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Recharging Our Batteries, Miami Style

Every December, the end of wedding season rolls around, and we find our selves a bit....exhausted. Thrilled to have wrapped another great year of doing what we love, we use the transition to the "off season" as a chance indulge in a little relaxation, inspiration and networking. This past December, we ladies of Capture took our yearly jaunt to Miami for the incredible Art Basel.

What is Art Basel you ask? It's an international contemporary art exhibition, held every winter in Miami. It's the largest art fair in the world, and it draws an international crowd. Artists, collectors, critics, writers and gallery directors converge in South Beach for a week long immersion in the art world.

The Basel experience is like no other. If you like people watching, welcome to heaven! You might spy
Kayne West shopping for art, or catch a glimpse of Eva & Adele, the performance artists from Germany who are always rocking bald heads and outrageous matching outfits. Fashion has no boundaries here, people show up to see and be seen!

There are always A lis events in the evenings. The popular place to sneak into this year was film legend David Lynch's Club Silencio. We may or may not have spent an hour trying to convince security that we were indeed Very Important People. We soon gave up the fight in favor of a delicious midnight hamburger at Maxine's Bistro in the retro-glam Catalina Hotel. Lets be real, nothing feels more VIP than kicking off your heels and ordering whatever burger toppings your heart desires!

Good food and late night soirées were just the beginning of our recharging to-do list: our days were stuffed to the brim with art! The flagship fair, Art Basel, is where you shop for Picasso and Degas. From there, many other fairs have popped up over the years, known as "satellite fairs". Each has their own flavor: Scope, the edgy and über contemporary fair. Aqua, the intimate fair where works are displayed in empty hotel rooms and you can literally bump shoulders with the artists. Untitled is the newest fair on the block, and shout out to Richmond's own ADA gallery for exhibiting there this year!

We spent the long weekend just soaking in all of the paintings, sculptures and of course photography. Many of our favorite photographers were exhibiting work! We were so thrilled to see photos by  Cindy Sherman(infamous for her self portrait work), Seth Casteel, the underwater dog photographer everyone loves, and our beloved Julie Blackmon.  Julie is an AMAZING contemporary photographer who creates incredible narratives that blend the mundane every day with the fantastical. She's a rock star in our book, and it's always a pleasure to see her work in person.

  Art Basel brings it back to the roots. It's like a family reunion, a reminder of what pushed us to pick up the camera in the first place. We boarded the flight home with tired feet but refreshed minds and an overwhelming sense of inspiration. Bring it on, 2013!

P.S. Please excuse the quality of the photos. We left our pro cameras at home so we could give our eyes and arms a break!

The girls of Capture, Jenny & Allison, dining on Ocean side drive with artist friend Kimberly Burgess & fashion marketing guru Catrina Gunter. The photo on the right is the entrance to Design Miami!

Art inside Basel: a Woodbury type (old time photography method!) by Chuck Close, a Julie Blackmon Print, and our art  extraordinaire friend Francis getting in on a performance art mural!

Putting On The Dress: 5 Tips for Beautiful Photos!

One of our favorite moments to photograph is the bride stepping into her wedding dress. Here are some ideas to help you get great photographs during this special part of your day.

1. Have your Bridesmaids put on their dresses first.
 Your girls are an important part of the process! They'll be framing you as they help you into you gorgeous gown. Help glam up your first moments as an official bride having your ladies  looking fabulous along with you! When you see your images, you'll be so glad you did.

2. Tidy up the area, or go to a different room.
 Actually, since you're the Bride, you should have someone do this for you. A designated prop stylist, if you will. We're even happy to pitch in! A clean slate will be best to show off you as your step into your gown! But if it's too much to think about, you can always move to another area.  You'll want the focus to be on you and your dream dress, not the make up, shoes, purses, and all the other goodies that come with getting ready.  Set the stage for looking fabulous!

3. If possible, get dressed near a window.
 Your photographer will love you for doing this! The natural light shining in will give you an extra glow and make for beautiful images. If you don't have a window accessible, just make sure all the lamps in the room are on to help give a soft effect.

4.  Save the jewelry for last!
 We want to get great shots of you as you put on your jewelry. These details are the icing on the cake, and since we've set the stage for everything fabulous, this is the perfect time to take care of the little things! And, with your ladies standing by, you'll have lots of help with things like putting on your necklace and slipping on your shoes.


5. Have a full-length mirror handy.
Bonus points if you have a freestanding mirror that can be positioned near where you are.Now is the first time you'll be able to see yourself as a full, head-to-toe Bride. It's a very unique moment, and  one you'll want to cherish. You have full permission to admire yourself today, because you look AMAZING!

Congratulations Mike & Devan: Sneak Peeks

Mike and Devan's wedding at Tredegar Iron Works was an absolute pleasure to photograph!  This couple and their family are so loving and fun.  The decorations and location were elegant, modern and we were SO lucky with weather.  Enjoy these sneak peeks!  No shortage of things to photograph at this wedding.

Apple Blossom Plantation

Working on the formal post for Matt and Maggie's wedding at Apple Blossom Plantation.  Here's a look at what's to come!

Start Spreading The News....

We feel so blessed to work in this industry, our job that exists because of love. Really, how awesome is that? Today, we're feeling extra lucky because we have the privilege of sharing some BIG news with you.  Drum roll please.....

  Our dear friends, Rutsen & Tyler, are ENGAGED! Rutsen, of Eagle Eye Photography, is in "the biz" with us; in fact Capture has collaborated with him on quite a few weddings over the past few years, and a friendship based on much more than photography has grown. And now, we get to watch him marry the beautiful love of his life, Tyler.

 Rutsen & Tyler (known to those who love them as Rut & Ty), are one of those couples who just glow when they're together. They are so playful and light hearted that it spread to everyone in the room.  Rutsen gushes about his girl when ever given the chance (sorry to spill your secrets Rut!), and if you know her, it's easy to see why. Tyler is witty, easy going, and pretty much a dream girlfriend....fiance!

 So we're celebrating their engagement with these pretty pictures taken on a work trip to Mexico last November. We all had a blast together, and even though she was supposed to be on vacation, Tyler pitched in and really was part of the team.  We snuck away for a few minutes during an early morning breakfast for these fun shots. They will be followed up by a full engagement session, but for now, these completely capture the spirit of this fabulous couple.

Rut & Ty, a huge heartfelt congrats from the Capture Photography girls. We are honored to document a part of your love story! 

Sunday Afternoon: Jessica's Bridal Session

On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, less than a week before her wedding, Jessica and some of her close family members joined her at her ceremony sight for a bridal portrait.  Normally, bridal portraits are shot at least a month in advance, but Jessica's dress didn't come back from alterations until just a few days before her wedding! She kept it so cool; no bridezilla here! Jess stayed calm and collected, even has her Mom and Aunt looked on, shedding  tears of happiness. In the place where she would say her vows to future husband Travis, Jessica enjoyed a few quiet moments. Jessica, we are so happy that you chose us to share all these special moments!                     

At Stonehenge Country Club

a stunning bride!

Bouquet from Vogue Flowers 

This was her final selection, printed and framed for her reception. What a gorgeous bride!