Port Charlotte Commitment Ceremony Photographer- Portifino Waterfront Dining – The beautiful Commitment Ceremony of Jaiye & Leslie

November 11, 2011

What’s better than one beautiful bride? Well how about two of them! I had the good fortune to photograph a commitment ceremony in Portofino’s crown jewel its Tuscany Room in Port Charlotte, FL. My friend Tina Shepherd was kind enough to invite me to photograph this special occasion with her and we had such a good time with Jaiye & Leslie and all of their fun family & friends!

About the wedding day:  Jaiye wanted everything to be perfect for Leslie even sending a stretch white limo to pick her up! And while Leslie was getting ready Jaiye and her friends were busy at the ceremony site making sure everything was perfect right down to the last detail. She even helped put their three tiered purple and white cake together!  Every detail of the ceremony was perfectly planned and executed. The vows, the food, the table settings, and especially the people all came together to create an amazing wedding. Jaiye and Leslie even wrote their own vow’s! It was really a great evening. Check out a few of their photos and their video!

These two ladies are not only beautiful, they are both completely adorable and had a great time celebrating with their family and friends!  Sue Browning DJ & Karaoke kept the party rocking (941-626-0747) and several of Leslie and Jaiye’s friends  even sang special songs for the beautiful couple and their guests





Portofino’s crown jewel is its Tuscany Room located on the uppermost floor.  The Tuscany Room is adorned with imported Italian marble and granite as well as grandiose chandelier lighting and linen table cloth & black tie service. It has a  stunning panoramic view of Charlotte Harbor.

Sanibel Wedding Photographer - Tim & Ericka's Casa Ybel Wedding

I met Tim this past spring while dropping off graduation announcements to my friends Colette and Lynnette who work with him. I'm so glad he liked my work and asked me to photograph his and his beautiful fiance Ericka's wedding that was held this past Friday at Casa Ybel  Resort and Thistle Lodge on Sanibel Island.

Their wedding was a sweet family affair and Lea did an excellent job of making sure everything went smoothly for Tim and Ericka and their families. Ericka had B's everywhere and her sweet personalized touches were abundant from the ceremony to the reception.

 Christina Phelps Bowman  of Beautiful Wedding Ceremonies always performs the most beautiful ceremonies and when she ad's the Native American Wedding Blessing

"Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness, and kindness that your connection deserves. If each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight." It makes it even more special.

Thistle Lodge has been hosting weddings for more than 100 years. And how special it is that the romantic old-island beach manor was first built by a turn-of-last-century groom as a wedding present to his new bride.  We can see why so many happy couples have chosen to be married and have their receptions here it is absolutely gorgeous!

Tim & Ericka have got to be one of the cutest and most in love couples I've photographed. Their relationship is magical and those who know them can truly see their special love they have. You can see it in the way they look at each other and I LOVE that she is wearing her grandmothers wedding ring!

Enjoy this peek at their intimate Casa Ybel Wedding.

Tim & Ericka had an intimate reception with family and friends at Thistle Lodge

The Shells on Sanibel's beaches are beautiful! Thank you to Tim & Ericka for letting my friend Tina at Tina Shepherds Photography shoot their wedding too I know you will enjoy your extra photos!

Palmdale FL, Fisheating Creek - E-Session Tricia & Donnie

Tricia and Donnie have been planning for their wedding for nearly a year and we can't wait until their wedding this November in LaBelle Fl at the historic Captain Hendry House!
We finally did their pre-wedding shoot (E-session) if you will in Palmdale, FL at Fisheating Creek Outpost. Here are some of my favorites from their fun photo shoot!

Immokalee Wedding and Bridals with a handsome Cowboy and his horses- Luke & Ashley

 

 Ashley & Luke were married at the First Baptist Church in Immokalee Florida. There family and friends joined them in their celebration which featured touches of camo, burnt orange and fall flowers.

Gina Blocker did a beautiful job with all of the decorations adding personal touches for the bride and groom throughout the ceremony site as well as in the Event Pavilion at The Seminole Indian Casino in Immokalee where the party took on a whole new life and the Dj kept the party rockin! ! The bride and groom didn't let the rain dampen their spirits and they enjoyed every minute of their special day. We met up again after their honeymoon for a fun bridal shoot with the couples horses at a family friends home located on the beautiful Lake Trafford in Immokalee where we had a gorgeous sunset! You can see more pics from their e-session, wedding and Bridal shoot on our Photography By Jerri Lynn facebook page.

