The Very First Annual Unobstructed Studios Chrimmas Party

2011 has been a crazy year for Unobstructed Studios and it is time to celebrate that! December 16th, 2011 at 6 pm is the time to celebrate. As a great big thank you to all of our clients and friends we are inviting everyone to the Very First Annual Unobstructed Studios Chrimmas Party! The festivities for the night will include live entertainment, a silent auction and raffled prizes. 

Helds at the Mandarin Community Club on Mandarin Road. The building that is home to the Mandarin Community Club was rebuilt in 1872, for use as the Mandarin School, after a fire destroyed an earlier building on the site. Harriet Beecher Stowe, famed author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin", spearheaded the building project. Black and white childeren were educated at the school. The address is 12447 Mandarin Road, Jacksonville Florida 32223. 

Raffled prizes will be award to raffle ticket purchasers, tickets are $5 for one or five for $20 and prizes include a free full session which is valued at $300 and is good for one year. A 24x36 canvas print of beautiful downtown Jacksonville will be raffled off as well. As well as other prizes. 

The silent auction will feature works from other local artists in the area. 

Raffled prizes will be award to raffle ticket purchasers, tickets are $5 for one or five for $20 and prizes include a free full session which is valued at $300 and is good for one year. A 24x36 canvas print of beautiful downtown Jacksonville will be raffled off as well. As well as other prizes. Anyone can enter the raffle and you do not need to be present to win!

The silent auction will feature works from other local artists in the area and include other mediums. Local artist Aaron Smith, a painter and Jacksonville University graduate has donated three paintings for the silent auction. A percentage of the proceeds from this auction are going to be benefitting the Mandarin Community Clubs efforts to fund the historic preservation of the property.

About Unobstructed Studios

Unobstructed Studios is a non-traditional photography company that specializes in candid memory preservation. Owned and operated by Cynthia Sullivan a graduate of Jacksonville University and Jacksonville resident. Unobstructed Studios can be contacted at 904.657.0867 or by email at contact@unobstructedstudios.com

Zombie Ladies

Who remembers back in October when we had the casting for pretty ladies to play zombies? Me!! Well, you know, two months later, look at these super hot zombies! And in all honesty, I was scared to tackle the zombie project but in the end I am happy with the outcome and the fact that all the shoots were so much fun, makes it even better.  So, being that Saturday December 3, 2011 is the Zom-B-Q, I think its fitting to ponder back to the zombie project and revisit the hilarity that ensued. I was originally approached to do this solely as an editing project that turned into shooting four sessions in one day, in the most wonderful weather and surroundings! But, all my models were such amazing troopers! I had to arm myself with two assistants on each shoot, which is odd, being most the times I shoot solo. So, in order of appearance here we go.....

Michelle was a client of mine and had first came into the Unobstructed Studios family when she entered her daughter into the cutest kid contest, and her daughter totally gets her looks from her mom as we all know, Michelle is a hottie. And she is a natural in front of the camera! She was the first to shoot with me for the zombie project and I think we were all nervous to see how everything would go, and Michelle was so much fun! She really had a good time and got into the zombie part. We shot at the old box seats building on the westside on a very overcast and windy day. All in all this shoot went amazingly well. If only the weather would have stood up to the rest of the day because the bottom kind of dropped out on the second one. Which was pretty much right across the street from the first one and in less than one hour it was monsoon like conditions. But, when working with a theme such as zombies, its okay to have bad weather sometimes. It just makes for a wet photographer and a wet model and two wet assistants. So much so that by the time the third shoot rolled around, I could not even wear my shoes anymore because they were soaked! Jennifer was the second model and she and I have been trying to set up a shoot with her for awhile and ironically the last time we were supposed to meet it was also cold and pouring down rain. We met at Carrols Meat Shoppe that is literally across the street from the first shoot and while waiting for her to get there the wind started to pick up more and more if that was even possible but none the less, we had to get the shots done that day. And about 7 minutes after she got there it started to pour down rain like a dang hurricane!  

