Amy is one of the smartest business women people I know. So when she called me about shooting some new head shots I was thrilled. We met up over lunch and in no time at all we got some great pictures of her.

A little more about Amy and what she does…

Amy E. Cuykendall, an attorney, left the practice of law to form Patient Advocates, LLC.  She saw a need for guidance for individuals receiving medical treatment.  After years of witnessing the struggles of family members and friends who had not received adequate medical care, or who received good care but needed more personal assistance throughout their care, Amy felt compelled to connect with the most qualified healthcare professionals in Tampa Bay to offer the public personalized guidance in all aspects of healthcare and medicine.

You can find out more at www.bestpatientadvocates.com.

When I talked to Jesse and Zac about shooting their engagement session some place that had some “meaning” to them I guessed it would be some place close to the water. But on the water???

Up next… the wedding. An amazing, incredible, totally perfect affair!

Holiday Wishes Sessions are well under way and the cards we are designing here at Elise Schreiner Photography are adorable!!! {If we say so ourselves… and we do!}

Here are two for the Harris family.

See?!?!?! We told you they were adorable!

We have a few spots left for our Holiday Wishes Mini Session – call for us for details! We’d love to help you send warm Holiday Wishes to all of your family and friends this season.

It’s that time of year again…. the time when those of us here in Florida start dreaming of cooler temperatures and lower humidity. And of course the Holidays.

Holiday Mini Sessions were such a big hit last year that I’m offering them again this year. A mini session lasts 30 minutes which is long enough to capture 8-10 images for holiday cards and prints perfect to give as gifts to family and friends.

Sessions on Sunday November 1st will be held in the downtown area of St Petersburg while sessions on Saturday November 7th will be at Sunset Beach. Call or email me today for more information… sessions are booking up fast.

One of the things I look forward to most all year is the Annual Lyrics for Life – Tampa Bay event.  To say Lyrics for Life is a concert is like calling the Gulf of Mexico a “little bit of water” or the Super Bowl a “just a football game”. Last night was the 5th Annual Lyrics for Life and it was every bit amazing as the first four.

Lyrics For Life is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to make a difference in the fight against pediatric Cancer. It was founded by Sister Hazel front man Ken Block in memory of his younger brother Jeffrey, who ultimately lost his four-year battle with Cancer.

The charity unites musicians and celebrities for concert events, auctions and other fundraising efforts. The monies raised are donated to groups that are working to find a cure as well as those aiming to enrich the lives of patients and their families. From research to summer camps and family support groups, we are surrounding this disease and conquering it from every angle.

Artists participate in many ways, most often by donating handwritten lyrics to one of their songs on anything from a simple sheet of paper, to a surfboard to any kind of unique item. 

Aslyn was amazing and soulful and beautiful… a perfect musical beginning to the night.

And when the boys for Sister Hazel took the stage they didn’t disappoint. They delighted the crowd full of veteran fans and newbies with old familiar songs dating back to their days in Gainesville and with new powerful and amazing songs off of their freshest CD “Release” .  {Which anyone from last night will tell you is a must have for your musical library.}

In the middle of it all the Children’s Cancer Center put a “face” on the fight against pediatric cancer and recognized Ken and all the good being done thanks to Lyrics for Life.

The auction was full of unique and amazing items including custom artwork from the youngest fighters in the war against cancer to several guitars – one signed by Rob Thomas and one signed by the guys from Sister Hazel.

Of course one of the most coolest things ever about Lyrics for Life is the people that support this awesome event. I am blessed to call most of them friends and can’t wait to see them all again!

For more information on Lyrics for Life and how you can get involved please visit www. lyricsforlife.org and help us win the battle against pediatric cancer.

To experience Sister Hazel and their amazing music visit www.sisterhazel.com. {Note – they are playing in Epcot next weekend!} 

And don’t forget Aslyn! You can find out more about her music at www.aslyn.net.

I have a passion for photography and I love sharing that passion with other people. Not too long ago I had the opportunity to talk pictures and cameras and how to capture the essence of what you feel in your heart when you look through the lens of your camera at an Oh Shoot! workshop.

It has introduced me to a lovely group of women who love to take pictures… pictures of their kids, pictures of their pets, pictures of nature and the beauty that surrounds them.  Some had simpler point and shoot cameras and some had cameras that were a bit more sophisticated with different lenses. One purest even brought her manual film camera… a rare sighting these days.  But they all brought the same desire to take better pictures. 

Ginny McCarthy – an avid photographer with three gorgeous kids to take pictures of and a great group of friends – hosted the event and I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful group to share my passion with or a nicer venue. The room had these huge windows and I had the opportunity to show how indirect light is wonderful for taking pictures. Here Ginny and Liz are standing in the doorway and I’m standing just outside the door and shooting in. This set up allowed me to take advantage of the natural light – no flash – without it overpowering these beautiful women. No squinting or harsh shadows that are normally associated with shooting in full sun in the middle of the day.

I also need to thank The St. Pete Wealth Management Group of Raymond James and Associates for presenting this Oh Shoot! workshop. Ross Preville, Kim Barber and the rest of their team go above and beyond to provide their clients with a relationship that goes beyond the ordinary and build relationships that go deeper than just business. From the moment we started talking about having this event it was evident that they really know their clients and wanted to do something nice for them.  

Ross and Kim handled the coordination and  details flawlessly and I couldn’t have asked for better partners. You can find out more about The St. Pete Wealth Management team and all they offer at www.stpetewealth.com.

I truly appreciate the opportunity to talk about photography with others who share my passion and we had such a good time that we’re planning on getting together again soon. Plans are in the works for a Oh Shoot! Photo Safari – a more hands on type of workshop.

Many thanks to all of you who attended the Heels to Heal fashion show fundraiser hosted by 6 In The City! It is through your generosity and support that 6 In The City is able to give $9,000 to Family Service Centers, Inc. in support of their programs serving child survivors of sexual abuse. And thanks to the women of 6 In the City for letting me be part of it.

ABOUT 6 IN THE CITY

In 2007, six friends came together to share stories of their lives, community involvement and prospects for the future. They began to question how they could make an impact in the community through their social networking. These women invited others to join them and together they formed “6 in the City.” Its mission is to enhance programs for children in the City of St. Petersburg through shared charitable efforts. For more information, visit www.6inthecity.org.

She is absolutely, positively, without a doubt one of the prettiest little baby girls I have ever seen. And she has the bluest eyes!  I have had the pleasure of taking her picture from the day she was born. Her mom called last week and said she wanted to capture every precious moment… every new phase and would I over with my camera. No real special reason, no big milestone or holiday…. just an opportunity to capture Baby Emily in all her cuteness.

Megan – Thanks for calling! She is absolutely to cute for words. I’ll see you soon!!!

The Busby Boys are typical boys… rough and tumble on the outside and sweet as can be on the inside. We had a blast running around outside doing all the things that boys like to do. And I thought we were finished… but when I saw them sitting on their stairs I had to take just a few more shots.  They ended up being my favorites of the day! 

Katie – thanks for inviting me to spend some time with you and your boys. I had a fantastic time! And thanks for letting them grace the first page of my “new & improved” blog!!!