Vargas Visual Media, Inc.

Kyle & Kristy's Engagement Portraits ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2011-06-09T14:47:00.001-07:00

Kyle and Kristy are such naturals in front of the camera! It was truly a pleasure to photograph them, as they made my job so easy! We can't wait for their wedding!

Love In The Library ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2011-06-07T07:43:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful session with Matt & Kristen wandering the Downtown Library, and then downtown! More images coming soon.

In A Back Alley... ~ Jacksonville Engagement Photographer

2011-05-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

Just a quick shot from a recent session! More coming soon...

Changes! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2011-05-05T11:21:00.000-07:00

Hello to all of our one follower! It's so wonderful to know you are there, and care enough to check this blog! I just wanted to let it be known that are going to be a few changes coming to the feel of Vargas Visual. It's time we got a little more personal, and added some personality ( read spunk ) to our brand. So be sure to stay tuned for the Awesomeness that will be on the way!

PS- We're also on the verge of getting a studio! Oooo Exciting! Tons of money to be poured into decorating and setting that up, so if you've been debating on when to do your session, Now's The Perfect Time! Just sayin.... =)

Jarett and Dayana Got Engaged! ~ Jacksonville Proposal Photographer

2011-05-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

We've been friends with Jarett and Dayana for a while now, and I can't tell you how honored and excited I was when Jarett asked me to help him plan a surprise proposal! I've done a fun photoshoot with Dayana before, which you can see here, so it wasn't that unbelievable that I would be asking her to pose for me again. So, we choose a day, found a great location, Worked out the details, and Viola! See for yourself:

Oh I love this one! Something about it just draws me to it. I keep going back to it. Love!

Swoon!! Love it! Absolutely a new favorite!

The set up... Can you see the box??

She said Yes!

Nicely Done!

Thinking about proposing to your special someone?? Let us help you, and be there to capture all the emotion of such a momentous event!

Shawn and Darcie are Engaged! ~ St. Augustine Wedding Photographer

2011-05-02T13:31:00.000-07:00

It's a small world. The more I get to know my clients, the more I realize how true this is! The second time we met with Shawn and Darcie, she told me she finally figured out why I looked so familiar. We were in the same dance studio ump-teen years ago! How crazy is that??
Last week, we met up with these two in Downtown St. Augustine to get their engagement portraits, and boy did we go exploring! All the way from one end, clear to the other. But it was all totally worth it, as it usually is! =) As you can see:

Something a bit high fashion =)

Aren't those shoes just awesome?!

Kyle & Kristy's Sneak Peek! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2011-04-28T13:51:00.001-07:00

Kyle and Kristy were so much fun! I love it when couples are comfortable enough with us to relax and enjoy themselves, and let their personalities come through the images. It really makes a difference. You'll see what I mean with the full post of images, but first, here's a sneak peek at two images I thought were pretty snazzy:

This one is their 'Signature Pose' =)

I love the minimalism of the above image!
I have found that alot of the brides I've worked with share my mentality when it comes to displaying images of themselves. I love great images of us as a couple, and I'll splash those images all across my Facebook page, Flickr, Twitter, etc. However, when it comes to displaying images in my own home, I'm not so eager. I can count on one hand how many images I have displayed of the hubby and/or family and I in the public access areas of the house. And the largest of those is currently a 5"x7". I, personally, don't want to have a huge image of just us hanging over the mantle, or the couch, or anywhere. Not when our beautiful smiling faces are blown up to 3 times the normal size to stare down all our guests. However, if I were to have an image such as the one above, a more artistic image, you'd better believe I'd blow that sucker up and proudly display it to everyone! =)
So this was just a thought I'd like to share, and to let everyone who feels the same way know, that there is hope! You can have great images of yourselves proudly displayed and artistically captured, that won't creep you out.

Shawn & Darcie are Engaged! ~ St. Augustine Portrait Photographer

2011-04-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

We did quite a bit of exploring and walking last night with Shawn and Darcie for their engagement portraits in old St. Augustine! from one end clear to the other! But it was totally worth it! Here's a sneak peek:

Now didn't I say it was worth it?!?! Wowsa!

Pinterest! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2011-04-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

I have discovered Pinterest! It's a great site that allows you to collect all the wonderful inspiration and ideas into one place! You can create your own boards, and follow other's to see what goodies they can find. You should check it out, and don't forget to follow us!

She Said Yes! ~ Jacksonville Proposal Photographer

2011-04-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

Just a quick shot from a surprise proposal this past Saturday. She said Yes!

More to come soon!

Matt & Beth Are Engaged! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2011-03-30T08:47:00.001-07:00

Beth discovered this great little park with such personality, and just knew she had to get their engagement portraits done there. And I'm so glad we did! Isn't everything about this place just beautiful?? Not to mention, a great looking couple, and you can't go wrong! See for yourself:

Tuesdays Tips! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2011-03-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

Weddings are stressful. Even the most relaxed and laid back weddings have their stress, to ensure everything goes smoothly and on time. Before the ceremony, the bride and her ladies are all occupied with the bazillion tasks that need to be completed before the ceremony starts, and making sure nothing gets forgotten. However, 9 out of 10 times, something very important does get left behind:
EATING!
Because of the level of stress, no one notices how they haven't been hungry enough to eat more than the bare minimum all morning. Not until about 10 minutes after the ceremony is over. At that point, everyone's stomachs can be heard a mile away! And it's at that point that we're asking them to stand around for 45 minutes while we get all the formal portraits done. I don't know about you, but that prospect doesn't induce me to smile for any photographer, if I were in the bridal party.
You know the saying, that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach; But when it comes to happy subjects in photographs, it applies to everyone! If we are taking the bulk of the photographs at the reception site, it's great to have some of the staff bring the hors d'ouvres out to where you are. Or, if you are looking to stay at the ceremony location, make sure to have some finger foods readily available. A tray of small sandwiches from Publix works great. Or you can get some Clif bars, or various protein bars, to help keep you going! Whatever you choose to do, a little bit of sustenance, not only for you, but those in your bridal party and family, can go a long way when asking people to smile for the camera, and making a great day go even smoother!

