A little, yet very [ p e r s o n a l ] backstory…

I had first met Louise many moons ago…nearly a decade as I type this and think back.
I was going to Seminole State, and Louise was getting ready to open up a hookah bar in Downtown DeLand.
We met through mutual friends, but the connection was deeper than that. We shared interests like // A R T // , people, and simply recognizing the power of being a strong independent woman, and having a passion for doing the things we love.

I worked for Louise at a hookah bar, called One.O.One. Hookah off of Rich Ave..
I didn’t know it at the time but this moment in my life was so pivotal.
// P H O T O G R A P H Y // was on the back burner (as I had only known film back then), and I developing my skills in ceramics at SSC, while learning how to paint.

I’ll never forget the time I was volunteered to paint in front of a live audience at One.O.One.

— I truly believe this was when my spontaneity as an artist was born. —

I packed up my tubes of paint in a dresser drawer and a blank white canvas. I wore a red dress, but didn’t care what happened to it. This was art, and I had every intention of it being a chaotic mess, but hoped it would also be beautiful. Josh, the musician known as “Josh We Know” (local artist to downtown Deland) was playing at the bar that night, and it was expected to be a full house.
And it was. Everyone was smoking on some hookah and drinking Orange Blossom Pilsner.

I was nervous, but ran with it.
I had never painted a canvas so quick.

I listened to the sweet tunes Josh played while I simultaneously poured my heart and soul for all to see. I had no idea what I was doing, but it was working.
The people loved it.
I was in shock. I can’t believe I did it.
I was left thinking, “who am I?” …“I had no idea I was capable of making something so beautiful”. I had painted a beautiful and colorful tree.
It was elemental:
dripping in colors, and symbolic of eternal life, flame, and growth.

This moment in history became the // L I F E // and aided in the growth of my business. Always, changing, growing, evolving.

SO when Louise reached out to me, I knew this meant to be. I was overwhelmed with joy. FINALLY I could show her the beauty that she allowed me to see in myself.

— Wedding Day Timeline Tips —

Talk to your wedding photographer about your timeline and its proximity to sunset.

L+B’s Ceremony time
was set for 4:30PM

Sunset in Cocoa Beach on 12/31/2019
was set for 5:39PM.

The typical ceremony lasts approximately 30 mins. If we hadn’t have done a “first look”, we would have been left with very little time for portraits/photos after the ceremony until we lost daylight. Plus, Louise and Bradley’s reception location was different from their ceremony location. Now, as your photographer, it is my job to be prepared for just about any lighting situation that comes my way. BUT.. let’s be real. There is no greater light source than the sun, and daytime photos and nighttime photos have a totally different vibe. After discussing all of the details and plans, Louise and Bradley both agreed that an intimate “first look” under the sea leaves would elevate their day to a blissful new level.

++ add’l bonuses ++

1. we were able to do all family photos ahead of time

2. we were able to do photos of the wedding party ahead of time

3. we had MORE TIME for the bride and groom to go to even yet another location, one of their personal favorites in Cocoa Beach! Who doesn’t love that?!

L+B gave me full rein to edit their wedding how I saw artistically fit. I always feel so honored when this happens.  
Of course, I love hearing my client’s preference, as it definitely aids in the path of where to go or perhaps where not to go stylistically. As an artist, I’ve grown to accept the fact that I see the world a little differently.
In post-production it is my goal with every wedding to show my client the vision from a outsider’s point of view and to show the feeling behind what would otherwise just be seen in the blink of an eye.

Yes, we are in a parking lot.
Yes, those are traffic cones.
Yes, that is a gas station.
I don’t care.

This is raw fleeting moment in history.
This is raw.
This is beauty.

and,

this is art.

We arrived back to L+B’s home/reception just at “blue hour”. The sun had already set, and the ambiance was so romantic.

FUN FACT:
Instead of springing for a full on wedding venue, Louise and Bradley invested what they would have spent putting it back into their home.

L+B still hired professional vendors where they saw fit.
You wouldn’t have missed a thing. ;)

f o r t h e l o v e o f r o m a n c e . . .

a n d f u r - b a b i e s . . .

f i r s t d a n c e s . . .

. . . a n d u s.

<3,

Alice

— T H E T E A M —

Location: Cocoa Beach, FL
Photography: Alice’s Art Gallery, Inc.
Bulk Florals: Flower Moxie
Floral Design by: Louise Rigdon - Smith