We tried to work with the weather being that it was a zombie shoot and all but, eventually it was just way too cold and the rain was more sideways than anything else. We had to keep stopping and hiding up the smallest overhang ever. Which was making us late for our next shoot, so much so that Kelly, the last model of the day had to meet us at the second shoot location.  These girls are nothing but troopers I have to say. 

Kellys shoot was at the laundromat. And everyone knows how exciting this makes me because I have been dying to shoot at a laundromat. So, we did it! In true murphies law fashion, the place was supposed to be open 24 hours and it was not, so we had to shoot very very fast to get everything done. The people that own the place were very nice and friendly but they would not let us climb on top of the dryers like I very much wanted to. Kelly is a very unassuming zombie, she is blonde and happy and had a hard time not smiling. But just the same her shots came out great too! All these ladies did a fabulous job and I cannot wait to work with them all again! 

Halloween & Fall 2011

This year for the autumn slash Halloween season, we went all out for our clients!! And it was well worth it because the images are amazing! Armed with a door, an owl, a frame, a bird cage and a ton of pumpkins we set off to shoot some pictures. Instead of the traditional posing children on hay with bright orange pumpkins photos, we opted for a more subtle image with an autumn feel. Most of the sessions were at Boone Park in Riverside, but others took place at clients homes and other areas around Jacksonville. 

I became like Betty White needing a snickers bar on my three day search for a suitable owl to use a prop, and it paid off, I found the gem in the image above at Ace Hardware and although I may have paid too much for it, I heart my owl and he hangs out with me in my office, always watching my back! The fabulous birdcage was obtained from my friend Jacob, and there have been several attempts to use it at shoots previously and always a fail. But, it was perfect for these sessions. Me and my adorable assistant spent all day trying to carve my logo into a pumpkin, only to have me not like it and re do it. And, we opted for pumpkins that were not traditional orange pumpkins for more of a less tacky feeling. Who was first you may asking yourself? Diana's kids! Two adorable costume clad kids, full of energy! One Marvin the Martian and one Ninja Turtle! These two kids were so precious and well behaved! I love at sessions, and this happens at almost every single one of them, parents think their kids are being terrible and then they over apologize a ton! Your kids are fine, they are kids, let them be kids. If only just for today, let them!!! These two were just awesome! I have yet to encounter a child that is actually bad, thank my lucky stars. What I love most about these two, and I am not sure if it is intentional, but their costumes are very color coordinated!! 

The next session after that was Kaden! A favorite of mine because he is always full of energy and expression. And he was a power ranger, come on!! How cool is that!! So, this session was actually at the duck pond in arygle, I am sure it has a name, I just don't know it. And true to his nature, Kaden was full of energy and a ton of fun to work with and there may have also been some duck chasing, accidental laying in duck pee, and other random events. Someone even got my owl stuck in a tree. No names mentioned!! This was a cool shoot because we got to play more with the cool door! And the sun was getting ready to set so it was that golden hour that every photographer craves! There were some excellent shots of all the kids playing in the leaves, autumn colored leaves, which we did have to import ourselves!! But, alls well that ends well and they were worth it because the colors were fabulous and it was fun!

All in all, I ended up shooting four sessions in one day and promise you I will never ever do that again!!! Alaina is next though! A very impromptu add to the day, and I know this is scary to most of my clients but, I work so much better on the fly, you have no idea! So, Alaina was an hour before add in to the day and it was a fast and cold session as the golden hour was coming to an end. Her session was actually at her house. And with the help of her mom, and some cell phones, we managed just fine and got some amazing shots of this little cutie! This little girl is so hilarious! She is loud and happy and has the deepest blue eyes ever! And just like me she gets distracted by cell phones, which were used to keep her looking towards the camera. And I have to say this being maybe the fourth time I have worked with her, she is so much better in front of the camera than from her first session. Not to say that one was bad, at all. But, as kids grow, they just become natural little photogenic stars. The colors from Alaina's session are so brilliant and bright, its just a great combination with her energy! And, I might add that I picked out her shirt! 

