Bella Vita Photography » Destin Child Photographer

Destin Childrens Photographer | The story…

admin — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:14:40 +0000

This morning, I’d like to share with you the story behind another of our Small Miracles, a collection of childrens portraits aimed at benefitting the American Cancer Society… little Bella – Small Miracle # 16, daughter of Emily. This story is especially moving, coming from the perspective of little baby Bella:

Everywhere I go and everyone I meet, is always commenting on my big “blueberry” eyes. I hear my mother always politely saying “thank you” and looking at me with a huge warm smile. If I could say “thank you” to any one person, it would be my late Great Grandma Bonnie. My mother always says she was a warm spirited, loving, and kind person. Great-Grandma Bonnie, was always known for her “blueberry” eyes and always received comments from everyone she met. Sadly, she lossed her battle with Lung Cancer, and I never had the chance to look into those loving “blueberry” eyes, that everyone commented on. As my mother lays me down to sleep at night, she always wispers in my ear, that Great Grandma Bonnie, is looking down from heaven, with a big smile on her face. I know Great Grandma Bonnie is smiling down, because she passed her “blueberry” eyes to me. I know she is proud of me, for being apart of a charity that can help those who are suffering from Cancer and maybe give them one extra day on earth with the people they love the most.”

Thank you,
Bella

Thank YOU Bella & Emily

And here is beautiful little Bella, with her amazing blueberry eyes:

Thanks again to all the parents who brought their little ones out for their portraits to benefit the American Cancer Society & don’t forget to purchase your calendar now!

Destin Childrens Photographer | I proudly announce… the 13 Small Miracles

admin — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:45:30 +0000

I am so happy, words cannot express how grateful, humbled, and amazed I am by the work of all the wonderful people in this community & across the country. When I first decided I wanted to do this project, I was sitting in a classroom of about 20 passionate women led by Lori Nordstrom, a woman who truly inspires me – not just through her photography but through her actions, her life, etc. We spent several days in this classroom, laughing, crying, and sharing with each other our passions, our goals, our hurdles, our strengths, and our weaknesses. Without turning this into a long story, I knew when I left that class that I had to do this project.

I’ve volunteered with the American Cancer Society in the past, and it was a cause that I identified with, and I knew many many other people in our community did as well. Little did I know that this would turn out so wonderful, so chaotic, and so fulfilling… all at the same time!

Anyways, standing in the kitchen one night, brainstorming with my husband… we settled on the name “Small Miracles” for the calendar. Quite quickly “Small Miracles Make a Big Difference” was the natural “slogan”. Again, little did I know just how true that would prove to be.

Here I sit at nearly 2 a.m., less than 2 months from the time I first approached the American Cancer Society about my hair-brained ideas (I tend to have a lot of them!), looking in amazement at the number of votes that came pouring in, and equally amazed that I survived it all! LOL

After 2 wonderful weeks of voting, I sit here, looking at the 13 images that made it into the calendar. So happy that I didn’t have to choose them myself because there was no way I could choose just 13, ecstatic at the number of votes that flooded in, and thankful for ever single person that participated. And so… that moment that everyone has been waiting for… I proudly announce the 13 images that will be featured in the 2010 Small Miracles Calendar to benefit the American Cancer Society… proving that Small Miracles DO make aHUGE difference!

(Gosh, even *I* have butterflies TYPING this!) (Names will be added with permission from their parents)

Miracle #9:

Miracle #8:

Miracle #42

Miracle #7:

Miracle #11:

Miracle #1:

Miracle # 31:

Miracle # 19:

Miracle # 12:

Miracle # 38:

Miracle # 6:

Miracle # 41:

Miracle #15:

And there you have it, folks… the 13 amazing Small Miracles!

In all, we received over 5,500 votes… an amazing accomplishment, especially considering this is our VERY first calendar. Rest assured, this is absolutely something we will do each year (though we will start much earlier in the year next year lol… no more shooting, editing, and voting marathons for me!).

And don’t forget, calendars are still for sale – we will be opening the gallery back up with the option to vote removed, just so you can see the cuties & purchase calendars at the pre-sale price of $10. Expect it to open sometime later in the day!!!

Thanks again for all your help, and to all the photographers & businesses who have helped make this possible! Stay tuned as we share with you the inspirational stories that were shared with me through out this journey!

Destin Family Beach Portrait Photographer | The Isder Family

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:12:22 +0000

I actually did these family beach portraits for this wonderful cute new family a few weeks ago, but I’m just now catching up to them & posting the sneak preview! Rainy days seem to be the theme, as this was another rainy day that turned out some awesome pictures on our beautiful Destin Beaches. That’s the great thing about the Emerald Coast & Florida Panhandle – rain is a common theme, but sun is never far behind it when you’re on the beach! They just moved away, so hopefully this reminds them of sunny days and beaches back in Destin, Florida! (And the previous post about Gustav probably reminds them of all the reasons they’re glad to have PCS’d! hahaha).

So – enough of my babbling – and lets see their family & their little bitty cutie (who as you’ll see, likes a high sodium diet of Florida Sand!).

As you can see, he loves the beautiful white sand of Destin so much, he even was willing to take it off Daddy’s feet! He probably won’t remember just how much he loved the Florida Beaches, but at least he’ll have this as proof when he grows up! All in all, we had a great time, and the gallery will be online soon! We’ll have more family beach portraits from our beautiful Destin Beaches to come!

Destin Wedding & Portrait Photographer | So much catching up to do!

admin — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:31:32 +0000

Oh wow, I have so much catching up to do it’s just not even funny! Luckily I’ve been swamped, lot’s of last minute shoots, which is never a bad thing. But boy am I busy lately! It keeps me running all over Destin, 30A, Grayton Beach, Watercolor, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, and beyond! I can’t complain – they’re beautiful locations!

So – just a heads up for everyone emailing me for sneak previews, here they come!!! I’ll have some up tonight, and they’ll just keep coming over the next week!

And also – lots of exciting news! I know, I know, I’m not a fan of suspense either, so I won’t leave you hanging too long!

Now – let the sneak peeks commence!

Crestview Childrens Portraits | Rebecca having fun!

admin — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:41:56 +0000

Most people don’t consider rainy days to be the best days to go out & get their little one’s portraits done – especially not on location up here in Crestview where it rains so often! But a little rain never stopped me – if you want to get good portraits, well… where there is a will there is a way!

So – we set out to do some pictures of my good friend’s little girl Rebecca. She shows up in her favorite dress. She was so cute, but with the shoot going on at the height of the Polygamist Compound Raid, I felt the need to let everyone know she wasn’t a runaway & we weren’t housing a FLDS kid with her in her “prarie” dress. Nonetheless it made cute pictures despite the horrible weather! And thankfully, my poor camera survived me running through the rain.

Rebecca NOT enjoying the thunder:

See… I told you we didnt take her from the polygamist compound,

They never wear these short dresses!

Now THIS is the Rebecca *I* know!

I’ll spare all the other “Hands over ears” pictures!

All in all, we made a fun day of running around to various places in Crestview including one of downtown Crestview’s antique stores, a fun little tea shop in the north side of Crestview, and a few other little local holes that only those of us that live in Crestview might stumble upon on a day to day basis. If you’re looking for some fun things to do with the kids, or even a fun spot to grab a few portraits, these spots are absolutely perfect! In fact, I hear that the tea shop hosts tea parties, which would be a great party idea for a little girl!