could name a favorite spot on the grounds, but I can't. Everything about it is a photographer's dream.

(Visit http://www.historicthomascenter.org/ for more information)

San Felasco Hammock State Park

I just recently discovered this spot and I was in love the second I pulled into the parking lot. It was a dreary day - cold, damp, and drizzly - but it didn't matter. Even the muted winter colors seemed to just pop out, and the textures...gasp! There's a uniquely organic feel here - more than in any other natural setting I've used - and I'm itching to get back there and create!

(check it out: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/san-felasco-hammock-preserve-state-park )

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

Last, but certainly not least, is my first love. Kanapaha Gardens is a visual wonderland. Winding garden paths, vine-covered pergolas, a bamboo forest, succulent gardens, an entire Camelia forest...the list goes on. If you're looking for a natural setting with lots of versatility, this is the place to go.

(more information here: https://kanapaha.org )

Northern Florida is rich with both history and some of the most lush and varied nature I've ever seen, and I know there is even more to explore - here, and beyond. Maybe in a year I'll have a new list that's twice as long!

Thanks for hanging,

Our Kind of Love

"Now they hold their own out on the liners

They're always prime for something slow

And you won't find them changin' partners

Love will keep in step keepin' up with a country set

It's our kind of love I'll bet

They're together everywhere they go"

- "Our Kind of Love", Clint Black

I met these two when they answered a model call back in November, and the moment they showed up, I knew it was going to be a fun session.

Katelyn's energy was infectious from the get-go - she was excited to be there, and she and Colton were ready and willing to do whatever I asked - and I couldn't help but get excited myself. Of course, my excitement "on set" usually leads to a total brain freeze and that day was no different. I completely blanked on how to begin.

Then I remembered that Katelyn and Colton were big fans of country music and line dancing, so we pulled up a country playlist and my brain kicked into gear.

Everything after that was just fun! The great thing about shooting at Dudley Farm (https://friendsofdudleyfarm.org) is that it's ripe with old & rustic buildings that are perfect for a country-loving couple, and the weathered wood on the two we used were an ideal backdrop. It seems so simple, but it's pretty surprising how many poses are possible with a wall and a small set of stairs.

But we didn't stop there. In front of the rustic old buildings was a wide open field and I had ideas - lots of them - for making the most of it.

The weather that day was a little unusual for November - cloudy and cool, with a little bit of a breeze - so I decided to take advantage of that with some wide-angle shots while my darling couple did what they love to do - dance!

I don't really know why I love this image so much, but it's one of my absolute favorites from this session. Something about the fact that they're just so involved in each other and their dance makes it feel like they're the only ones on that field and I was just lucky enough to capture it. Maybe it's the all the grass and trees and sky that surround them, or the combination of everything.

What makes my job so much fun is that I get to capture people in their element - learn about what they love, who they are, and how they spend their time together, and then use that to create images that truly depict their connection. On this day, it was country dancing; other times it's a simple walk in the woods, or a charming downtown day-date. That's the beauty of it - every session is custom, which means I get endless opportunities to give my couples an experience that's unlike any other.

Nancy

More Photos Here