Hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend. My family and I enjoyed watching NFL yesterday afternoon and evening…it’s always a fun day in our house when the season starts. I also watched a good bit of the 9/11 coverage, which made the day feel a bit somber. Somehow it’s difficult to watch football after taking the time to remember the many lives that were lost that day. Yet, I’m tremendously thankful for the freedoms that I enjoy, and I’m grateful to those who serve our country in battle everyday.

Since I shared a little last week, I thought I’d share a few more of the amazing details from Jessica and John’s beautiful wedding at the Powel Crosley Mansion. I had the honor of seeing this wedding published in Brides Florida magazine, much in part to the careful attention that Jessica put into all the little things. This wedding has provided inspiration to many of the brides that I have personally met with, so hopefully it will be a source of inspiration to those of you who are in the planning stages right now! Special thanks to Redman Steele for the beautiful floral design.

Jessica’s Melissa Sweet gown, provided by Malindy Elene Bridal Couture:

Photographers, these were shot primarily using my Contax 645, Fuji 400H and 800Z, along with Nikon F100′s and lenses. Rated at half, metered to the shadow.

xoxo,
Gina Leigh

Hello Friends,

Happy Friday! I’ve survived week one…up at 6a.m. everyday, new work schedule, new school schedule for the boys, new exercise schedule, healthy meals for dinner, and daily posts on A Pen for Pearl. And my children have not yet grown tired of chicken. I’m looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow!

Today I’m sharing photographs of Jennifer while she was getting dressed for her beautiful wedding earlier this year. Jennifer and Michael were married at the Renaissance Vinoy, and the wedding was planned by the very talented Lori of Simply Divine Events. It’s always a treat for me to work with Lori…she is as “on the ball” as they come! I’ll share more color images of this beautiful wedding next week. For now though, it’s the special time of anticipation and preparation that I’d like to focus on. Somehow I find that black and white photography fits perfectly with the emotion and moments that characterize the time that a bride spends getting ready. Although I also shoot plenty of color, it’s usually the black and whites that are my favorite…when the color is stripped away, what remains is the emotion…the nervousness, the laughter, the hugs….

Photographers, the first three photographs were shot using a Nikon F100 with a 50mm lens, at about f2.0 and 1/60. I used Fuji Neopan 400 film, rated at 200. The last two images were shot on a Contax 645 using Kodak Portra 220, 400 speed. Shot wide open at f2.0, rated at 400, exposed to the shadow. Processed and scanned by Richard Photo Lab. Desaturated and toned in post production.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend, and be sure to stop back on Monday.

xoxo,
Gina Leigh

Hello friends,

Happy Thursday! Thanks so much to those of you have already begun leaving comments…these have been wonderful bright spots in my week. It’s funny how bloggers get a little giddy over comments, and I’m no exception. By the way, as of this morning, I’ve begun to reply to your comments, and I’ve left a few of you questions…so you may want to go and take a peak again.

Today I’m sharing a favorite detail, which happens to be a place setting at Christina and Pete’s beautiful wedding reception at the historic Renaissance Vinoy in St. Petersburg. I enjoy the low light, the gold tones, and especially the beautiful calligraphy for each individual place setting…such a classic and romantic touch. Of all the details shots that I could have chosen for today, I think the primarily reason that this image in particular feels special to me is because it reminds me of my grandmother, Gloria Pearl, whom of course this web journal is named after. Growing up, some of my best memories are of the holidays my family spent in my grandmother and grandfather’s home. She always had the dining room table set perfectly, she would serve us an amazing meal…one course at a time…and we would linger at the table for sometimes hours, talking, drinking coffee, and eating dessert. I still appreciate a table that is set for dinner, and especially one as beautiful as this!

Photographers, here are the specs – Contax 645, 80 2.0 lens, Portra 400 pushed to 800, shot wide open at 1/60. Processed and scanned by Richard Photo Lab. Minor editing in post production – just a little softening using gaussian blur.

xoxo,
Gina Leigh

Hello friends,

I’m on day three of my new schedule! So far everything seems to be going quite well, although I do hope that these early mornings will begin to soon feel like habit. I envy those of you who pop right out of bed!

