My photoshoot with Preston Bailey and Sandals.

I'm super belated in posting about this, but now that images have been released to the media, I wanted to finally show you guys the gorgeous set ups I shot for celebrity wedding designer Preston Bailey and his exclusive collection with Sandals that I shot in Jamaica earlier this year. Sandals now has my photos up and live on their website! You can view my photos and his beautiful new collections here and here. It was exciting to be a part of this project and work with Preston and the Sandals team. For my brides, I totally recommend you honeymoon at one of their gorgeous locations!

Here's a few of my faves from the shoot!

My three favorite people!

Rhett was kind of in desperate need of a summer haircut. I'm always amazed how the groomers can take my scraggly filthy boy and turn him into such a supermodel dog.

Here's some fun before and after pics I grabbed with my point and shoot. Oila!




Then, a big shout to my momma! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love this picture I took last year of her and my dad so in love.



With the uncertainty of my dad's fate, it means so much more now than ever to have captured this moment of them laughing with each other. My dad was so cute this week in making sure my mom's birthday got celebrated. He felt bad knowing that his next scheduled chemo appointment was on my mom's actual birthday, so rather than having to miss celebrating my mom's birthDAY, he turned it into celebrating her birthWEEK. Tuesday night we all went out to dinner at their favorite restaurant. Then Wednesday I got a call in the middle of the day just because he wanted to tell me that he snuck her out to the beach and down to St. Augustine for lunch. Then yesterday when I stopped by my parents house, he had given her a beautiful display of flowers and the funniest card. It's cute seeing them act like teenagers again as they come to enjoy the simple expressions of love and celebrating life. I was also able to sneak mom away for a mother daughter lunch yesterday at our favorite girly restaurant. We did take a photo, but it turned out blurry, blah. It was fun though sneaking her away and solving the world's problems over Sangrias and salads. Happy birthday Momma!

Get trendy!

I can't help but laugh because I now have a product named after me. I got a sweet email a few weeks ago asking if I would mind if a new pink stripe camera strap could be called "The Scarlett." Wow, really, for real? Cool!

Trendy Camera Straps are an awesome new product for photographers offering exactly what I have been looking for for so long... exactly what the name says... camera straps that are trendy. I never used to use a camera strap before because the one Canon offers was just so dang ugly. Not only are Trendy Camera Straps oh so cute, they are oh so comfortable because they are padded as well.

I used it for the first time at Cara and Drew's wedding this past weekend, and small world, one of the groomsman's ties even matched exactly my strap. Here's a shot my fab second shooter friend Stacy Cross snapped of me in action.




Trendy Camera Straps blogged about me today on their blog. Be sure to check them out and tell them I sent you their way! And it's not just for stylish photog girls, they have plenty of options for the guys too!

I believe...

Ok, so I'm ripping this blog idea off of a friend Apryl Marie (sorry her blog is private) who ripped it off our mutual friend Carla Jean. I thought it was inspiring and wanted to add/delete my own list.

Rather than going through both of their lists and making a mess adding and deleting, I've just created my list, but borrowed a few of their ideas to get me going:


I believe in God and that true life is found through His son Jesus Christ, not just as a religion, but in a relationship with Him.

I believe in the pleasure of my own company, yet at same time, the beauty of sharing life with those you love most.

I believe in eating your fruits and vegetables.

I believe in the loyalty of a good friend.

I believe in the comfort of my mom's home-cooked meals, or sharing dinner with my parents at our favorite restaurants when mom doesn't want to cook.

I believe in the value of art and beauty and photography.

I believe in the mystery of music and how the lyrics of a song can be a great therapy.

I believe in being, and becoming, who you are, yet being content where you are at the moment.

I believe in being a little bit diva.

I believe in the power of prayer and miracles.

I believe in the sanctity of marriage with God in the center of it.

I believe in making a soundtrack for every mood.

I believe in treating others as I would want to be treated.

I believe in spending Friday nights alone.

I believe in hope.

I (unfortunately) believe in When Harry Met Sally, The Notebook, Sweet Home Alabama and Sex and the City.

I believe in reading celebrity news.

I believe in one-girl revolutions.

I believe in Starbucks Frappacinnos as an energy boost when really they are probably just a boost to my hips.

I believe in family and that parents can be your best friends.

I believe in the syrupy gushy giggly butterfly kind of love.

I believe in bubble baths in large garden tubs.

I believe in finding the good in everyone.

I believe in forgiveness.

I believe in splurging on expensive luxuries you have earned, yet also finding ways to give back to good causes.

