new name, new camera, new site, new BLOG:) [Cocoa Beach Photographer]

I'm so happy to announce that 2010 has brought many changes for CRO photography. first on December 23 2009, I became Mrs. Michael Lea Carden. so with my name changing it only seemed right to change the business name as well. So after racking my brain for weeks, I finally decided on Jackson Avenue Photography. named after my favorite little man in the world:)and with the joys of tax season I was able to invest some money into the business and I got my new best friend, my canon 50D. looooooove it! my rebel was very good to me, but it was time for an update. I needed a camera that could keep up with me;)I also got a softbox light, which has been so awesome. I love having the option of off camera lighting. it really adds a different feel to some of the images.

here's a little peek at what I've done with the new stuff so far:)









and of course with a new name and a new camera it was time to get a new website. which I've been wanting to do for some time now. It's so nice to finally be where I want to be with my work and my equipment. I think unless you're a photographer yourself it's hard to understand how expensive this career really is. and how much time and effort goes into it. it is a full time job and to do it right you will be investing a lot of what you make. so if you wonder why some photographers cost SO much, it's probably because they have thousands of dollars worth of equipment that they will be shooting you with. and of course because they are AMAZING:) anyway, I won't ramble on anymore! check out the new site! and come visit the new blog from time to time and see what new things I'm up to this year:)


xoxo Carrie Carden
321-799-3524
www.jacksonavenuephotography.com
www.jacksonavenuephotography.blogspot.com

Art Festival

I met my mom in orlando to spend the weekend and go to an art festival back in november. we didn't spend too much time there because it was a MAD house. people EVERYWHERE. and I had Jackson with me, so you know how scary it can get with that many people. it just wasn't worth fighting the crowd. but for the little bit of time I did spend there, I managed to get a few shots. and here are my favorites:)

The Cocoa Beach Pier

I've always had a thing with piers. I just think there is something so beautiful about their architecture . The day I took these photos was really nasty and windy and even a little cold. which is REALLY strange for Cocoa Beach. but I also have a thing about days with a lot of overcast:) and there were a lot of nice waves, so it was cool to see all the surfers out doing their thing. anyway, not much else to say about these. I hope you enjoy them<3

Kristen [Trash the Dress]

Trash the Dress sessions have to be one of my favorite things to shoot. It's all about being creative and experimental. It gives the Bride a chance to do something they couldn't do on their wedding day. I was lucky enough to photograph Kristen's wedding back in Decemeber 2008. and I was so happy she decided to bring that dress out of the closet to do this session. I had a blast Kristen! and who knows we might break it out of the closet again for fort pickens right? :)

Dustin & Danielle

Me and Dustin go way back. Back in my school days I was the baseball manager. Meaning I kept the stat books and basically sat and watched the games from the dugout. Dustin is one year behind me in school and has always been a good ball player. I have many memories of going to games, sometimes even winning:) It was a time in my life I remember fondly. And as most of you know I'm not what you would call athletic, ha! but I do enjoy being a part of those moments. looking back now I wish I would have had a camera with me all the time like I do now:)

I am also friends with Dustin's mother Susan. I actually did a photo session with her not too long after I first started out. So when she contacted me saying Dustin was engaged and need a photographer for some engagement photos, even though I had already moved down here to Cocoa Beach, I knew it was worth it for me to go back to do this for him.

Dustin is a very kind person. In all the years I've known him I don't have one memory of him treating someone badly. We all have moments of weakness when we've had a bad day and we say something hurtful to someone else, but I swear I have never heard anything like that ever come out of Dustin's mouth.

The shoot was my first time meeting Danielle, and due to my car disasters that trip I needed a ride to the location we were shooting at. I instantly felt a connection with Danielle. We talked and talked the whole ride, which was 45 minutes one way I might add. but we had no problem filling the time. And by the end of the trip we both knew a LOT about each other:)

As you will see from these images these two share a bond that goes beyond love, beyond friendship, beyond anything that can be explained in words. Isn't love an amazing thing?? :)

Dustin and Danielle it was a blessing to work with you on these pictures and I hope to work with you again on the Big Day<3

Greg, Steffany & Greyson

I've known Greg and Steffany for many years. We went to school together from as far back as middle school. They are high school sweethearts, and are now happily married:) So when Steffany told me she was expecting and wanted to me to take some maternity photos of her I jumped at the chance. In the 2 years I've been doing photography seriously, I have not had one single person ask me to do maternity photos. I was thrilled that I was finally getting the chance to shoot that type of session. But on top of that, to do it for such nice people, it was just a wonderful experience. We did the shoot in Tallahassee, which I have to add that these two are both FSU Alumni and die hard Nole fans! It was a beautiful October day and the feel of fall was definitely in the air. The shoot turned out beautifully and here are a few of my favorites from the session. I'm also happy to announce that Greg and Steffany welcomed Greyson into the world this November and I can't wait to meet him and do a family session with them soon!