The photograph that I am sharing with you today is a special moment from a ceremony that I shot earlier this year. Often times when a pastor or priest is praying over a couple in a ceremony, I’ll close my eyes and pray also. This is one of the many things I enjoy about photographing weddings – I love the personal connection that I am able to make with the couples and it feels very natural for me to pray for them along with the guests. Plus, the sound of a camera clicking and clicking and clicking would be distracting in the middle of a prayer, and my approach is always unobtrusive. Every now and then, however, I’ll look around to make sure that I’m not missing something important…as was the case with this tender moment. In the midst of this catholic ceremony when the priest was praying for the couple, Christina and Pete, I looked up and saw the beautiful bride’s mother and father praying fervently over them. It is perhaps one of my favorite moments of any ceremony that I’ve had the privilege to capture.

For photographers that would like the specs, I was shooting with a Nikon F100 body, 80-200 f2.8 lens, at approximately 100mm – wide open at 2.8. Shutter was at 1/60, hand held. Ilford 3200, rated at 1600, exposed to the shadow.

Enjoy this lovely Wednesday, and stop back tomorrow!

xoxo,
Gina Leigh

Hello friends,

Happy Tuesday to you! I’m on day two of my new routine – yesterday went very smoothly. We sent both boys happily off to school, I began my new work schedule (which now involves waking up a 6 a.m….such a challenge for me!), plus a new exercise routine and the beginning of fresh healthy meals in the evening. Day one was successful – day two is starting out well.

Today I am beginning a new series on A Pen for Pearl based on the three different types of photographs that I especially enjoy capturing at a wedding…which are moments, portraits, and details. These really are the most important elements of the day, and together they tell a complete story. In light of this, I am going to be sharing some of my favorites of each category every week. On Tuesdays I will share a favorite portrait, on Wednesdays a favorite moment, and on Thursdays a favorite details. For the photographers who read A Pen for Pearl, I’ll also try to share some of my technique…camera, lens, f-stop, shutter speed, iso, and film stock.

I hope that you will enjoy this and visit daily! I know that it’s a little intimidating to leave a comment, but I would love to hear from you if you’d like. No fears about getting caught “blog stalking” – I really do want to know that you visit.

So, for today, this portrait is of my lovely assistant, Christina. Christina was married in May of this year. Beautiful bride, yes? This image was shot using a Contax 645, 80 2.0 lens, with Kodak Portra 400 film stock, pushed to 1600 and desaturated in post production. It was nearly dark when I shot the photo. Shot wide open at 2.0 and about 1/60.

xoxo,
Gina Leigh

Dear Friends,

A dream? I still wonder if it may have been. But then…there are the photographs. Lauren and Jonathan’s reception was breathtaking, and all a bit surreal….

Please come back for more amazing floral and stationary details. There is just so much to see!

Many blessings,
Gina

Wedding Planner – Shannon Wilson, Table 6 Productions
Floral Design – Botanica International Design Studio
Tent Design and Styling – concept|BAIT
Linens – Nuage

Dear Friends,

I really can’t say how many times I’ve found myself dawdling…browsing though all the creative wedding details and beautiful photographs on the ever popular wedding blog, Style Me Pretty. Truly…eye candy, I tell you.

I am very much honored to have recently been asked to join Style Me Pretty’s prestigious and exclusive Little Black Book. Essentially, this is group of hand-picked wedding vendors that Style Me Pretty confidently recommends and often features on their blog. I am so happy to be included in this group of amazing professionals!

Please take a moment to peak at my new vendor profile on the Little Black Book site by clicking HERE. And be sure to browse around on Style Me Pretty…just keep track of time! It’ll run away from you…

Many blessings,
Gina

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
Galatians 5:22, ESV

Dear Friends,

May your coming year be filled to the brim with sweet fruit!

More photos to come from this lovely session…the family of the very talented fellow film photographer, Jen Huang.

Many blessings,
Gina

Dear Friends,

May your evening be filled with love and music…Happy New Year’s Eve!

Many blessings in the year to come,
Gina

Dear Friends,

Lauren and Jonathan took a traditional approach to their wedding ceremony, and waited to see each other until the moment that Lauren walked down the aisle. I love this tradition and the anticipation! While Lauren and Jonathan waited for their ceremony to begin, we spent time taking these special portraits. They are quite a lovely couple, aren’t they?

Many blessings,
Gina

Floral Design – Botanica International Design Studio
Bride’s Dress – Anne Barge puchased at Malindy Elene
Bridemaid Dresses – purchased at Malindy Elene