I believe in happily ever after almost too idealistically.

I believe every woman should have the perfect black dress (or in my case a few more).

I believe in soul mates.

I believe in gut feelings about people's true colors.

I believe in lifelong friendships.

I believe in writing/living your own love story.

I believe time and forgiveness heals all wounds.

I believe everything happens for a reason.

I believe we are all capable of maximizing our greatest potential and making our dreams come true.

I believe in not settling for anything less than God's best.

I believe in second chances.

I believe in chocolate making everything better.

I believe in a poodle being a girl's best friend.

I believe in a photo speaking a thousand words.

I believe in the confidence stilettos give a girl.

I believe in waiting until marriage.

I believe in the ocean's purpose to cleanse the soul.

I believe in running away when it's needed and running toward something better.

I believe in all-day movie marathons.

I believe in laughing until your abs hurt.

I believe in spoiling oneself with massages, facials and pedicures.

I believe a good morning run is better than a cup of coffee.

I believe in not wasting life and doing things now.

I believe in walking through fears and taking risks.

I believe in paying it forward.

I believe in birthdays being a grand event.

I believe in saying what's on your mind and heart and always being honest.

I believe in cherishing the simple moments of life with loved ones because you never know when the Lord will take them home.

I believe in myself...




What do YOU believe in?

Inbox full.

Funny conversation with my parents last night:

ME: So, yeah, I'm excited about all those things coming up that I'm going to be offering to other photographers soon.
DAD: Before long, the photography world will be all Scarlett Perfume, you know, like Mike Cologne.
ME: Uh, dad, it's spelled like your colon, but yes, pronounced like cologne.
MOM: Ooooh, there's an idea, you could come out with your own perfume line, darling!
ME: Oh, mom.

I'll never forget when I first got into photography and I discovered the work of a particular photographer. (No, it wasn't Mike Colon, but someone just as amazing.) I didn't realize at the time just how huge they were. All enthusiastic about the new career ahead of me, this person inspired me and by reading their blog I felt like I knew them like a friend. I naively sent off an email to them telling them how much I admired their work and asked a few small questions about how they got their work so amazing.

One day went by, no response.

Two days went by, no response.

How hard can it be to answer a quick email?

Three days went by... you get the drift.

They update their blog everyday, why can't they just write me back too?

A month later, yes, a WHOLE month later, I finally got a short email back with the generic thank you and quick answer to my questions.

Hmph, it took them a month to write, I mean come on, that's just rude. Are they so important that they can't make time for the little people just trying to learn a thing or two and start off their own fabulous photo business?

Fast forward to today. This is the part where I confess, I've completely become THAT person. I feel so guilty. I swore I never would. I swore if I ever got to the point where people looked up to my work that I would answer emails within a few days. But then the emails became more and more. Then my business took off and the editing piled up more and more. Then I dated a few guys and suddenly I had to make time in my schedule for someone other than my Mac computer. Then wedding season picked up and I was shooting back to back weddings. Then I found out my dad has cancer and might not be here in 6 months.

So yes, there is always something, and I'm so sorry I've become THAT person.

I'm currently looking at my inbox with emails from March that you have graciously wrote that I still haven't responded to. At the Love Affair workshop, they gave us the great tip about creating an "Action Needed" folder of things we need to do, so I started putting emails from other photographers in there that needed answers to their questions. Unfortunately, once it disappeared from my direct Inbox, I started to forget about the actions needed considering I could barely keep up with more and more piling up in my Inbox again.

So. Point of the story. If I haven't responded back to you, please don't hate me. It's nothing personal. I do love to hear from and help other photographers, but clients and family come first. You are all so amazing to write such sweet words about my work, and I'm glad I could help inspire you.

With all that said, I do love to help the photography community, God knows I am so thankful for all those He sent along my journey to help me along the way, and I will soon be making a big announcement about a mentoring opportunity I am opening up for all of you! Stay tuned to the blog....... I'll be revealing more soon!

It's a Google world.

Yes, I confess, every now and then I Google myself to see what new things about being said about me and my photography. Recent things I discovered that Google says about me:

1. Some people love a recent article I wrote.
2. Some people hate the same article.
3. I am engaged to Tom Brady.
4. A lot of people link to me that haven't been showing up in my website stats referring links.
5. When I Google my name, it brings up my friend Kenzie Shores in the ad words on the side.
6. Any blog I've posted a comment on, it brings up their blog.
7. Google still refers my website to captivating-studios.com sometimes almost a year later since I've transferred everything to scarlettlillian.com.
8. When people link to me on their blog, they call me "famous" and "photographer extraordinaire" and "phenom". LOL!
9. People blogged about seeing me at WPPI who I was unaware knew I even existed.
10. I have the best brides who rave about me on the Knot forums.