And because every post looks 1000x better with a photograph, here's a sneak peek at the wedding we did last weekend! Isn't this such a hot shot!?!? Wow, that couple is working it! Yowzas, I think this might be one of my new favorites!!

Groom Family ~ Jacksonville Family Photographer

2011-03-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

The Groom family are long time family friends of my hubby and his family, and it's been great getting to know them myself! They are quite a quirky and fun group, always ready to laugh, and never in short supply of jokes, especially towards those they love. =P We got together last weekend to take a few minutes and update their family album, and I absolutely Love the images we captured! Take a looksie for yourself:

Images like this are very typical with engagement shoots, but I love how they still look so content and happy 26 years later!

They dubbed this one their new band cover =)

Travel To I Do ~ Destination Wedding Photographer

2011-03-11T06:59:00.001-08:00

Are you considering a destination wedding? Did you know that I love traveling?? Wouldn't it be so wonderful if you took me with you to photograph your awesome destination wedding?? Seriously. Please take me with you. My passport has been empty for too long! Please?

Either way, if your thinking about getting lost on a beach far far away, or anywhere, for that matter, you should check out Travel To I Do. It's a great blog with all things inspirational for all your destination needs! So what are you waiting for, go check out Travel To I Do!

Tuesday's Tips! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2011-03-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

This poor blog has been so neglected. I'm horrible at blogging on a regular basis. So sad. However, in an effort to try to help fix the deplorable state of my blog ( at least a teensy bit ), I've decided to start a 'Tuesday's Tips!' post. I would be lying if I said I thought I could actually post something useful every Tuesday, but maybe every other? Realistically, we're probably looking at once a month, but hey! Practice makes perfect! And maybe one day I'll actually get good enough to live up the the weekly tip that the title implies. =) We've learned alot from the weddings we've been at. We aren't just there to take pictures of the day, but help make things run more smoothly. Seamlessly. I always have, in my photo bag, an 'Emergency Kit', which includes the following:
Bandaids, A sewing kit with scissors, breath mints, Tide On The Go Stain remover, Crest one use brushes, First Aid Kit, safety pins, bobby pins, and a lint roller.
It has come in handy a number of times!
Your day is going to be amazing! And I'm one of the people you are going to hire to make it so! ;)
So without further ado, I'd like to kick off my first Tuesday's Tips!

How to Get the Best Pre-Ceremony Photos

All of our packages include time to meet up with the bride as she and her girls are getting ready. There are a few things to keep in mind when planning where you would like to be. Wherever you choose, make sure there are plenty of windows! Window light is the most natural, and the most flattering. Makeup Artists prefer natural light, and it's better for all the girls when applying makeup. Some hotels or rooms only have minimal lighting, and this can be a problem for girls trying to see properly to put on the best eye shadow!
It also helps when you have a large room, with plenty of space for everyone to move freely in. We always take as many portraits as possible before the ceremony, and it's nice to be able to have plenty of room to fluff out the dress. Many times, you are stuck in this room until the ceremony starts, so make the most of it! And this point goes hand in hand with my next:
If there are more than one rooms, perhaps we can put most of the bags in the smaller room? There is alot of stuff that has to be brought along on the day of the wedding, and most of those large bags are left in open areas. Makes it easy to access, but sometimes the pictures can look better in a more clutter free area. Or at least, keeping it out of a nicer area where you will be putting on your dress and doing more portraits.
Obviously, the emotions and moments are the most important things when it comes to the portraits, and it doesn't matter what the room looks like when you capture an amazing moment. But it is something to think about (among the bajillion other things that come with weddings), and a little thought can go a long way. And of course, since every post is so much better with pictures, here are a few favorites of mine, all pre-Ceremony, where the bride was getting ready:

Just For Fun Bridal ~ Jacksonville Bridal Photographer

2011-02-14T07:22:00.001-08:00

Last year I got together with two good friends of mine to strut their stuff once more in their wedding dresses! The whole day was quite an adventure, with hauling a couch out to the middle of nowhere, getting kicked out of said nowhere, finding another middle of nowhere across the street, having people slow down to stare, and getting stuck in the dirt! Yet, I think these images are absolutely worth everything we had to do and more! See for yourself:

The accordion is her father's. In exchange for letting us use it, he asked for a few 'promotional' images of it, as he's looking to sell it. So this was one of them, as she is 'lusting' after the accordion....

DIY Wedding Inspiration ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photograph

2011-02-14T06:46:00.001-08:00

Weddings these days are just getting more and more expensive. I love finding great site with some easy and unique Do-It-Yourself ideas and inspiration. And it helps when they've got easy to follow instructions, and pictures! I recently came across this wonderful site RuffledBlog.com, and not only do they have plenty of unique weddings to drool over, but they also have a whole section dedicated to DIY ideas and inspiration, WITH FREE DOWNLOADS! How cool is that?? Check it out!