Fort Myers Wedding Photographer - Edison & Ford Winter Estates Wedding - Katrina & Kevin

(Beautiful Sunset at the Holiday Inn Airport At Town Center)

I didn't meet Kevin or Katrina until the day of their wedding and we all met at the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center where they would later celebrate in style with their family and close friends at their super fun reception. They traveled from Jacksonville, NC to be married under the Mysore Fig Tree at the   Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, FL.
Kevin was so handsome in his Marines Uniform it was easy to see why Katrina was head over heels for him and Kevin couldn't keep his eyes off off his beautiful bride from the moment he first saw her coming  across the lawn with her father. Their wedding was an intimate affair with just close friends and family who traveled to Fort Myers to celebrate with the Kevin & Katrina. Wayne from Beautiful Wedding Ceremonies performed a heart felt ceremony for the happy couple.
After the family and bridal party all left for the cocktail hour Tori Lawless escorted all of us around the estates property for some truly wonderful photos of  Kevin & Katrina. Kevin will be shipping out soon and they will have the photo's and video of their wedding day to keep them close.
Enjoy their wedding video


Their wedding will forever be dear to me as my youngest son has just recently joined the United States Marines and just like Kevin he will serve and protect our great country and all of the freedoms that we as Americans hold dear.
We don't have many opportunities to personally thank the men and women who serve and protect our country and our families…with that said I do proudly give a 25% discount to all Military family's for their photography services and I am honored to have been selected to play a small part in the lives of Kevin & Katrina and to the many soldiers and those who wait for them at home.

"Katrina's view as she dressed for her wedding day"

"Reception at the Holiday Inn Airport at Town Center"

Naples - Fort Myers Photographer - Retro Pin-Up Photo Shoot

Yes, even seasoned photographers like to practice new and exciting techniques for fun and that means you get a better photographer too! I just LOVE our Photography Naples Photo Group with the amazingly talented Peggy Farren of Avant Garde Images in Naples. She makes sure that everyone has the opportunity to take amazing pictures .....It doesn't matter what your skill level is everyone is always welcome at the meet-ups! If you have an interest in photography why don't you join the group too!!!!!This was at the Key West inspired Lemon Tree Inn in Naples, FL.  Two of my wonderful friends volunteered to be models for the day! Thank you Melinda & Lindsay!

 Back Row: Melinda, Alicia, Kat & Lindsay. Middle : Kristen, Jordan & Rhonda and down front is Erin! Great job ladies!!!!

Fort Myers Photographer - Rikerline & Elizert

A beautiful beach engagement session on Naples Beach for a wonderful Fort Myers Couple!   Their wedding is this Saturday stay tuned for exciting wedding pics!

Fort Myers - Naples - Southwest Florida Wedding Photographer offers 10% off to Military & Local Heroes

Fort Myers - Naples - Southwest Florida Wedding Photographer offers 10% off to Military & Local Heroes

Photography By Jerri Lynn is Honoring those who serve and protect our country, and our families…
There are few times in life that are we given the opportunity to thank those who risk their very lives to protect what is so precious to us in this country. Photography by Jerri Lynn would be honored to be selected to play a small part in the lives and futures of our soldiers and those who wait for them at home and to our service men & women who so courageously serve and protect the communities in which we live. To say "Thank You" we will provide our wedding photography services at a 10% discount to these brave men and women.
Photography by Jerri Lynn always gives a 10% discount to service men and women as well as firefighters, police and EMT. It’s just a way for us to say “Thank You” to those that serve our country, no matter the branch of service, rank or time in the military and our community… for your service, your courage, and your dedication.
Best wishes on your journey together!
We look forward to working with you and your families.

LaBelle FL Photographer - LaBelle High School Class of 1981!

It was such fun seeing the LaBelle High School Class of 1981 at their reunion at Forrey Grill.... so sorry I couldn't make it Saturday night to Fort Myers Beach with all of you! I remember so many of them from when I was just a Freshman at LHS in LaBelle FL!!!! Yikes!!!! Many were my hero's and I wanted to be just like them! I wanted be a cheerleader like (YOU know who you all were) And I finally did and it was such fun! I wanted to sing like the girls in the chorus so I joined my Sophomore year. I wanted to work on the yearbook just like Shelly so I joined the yearbook staff. Yes, my freshman year I believe I must have joined just about every club they would let me into! They were the cool guys and gals at the school and when your a freshman they are who you look up to. And, they haven't let any of us down. They have become leaders not only in their hometown but in towns all over the USA. They are like the stars in the sky and will shall shine even after they are gone.  George Bernard Shaw said it best when he said, "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." The Class of 1981 has done just that! Hope to see you all in 5 years!!!!  Jerri Lynn

