I love being a Dad. It's so cool seeing Bryce grow up (already too fast it seems...).

This past Saturday morning we went to Lowe's for their monthly Build and Grow kid workshops. This month's project was a cool red GMC Truck. For every project you complete you get a new patch to sew onto your very own workshop apron. I've always been a Home Depot kind of guy but Lowe's will be seeing us a little more often. This whole experience was so fun and so well done that I can hardly wait for the next one.



Bryce has been Daddy's official helper for the past year or so and it shows. He's there handing me nails, screws and tools as we've been working together on all of our household projects. Its so fun to watch him work. Almost two years old and the kid can hammer in a nail.


Time for the stickers... It's so funny how intense he can be when he's into a project.


When we got home he couldn't wait to show Ann his new truck, apron, safety goggles and the thing he was most proud of... the HAMMER!


One of Bryce's favorite things to say... "Helper? Daddy. Project? Bryce Helper!" Now he's fully equipped and ready to go.


Bryce was so cute. He wouldn't take the apron off all day and by the time dinner rolled around he decided that eating corn on the cob was an eye-threatening experience. On went the googles and vicious corn eating ensued.


I must say. I really am so proud of him. Bryce is such an amazing kid. Some days it just seems too easy to just move along in existence mode without stopping to savor him growing up. It's days like this past Saturday that remind me so much of that. We are so lucky to be able to spend so much time with him watching him grow, explore, and learn.

Next month we build a fire truck. I think I'm more excited about these kid projects than any of my own personal projects... and that's a good thing.



In just over a week our next son Brooks arrives on the scene... Daddy's next helper! We are so excited!

Blessings!
-Mike

I got the chance to hang out with Melissa and Chris a few weeks ago for some putt putt fun at Congo River in Altamonte. What a blast!! I really encourage our couples to do what they would do on a date or for fun during our getting-to-know-you-sessions. I learned a lot about Melissa and Chris just by the fact they wanted to go play putt putt :) It's a funny story.....one of their dates early on was playing putt putt. Well, Melissa showed Chris how it's done by beating him! I guess he's got to have dreams and aspirations of one day regaining his putt putt dignity :0

Although it had rained a good bit of the day, it cleared up enough that afternoon for us to capture some really fun images. Here are some of my favorites from the afternoon.












Did it go in? Let's just say that Chris' past performance seems to be haunting him.










They both love to ride and this surely captures that motion!



Thanks, Melissa and Chris, for such a fun time! We can't wait for your English Gardens ceremony and reception this November. It will be fun to revisit where WE got married 6.5 years ago!

Make sure to check out Melissa and Chris' personal Mike Buoy Photography web page for all their slideshows and images by clicking the link below.

I met up Amanda and Aric a couple of weeks ago in downtown Sanford for their getting-to-know you session. What a rich environment! We had such an awesome time :)

The getting-to-know-you session is just that. I really want us to get to know one another so you are totally comfortable with me on your wedding day. The funny thing is that sometimes couples, like Amanda and Aric, find out more stuff about each other. It just so happens that Amanda doesn't quite remember the first time she and Aric met :) He had a girlfriend at the time so he was "invisible" to her. He became aware of this as we were hanging out in Sanford!! Funny!!!

Amanda and Aric are so great and laid back. We had such a great time. Here are some of my favorites from the afternoon.




























We had incredibly amazing skies over Lake Monroe that evening.

Thanks, Amanda and Aric, for an amazing afternoon! We can't wait for your First Christian Church ceremony and Melbourne Beach Hilton reception in October :)

Make sure to check out Amanda and Aric's slideshow page by clicking the link below:

We had some real fun with Bryce one night! He likes to do his hair like mommy and he frequently wants me to put hairspray in his hair. Well, one evening we got a little carried away. He absolutely loved it and thought he looked hilarious. He kept laughing at himself in the mirror :) He also likes wearing my boots. Mike and I laughed until we cried!! We hope these images will bring a little chuckle to you too.