Showing your Inner Model ~ Jacksonville Graduation Photographer

2011-02-08T08:16:00.000-08:00

Sophia and I met up in Downtown Jacksonville to get some killer shots for her graduation of High School! It was definitely a blast wandering through the streets, finding great little nooks for portraits. Thanks so much for being such a sport, the pictures are definitely well worth the effort!

Amanda + Stephen ~ Orlando Wedding Photographer

2011-01-28T06:57:00.000-08:00

We recently had the privilege to go down to central florida for the lovely wedding of Amanda and Stephen. These two are so obviously in love, and the day was a true joy to capture! I don't think I've met a nicer couple. And put that with the fact that they were up for anything we could ask them to do, just totally made everything spectacular!! I mean, c'mon. It's the day of her wedding, and she's sitting on railroad tracks, hopping on the rail car, acting sassy, we almost didn't know what to do with ourselves, it was so amazing! Congrats to you both!

The Seamstress ~ Jacksonville Fashion Photographer

2011-01-27T15:20:00.000-08:00

Fashion photography isn't exactly what I'm cut out for, for every now and then I absolutely love getting creative and trying my hand. However, I'm a big fan of the slightly unusual. I love when there is a slight bit of oddity about an image that makes you tilt your head to the side and just stare. It's my goal to do a collection of images titled 'Stereotypical Roles'. Quintessential females roles with a twist. Our first attempt was 'The Seamstress'. The images are absolutely stunning, and they were a blast to make! Enjoy, and keep an eye ou for more in the series sometime soon!

Stay tuned, also, for some behind the scenes photos!

Wedding Wire Reviewed! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2011-01-27T07:46:00.000-08:00

We won the Bride's Choice Awards 2011 from WeddingWire! This means we are in the top 5 percent of Wedding Pros nationwide. Yay!

My Heritage ~ Jacksonville Photographer

2011-01-10T08:15:00.000-08:00

I love photography. I always have. It gives us a glimpse into a moment, and the emotion that was present. It also gives us a look into the past. Old photos are amazing to me. To see how things have changed is just staggering! My grandfather enjoyed photography as a hobby, as did my father. And because of that, I always had a camera readily accessible to play with. However, one thing I have learned looking back through their pictures, is to step from behind the camera every now and then. Let someone else take a picture of you for a change! There are so few pictures of my grandfather, because he was always the one taking the pictures! But, we do have a few gems, and I'd like to share them with you today.

On their wedding day. He came to visit her family, and by the end of the trip, 10 days later, they were engaged! They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last June.

This picture is one of the most recent 'nice pictures' that we have of them both together. It's 20 years old. You really shouldn't wait that long to take pictures with the ones you love!
My grandfather passed away on December 17th, 2010.

3 Sisters Fling Paint! ~ Jacksonville Family Portrait Photographer

2010-12-31T08:39:00.000-08:00

This past fall a good friend of mine asked me to do some surprise family portraits of her and her 2 sisters for their mother. But of course, we can't just do any old family session. We decided what could be more fun than flinging paint at each other, and occasionally, on the canvas?? So we set about finding eco-friendly paint from the wonderful people at Mythic Paint, a canvas, and a great place to just kick back and have some fun! I hope you enjoy the results as much as we enjoyed creating the images!

CJ & Enjoli's Engagement Portraits ~ St. Augustine Photographer

2010-12-13T10:57:00.000-08:00

This weekend we met up with CJ and Enjoli in Downtown St. Augustine for their engagement portraits. We found some great little nooks in the area, then rushed to the beach to catch that yummy light given off by the sunset. Due to St. Augustine being amazingly busy and backed up, we barely missed the sunset, but the sky was still aglow with some great color, so we snapped off a few shots before it all disappeared. And they turned out phenomenal! I can't wait for their wedding next year!

Rich & Kristy Tie the Knot! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2010-12-01T09:19:00.000-08:00

Stephen and Amanda's Wedding Sneak Peak! ~ Orlando, FL Wedding Photographer

2010-11-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we made the drive down to Apopka, FL to shoot the wedding of Stephen and Amanda! Everything went so smoothly, and we can't wait to share all the wonderful images we got! Until then, here's a sneak peek of two of my favorites:

Manny & Nicole's Couple Session ~ Jacksonville Florida Family Photographer

2010-11-03T11:09:00.000-07:00

It has been a real pleasure photographing these two over the last two years! It all started with their Engagement Session, then came their Marriage. We got together in Downtown Jacksonville for their final Couple's Session that was included in their package. It has been great getting to know these two better. The entire session was non stop laughs!

Knight Family Portraits ~ Jacksonville Family Photographer

2010-10-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

I met up with these beautiful girls for some portraits of them in their traditional Korean dresses. Keeping the baby distracted enough to keep her from pulling off the hat was quite a challenge! But I was up for it, and I love the results of our hard work! Don't they just look so precious??

And, of course, while we had them smiling, we got some portraits of them in their regular clothes.

Chris & Ashley Said 'I Do'! ~ St. Augustine, Florida Wedding Photographer

2010-10-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Chris and Ashley had a beautiful wedding at the Grace United Methodist in downtown St. Augustine, with the reception at the White Room. The day couldn't have been more beautiful, and the couple more stunning! Congrats to you both!!

Chris & Ashley Moore's Wedding Day Highlight from Sam V on Vimeo.

View their Highlight Video! Vargas Visual Media brings you photo video fusion of your big day, and their's was a pleasure to capture as the day unfolded!