Naples Wedding Photographer -Weddings 101 with a real "fake" wedding

Yes, even seasoned wedding photographers like to practice new and exciting techniques without the pressure of the REAL wedding day! I just LOVE our Photography Naples Photo Group with the amazingly talented Peggy Farren of Avant Garde Images in Naples. She makes sure that everyone has the opportunity to take amazing pictures .....It doesn't matter what your skill level is everyone is always welcome at the meet-ups! If you have an interest in photography why don't you join the group too!!!!!This was on beautiful Naples Beach.

I've known Mallory & Nick for many years. Neither are professional models but they have been dating for a long time and their pictures turned out just beautiful! You can see by looking at their pictures that they are just crazy about each other!

All across the country “Day After Shoots,” or bridal sessions, are gaining in popularity and are known for some of their crazier options like a “trash the dress” session. With Mallory and Nick we did the beautiful relaxed and romantic after the wedding shots then as the sunset we trashed the dress and got the most romantic and breathtaking images with an amazing Southwest Florida sunset!

Here are several advantages which have spiked the popularity of the "Day After" or "After the Honeymoon" bridal shoots.

First it allows the bride and groom to get the beautiful portraits they want without taking too much away from the wedding day. I know for me as a photographer it is important to know that the bride and groom enjoy their wedding, and that the guests enjoy it as well. None of us want our family and friends wandering around the cocktail hour looking at their watches, wondering what is going on and when the bride and groom will arrive. We also want beautiful portraits that look like they should be in a magazine. By allowing another day for fun portraits, this balance is made much easier and the bride and groom get the amazing photo's they want to remember their wedding day.

Anna & Alex - Naples Florida Maternity Photographer

I met Anna several months back at the "What A Girl Wants" event and she reluctantly put her name in for our free photo shoot.....  well needless to say Anna won!!! And after several e-mails we finally set up her photo shoot at 34 weeks with her awesome husband Alex. We met at Wiggins Pass State Park  in Naples Florida and had the best time! As we waited for what turned out to be the prettiest sunset ever Alex who is a former United States Marine re-assured me that my son Clayton was making a great decision in joining the Marines. That he would become a great man and would get an awesome education as well. Whew.... That makes me feel better! Thank You Alex! I have to admit I have had reservations about him joining the Marines but every time I meet a Marine or retired Marine it makes me feel much better after hearing about their experiences about my son's decision. In a few short weeks we will get to meet Miss Ava as she is expected to make her arrival on September 10th. I can't wait to meet her and neither can her loving parents!  

Shannon & George - Naples Zoo Engagement Photographer

I met Shannon & her sweet family at the Tropical Florida Bridal Fair at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates. They are planning a beautiful wedding next May at Pelican Preserve and Shannon & George wanted a little something different for their engagement session. So off to the Naples Zoo & Botanical Gardens we went where we met Courtney Herrel the events coordinator at the zoo who showed us the most amazing locations at the zoo for pics! Yes we were hot but not as HOT as their photos are!~ The zoo offers the most beautiful weddings there for those of you looking for wild and tropical wedding experience!!!! Enjoy their preview~~~

Fort Myers Regional Partnership Social Media Meet-Up

Fort Myers Regional Partnership Social Media Meet-Up
http://video214.com/play/FoooLL4S0idK3g1iSInEMA/s/dark

Sights and Sounds of the 2011 Collier County Fair!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.


The Fair began with the Bunny & Cavy Show!
More pics can be seen at www.photographybyjerrilynn.com

Swamp Cabbage Fun!!!

The Swamp Cabbage Festival is over and we have a beautiful new queen and princess... Olivia Luckey and Ashley Curry will be wearing the coveted crowns this year. All of the contestants did an awesome job and we even did a little television filming after the pageant for a TV pilot recreating the whole pageant and our model shootout with the hostess of the show... fun! All of the girls rode their float in the Swamp Cabbage Festival Parade and Olivia and Ashley performed in the park before visiting with the local and out of town vendors welcoming them and thanking them for participating in this years event.

Queen Olivia and Princess Ashley on their float!

Ashley and Olivia visit the car show.

Some of the contestants witht he show host during our recreation of the trash the dress photo shoot!

The float coming down Main Street.