Then there was a pirate! Argghh. An ADORABLE pirate with an infectious smile!! There are hardly any pictures of Hayden where her mouth is closed! And I love that, she is such a cute little girl and she is so dang happy! And, I am all about any child that can be bribed with candy! And Hayden is one of them! I feel like she is going to grow up and be a heart breaker because she is a gorgeous little girl, but I am not her parents, I  don't have to worry about that at all! Until then though, I will enjoy photographing her! The autumn slash Halloween sessions were a giant success this year, so much so that I am certain that we will offer them again next year too! And, yes, I will bring the owl again! It's so cute!!!

Megan and Gary...took the plunge!!

It is very rarely that we in our society come across people that have that genuine kind of love that you see in movies, henceforth why someone has coined the term, movie moments. Well, meet Megan and Gary and we can talk about movie moments, magic and love. I have to also admit that in all honesty, I didn't meet Megan face to face until her wedding day. I was contacted by one of faithfully loyal clients, Julie one day and she was telling me that her sister Megan was set to get married sometime in October and asked if I would be interested in the that at all. Uhm.....yes!! Now, I only shoot a certain number of weddings a  year as to not overload myself with work I cannot handle. So, the end of the year was coming and I knew I could tackle this wedding and all the processing pretty quickly. So, talks began and continued for a while and I think the first time I spoke with Megan on the phone it was about a month before her wedding day.

See, Megan lives in St Petersburg, which made me auto-love her, it's the best city in Florida for art culture and happiness. They have the Dali Museum, that alone makes it more than worth it. Anyways, so on the phone with Megan, we talked about her wedding obviously, and when she would be in town and what her and Gary were like as a couple, and she was just so nice, one of my favorite things about Megan is she talks alot!! And so do I! Its like I have found my talking soul mate!!

Oh, so back to the actual couple, me and Megan discussed on the phone that they were very low key type of couple and that they applying that to their wedding as well. I have to say I love the approach and I think that more and more brides are doing this. The days of the big platinum weddings are dying! And let me just say, it worked because on the day of her wedding Megan was ready before anyone else was.

Megan and Gary were married on St Augustine Beach on October 15, 2011 in a very beautiful ceremony, and perfect weather.

I don't think I have ever seen a man so captured by his bride and I don't think I will ever see one like that again. Gary is a very nice person and you can for sure tell that he has found his match. I just know that he will always look at Megan like she is the only person in the room. They are such a relaxed and very in love couple. And shooting their wedding was a great pleasure. I cannot even tell you how delicious the cake was!!!

Mallory & Derek

Awww. Young love, is than anything more refreshing to see than young love? Mallory was one of the few that successfully completed the 30 day photo challenge way back in the spring. Being that she completed it, she won a mini session, and we took awhile to schedule and shoot it.

 Mallory has worked with photographers in the past, which is extremely exciting because she was already pretty well at posing herself and it helps that she is so pretty too!!! When we were talking about scheduling her session we talked alot about our ideas and she knew that she wanted to do a couples shoot with her boyfriend Derek.  They had spent a long time as friends and just recently started actually dating and were coming up on a year of dating. So, we finally decided to try something different and do a session at night. We both were extremely excited for that!! And come the day, rather night, of their shoot it was unseasonably warm and very uncomfortable with sweaters on, but they both looked fabulous!! As you can see, some people were born camera ready, and that's Mallory, always smiling and ready to be captured. One of the things I get to witness at couples sessions is the interaction between two people and its adorable with couples that are just in love. Couples sessions, in all honesty, are awkward for couples, you are posed together in what are moments that most people don't stand their and photograph, you are sometimes just flat out staring at each other for awkward periods of time and it is uncomfortable. But, well worth it! Remember that!!  I will say it is nice to see two people so young that are so sweet and considerate. So, don't like the awkwardness of posing be a deterrent to booking your session! Even Derek was a good poser! especially for a Red Sox fan!!! That is one of those discovery's that really make the session interesting when I keep wanting to call him Derek Jeter, as I am a huge Yankees fan, and he drops the Red Sox bomb and suddenly we both have to go. Ha! But, he was a trooper and the resulting images are fabulous!  Should anyone be considering a couples shoot, I say do it! Life is short, take way too many pictures. And we work with our clients and find them the best locations and the perfect shoots to make sure that the resulting image is a reflection of them and not us. Email contact@unobstructedstudios.com today to get more information or to book any type of shoot! Until we hear from you, enjoy this adorable couple!