Keith & Michaela Said 'I Do!' ~ Sneak Peek ~ St. Augustine Wedding Photographer

2010-10-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

Keith and Michaela had a beautiful wedding yesterday at the White Room Loft. They scheduled plenty of time for portraits, and everything turned out just perfect! You couldn't' have asked for better weather, location, or couple! Here's a sneak peek of their big day. Stay tuned for more soon!

Is her cathedral veil not gorgeous?!?!

It wouldn't be complete without a quick round of putt-putt!

Brian & Jacqueline's Sneak Peek! ~ Jacksonville Beach Wedding Photography

2010-04-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a few images from Saturdays wedding at the Casa Marina, Jacksonville Beach. Everything worked out so well for their wedding! The lighting was beautiful, and we got some great pictures of their special day. More to come soon!

Michael & Brittany's Wedding Photos! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2010-04-27T11:10:00.000-07:00

We photographed this beautiful couple's wedding in March. The ceremony took place in a small historic church, which was busting at the seams with friends and family, so happy for them on their big day! Congratulations to you both!

A Huge shout out to my second photographer for the day, Steph, who got this great shot of the mother of the bride helping her daughter. I love the smile on her face!

I love it when the groom tears up when he sees his bride. So romantic!

Chad & Jennifer's Wedding Sneak Peek! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2010-04-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

Such a beautiful bride!

I love this shot that my second shooter, Steph, got of the radiant couple!

More coming soon!

Ryan & Brittany's Wedding ~ Orange Park Wedding Photographer

2010-04-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

Ryan & Brittany were married on a very sunny day at the beautiful Orange park Country Club. They opted for a 'First Sight', where they see each other before the ceremony. I love it when the couple wants to do this, as it give us so much more time to get great photos! See for yourself:

I LOVE the look on the grooms face as he sees his bride for the first time!

During the vows, Brittany 'accidentally' said "For richer and richer", and this was the groom's reaction!

Is that not a great groom's cake??

One of the best parts of the night was the s'mores bar! It was a fabulous idea, and everyone loved it!

Randy & Danay's Wedding ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2010-04-06T11:23:00.000-07:00

Randy and Danay are great friends of ours, and we had the pleasure to photograph their wedding last year. Danay is a beautiful bride, and I love all the details she put into the big day! It's obvious that these two are in love and so happy together. Congratulations!

I love this shot that my second shooter, Court, got of the couple dancing.

Jax Shoot Club ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2010-01-28T08:20:00.000-08:00

There's been some pretty awesome shoot clubs forming here in Jacksonville. Jax Shoot Club is one of those clubs, and I had the chance to join them for some bridal portraits on Jax Beach last year. Here are a few shots that I wanted to share!

Craig & Adriana's Wedding ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2010-01-28T07:50:00.000-08:00

Craig and Adriana had such a beautiful and emotional wedding. Having known the bride and her family for a number of years now, it truly was an honor to be entrusted with their most precious wedding memories!

Devin & Jimmy Engagement ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2009-11-04T06:39:00.000-08:00

I met up with Devin and Jimmy at the Zoo to get some great engagement portraits before their wedding later on this month. With such a beautiful couple at such a beautiful location, how could we go wrong? Enjoy!

Michael & Brittany Engaged! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2009-10-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

Eagle Harbor holds a special place for these two, so that's where we met up to get their engagement portraits. They would frequently walk out to the dock, so of course, that's where we had to go! And that's where we got this great shot of them goofing off. =) More to come soon!

Devin + Jimmy =Engaged! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2009-10-06T09:04:00.001-07:00

I met up with Devin and Jimmy at the Zoo this past weekend to get their engagement portraits. Such a beautiful place! And when graced with the presence of these two, how could we go wrong? Here's a sneak peek!

Jennifer & Chut Engaged! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

2009-10-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Technically, they are already married, but they are having a formal ceremony later this month. So we got together to get some 'engagement' photos before the big day. Here's a sneak!

Randy + Danay = Wedding

2009-10-06T08:52:00.000-07:00

Randy and Danay are one of the sweetest couples I've ever known. The only thing more beautiful than the bride, was their love for each other, which I know will last forever! Here's a sneak peek.

Immanuel & Nicole Married!

2009-10-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

This seems to be the year for many of our friends to be getting married! Immanuel and Nicole are such wonderful friends, and we knew their wedding was going to be a blast! Here's a sneak peek at the beautiful bride.

Stay Tuned for more from their wedding!

Adriana & Craig Engaged!

2009-10-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

This poor blog has been so neglected lately. We've been quite busy with weddings, engagement sessions, and WEVA. So expect a string of sneak peeks coming, and hopefully, before too long, the full posts! To start it all off, we went down to the always lovely St. Augustine for Adriana & Craig's engagement session. I've known Adriana for a number of years, and I can't wait for their wedding in November. They are such a cute couple. and were up for anything!

A Wedding in Ohio!!

2009-09-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

Sam and I just returned from Streetsboro, Ohio, where we photographed the wedding of two of our friends! I just wanted to share a sneak peek of the beautiful couple.

Brian + Jacqueline = Engagement Session

2009-08-18T17:24:00.000-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of meeting up with Brian and Jacqueline down in the lovely St. Augustine for their engagement session. Despite the heat we got tons of great pictures. We even went for a ride on the merry-go-round at the end!

C.J. + Katherine = Engagement

2009-07-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

Last Monday we went out to TPC Sawgrass to do the engagement session of CJ and Katherine. They are such a fun couple! Despite the rain we had a blast. After the TPC, we went to the beach for some champagne, and try to catch what was left of the sunset. I can't wait till their wedding in October!

