UNBRIDLED: My favorite wedding friends like...Ryan Joseph!

This week, {as if he needs any formal introduction} I’d like for everyone to get to know Ryan Joseph a bit better. That’s right…the REAL Ryan Joseph.
While I was most definitely aware of Ryan and his impressive repertoire of photography well before I actually met him, I feel I truly got to know this fun spirit last summer during our “Down the Aisle” endeavor at The Ritz Carlton in Denver.

Heavily influenced by the masters of the 30’s and 40’s, Ryan combines today’s digital technology with traditional techniques to create images that are not only contemporary, but timeless as well. Ryan shares a unique boutique studio with his lovely wife, Elena in the historic, Ybor City district.
We had some great laughs and memories as a group, and together, I feel we really got to know one another better.

…and so did all of his screaming “fans” in Denver!
Oh, and Ryan, I remember those Mojitos that you reference below…just take a look at that “adoring” picture! {Touché for flashbacks #2 and #3!!}



•Itching to work with: Lenny Kravitz. Couldn't think of a better portrait subject other than Stoner.

•Fashion Obsessions: Although I only have one, I'd love to have more "ink".

•Beauty must-haves: Short & Sexy hair wax. My hair is neither short nor sexy however.

•Office/Work must haves: FILM!!! I still love this medium. Also, a good scanner.

•Speed dialing: Everyone. Don't ask me for anyone's number from memory. Check the IPhone.

•Can’t get enough of: My Gia and her Mommy

•Jonesing to: Be back in Tuscany with Elena at our favorite "trattoria".

•Current work project: Very top secret

•Current personal project: See above

•Necessary extravagance: Travel and Wine. Not necessarily in that order. If you know me, wine "while" traveling is most necessary. Not a big fan of flying.
•If I weren’t a photographer I would be: A pilot. Yes. That's right. A wine drinking pilot.

•In my bag: Who told you I carry a "man" bag? My wife? It's not a "bag" it’s a "satchel". Big difference.

•Recent discovery: That maybe I do actually carry a bag. Hmmm. No. It's a satchel. End of story!!!

•Craving: To one day own an original Cartier-Bresson photograph.


*Fun, fearless and frivolous flashbacks*

1. Mojito’s in Denver. How many? Not sure. Ask Stoner.

2. Our first lunch together in Orlando. Ian was there. You had this piece large of broccoli in your teeth but I didn't have the nerve to tell you.

3. Your reaction to #2. Just kidding. It wasn't broccoli it was asparagus. Just kidding again. You have very nice dental hygiene.

UNBRIDLED: Getting to know my favorite wedding friends like...Maria Shafer!

Celebration expert, Maria Shafer has had over 15 years working {and let's face it--playing!} in the field of wedding entertainment. Maria clearly love what she does and even explains it in a way only she can:

"I think that is part of what drew me to specialize in weddings – those unique characteristics. Every weekend I see something new… it's like watching a fantastic summer blockbuster movie…and I can't wait to see how it all turns out! Every week a different surprise. Every reception a unique experience. And I am a part of it all. Is there any wonder I love what I do?"

If you are looking for a more probing and in-depth glimpse into this clever and witty soul, then I invite you to read further...

Grab your coffee, {after all, I know she would!} and enjoy getting to know Maria Shafer, "Disc Jockey…and total nerd..."


• Itching to work with: Jeffrey Stoner…it’s been a while.

• Fashion Obsessions: Converse, good jeans, super cool t-shirts .

• Beauty must-haves: Philosophy products…Ginger Midgett got me hooked!

• Office/Work must haves: Batteries. I could say something super clever here, but it seems like that is the one product I am always missing…batteries. And Skittles. I seem to be out of Skittles as well. Yep…always seem to be out of batteries and Skittles…and gold bricks. Serious lack of gold bricks…but, then, I’ve digressed. Batteries.