Little Lillian

I met this sweet little baby girl in September, Lillian. Some of you already know her, and adore her. Before she was even born she was already my client! Her mom, Debbie and I spent alot of hours talking about when Lillian would arrive, long before she actually arrived. We planned out her session to be shot when Lillian was brought home from the hospital. And, after all the preparations and planning, Lillian came into this World and then had the distinguished pleasure of meeting me!

Newborn sessions are the sweatest to shoot, as you want to keep it warm in the room so that the baby will stay asleep. Let me tell you about the troopers I work for! Debbie, her husband, Nick and her mother Mary all of us in a house with no air conditioning but a soundly sleeping baby girl. Lillian did so well on her first photo shoot it was amazing. She stayed asleep almost the whole time and we were even able to capture her with her new big brother, Logan.

Such a sweet family. So much love and consideration was put into these images and really all of Debbies sessions are no different. The rresulting images are just amazing. So much planning and preparation went into to Lillians newborn session and we were even able to squeeze in a few shots of her with her big brother. This little girl is surely loved by far and by many. I hope everyone takes a look at Lillians session and truly enjoys each image for beyond face value. Newborns are more than cure little babies, they are precious and delicate souls, and we should never forget that.

Being that it is Thanksgiving, I thought today would be the perfect oppertunity to tell you about Lillian and the gift of life and love that we all take advantage of everyday. It is not until those things come into jepeorady that you realize how precious they are. Shortly after Lillians newborn session her parents became concerned that she was not gaining weight. Several trips to the doctor later it was discovered that Lillian had a hole in her little precious heart and would need to have surgery to have the problem corrected, I dont think she was even two months old yet.

It was also around this time that Lillians mom, Debbie and I were in the works of planning their Christmas session, which, obviously was put on hold due to the circumstances. Once the doctors had a better grasp on the situation, the family just had to wait until the surgery. Waiting, they say, is the hardsest part. This waiting propmted Debbie to go ahead and schedule their Christamas session, as an excellent distraction from the agony of the situation.

A situation such as this is a reminder that life is too short, and to take too many pictures. But, I will admit, it puts alot of pressure on the photographer to produce the picture perfect picture. Thankfully, Debbie is always very honest and involved with planning her sessions and we had everything planned to a T. Come the before her session though, we were suddenly well aware of the irratic weather in Florida and the fact that it may be too cold for Lillian to be outside, but, the weather turned out perfect, it was a beautiful day and the park in riverside that we selected was well lit and lovely. Even the oldest of the Fritts babies was on point at the shoot. Logan, now a very loving big brother has not always been known to be the most willing at shoots, but I did plan ahead and brib him with twisslers.

Needless to say, their session was amazing, probably their best to date, no, it was, no probably about it. Fast forward to Sunday, I had a session with Lillians grandmother, equally fabulous as Debbie. We were talking about Lillian and how strong her parents are and thats is when I found out that Lillian had her surgery scheduled for the following day. Being that I don't have kids, I cannot imagine the things that a parent would feel about any of this, but, since Debbies first session in March or April, I have grown so attached to her whole family, I knew she was strong, just as her child is.

It was on this day that I became aware of the attachment I have to my clients, I was kept up to date with the surgery, threw many of my clients, but, I was the most distracted that I have ever been. I barely got any work done at all. And when news came that Lillian was out of surgery and was okay, I know I felt better, so Debbie and Nick and all their family must have just been overwhelmed with relief.

But, just as soon as she came out of the operating room, she went back in due to bleeding. In all honesty, I have no idead how parents handle these situations, at all. It was discovered that Lillian had an additional hole in her heart and it was fixed and she was out of surgery again. From there, I promise there is no more heartbreak, Lillian is a fighter and being only two months old, she is stronger than most people I know, she is recovering so well. Already off her oxygen and making a very speedy recovery.