Ryan + Brittany = Engagement Session

2009-07-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

We headed down to St. Augustine Saturday evening to photograph Ryan and Brittany for their engagement session. There's so many great places downtown, and they were up for anything, which made for some great pictures!

Immanuel + Nicole = Engagement Session!

2009-07-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

Just when you start to think you can relax a little and take things a bit more slowly, you get sideswiped with 3 engagement sessions in 3 days! Not that I'm complaining. They are some of the most fun we've ever had on engagement sessions! On Sunday evening I met up with Immanuel and Nicole at Friendship Fountain. Even in a dress, Nicole was more than willing to scale walls and climb over benches, all in the name of great pictures! Their session was full of laughs, and I had a great time photographing them, especially since we've been friends for a few years now. Congrats to you both!

New Album! Softbound Image Capsule

2009-06-24T09:39:00.000-07:00

I have a new album to add to my line-up! I'm so pleased with the quality of this one, I really think it's going to be a hit! The pages are printed on photographic paper, like the flush mounts, except without the thickness in the pages. But you can choose between a soft cover, or a hard one, with choices of leather, image cover, image wrap, acrylic, and more! The company also offers flush mount albums in a variety of sizes, and claims that they are waterproof! Check out their website, www.ImageCapsule.com to find out more!

On to the Pictures!

With this particular album, I chose the image cover, which is available in full color. When you order a hard cover, it also comes with a protective/decorative box!

The book lays completely flat!

Another shot of the layout. =)

Something that makes these albums different from the other flush mounts I offer is that they have a very small gutter between the pages. This will ensure that there is absolutely no discoloration in the crease.

David + Stephanie = Wedding Montage!

2009-06-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the lapse in time since we've posted anything. Sam has been working hard on some wedding montages he shot earlier in the spring, and I have one here to show you! This is from David and Stephanie's beautiful outdoor wedding at the Wyndham Hotel.

If you wish to watch it in HD ( which is recommended ), please click their name below the video.

David & Stephanie Valiente from Sam V on Vimeo.

Matthew + Amanda = Engagements

2009-05-20T09:31:00.000-07:00

Matthew and Amanda were such good sports for their engagement pictures, despite the heat. I can't wait for their wedding next month!

Azahar Tiaras

2009-05-15T06:26:00.000-07:00

I came across hey work on Flickr, and fell in love with her hair vines! Absolutely beautiful!!

She does hair pins, vines, earrings, tiaras, and more!

I'm sure they would be a great addition to your bridal wardrobe. She also does custom work, to make that perfect piece!
Check out her website, or her Etsy store here!

Awkward Family Photos

2009-05-14T06:41:00.000-07:00

Just click here. =)

Driftwood Beauties

2009-05-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, we had an awesomely fun girls day with tacky prom dresses turned 'High Fashion'! It was a beautiful day, and the driftwood couldn't have been more perfect! I also want to thank my beauties for being up for anything! Climbing trees, hanging on for dear life, strutting the beach in pumps, and braving the unknown depths of the sea, all in the name of great pictures!! But it all turned out so awesome!! Enjoy =)

And a HUGE shout out to our phenomenal assistant for the day! Not only did she cary all of our crap, but she wiped the sand of our feet, helped with hair and makeup, and was an excellent hoister to get us up the trees.

Because Your Awesome!!!

2009-05-09T19:09:00.001-07:00

A group of us girls got together to just have a fun filled "High Fashion" photoshoot! Here's a sneak at all the juicy fashion! ( or at least, our take of it.... )

Matt + Amy = Wedding Bliss!

2009-05-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we had the pleasure of photographing Matt and Amy's wedding at the Lightner Museum! The location was absolutely fabulous, her dress was absolutely gorgeous, and the party was a blast! Congratulations to you both!

*Warning* There is an overload of pictures following! Be forewarned.... =)

=)

Sean + Alicia = Wedding (Sneak Peek!)

2009-05-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

Alicia was such a beautiful bride, and up for anything! Here's a sneak peek from their wedding. Enjoy!

Matt + Amy = Wedding! ( Sneak Peek )

2009-04-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we photographed Matt and Amy's beautiful wedding at the Lightner Museum in downtown St. Augustine! Here's a sneak peek...

Isn't her dress just Gorgeous?!?

Giselle + Phron = Couples Session

2009-04-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

Let's face it. Men aren't the greatest at spotting and paying attention to details. They just aren't. Not like us females. So last week, some friends of ours volunteered to let us take pictures of them, to give my second shooter more practice in portraits, which is 99.9% detail oriented. =) Hand placement, the tilting of the head, the eyes... etc. But I think he's getting the hang of it. I just thought I'd post some of the shots that I got during the session, as well. Hope you enjoy!

Dave + Stephanie = Wedding!

2009-04-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of photographing Dave and Stephanie's wedding. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful, and the ceremony was a non stop party!

Ceremony and Reception location: Wyndham Hotel and Resort
Flowers: Kelley's Bloom Room

Bale Bridal Portraits

2009-04-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

I was just realizing that I got caught up in weddings, and forgot to post the pictures from the Bale Bridal session! It was such a dreary and rainy day, but she threw on her rain boots and made the best of it. And I think the pictures came out great!! The rain even forced us into a car park for shelter, but we took advantage of the situation and got some unique back lit shots. Enjoy!

David and Stephanie Sneak Peek!