Enjoy!
Ann

Now that we are up and running again and fully operational, we thought we'd share with you an email that we got a couple of weeks ago. This is why we do what we do :)

"Mike and Ann, 
     Hi. I hope you had a nice, relaxing vacation. Ryan and I had a great time in Jamaica for the honeymoon. I saw the slideshow of the "Wedding Story". The pictures are AMAZING! I am so excited. I truly believe God led me to you guys. Working with you has been such an incredible experience. You are both so genuine and truly care about your clients as friends. Thank you again for your generosity in giving up a day of vacation to shoot my wedding. I have been truly blessed by getting to know you. Mike, you are an incredible photographer and person. Thank you for capturing my wedding day and memories that will last a lifetime.    Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you guys. I have told everyone I know about you guys. Several people commented on how awesome my photographer is…even people who were not at the wedding. I love it!Your biggest fan, 
     Megan Williams"

Our goal is truly to be a blessing to our couples and clients. We aim to produce outstanding images that truly tell a story and capture emotion and relationships. Our top priority, however, is to provide an exceptional experience not to be forgotten. Knowing that we do that for our couples and clients makes us really happy :)

Thank you, Megan and Ryan, for allowing us to provide a wonderful experience for you. You, too, have provided a wonderful experience for us in who you are, and we feel blessed by getting to know you :) It was so great to see you again!!

Well, in the process of moving web servers and hosting companies, we have had some "hiccups". Our site was down for part of the day on Wednesday. Sorry about that!

Also, we are currently unable to receive emails. We are working to get this problem resolved, and it may be as late as Sunday before we are back up and fully operational with all email accounts. Please, if you need anything, call us in the studio at 321-281-9491. You can also reach Mike by cell at 407-388-5811 and email at mikebuoy@gmail.com and me at 407-595-5290 and email at annbuoy@gmail.com.

Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Thanks for your patience and understanding as we make changes to better serve you!

Ann

We have some exciting things going on right now with a new website and a custom online gallery in the works.

However, before we can roll out our new stuff we must move our website to a new server and hosting company.

So if you see some funkiness going over the next few days please let us know by sending us an email (info@mikebuoy.com)

That way we can make sure we are able to fix any issues as they come up.

Cheers!
-Mike

The last night of vacation, I took Ann down to the beach to create some maternity portraits of her (and her rapidly growing belly.) She is now 7 months pregnant and just absolutely radiant.

I wanted to do something a little different from the last time we did this two years ago ( click here to see Ann at 6 months and at 9 months during her last pregnancy).

We were blessed with amazing light and incredible colors in the sky so I decided to create a much more dramatic portrait of her.

Baby, belly and sky...


Fading light, glowing mom...


Ok... for the record. Just let me say that my wife is by far the sexiest pregnant woman I have ever laid my eyes on...


I am so incredibly lucky to have Ann in my life... a best friend, wife and business partner that I'm madly in love with! Blessed doesn't even come close to describing it. Ann is such an amazing woman and without a doubt, I married up when I said "I Do".

Now fatherhood.... Can I use blessed again as an adjective? Man. I love being a dad. I can't wait until our next little boy arrives!

We'll probably get one of these made into a gallery wrap for our bedroom. Do you have a favorite? Let me know in the comments!

Blessings!
Mike

Last week we took a very much needed vacation with the whole Buoy clan up on St George Island off the Florida panhandle near Apalachicola. It is SO beautiful and peaceful there. It is still relatively undeveloped. We were in St George Plantation in a house that was fabulous! There are no houses directly on the beach and the huge sand dunes are really protected here.

We did a whole lot of nothing......it was GREAT!! Watching Bryce was a blast. This was his first vacation and real trip to the beach. We had such a great time and hope to go again next year with even more kids!




WHEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!


Bryce and Poppy :) He LOVES his Poppy!



Bryce's first kite flight.


It's like we had the whole beach and sky to ourselves :)







This is the middle of the afternoon on the beach. Not too many people in sight :)







It was so cool watching Bryce take it all in. New discoveries everywhere!




He HATES sunscreen and screams as if he were being skinned alive!!



Noodle play with fabulous Aunt Kristen.



Uncle Scott, the underwater entertainer.


A big thanks to our family for making this such a wonderful and special time. We love you!!

-Ann

P.S. Make sure to check back tomorrow for some images from my beach maternity session.