• Speed dialing: I used to have a numerical speed dial, but with the Blackberry I use the alpha index. Most dialed is Mike, my boyfriend, and my BFF Ginger Midgett (Ginger Midgett Photography). Okay…I admit…if there IS a speed dial on the Blackberry, I cannot figure it out. I can figure out Facebook…but not the friggin’ speed dial.

• Can’t get enough of: Mike’s awesome Bloody Marys. That sort of makes me sound like an alcoholic…but I don’t drink that many…and only on Sunday mornings…if there isn’t a gig. I swear.

• Jonesing to: Turn on the Ipod and write…but I have work to do…(see next item)

• Current work project: At I write this, helping a friend work out music for his super fun 40th birthday party. It’s fun, mostly because I get to totally laugh at all his baby pics…and he isn’t here to defend himself. (Is that mean?)

• Current personal project: Two novels and a couple of short stories in progress.

• Necessary extravagance: Yoga. But its only an extravagance to some people…I’ve been practicing for a couple of years now regularly, and it’s become an addiction of sorts. Definitely necessary.

• If I weren’t a DJ, I would: be a novelist. Simple as that.

• In my bag: The winning Powerball ticket…please and thank you. I’d have probably won by now if everyone else would stop buying tickets.

• Recent discovery: Naked Juice drinks…awesome!

• Craving: Starbucks Triple Venti Skinny Vanilla Latte. Wait…maybe that is also the necessary extravagance…and the work necessity, and the thing I am jonesing...and…drat…(getting keys, going to 24 hour Starbucks drive thru)

*Fun, fearless and frivolous flashbacks*

Three memories – Everyone knows Lisa…I’ve decided to go with three NON WEDDING memories…just for kicks.

*When I was 15, I won second place in a music contest – I played the harp. However, I was the ONLY one in the contest. (I’ll give you a minute to do the math).

*I once went to lunch with Rip Taylor after seeing him in a revival of Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes.” It was one of the most bizarre afternoons of my life.

*I have one pointed ear…yes…and actually had an entire family once ask if I was magical. (It’s not a huge point…but it is apparently enough of an oddity to evoke a comparisons to a fairy or some mythological creature. Except that I am six feet tall. And don’t have any sort of wings…at least not that I am aware of. If I do, maybe someone could clue me in…I have a hard enough time buying clothes.)

UNBRIDLED: My favorite wedding friends like...Ian Prosser!

In the past year, I have learned that there is never a dull moment when floral ingenue, Ian Prosser is around!
Ian is not only well known in the industry; he is also highly recognized and acclaimed by his industry peers not only in his current hometown of Tampa, Florida, but across the country and abroad.
Knowing this was a talent that I needed to personally experience; I recruited {okay—perhaps I begged!} Ian for last year’s production of “Down the Aisle” at the brand new Ritz Carlton property in downtown Denver.
Of course, I was not let down and our guests were overwhelmed with his creations! I’m thrilled that we have shared clients and projects on the horizon—the best is yet to come!
Ian’s accolades are endless, and I encourage you to literally scour Botanica’s website to learn and be inspired.
For now, revel in learning all the fun and behind the scene tid-bits on one of this industry’s finest professionals…

Itching to work with: Coco Chanel if she were still alive today because she had such a
tremendous sense of style.
Fashion Obsessions: European Shoes - Europe is much more ahead of the fashion curve!
Beauty Must-Haves: Hair wax - flat hair is NOT pretty
Office/Work Must-Haves: I'm a paper snob, the weight of paper used says a lot about a person - so the heavy the paper the better!
Speed Dialing: My wife, Fiona.
Can't get enough of: Interior Design Magazines - they are a constant source of inspiration.
Jonesing to: take a trip to Thailand to see the orchid farms
Current work project: Developing our new Orlando office
Current personal project: Restyling my home garden for the fall
Necessary Extravagance: First Class travel!! Not only am I a paper snob, but I'm also a travel snob
If I weren't a florist I would: be a clothing designer
In my bag: a measuring tape, florist wire, florist tape and of course, my blackberry.
Recent discovery: The new Acropolis Greek Restaurant near my house, SUCH great food!
Craving: Chocolate

*** Fun, fearless and frivolous flashbacks…***

1. Denver in a Kilt with Austin Scarlett
2. Receiving the "Austin" t-shirt at the Halloween t-shirt party... very funny... :)
3. When we had dinner on the sidewalk at Spice with a client and a car filled with drunken girls asked me to bum a cigarette from someone for them three tables down.