2009-04-06T06:59:00.001-07:00

This past weekend we had the pleasure of photographing and filming David and Stephanie's beautiful outdoor wedding at the Wyndham! Here's a sneak...

News4Jax Hot List is Open!

2009-04-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Guess what? It's that time again, when News4Jax lets you decide this year's 'Hot List'!!!! Well, it's my first year with my name on the list, so why don't we see if we can't get an outstanding first time review ( to do this, you need to pop over and write me a rave review... )! They also have plenty of other businesses in all kinds of categories for you to rate and recommend. So hop on over to News4Jax.com To recommend your heart out!

Phil & Joy Said 'I Do!'

2009-04-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we had the joy of photographing Phil and Joy's wedding. Despit the fact that it was quite windy, and I almost got hit by a golf ball, everything turned out beautifully! The wedding took place at Eagle Landing, in Oakleaf. The gazebo they have out front is perfect for intimate outdoor weddings. Sam also shot some video, so that will be following soon!

Such wonderful areas to take pictures! Just beautiful.

I love the looks they give each other during the first dance.

Is this not an awesome groom's cake or what?!?!?!

Wedding Chicks

2009-04-02T14:02:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I recently came across this great site, www.WeddingChicks.com. They've got a TON of great ideas for today's Do-it-yourself brides. I highly recommend popping over there and checking it out!

Anthony + LaWanda's Wedding

2009-03-31T13:48:00.000-07:00

Anthony and LaWanda have such a cute story! He was the best man, she was the maid of honor, they met and fell in love! It was such an honor to be a part of their big day.

I just had to add this next one. I thought it was just awesome he was using vinyl. He rocks.

Phil & Joy Sneak Peek

2009-03-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday Phil and Joy tied the knot! Here's a sneak peek...

David & Stephanie's Engagements!

2009-03-18T06:10:00.000-07:00

Last night, despite the wind, cold, and threat of rain, we had a great engagement session with Stephanie and David. They are such a great looking couple. I can't wait to be a part of their wedding next month!

Some Video Highlights For you

2009-03-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone enjoyed Bethany's photographs of Rena and Edd Bale.
Well, we also had the great privilege of shooting their wedding video, and we think it cam out great. I (Sam) shoot all the video with in HD and have been in the video production biz for ten years here in Jacksonville.
Wedding video is new to me but I've been assisting Bethany with her photos from day one so now I'm simply applying what I already know to Wedding Videos.
But just like Bethany, I have have a great time shooting them (video that is...).

Please, enjoy this highlight clip for the Bale-Marcus wedding.
If your playback is jumpy Click Here

Anthony and LaWanda's Sneak Peek

2009-03-16T07:25:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday Anthony and LaWanda said 'I Do'! Here's a preview. =) More to come soon!

Diane Fraser Training Video

2009-02-24T07:19:00.001-08:00

For those of you who don't know, my husband does videography. He's just getting into weddings with me, but he does many other videos, such as for conferences, commercials, and the like. His most recent was for a training video. Diane is a most accomplished painter who is making a training video to show off her techniques. Here are some pictures I took at the shoot.

The Entire Setup

My Hubby at work!

Getting some detail shots of her mixing paint

Putting the finishing highlights on her painting.

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Sean and Alicia Got Engaged!!

2009-02-12T13:50:00.000-08:00

One of my new favorite places is the Dungeness Ruins on Cumberland Island! Such a wonderful place for pictures. Alicia was great, climbing rubble and mud with her heels on! And it was totally worth it, as the pictures are outstanding!

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Joy said Yes!

2009-02-10T07:46:00.000-08:00

We had a great engagement session Saturday with Phil and Joy. We started at some boat slips where they live, then moved to Boone Park. They were willing to try anything I could come up with, and the pictures turned out great!

Sean and Alicia Sneak Peek...

2009-02-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

We had an unbelievable engagement session at the Dungeness Ruins on Cumberland Island! Absolutely Great location! Here's a sneak peek...

Phil & Joy got Engaged!

2009-02-07T17:19:00.000-08:00

We had a really great E-Session today with Phil and Joy. They were up for anything, which totally rocked! Here's a sneak peek...

New Kiss Flush Mount Album!!

2009-02-04T10:50:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to now offer Kiss Wedding Books! There's no other word for them, except 'Wow!' This particular album is 10"x10", with a 'Forbidden Green' genuine leather cover, and 26 pages. Something that's also just so much more impressive with the flushmounts, is that you start with a 2 page spread as your opening image. Press-printed albums start with only 1 page.

You get a fabric cover with all Kiss Album orders. Make it even more beautiful.

Such great leather! It feels so nice to the touch.

The opening 2 page spread.

Such great, thick pages!

If you are interested in the design layout of this album, you can see it Here.

Josh and Vanessa Sneak Peek!

2009-02-04T10:45:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday I was honored to document the wedding of two good friends, Josh and Vanessa. Here's a sneak peek from their big day!

Conner Maternity Session!

2009-01-30T13:28:00.001-08:00

We had a great maternity session at San Marco earlier this week. Despite having contractions when we arrived, she was so determined to get these shots! Thankfully, there was no rushing to the hospital, and we were able to wander Historic San Marco and get tons of great pictures.

2 weeks to go and still rocking the heels!!

Bale Wedding Album Design!

2009-01-28T13:12:00.000-08:00

I just finished with the custom design of the Bale Wedding Album, and wanted to share it! Something a little different this time, but I like it, and hope you do too!

Amanda's Maternity Session!