On our way to our Buoy family vacation on St George Island, we stopped through Lake City to capture the incredible wedding love story of Megan and Ryan. Although the weather was rather yucky that morning, it cleared up just in time for everyone to get out and head to the ceremony at Lake City First Presbyterian without getting wet :) It turned out to be a perfect day for a wedding! After the ceremony uniting Megan and Ryan as husband and wife, the celebration continued at Southern Oaks Country Club. It was a huge celebration with lots of family and friends that went until the wee hours of the morning!! This was definitely a crowd that knew how to have a good time:)

Here are some of our favorite images from the day:

These rings are just gorgeous!



The "Megan & Ryan" shoe portrait :)



Megan's incredibly delicious gown from Aurora Bridal.



WOW!!











So classy :)




The "crew":











Megan was such an elegant, classy and sophisticated bride....and just stunningly beautiful!!


Ryan was calm, cool, and collected....and rather handsome :)



Just moments before the ceremony......







The first images as husband and wife.








Not a dry eye in the house when Ryan's brother Todd, and best man, gave a toast.



The four adorable flower girls.



Thank you so much, Megan and Ryan, for inviting us to be a part of your wedding story. We are truly honored. We wish you many, many years of health and happiness with all the kids you're going to have :)

Another HUGE thanks goes out to Jason with Cannonfire Photography for making his way up to Lake City to help us out. You ROCK!


Make sure to check out Megan and Ryan's personal photo web page by clicking the link below.

This month has been really crazy for us. We've been so busy, but it's all been so good so far :)

The first week of June Mike was in Pennsylvania with the amazing talented guys from Proton Global Media Group - . Not only are these guys total rockstars at media production (they are two time Emmy Award winners), there some of our grooms! You can check out Ryan's and Ricky's weddings here.

Our two companies came together to capture and document the non-profit organization HVMI helping capture and document what their organization and camp are all about. It was a life changing experience, and one Mike feels blessed to have been a part of (We'll have a slideshow up next week so....)

Mike got back on a Thursday night and then we left on Saturday for Atlanta for a PPA workshop led by Ann Monteith and Sarah Petty. These ladies know their stuff! It was so great being able to soak up all the information and knowledge they were sharing about their businesses and this industry. We learned a great deal and got validation for a lot of things we are already doing.

So little of what we do is actually about "taking pictures". So much of what we do is establish trusting relationships with our couples and clients so that we can provide a unique experience and exceptional customer service. Creating raving fans is how we've grown our business. It takes so much more than great images to do that!

We have been back in town this week and we leave first thing this morning for Lake City for Megan and Ryan's wedding and then on to St George Island for a vacation with the whole Buoy clan:)

Wow, what a fun couple! Ansley and Bryan are so awesome and so much fun to hang out with. We did their getting-to-know-you session in Winter Park a few weeks ago and had such a blast. I met Ansley through Lindsey and Jeff who got married in April 2007. Ansley was a bridesmaid for Lindsey and she will be Megan's maid of honor this weekend!! This December, she'll be the bride :)

Ansley and Bryan met while in college though mutual friends. All their friends saw them together way before they did. Everyone was so glad when they finally got together. They are self-proclaimed romantics and just LOVE being together and spending time with one another. You can definitely sense this when you're with them :)

Here are some of my favorite images from our afternoon together:























Life IS good!!





Thanks, Ansley and Bryan, for such an awesome time! We can't wait for your wedding this December.

Make sure to check out Ansley and Bryan's Mike Buoy Photography personal web page for their slideshows by clicking the link below.

I had the fortunate opportunity of hanging out with Lindsay and Iggy a few weeks ago for their getting-to-know-you session in Winter Park. These two are so great together and such great people. They met while in college, different colleges, but they lived in the same community. They met, started dating, broke up, lived in different cities, got back together, them BAM! got engaged. It's very similar to the story of me and Ann :)

They love to play golf and just hang out together. Lindsay is very much in to shoes, and that really excites me because you all know how I LOVE the wedding shoe portrait session! Can't wait to see her wedding shoes :)

Here are some of my favorite images from our session:









The whole family :)





Check out the shoes!!


