Kimberly Florence | Photography: September 2012

Friday, September 14, 2012

One Note Stand, University of Mary Washington Co-Ed A'Capella

There are so many things about my Freshman year of college that I look back and I ask myself, why. Why did I do that crazy thing? But one thing I never ask myself WHY about all began one summer night, during the first week of classes, in a classroom in the theatre building... with 75 other students. I auditioned for The One Note Stand. Leading up to college, I had always been a singer. I was in every ensemble you could possibly join, except for the all-male a'capella groups of course, and I performed in two musicals throughout high school as well. And I loved it. I mean loved it. I knew I wanted to keep singing. It was easy, it was something I was good at, and it made me really happy. I sang in One Note Stand for a little over a year, and then my other commitments (mainly Photo and Young Life) started to play a bigger and bigger role in my life. During that year though, I met some incredible people. People who found so much joy in expressing themselves through musical composition and creativity. We sang, we danced, we laughed, we yelled, and we sang some more.

The other night, I got the privilege of taking their photos for them (which will be used for their website and for an invitational they will be singing at Richmond Rhythm later this month). They were so much fun to be with. Although the members of the group have changed quite a bit since I sang with them, the group has the same energy, if not more. We had SO much fun the other night... I accidentally took up their entire rehearsal time to take pictures of them. I couldn't stop though. They are just a really attractive group of people. I hope y'all had as much fun as I did! And I hope the rest of your rehearsal (all 15 minutes of it) went well... you guys are great at what you do. Keep singing. Keep loving each other. Keep laughing and sharing your music with people.

ENJOY! You guys rock.

<3, kimmie

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Megan + Tyler get married! Kent Island, Maryland: Rehearsal Dinner

When I say Holiday Dinners, you normally think food, right? Really good food. For example, Mom's homemade Pecan Pie. Or her Pumpkin Pie. Maybe Strawberry Rhubarb. Or Cookie Cake (we love cookie cake in my family... thank you Chris & Ryan, and mom for buying it every.. single.. year.) You think candles, fancy clothes, family, friends, festive music and marathons of all the holiday movies. In our family and with our friends, Holiday Dinners are where we bring new people in. And these aren't just any new people in our lives. We are talking "significant other" new. It's a chance to meet, to greet, and to get grilled (if you are a boy) by all the Dad's and older brother's in the room.

When Megan brought Tyler to a Holiday Dinner, we all knew that he was a pretty big deal. I mean, you don't just bring anybody to Holiday Dinners. So, when Tyler popped the question in Hilton Head (a popular vacation spot for among our family friends) last summer, we were all beyond excited. Tyler could not be a better fit for Megan. He is strong, really sweet, and really loving. When they are together, you can really see the way the compliment each other through their interactions. He keeps her calm and her outgoing personality brings out a side of him that you don't always see. They really are just perfect together, and their wedding was just so beautiful.

I got to shoot their Rehearsal Dinner pictures at the beautiful Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, with dinner following at Harris Crab House. My oh my was it BEAUTIFUL and HOT. It was right on the water, next to the infamous Bay Bridge. Perfect. Just perfect. My dad performed the ceremony, so we were all sorts of involved in the wedding and that just made this day even more special for us to celebrate in a "behind-the-scenes" kind of way. My mom, my dad, and I were the first to arrive... and then Megan + her bridesmaids showed up. And THEN the fun began..