And the most fascinating thing I found a while back was that I have a baby named after me. Ok, so not after me specifically, but there is a blogger baby also named Scarlett Lillian. And what a miracle story this precious little girl is! When I ran across her blog a few months back, she was just born a premie 10 weeks early at 2lbs, 12 oz. Her mom started a blog in her honor to keep friends and family updated on her health and growth. Now 7 months later, she healthy and happy and a true survivor. At the time of discovering her blog, I left a comment telling for the mom telling her I ran across the blog and that I would be praying for baby Scarlett Lillian. It wasn't until last week, out of the blue I received this touching email in response to everything my dad is going through:


Scarlett-
I have been reading your blog for about 7 months now. I know exactly how long I've been reading your blog because that's how old my daughter is. You left a comment on my blog after googling your name which also happens to be my daughter's name. She was born 10 weeks premature and weighed only 2 lbs 12 oz. You left a comment on my blog saying that you would pray for her and that God would be with us. That comment touched me immensely. It touched me that a stranger would offer a prayer on my daughter's behalf and after reading through your blog, I realized that you sincerely meant that you would, even if only once. Since then, I have read your blog.

I am sorry to hear about your dad and I sincerely hope that he is able to overcome this battle. I will pray for you and your family, that no matter the outcome you will find strength and understanding in our Heavenly Father's plan. I admire your faith and your courage to be so honest on your blog.

Stacey

PS: My little Scarlett Lillian is thriving and growing. My husband and I always joked before she was born that we hoped she had dark hair and green eyes like Scarlett O'Hara (whom she was also named after). Then you commented on my blog and I told my husband "I hope Scarlett looks like this Scarlett." :)
PPS: My husband is a cinematographer/photographer and he enjoys your site, especially when you get all technical about your shots.

You never how Google will bring the world together, even two perfect strangers who connect through the beauty of prayer. It's a small "blogging" world after all.

When bad pictures come around to haunt you.

What a surprise I got in my email this morning from a high school friend, Kelly. She ran across an old picture of our old group of girlfriends at my friend Chrissy's annual Christmas party. This picture is either from Freshman or Sophomore year of high school. Gotta love my big poofy sleeves, bleached hair and I'm actually surprised I didn't have on my knee high socks because I thought Cher in "Clueless" was sooooooo cool like that then.

Congratulations Tracy & Chris!

What I love most about Tracy and Chris is that, I couldn't get them to stop laughing together. When I asked them to kiss at one point during their photos at the Jacksonville Zoo, these animal lovers started making fishy faces at each other. They say a couple that laughs together, stays together, and so I know these two have a lot of laughter to come in the years ahead of them. They had a very green wedding with a beautiful ceremony at Assumption Catholic Church and then celebrated their reception at the zoo. They even had an animal adorned cake! I have loved bonding with Tracy through the love of our twin dogs during the wedding planning process, and here's to many more play dates to come!

Cassie of Flaire Weddings did such an amazing job coordinating the day, and I was excited to finally get a chance to work beside her after a knowing her personally for sometime now. Here are my favorite pics from the day and Tracy and Chris' "wild" slideshow at the end.




Tracy's "something blue."


I'm a sucker for big poofy dresses!












I loved how original her star of Bethlehem flowers were!






















Thanks to my fabulous second shooter, Kenzie Shores, for capturing this shot of me in action capturing the next shot.


And the result...

A thankful Father's Day.

"Here's to a few more Father's Days," my dad toasted at dinner. I tried to hold back the tears hoping it was true.

For obvious reasons, I truly cherished this Father's Day. It was the simple moments like him laughing at my cards, or all of us eating take-out from his favorite restaurant, or watching him get up from the recliner and shake his booty dancing into the kitchen with the most energy I've seen him have in a week. His energy levels have been pretty low since starting the chemo, but it was such a blessing to see God give him enough energy to enjoy Father's Day.

Here's some pictures from the day from my iPhone! Don't forget to check out his blog that my mom keeps up with as God teaches us to have hope each step of my dad's journey.

A handful of all the cards everyone has so graciously sent him! It's amazing how he continues to get a dozen new cards in the mail each day! Thank you to everyone who has gone out of your way to encourage him with your prayers!

There is nothing better.

There is nothing better than running on the beach.

There is nothing better than being able to run again, period, now that my hip pain is gone.