UNBRIDLED: My favorite wedding friends like...Joy Nudd!

This week, we get to know the woman, okay, the DYNAMO that makes Garrett Nudd Photography tick. I met Joy Nudd mere days after I had even made an acquaintance with Garrett in my office a few years ago with their beautiful daughter {baby at the time!} Graycen.

Since that meeting, I have {subconsciously, I suppose} never thought of Garrett Nudd Photography as a single entity. Sure, Joy is a second shooter, administrator and all-around marketing guru, but I suspect it’s more than that..

Joy and Garrett’s incredible bond is unyielding while being subtle as well. Everyone in “the business” knows that with one comes the other, and when one is not available {say, giving birth to two of the most breathtaking girls ever} the other is never far behind in spirit.

I had the most fun surprising Joy and Garrett at their stylish boutique studio in Chattanooga last year, but that distance never seems to encumber our collaborative opportunities. We seem to be working together now more than ever, and I am most excited about our forthcoming wedding in Grand Cayman in which Joy will make her return, after Baby Campbell’s joyous arrival, as Garrett’s right-hand {always!} woman.

Now, it’s everyone’s turn to be filled with “JOY...”

• Itching to work with: Stacey London (great style and love her honesty...and I need a makeover!) She reminds me of someone....you perhaps?!
• Fashion Obsessions: sunglasses (is it wrong that I have Chanel, but also want Prada and D&G, etc)
• Beauty must-haves: concealer (I am a night owl!)
• Office/Work must haves: really nice paper: notecards, thank you cards,
• Speed dialing: Garrett Nudd!
• Can’t get enough of: Besides my adorable hubby and girls...The Reisenthel Products,especially their "magazinboard" ( I use it for client folders, one for wedding, one for portrait) and their "carrybag" which is a basket for all things! I love ALL their stuff :)
• Jonesing to: Watercolor/Seaside, FL in September! Planning a long overdue family vacation with no work. Also, would love to go back to Paris, France SOON and stay for at least a month.
• Current work project: Hatch's House of Hope and Austin Hatcher Foundation We have partnered with this amazing organization based in Chattanooga, TN (going national) to take photos of children and their families dealing with pediatric cancer.
• Current personal project: organizing our home, it has been neglected for 2 years, focusing on the studio all the time. And a fun, personal blog, stay tuned!
• Necessary extravagance: boutique clothes for the girls, quality packaging for gifts (both an obsession)
• If I weren’t a photographer I would: design children's clothing or own a paper store
• In my bag: besides the usual diaper bag contents...iPhone, gift cards for all over (must check if they're still good!, paper samples, inspire notebook...
• Recent discovery: Edy's Slow Churned 6 fl. oz ice cream cup. Half my family is allergic to milk, so the ice cream can't get eaten fast enough when I have to buy them in quart/gallon size. Now, it is never wasted and fun to eat out of :)
• Craving: malted chocolate milkshake! And again...go back to Europe for more inspiration.

*Fun, fearless and frivolous flashbacks*

1. "You being one of the first people last summer to find out that Garrett and I were expecting our second child....when we were in Colorado for your fabulous Down the Aisle show at the brand new Ritz Carlton Denver, somehow you knew I was pregnant without either of us saying a word. A mother's intuition, I suppose."

2. "The first time Garrett came to your office to meet you and visit together, Graycen and I accompanied him. We rarely ever do that, but somehow we had a feeling that it would be okay. And it was."

3. "Seeing one of your/our brides present you with a pair of Tiffany earrings as a gift, just before her wedding ceremony began. As a colleague, that was a very special moment to witness."