2009-01-27T15:16:00.000-08:00

Here's a sneak peak at Amanda's Maternity Session today at San Marco!

Bale Bridal Session Sneak Peek!

2009-01-25T11:10:00.000-08:00

Had an awesome bridal session yesterday! It was a blast doing their engagement session and wedding, and it was just as great doing her bridal session. Here's sneak peak!

Shadrach and Irene said 'I Do'!

2009-01-23T13:23:00.000-08:00

It was such a pleasure to share in the union of Shadrach and Irene. They were so cute when they looked at each other and smiled. The ceremony was at the local Kingdom Hall, and the reception was at the Jacksonville Public Library downtown. Everything was beautiful, and the food was Delicious!

He Sang to her at the Reception

One of my new favorites!

Albums

2009-01-21T09:12:00.000-08:00

Hello again!

With the new year, I'm using new companies for all my albums. Really taking a step up with the quality. I recently received my new Custom Guestbook! To give you some specs, I ordered it with Red Leather cover, which feels really nice. Great Touch. I got the embossing on the cover. Up to 3 lines. This particular album is 8"x8" and 30 pages. On average, 30 pages is ideal for guestbooks. The binding is hinged, to allow the pages to lay flat for everyone to sign. I'm just so happy with the quality! It's a great album that i can't wait to show off to all my future brides.

I've ordered a new Flush Mount album, as well, but those take a little bit longer to be made. So as soon as it comes in, be sure to check back for an update on that! It's sure to be awesome!

Edd & Rena Got Hitched!

2009-01-14T08:11:00.000-08:00

It's always an honor to be a part of your friend's wedding. And to be entrusted with capturing all their precious memories. But Rena and Edd made my job so easy! She was such a beautiful bride, and he was always the goofball. =) Court and I took full advantage of their easy personalities and comfortableness in front of the camera. And Sam, my husband, was there to capture it all on video!
It was so much fun doing their engagement session, I just knew their wedding would be a blast! Hugs and Kisses to you both!

She had such a Gorgeous dress! I just couldn't get over the dress.

When I posed her for this shot, she looked back at her dress, and said 'Woah!' And I completely agree.

He kept adjusting his speech.

Her mother had these handkerchiefs embroidered for them.

The First Dance. They had a beautiful small reception for family only at the Hill Top.

Love it!

Best Man rockin' out!

I have so many favorites from this wedding, I just couldn't narrow it down. They all make me smile. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Guestbooks!

2009-01-06T11:51:00.000-08:00

Aside from the photos and video of your wedding day, there really isn't much that you can cherish to remind you of your wedding day. If you have left over food, but that won't last. The cake to freeze and eat on your anniversary, if you dare. Flowers that soon wilt, candles half melted, and other decorations that just aren't quite as special anymore. And then there's the guestbook. It's something that you typically don't give much thought to. Pick one up at Walmart or Jo-Ann's, hope everyone signs their name, then put it in a box, only to be retrieved to double check your thank you cards.
But not anymore! Custom guestbooks are here to save you from such a horrid fate!
Using the pictures from your engagement session, we create a unique album for everyone to sign. Guests 'Oooh' and 'Aaah" over the pictures, usually picking out a favorite one to sign by. And they don't just sign their name. With the freedom of an open page, many times they write personal messages you will treasure forever. So don't just settle for Walmart's 'Best Wishes'. Demand uniqueness and memories! =)

This is just an example of what your guestbook could look like!

And Another

Anthony and Lawanda got Engaged

2008-12-22T11:06:00.001-08:00

Forgot I hadn't posted these. So they are a little late, but better late than never!

Anthony and Lawanda are the classic love story. She was the Maid of Honor, and He was the Best Man. They met, and fell in love! Now it's their turn. For their E-session, we started at Memorial park, then finished up at Friendship Fountain. It was a beautiful day for pictures, and they were a great couple to work with. I can't wait for their wedding next year!

Jeremy and Huriyah are Wed!

2008-12-19T10:10:00.000-08:00

Jeremy and Huriyah chose to say 'I Do' at the chapel on base, followed by an awesome reception at the Gentleman's Club. They were so obviously happy in love, it was such a treasure to be there on your wedding day! Best wishes for a happy life together!

Edd and Rena got Hitched!

2008-12-16T08:45:00.000-08:00

Edd came all the way from Australia to marry his beautiful bride! They had such an awesome wedding, and such a beautiful couple. Here's a sneak peek!

Shadrach and Irene said 'I Do'!

2008-12-16T08:40:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday, Shadrach and Irene were married! It was such a joyous day for both families. Here's a sneak peak of the wedding!

Anthony & Lawanda are Engaged!

2008-12-02T14:23:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, I did the engagement session for Anthony and Lawanda. They have the classic story of the Maid of Honor, and the Best Man at a mutual friend's wedding. And at that wedding, they met and fell in love. Awwwww! Here's a sneak peek at their session!

Dane L.'s Graduation Session!

2008-11-24T10:30:00.000-08:00

Hats off to Dane for making it to Senior! W00t! For his graduation session, we walked around Historic 5 Points, as well as the nearby Riverside Park. He was such great fun to work with! I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I do. I just can't narrow it down to only a few favorites!

This one is a little hard to see, but look along the top of the arch.... hehe. One of my favorites!

The Pisapia Brothers

2008-11-20T18:42:00.000-08:00

And their Wives! Did a family session with these two brothers and their respective wives last week. They were such great sports, willing to try almost any pose. Here are my favorites of the session.

My Favorite!