There is nothing better than seeing my 9 pound dog keep up with me like a champ.

There is nothing better than smelling the salty air and the feeling the shells crunch beneath my tennis shoes.

There is nothing better than feeling the warmth of the setting sun being cooled on my forehead by the ocean breeze.

There is nothing better than hearing P.O.D. remind me on m iPod "I... I feel so alive... for the very first time.. I can't deny You, I feel so alive!"

There is nothing better than raising my hands to God as I run thanking him for the day not caring if people look at me weird.

There is nothing better than watching the waves crash on the shore while looking at the never ending horizon and being reminded just how big God really is.

There is nothing better than accomplishing another 5 miles.

There is nothing better than getting back to the car to see I have a missed call from the one person I miss the most.

Quote of the day.

"Be who you are and say what you mean because

those who mind don't matter

and those who matter don't mind."

-Dr. Seuss

A stronger woman.

I have loved Jewel since the beginning days of singing along to "Whoooo will saaaa-eee-aaave your soul?" in high school. I even downloaded her out of place "Intuition" pop song she released during the Britney era when she was trying to be just like her. But finally Jewel has gotten back to her folksy roots and has a new single called "Stronger Woman" that brought me to tears when I saw the video. With so many turn of events in the past few weeks with my dad and other things, the lyrics of the song just so much reflect where my heart is personally right now in life. Not only that, the message of the video is incredible for all women and is beautifully made.

I dedicate this video to my momma, who is the strongest woman I know, as well all my girl friends here on the blog who have provided such a strength to me lately with all your wonderful prayers!



I know I've been kind of video crazy here on the blog lately, but I did start as a videographer. :-) Pictures coming soon, I promise!

Furthermore, Jewel shares a touching story on her blog called "I am Jewel" on the left hand side. I never knew the depths of her story and the pioneering spirit of her grandparents, passed down to her in the journey to make her dreams come true. Wow what a woman. So inspiring.

And oh yeah, for those are interested in a country version of American Idol, Jewel is one of the new hosts on NBC's "Nashville Star" on Monday nights.

"Who IS Scarlett? I mean the reeeeal Scarlett?"

I can't help but laugh everytime I see this commercial on TV. So dramatic.

My dad's new blog.

A fun picture from Father's Day last year.


Well, this is becoming a blogging world. You know it is when my mom and dad request I start a blog for them. :-)

Though I love to write, my mom is the real writer in the family and is ready to share the testimony of my dad's cancer journey each step along the way through the new blog. In just the week that our worlds have changed, we have already been flooded with so many wonderful letters and emails and phone calls from family and friends, so we also wanted to create a central place to make it more easy to keep everyone updated.

His blog link is:

http://johnnysjourneytovictory.blogspot.com

On a personal note, I am doing better after my few days of feeling numb and crying my eyes out. God has been faithful in turning those tears into new moments of joy embracing the simple moments of how precious life is. Thank you sooooooo much for each and every comment you've left and all your emails. Though I haven't been responding to many emails, I've read each and everyone of them and I will write back as soon as I can. I'm just trying to use this time to stay away from my computer and spend quality time with my parents as we adjust to this new battle ahead! But your love and support and well wishes and prayers and thoughts and positive encouragement has been such a strength to me in this time, and I can't thank you enough for how selflessly you have given your time and energy to reach out. Please continue leaving your comments in the post a few entries back on how I can pray for you in return!

My dad loves hearing all your comments you've left on my blog, so please go to his blog now and leave him some personal love there! Thanks!

Numb.

Today, as a result of the biopsy, the doctor gave my dad 6 months to a year.

Through the tears that keep flowing, all I can do is play this song over and over. Despite what the doctor said about my dad's cancer, my family and I are choosing to still believe in a miracle and God's goodness. Thank you for believing with us.


"I Still Believe" by Jeremy Camp

Scattered words and empty thoughts
Seem to pour from my heart
I've never felt so torn before
Seems I don't know where to start
But its now that I feel your grace fall like rain
From every fingertip washing away my pain

I still believe in your faithfulness
I still believe in your truth
I still believe in your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe

Though the questions still fog up my mind
With promises I still seem to bear
Even when answers slowly unwind
It's my heart I see you prepare
But its now, that I feel, your grace fall like rain
From every fingertip washing away my pain

I still believe in your faithfulness
I still believe in your truth
I still believe in your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe

Well the only place I can go is into your arms
Where I throw to you my feeble prayers well in brokenness
I can see that this was your will for me
Help me to know that you are near

I still believe in your faithfulness
I still believe in your truth
I still believe in your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe

Watch this video, not only for the song, but for his amazing testimony in the beginning. It's funny to think back 5 years ago when I interviewed him, how God is now using his music still in my life all this time later.