If you take anything from this, take this, life is a gift at any age. There are so many petty things that we take for granted and complain about everyday, don't do that anymore. Take too many pictures and remember that everyday you have is a day that you should take advantage of.

Debbie has a lot of friends

So, I have alot of clients named Debbie. And they all had sessions in September, this one in particular was even more Debbie. I was hired by a very nice Debbie, who I had a most wonderful conversation on the phone with about her other friend Debbie. Except, during our phone call, I am not sure that Debbie one mentioned that her friends name was Debbie. She explained to me that she was helping with a few other friends in throwing a birthday party for her friend that was so very close to her heart. Her friend, you see, she is one of those perfect clients for client of the month, one of those people that truly enjoy helping others. Birthday Debbie, I learned, was extremely active with volunteering for just about any cause you could name. She has done alot with the Mayo Clinic, in particular with cancer. So, you all should know by know that pulled on my heart strings.

After speaking with Debbie One for awhile on the phone, I was truly impressed by the thought and love these ladies had for each other and for others in general. And I was so excited to be on board to help preserve the memories from Birthday Debbies party.  So, Birthday Debbies party was at World Golf Village, and, in all honesty, as soon as I got there I was lost. So, once I finally found the place, I was carted to the venue hall that was in side the Hall of Fame. But, all in all, it was an amazing party for a very special lady. The evening was filled with love and laughter and a ton of people. So many, in fact, that instead of just one or two folks giving a toast to Birthday Debbie, six or seven people proudly stood up to extend gratitude to her. It was a well rounded mixed of wonderful-ness. And the band was excellent, we have to talk about the band! The Ray Love Band provided the sounds for the evening and they were magical, a jazz band with a Motown flair, they really had a great sound and they were just the nicest guys you could imagine. 

All in all, a great event!! I have to say, I was very impressed with Birthday Debbie when I did meet her for the first time. She is one of those people that you just feel so comfortable around, like you have known her forever. She very much deserved the party and all the love!!

To Birthday Debbie:

Keep inspiring people through the kindness you offer. Happy Birthday and many more!!

Back to School

I have to admit that I have wanted to do one of these sessions for years and I am so happy that I finally had the chance to shoot the first day of school!! The way that I look at it, the first day of school is already hectic enough, so what is the big deal if you also add to that, a photographer?

So, when one of my most favorite clients approached me with the idea, I was excited!! But, I will say that we were both a little but worried that on the first day of school, some kids have a hard time and tears ensue. Fortunately, Kaden, one of the coolest kids, also uber photogenic, did great!! He was very well behaved and compared to the kids in his class, he was an angel.

This is a good time for me to extend to you all, my two cents, when your child is going to pre-school for the very first time ever, give that child a head start, feed them breakfast! Do not take your child through the drive through at Chic Fil A on the way to school and feed them a fried and fatty breakfast. Thank God that my clients are good mothers and this was not them with the chicken biscuit breakfast! Secondly, I do feel like bringing your favorite photographer to the first day of school really helps your child get ahead and become more excited for school. Kaden got to hold the flag for the pledge that morning and i am sure that having a photographer there to capture the first day of school really helped the teacher choose him for the task. And I will say, it was a task he sure did well at, and made his parents proud. So, every parent dreads that moment when they have to leave their chicklin' on the first day of school, they assume it will hard for their kid to let go and be with out their parent for a few hours a day. I find that in reality, it is usually the parents that have the hardest time leaving. And I find this to be a very sweet moment. You know, these cute little kids, they are experiencing something new, exciting and fun, they don't realize that this is actually a rite of passage as their parents do. Kids don't know that they are growing up, they see new stuff to play with and their name on a desk.

But, whether you as a parent have a hard time leaving or your child has a hard time with you leaving, it is a special day and it is a moment in which you know your child is growing up, unbeknownst to them.

Having said that, I will always be available to follow you and your little one around on that special day, so that you can have that day forever. It is freezing time and in the pictures, no matter how much time passes, they don't grow up.