Thanks, Lindsay and Iggy, for a fabulous afternoon. We can't wait for your Grace United Methodist Church in Merritt Island ceremony and Radisson Resort at the Port reception this November.

Make sure to check out Lindsay and Iggy's personal Mike Buoy Photography web page to view their slideshows by clicking the link below.

Memorial Day weekend was the perfect weekend for Jenny and Ralphy to tie the knot. The long weekend allowed extra time for friends and family to hang out and enjoy the festivities. The beautiful ceremony was held at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Kissimmee. Family and friends continued the celebration at the JW Marriott where DJ Ricky Samala with kept the celebration alive all night! Karry and her team with Uniquely Yours Wedding and Event Specialists did another outstanding job. Jenny and Ralphy's wedding was a beautiful and elegant affair!

Here are some of our favorite images from the day:








The beautiful bride getting a last look.



Our lovely bride :)

















Jenny's mom looking on at the father and daughter dance.












Thanks, Jenny and Ralphy, for inviting us to be part of your special day. We had a blast! We wish you many, many years of health and happiness.

Another thanks goes out to Joe with Joe Daylor Photography for bringing his talent to this wedding for us. You Rock!

Make sure to check out Jenny and Ralphy's personal photo web page where you can view slideshows, albums and the gallery of images by clicking the link below.

I met up with Rachel and Brandon a few weeks ago at Orange Lake Resort for their getting-to-know-you session. Rachel has been vacationing here with her family since her childhood. This is kind of a "home" for  her in Florida and she has many fond memories of Orange Lake.

These two met many years ago at work while being supportive of one another as friends who were going through some tough times. Their friendship and trust in one another grew into an incredible loving relationship.  They love each other very much and it's so evident when they are together.  They also love kids and currently have their own "Brady Bunch". Their kids are their lives and bring them so much joy! We can't wait ot meet the kids and the rest of Rachel and Brandon's families at their destination wedding here in Orlando this September.















FUN!!!!



Wheeeeeee! More Fun!!!




I had Brandon do the Hokey Pokey to get this smile :) He didn't even know he was doing it!!














Thanks, Rachel and Brandon, for a fun-filled afternoon hanging out. I really enjoyed hearing your story! I am looking forward to your Wyndham Orlando Resort ceremony and reception this September.

Make sure to check out Rachel and Brandon's personal photo web page by clicking the link below.

I met up with Ashley and Stewart early one morning at a coffee house in the quaint little town of Mount Dora. These guys came into town from Chicago last minute and wanted to go ahead and hang out for their getting-to-know-you session. I was available, so we hit the town! We had only spoken over the phone, so I was excited to finally meet them!

Ashley and Stewart are such brilliant, fun, laid back and grounded people. She's finishing up med school and he owns his own software company. I came from the software industry, so Stewart and I had a good bit in common. I was pre-med at one point, so does that count?? But wait, Ashley and I DO have something in common :) Ashley thru-hiked the Appalachian trail and so did I!! It's always so incredible to meet another thru-hiker and share our incredible experiences with one another.

I had an absolute blast with these guys! Stewart and Ashley are so great together and he is always making her smile and laugh. He is quite the character :) I laughed most of the time myself! What refreshing personalities. Here are a few of my favorite images from that morning.





The "character" at work :)
















Nice ring!







Thanks, Ashley and Stewart, for such a fabulous morning! You guys are so awesome and we are so excited about your Church on the Square wedding and Laurel Manor reception this October in The Villages.


Make sure to check out Ashley and Stewart's personal photo web page by clicking View Slideshows below.

Megan and Ryan came to us through Ansley and Bryan who will wed this December in St Augustine. Megan and Ryan  booked us "last minute" just s few weeks ago as they found themselves without a photographer for their Lake City wedding on June 21st. We are honored they have chosen us not to just photograph their day, but to visually capture and tell the love story of their wedding day surrounded by all those who are so important to them. 

Megan and Ryan met in school at UF in Gainesville where they hung around the same group of friends before dating. It wasn't until one Spring Break that they discovered how they really enjoyed each other's company. The rest, as they say, is history :) These two are best friends and very laid back. Ryan is an AVID fisherman and he and Megan get on the water every chance they get. They also LOVE kids and can't wait to start their own family!  Hey, you've got to have help to clean all those fish :)


Here are just a few of our favorite images from the afternoon:















The gorgeous bride-to-be:


The handsome groom-to-be:



You've just got to love those Florida sunset skies!