Carlos and Jen's Wedding Blisss

2008-11-20T18:36:00.000-08:00

The Llambias House in Historic Downtown St. Augustine is a wonderful place to have a wedding. The day was perfect for pictures, as well. Jennifer wore a gorgeous, lacy wedding gown, and she looked stunning. Here's some highlights from the event!

The Groom's parents stealing a glance. I love these moments.

Great personality and expression here!

Court got this shot of them checking the score of the Fla/Ga game during the girl's formal pictures!

Dan & Michelle's Wedding Memories

2008-11-20T18:26:00.000-08:00

Court and I photographed Dan and Michelle's lovely and intimate outdoor ceremony at the Hidden Hills Clubhouse. The weather was beautiful, but not as beautiful as the bride! Congrats to you both!

Just LOVE the Red shoes.

Many thanks to Court for such great Groomsmen photos!

Such a pretty bride! She has the most gorgeous eyes.

Graduation Session

2008-11-20T18:25:00.000-08:00

Had an awesome graduation session with Dane L. yesterday in 5-Points.

Here's a sneak peek:

Jeremy and Huriyah Said I Do!

2008-11-20T18:22:00.000-08:00

Jeremy and Huriyah were married on base this past Saturday. She was a beautiful bride, absolutely glowing on her wedding day! Congrats to you both!

Here's a sneak peek of their wedding. More to come soon!

Josh and Vanessa are Engaged!

2008-11-20T18:01:00.000-08:00

For Josh and Vanessa's engagement pictures, we went to downtown Saint Augustine. We started at the Lightner Museum, went through downtown, then on to the beach! They were alot of fun to work with, and up to anything I could throw at them! I can't wait for their wedding this January.

Vargas Visual Media, Inc.

Kyle & Kristy's Engagement Portraits ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Love In The Library ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

In A Back Alley... ~ Jacksonville Engagement Photographer

Changes! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Jarett and Dayana Got Engaged! ~ Jacksonville Proposal Photographer

Shawn and Darcie are Engaged! ~ St. Augustine Wedding Photographer

Kyle & Kristy's Sneak Peek! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Shawn & Darcie are Engaged! ~ St. Augustine Portrait Photographer

Pinterest! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

She Said Yes! ~ Jacksonville Proposal Photographer

Matt & Beth Are Engaged! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Tuesdays Tips! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Groom Family ~ Jacksonville Family Photographer

Travel To I Do ~ Destination Wedding Photographer

Tuesday's Tips! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Just For Fun Bridal ~ Jacksonville Bridal Photographer

DIY Wedding Inspiration ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photograph

Showing your Inner Model ~ Jacksonville Graduation Photographer

Keith & Michaela Get Married! ~ St. Augustine Wedding Photographer

Amanda + Stephen ~ Orlando Wedding Photographer

The Seamstress ~ Jacksonville Fashion Photographer

Wedding Wire Reviewed! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

My Heritage ~ Jacksonville Photographer

3 Sisters Fling Paint! ~ Jacksonville Family Portrait Photographer

CJ & Enjoli's Engagement Portraits ~ St. Augustine Photographer

Rich & Kristy Tie the Knot! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Stephen and Amanda's Wedding Sneak Peak! ~ Orlando, FL Wedding Photographer

Manny & Nicole's Couple Session ~ Jacksonville Florida Family Photographer

Knight Family Portraits ~ Jacksonville Family Photographer

Chris & Ashley Said 'I Do'! ~ St. Augustine, Florida Wedding Photographer

Keith & Michaela Said 'I Do!' ~ Sneak Peek ~ St. Augustine Wedding Photographer

Brian & Jacqueline's Sneak Peek! ~ Jacksonville Beach Wedding Photography

Michael & Brittany's Wedding Photos! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Chad & Jennifer's Wedding Sneak Peek! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Ryan & Brittany's Wedding ~ Orange Park Wedding Photographer

Randy & Danay's Wedding ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Jax Shoot Club ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Craig & Adriana's Wedding ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Devin & Jimmy Engagement ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Michael & Brittany Engaged! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Devin + Jimmy =Engaged! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Jennifer & Chut Engaged! ~ Jacksonville Wedding Photographer

Randy + Danay = Wedding

Immanuel & Nicole Married!

Adriana & Craig Engaged!

A Wedding in Ohio!!

Brian + Jacqueline = Engagement Session

C.J. + Katherine = Engagement

Ryan + Brittany = Engagement Session

Immanuel + Nicole = Engagement Session!

New Album! Softbound Image Capsule

David + Stephanie = Wedding Montage!

Matthew + Amanda = Engagements

Azahar Tiaras

Awkward Family Photos

Driftwood Beauties

Because Your Awesome!!!

Matt + Amy = Wedding Bliss!

Sean + Alicia = Wedding (Sneak Peek!)

Matt + Amy = Wedding! ( Sneak Peek )

Giselle + Phron = Couples Session

Dave + Stephanie = Wedding!

Bale Bridal Portraits

David and Stephanie Sneak Peek!

News4Jax Hot List is Open!

Phil & Joy Said 'I Do!'

Wedding Chicks

Anthony + LaWanda's Wedding

Phil & Joy Sneak Peek

David & Stephanie's Engagements!

Some Video Highlights For you

Anthony and LaWanda's Sneak Peek

Diane Fraser Training Video

Sean and Alicia Got Engaged!!

Joy said Yes!

Sean and Alicia Sneak Peek...

Phil & Joy got Engaged!

New Kiss Flush Mount Album!!

Josh and Vanessa Sneak Peek!