"For everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under Heaven." ~Ecclesiastes 3:1

How can I pray for you?

"I thank my God every time I remember you, always praying with joy for all of you. "
~Philippians 1:3-4

To give you an update, I am going with my mom and dad today to an appointment with an oncologist to discuss the results from my dad's biopsy and the seriousness of what level his cancer is and how to treat it further. As we hear the news, I know it is going to be emotional for all of us to digest, so please continue to lift us up in prayer for God's continued comfort and peace.

All of you have been so beyond wonderful in praying for my dad and going out of your way to extend your kindness with such encouraging words and your own personal testimonies. I'd like to know now, how can I pray for YOU?

I am flooded in emails and MySpace/Facebook messages right now, so please instead leave a comment with your prayer request so I, and others here, can lift you up and pray for the same grace over you and your loved ones lives.

Thank you for your continued love in Christ! God bless!

After the storm.

When my mom and I came out the door of the movie theater, the sky was covered in a dark grey. And though it was the beginning of June, there was a coolness sweeping the air untimely for the Floridian summer season. The rain poured down as we ran to the car and continued as we started toward the restaurant to pick up take-out for my dad on the way home. As my mom and I drove, suddenly the rain cleared and in front of our eyes, God painted us the most beautiful rainbow. We pulled over on the side of the road so I could take a picture with my iPhone.

"I think that's a sign of new beginnings for you," my mom said. I couldn't help but smile and wonder if it was.

We had just gone to see the Sex and the City movie. Her first time, my second time. The reason why I like the show so much is because I can't help but find it intriguing how much my life really has paralleled some of Carrie's relationship story lines over the years.

I've dated my Aiden, the one who loves you so much, treats you wonderfully like you always hoped a guy would, and is ready to start their life with you that you try so much to love them back the same and don't understand why in the end you just can't.... My Berger, the hot writer who attracts you with his words, you share some good times, yet when all is said and done, he just can't commit.... And even an international man like the Russian, who was taught overseas how to romance a woman and sweep us off our feet nothing less than first class, yet no amount of romance can substitute true love. But yet, every time Carrie tried to move on to find new love, it all came back to her old love, her true love, the one no logic can explain, the one who makes your heart beat faster, the one you can't ever forget, Mr. Big.

After three and half years of having not talked after our final break up, MY Mr. Big reappeared to my surprise, ironically enough, just days after I saw the movie.

No, really. I'm not just making this up.

I couldn't help but laugh at the timing, considering I had him in the back of my mind as I watched Carrie and Big break up and make up in the movie like they always do, like we always did. My Mr. Big didn't appear in person or over the phone, but through a sincere hand-written card he sent my dad full of his prayers and well wishes for the recent news about his cancer.

When my mom called to tell me the news of my dad receiving the card from him, my jaw completely dropped.

Then tears streamed down my face. But happy tears. He was the last person I expected to hear from right now, but the one who truly meant the most.

I don't know HOW he knows the news about my dad other than now wondering if he reads my blog?

"Dawson," if you ARE reading this, check your mailbox tomorrow. I sent you something too. I dedicate this video to you. You know why.

Nothing less than fabulous!

What an amazing night Friday was for the Sex and the City movie premiere! Full of fancy dresses, stilettos, cosmos, laughter, tears and diva moments embracing our fabulicious selves, my girl friends and I got Carried away attending the movie premiere of Sex and the City. Those in attendance were some of my favorite friends, Rachel, my cousin Becky, Kenzie, Corinna, and Jess. The night started with Rachel having printed up some of the famous quotes from the TV show that we went around our dinner table saying out loud and sharing with the others. But between all of us, a few of our own funny quotes developed throughout the night:

"I can't believe how crowded the parking lot is, and I have to walk in heels."

"You know you know when you know, you know?"

"Rachel is the one person you can count on because you can count on her."

"Why do they make us wait in line to see the movie? Don't they know we're in stilettos?"

Becky: "I can't watch the TBS version."
Scarlett: "I know, it's like watching the Disney version."

"Now I know why men get excited about football!"

While waiting in line, I shot each of the girls revealing which character they thought they were. Here's the footage:



And lastly, here's a fun slideshow of our night! I so love girl's nights out!

I thought the movie turned out great and I loved the ending. Nowwwwwwwwww, what did all of you think of it?!?!?!?!?!