Florida Wedding Photographer and Destin Beach Photographer

Destin Wedding and Beach Photographer bio picture

Something About Mari

Who is Mari?
Wow, that's a great question! I guess I'm just a fun and creative girl
whose passion lies in the art of wedding photojournalism.
It's all my mom's fault you know.
She could see from a young age that I sought adventure and loved
the documentation of life as it happens.
A seed was planted. "You know you can make a difference in people's lives and document history as it happens." Yep, that's all it took,
I got my bachelors degree in photojournalism and worked at
some of the best newspapers in the country. I have been fortunate enough to win national awards, make a positive difference in many people's lives and even be nominated for a Pulitzer.
Fast forward to the present day. I am a wedding photojournalist.
How cool is that? I have the best of any journalism assignment topped
with a heavy dose of happiness and fun all in one day.

My couples moments want their day documented with contemporary style and a fashion elegance. If you are looking for the uber traditional that was your parent's wedding images....maybe I'm just not for you.
However if you want your day documented with all of it's flavor, fun and emotion, then you are what we look for in our couples! My quirky style comes from within.
I look at life with amusement and fun. Not that I can’t be serious, but I do like to think outside the box.
Your wedding is an important milestone in your life. After the tables are cleared and the thank you notes are long sent out, your wedding images will be the lasting reminder of your important day.
Let me capture your inner beauty, your dreams, your history, your story.

xoxo, Mari

05.16.12

Katie ~ Destin Children’s Portraits ~

Niceville-child-portraits

Katie is turning into such a pretty young lady! I love doing her child portraits in Destin because she is so photogenic. We went to some fun areas and had a blast creating beautiful images!

Niceville-child-portraits

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04.26.12

Bentley’s on the Bay Wedding Photography ~ Stacie and John ~

The day of Stacie and John’s wedding at Bentley’s on the Bay was simply put, THE perfect spring day. The sun was beautiful, weather warm and a gentle breeze whispered through the willow trees. The team of Monika, Jon and myself were in order and we set out to have a great wedding day! Stacie and John along with their friends and family were so much fun! Bentley’s fantastic coordinator Laura Ekstrom made sure the day flowed like clockwork and the florals from Myrtie Blue set the stage beautifully! I have to admit, I usually only blog about 40 images from a wedding. However, please bear with me, there are over 100 on this post. Yah, over 100, I guess we just had so much to say visually I had to break the rules……just this onceSo without further ado, please enjoy the images. I hope John and Stacie enjoy them each and every anniversary for many decades. Congratulations you two!

Venue: Bentley’s on the Bay
Coordinator: Laura Ekstrom
Florals: Myrtie Blue
Make up and Hair: DeLuca Spa
Officiant: Mark Berndt
Cake Designer: Sugarlilly Sweet Shop
Catering: Melinda McDaniel
DJ: Gulf Talent Services
Transportation: 654 Limo and Sunshine Shuttle
Second Shooters: Monika Gillette and Jon Deckert

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04.25.12

Tracy Porter ~ Destin Pick 6 Foundation Event ~

Lisa and Landra from Newman-Dailey Resorts really knocked it out of the ballpark last week making tons of money for the American Cancer Society and the Tracy Porter Pick 6 Foundation. How awesome is that! Former New Orleans Saint’s star and now Denver Bronco Tracy Porter was there in person taking the time to chat with people and sign autographs. He even brought a helmet and his own jersey as auction items! Denver-broncos-tracy-porter

My dear friend Pauline was diagnosed with stage four colon and liver cancer earlier this year. She is going through chemo and wants to raise awareness for cancer so that nobody has to experience what she is going through. She has a fantastic attitude and got to have some awesome one-on-one time with Tracy. She was in hog heaven!

Boy do I feel short! LOL

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04.24.12

Tallahassee Family Photography ~ The Lost Abby Road Files ~

The E. Family and I have traveled about to many different locations for their family portrait sessions throughout the years. There has been the beach, the studio, the lake house, Auburn and now a little dash of Tallahassee for an FSU themed portrait session. Pam wanted to incorporate her husband’s family into the shoot and didn’t want to inconvenience them by making them come to Crestview. So the most logical way seemed to be driving to them. Unfortunately the springtime season finds us busier than usual, so quite a few things came up among the folks who live in Tallahassee giving Ken’s dad and step-mom a fantastic opportunity to have one-on-one photos taken with their son and his family. It was a fun and interesting shoot as we meandered around campus sharing our own interesting cultural insights we have gained through our lives. We wound up the session with the E-version of Abby Road in front of Wescott Fountain and then we allowed Pam’s Flat Stanley to take a birthday dip in the sudsy water! It was great fun and a perfect location! FSU-Portrait-Photography

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04.21.12

New Orleans Wedding Photography ~ English Turn Country Club: Jennifer and Chris ~

What a fun experience! I had the honor of second shooting a wedding at the English Turn Country Club in New Orleans with my friend, photographer Stevie Ramos. The ever amazing Merideth Reed, owner of Belle-Soiree Weddings by Merideth was the event planner and it could have not looked any more beautiful! In a crazy turn of events, I found out that the bride (as a child) had lived no more than four blocks away from me in Slidell, La. Wow, the world is a small place for sure!

Congratulations Chris and Jennifer! May your wedding images keep the joyful memories of your wedding day alive for decades to come! Now please enjoy a few favorites of mine I shot during your wedding! New-Orleans-Wedding-Photographer