Samantha + James Step Into The Limelight | Mahaffey Theater + St. Pete Yacht Club | St. Petersburg, FL

Samantha and James met in 2010 at Sea Scouts (James was in 8th grade and Samantha was in 9th grade). They were just friends and raced sailboats competitively for several years. In 2013 the two of them ran a summer sailing camp together and became very close friends. September 13, 2013 they went on our first date at the Cheesecake Factory and to watch a movie.  Little did they know that would blossom into a beautiful relationship.

Now, they have been together for several years. The couple has two dogs and purchased a home together. 

These two are so much fun to be around. It was a beautiful day in downtown St. Pete, with boats all about and sunshine to be had! They were wed in the beautiful Mahaffey Theater and then moved on to party at the St. Pete Yacht Club surrounded by friends and family. We had a wonderful session out on the dock with a beautiful sunset falling behind the scenic downtown skyline. 

Then we wrapped up the evening with a night session by the string lights. These two were made for each other, and I think it shows in this gallery.

Lead Photographer | Nick Brown
Associate Photographer | Emma Hintz

Bridesmaid Dresses | David's Bridal
Cake | St. Pete Yacht Club
Caterer | St. Pete Yacht Club
Ceremony Site | The Mahaffey Theater
DJ |  Grant Hemond & Associates
Florist | Wood Flowers Co. 
Hair Stylist | Femme Akoi
Invitations | Shutterfly
Make-up Artist | Femme Akoi
Reception Venue | St. Pete Yacht Club
Wedding Gown | David's Bridal

Marisa + Jacob Step Into The Limelight | Saint Petersburg, FL

Some things are worth the wait…..like this engagement portrait session! We made the call to postpone our originally scheduled date due to inclement weather and a 90% chance of rain. So glad we made that call as we had PERFECT weather for our session with blue skies, sunshine and some clouds.

Jake and Marisa love the water and are both FSU grads. Together they enjoy going to the Saturday morning market and bicycling in downtown St. Pete so we chose to highlight some of the quintessential spots downtown into their session! Marisa grew up going to Sunken Gardens. However, it was Jake’s first time inside and that made it extra special for Marisa and Jake to share this experience together!

Jake proposed at location near and dear to my own heart….Battery Center at Golden Gate Bridge. I attended graduate school at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Such a romantic location! And these two certainly do bring the romance! We had a wonderful time getting to know this super sweet couple. And of course I would be remiss to leave out their golden doodle Brody who made a cameo at our portrait session!

Michael and I are so excited for Marisa and Jake’s wedding next year at the gorgeous Ca D’ Zan mansion at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art!

Lead Photographers | Rebecca + Michael Zoumberos

Location #1 | Sunken Gardens
Location #2 | Dali Museum + Mahaffey Theater
Location #3 | Straub Park

Laura + Austin Step Into The Limelight | Downtown St. Petersburg, FL

Laura and Austin found out that each other existed July 29th 2017 when they matched on Tinder. Austin sent the first message to Laura. They didn’t meet in person until August 18th 2017 at Doc B’s at International Mall after Laura had previously canceled the first date attempt.

Austin proposed down by Tampa Bay with their brand new puppy Mason (who they had just brought home <24 hours prior). He said he wanted to play with Mason down by the Bay and when they got down there, he found a bench for them to sit on. As they were sitting there, he said that he bought a new collar for Mason. He explained the collar was too big for her now, but that she would grow into and hopefully last forever. But that wasn’t the only thing he wanted to last forever that day! That’s when he got down on one knee and asked Laura to marry him. He also had a “Will you marry me?” message printed on the new collar’s tag. Laura was so distracted with letting the puppy down that she went running to get Mason before he could get the ring on her finger. Two of their friends were there hiding to take pictures.

Laura and Austin complete each other perfectly. They are very similar in their interests/greatest pleasures/beliefs (God, family first, football, exercising, eating, wine, traveling) and also very different. Austin is much more relaxed but also very particular. Laura is a planner and more high strung. Austin prefers cold weather and Laura would take the beach any day. Laura loves the way that Austin always knows the perfect moments to kiss/hug/tell her he loves her. Laura can easily tell when he is extremely passionate about anything and he always gives 100%.

Laura and Austin are just incredibly lovely people and make such a beautiful and sweet couple. What a perfect evening we had capturing their love on a gorgeous evening in downtown St Pete!

Lead Photographers | Michael + Rebecca Zoumberos