Thanks, Megan and Ryan, for an awesome afternoon hanging out and getting to know you. We are so excited about your First Presbyterian Church ceremony and Southern Oaks Country Club reception in a few weeks. See you soon :)

Make sure to check out Megan and Ryan's personal Mike Buoy Photography web page for all their slideshows and images by clicking HERE.

A few months ago Mike, Bryce and I met up with our buddy Joe of Joe Daylor Photography for a family portrait session. We went up to Crane's Roost/ Uptown Altamonte to hang out for a bit and see if we could actually get an image of all of us looking at the camera! For those of you with kids, you know how difficult it is to get a picture like this :) Joe, you ROCK!! We love this image. We have this as a large framed canvas now in our dining room. I have to make room for the new family portrait with our newest little man that will be arriving i just 3 short months. My goodness, time flies when you're pregnant.


Me with the two men in my life. I'm going to be REALLY outnumbered soon:)

photo by Joe Daylor

I had the fortunate opportunity to hang out with Jenny and Ralphy again a few weeks ago for their getting-to-know-session at Disney Boardwalk. They came to us through Nick who married Kenyarda last May. He may look familiar because he was part of Nick's wedding party AND I was actually present (and taking pictures) for the official proposal last September. That was lots of fun! I'd always wanted to photograph a proposal :)

Ralphy pretty much knew( and told Jenny) on the night that they met down at City Walk's Latin Quarter that he would someday marry her. So, that makes it love at first sight :) These two are not only so in love with one another, they are the best of friends and "playmates". They love going out dancing, just hanging out, and having a good time together. This is all a recipe for a wonderful marriage!!

Here are some of my favorites from our time together:























Thanks, Jenny and Ralphy, for an awesome time hanging out! We can't wait for your Holy Redeemer Catholic Church ceremony and JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes reception very soon! It's been great getting to know you :) Thanks!

Click here to view all their slideshows on their Mike Buoy Photography personal web page.

On April 22 some of our dearest friends got married and we were blessed with being able to capture their incredible wedding day! Sandra and Brandon were united in front of the closest family and friends at Ventura Country Club on the golf course. Our great friend and pastor Derek Worthington from Doxa church in Ocala officiated. It was such a beautiful Tuesday and the perfect day for a wedding!

Why a Tuesday, you ask? Well, I shall tell you :) The date is very significant in this family. On this same date seventy years ago Sandra's grandmother, Nana, got married. She was unable to be at the wedding. On this date 40 years ago Sandra's mom, Sue, got married. Then, thirteen years ago on April 22 Sandra's brother, Aaron, got married. This was the ONLY date for Sandra and Brandon. Perhaps Tiana will wed on this same date? I know, I'm jumping WAY ahead!!! (Sorry Sandra!)

We had such a blast! It was so great being able to witness these two, who are perfect for one another, finally get married:)


Mike's infamous wedding shoe portrait :)



Sandra's elegant dress:



The fabulous Miss Tiana, Sandra's daughter:



This is one SEXY bride :)


What a studly crew!








Sandra's beautiful lace manteau that was purchased by her mother in Spain when she was only 19.



Gorgeous day, skies, and wedding party!




The shadows of the wedding party looking on:



A moment to relax during the bride and groom session.



The three cakes signifying the importance of this date and the weddings that took place.



After the wedding, Mike went with Sandra and Brandon to visit Nana in the hospital since she was unable to attend. Sandra LOVES her Nana!




We are so glad Mike was able to be there and capture these images.


Thank you SO much, Sandra and Brandon, for inviting us to be a part of your wedding day. We love you guys so much and wish you only the very best! We are so happy for you:) May God continue to bless you and shine through you. We are so fortunate to have you as friends :) We wish you many, many years of health and happiness!!

Click here to view all their slideshows on their personal Mike Buoy Photography web page.

We want to thank Jason of Cannonfire Photography for blessing us and the newlyweds with his talent. Sandra and Brandon are also dear friends of his.