My Friends...New and Old!

Over the last couple of weeks I had the opportunity to shoot two engagement sessions.  One session was with my long time friends Dezra and Matt.  The other, my new friends, Sarah and Cam.

I've known Dezra for about five years and I met Matt about a year and a half ago.  Dez and I met at a work meeting and she became a "little sister" immediately.  There was no way that they weren't going to get engaged.  You know at a wedding the groom is supposed to toss the garter.  Well, it didn't happen like that at my wedding.  I didn't toss it.....I stuffed it in Matt's shirt pocket.  I thought he was a good man for Dez so I "cursed" him with the garter.  Works everytime.  LOL.  I'm going to have a great time shooting the wedding.  Oh yeah, it's in Boston!!!

A few weeks ago I told you that I was going to do a shoot with Delano Rankin.  Well, it was with my new friends, Sarah and Cam.  They are absolutely great people!  You know how when you meet someone you know immediately that you'll like them?  I knew right away.  If you spend any time around them you will see why they are so in love.  They make the cuuuuuuutest couple.  This engagement shoot was so much fun.   I don't think I've had so much fun "working" in a long time.  Sarah and Cam picked a great place to get married too.  Can't tell you where...gotta keep that a secret.  Thanks Sarah and Cam for making the day awesome!

And if you want to see some pictures of an absolutely adorable two year old, go to http://www.vicledan.com/ and look at Saleen.  She is truly adorable.

Ahh!!!.....Miami!!!

A couple of weeks ago my wife had to go to Miami to conduct focus groups for work.  First of all, who knew that so much thought went into lotions!  Let me not digress so early into the conversation...back to the topic.  So she's in Miami working and she asks me if I want to come down for the weekend.  Did she really have to ask?  Who turns down Miami?!?!  We found a ticket for $140 (thank you Spirit Airlines) and then it was off to Miami I go.

I really didn't anticipate much to come of the weekend.  I knew that Tiffany had to work and would not be able to hang out much.  Let me tell you...it's amazing how such a quick trip could be so relaxing and fun.  First of all, we stayed at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.  Here's a little history around the hotel.  The Biltmore is on the National Historic Landmark Registry.   It was at one point the tallest building in the Miami area and had the largest pool in the world.  Built in 1926, the Biltmore was "the hangout" for the rich and famous.  It was also used as a hospital during WWII and served as the Medical School hospital for the University of Miami.  The place was renovated a few years ago and is absolutely beautiful.  I didn't want to leave the hotel. 

Everyone knows that Miami is the "IT" place to be but I didn't realize it was "soooooo posh"!  We went to dinner at a couple of great restaurants but it was pretty expensive.  $29 for a martini.  Cotton Candy and popcorn dessert that was $26!  That's crazy.  It's Cotton Candy People!!!  During the day it was all about the beach and hanging on Ocean Blvd.  You can't go to Miami without hanging out on South Beach.  And what do I have to do to get my Ferrari?  Seems like every third car there was one.

I told you.....Ferraris everywhere!

Random people chillin'...



...random birds chillin'!





So here's the bad part.  My wife neglected to tell me that the hotel was on a golf course.  If there's anything I love to do it is play basketball and play golf...not in that order though.  Golf has taken over.  I didn't have clubs, shoes, etc.  It was pretty hard seeing such a beautiful course just steps away and not be able to play it.  You know, I really couldn't complain.  We were having such a good time I didn't even matter.





Ocean Blvd





Ocean Blvd again



I have my own hotel!



Next stops. Back to good ole' North Carolina and then off to NYC.  I'm going home to do an engagement shoot this weekend.  This really should be fun.  It will be the first one that I will do with Delano Rankin.  I'm gonna put his skills to work.  Check his website out if you get a chance, http://www.lenscreationphoto.com/.  I'll have a few pictures up from the shoot to post soon. Look for them after next weekend on http://www.vicledan.com/.  Oh yeah, tell  me what you think about them too. 



Not everyone can be a quarterback.......





or a receiver!