Jessica & Drew (Dunaway Gardens Wedding)

This was my first destination wedding. What an awesome feeling. As a photographer, when someone is willing to fly you in and pay extra for you to be able to be there to photograph one of the most important days of their lives, I just don't think there is a bigger compliment. It is one of the best feelings I've ever had. It was also one of the most stressful moments of my life. Talk about pressure. First off I've never been out of my element, working in a city I've never even been to. staying in a hotel...ALONE. My boys are like my security blanket. I'm lost when I don't have them to come home to every night. I was freaking out a little. and of course I have that nagging voice of insecurity in my head that comes out from time to time, telling me "what if I don't take good enough pictures, what if the lighting isn't right, what if I miss a big moment" and it goes on and on. anyway, my fears finally faded and it turned out being one of the best experiences of my life. Jessica was so down to earth and easy to work with. She knew what she wanted and wasn't going to let anything stand in the way of this being the wedding of her dreams. I spent the morning with her and the bridesmaids while they got their nails and hair done. From the moment the day began I instantly felt at ease with them and it just felt like another day out with friends. The Wedding was held at Dunaway Gardens in Newnan, GA. what CAN'T I say about this place?!? It was incredible!!! If you live in the Atlanta area and are planning a wedding I STRONGLY suggest you check them out. After the ceremony, the reception was also held at Dunaway Gardens and it was gorgeous. Out under these beautiful tall trees, it was stunning and let me tell you these folks know how to throw a party! it was a blast!! just family and friends dancing and having a great time. and one unique part of the day was the wedding cake. Drew (the groom) actually designed it! If you check the photos of the cake, you'll see his design in a frame on the table right next to the cake! Drew you did a great job!! I am so glad I was asked to be a part of this event. It is a day I will never forget. Thank you Jessica and Drew. and thank you to everyone who was there. You all made my job so easy and it was a pleasure meeting all of you!! here are just a few of my favorites from the day:)

Carrie Olson

*also check my new fan page out on facebook! links are on the left panel of this blog! thanks:)

my explorer

well when we went out to walk around Cocoa Beach yesterday in the mid day heat the last thing I thought I would get pictures of is my Jackson. I guess because I take so MANY pictures all the time he's not usually into sitting and letting me photograph him. or maybe it's just a guy thing:) either way if I snap a good shot of him, it's usually when he's not expecting it, or the luck of the draw that in the 2 seconds he's actually being still I got a nice smile. but he NEVER, and I mean NEVER just sits and poses for me. but I guess today he was just in the superstar mood and I got some of the best photos I have ever taken of him. that's what I love about photography. the best photos I have were most times unexpected:)

random

I love just walking around out in the world looking for things to capture. random objects are the most fun for me. it's carefree, there is no pressure. it's just doing what I love to do. take pictures. I hope you enjoy this image as much as I do:)

My little man

So I had to post a few pics of my Jackson. He is 3 1/2 years old and he is the light of my life. I still can't believe how fast he's growing up.

dark clouds

Clouds are just amazing to me. I've always had a thing for them. On a beautiful day, when the clouds look like big cotton balls in the sky, it just warms my heart. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Maybe I'm just weird:) But just the opposite happens when I see storm clouds rolling in. Don't get me wrong, the sound of rain is relaxing and great when you need to catch up on some sleep. But thunderstorms and me are not friends. I'm the person who will not think twice about packing me and the fam in the closet when there are tornado warnings. Weather is one thing I fear for sure. I guess it's the lack of control over what might happen. Anyway, here in florida in the summer it usually storms every afternoon. Last week I peeked out the window during one of these quick thunder bumpers and this is what I saw. Some pretty wicked looking clouds. Forgive the poor quality, it was taken through the window because you know there was NO way I was going outside!

a request

The first time I edited this image it was in color. I recently had a request for it in black and white. Now I think it may look better. Definitely more dramatic. That's the beauty of getting ideas from others. Sometimes you'll be surprised at how much more you can come up with if you are open to others input.