Michelle Stoker Photography

Tampa Family Photographer

Maria and Tyler – Fort De Soto Engagement

Engagement, Tampa

I had such a wonderful time exploring Fort De Soto with the newly engaged Maria and Tyler! I love that they contacted me to schedule their engagement session just about a week after getting engaged in Mexico! That’s right, these two lovebirds got engaged on vacation in Cancun with Maria’s family right after Christmas. Such a gorgeous spot for Tyler to get down on one knee! I am so excited for Maria and Tyler (and their adorable puppy Brody!) and wish them the best as they plan their wedding in Indiana this fall. Enjoy their engagement photos!

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Katie and Phil – Lange Farm Wedding, Dade City

Tampa, Wedding

I’m so excited to share our first wedding of 2017! Phil and Katie became husband and wife on Saturday at The Lange Farm and it was goorrrgeous! Their sweet first look, their ceremony under a huge tree, their supportive (and hilarious) bridal party, Katie’s beautiful bridal gown, and dancing late into the night created the perfect day! I first met Katie three years ago on our first day of pre-planning as Kindergarten teachers and I have adored her ever since. Katie is such a dedicated and creative teacher and she loves her Kinders so much! And Phil is the perfect match for her. It takes a special man to support and love a teacher. 😉 I’m so excited to share these images with you! We loved The Lange Farm and hope to get back there soon!

Venue: The Lange Farm
Coordinator: Danielle Clarke
Bridal Dress: Cici’s Bridal Boutique – Maggie Sottero
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Hair: Ashleigh – Ultracuts Wesley Chapel
Makeup: Destiny and Light
Catering: Amici’s Catered Cuisine
Flowers: Publix
Cake: Publix
DJ: Robby Rob – DJ Diwrection
Officiant: Rev Red
The Lange Farm Garden HouseVIEW POST

Hey world, GUESS WHAT?

Baby James, Maternity, Michelle and David, Personal

We’re having a BABY!! Our little family is growing and we can not wait to meet our little one in July! You’ve probably made your way here from one of our announcement posts and we are so excited to share more details with you!

In the Spring of 2016, David and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary. We had experienced life and adventures in multiple different cities and were enjoying being back in Tampa again. The lease was ending on our apartment and we thought it was the right time to start house hunting. After searching online for months, we finally settled on a specific area, our budget, and style of home. Fortunately, our realtor found a house that met our criteria and suggested we take a look. We scheduled a tour on a Saturday morning and after walking through the front door, the first thing I saw was baby toys in the front room. I immediately teared up. I thought about how this could be the house that we make our own and where we might start our family. We toured the rest of the house and it was everything we wanted. We decided to put in an offer. It was accepted. And in July (two months later), we closed on our first home! (It was seriously the easiest house buying experience ever.) We really enjoyed moving from a one bedroom apartment to a 3/2 house where we have much more space and room to grow.

In August, David and I decided we were both ready to start trying for a baby. I turned 27 on the 27th and after that day, we both agreed and were excited to see what would come next. As we started the journey, we prayed for patience and trust in God’s timing.VIEW POST

Jessica and Matt – The Estate on the Halifax Wedding

Orlando, Wedding

estate on the halifax wedding

Jessica and Matt’s friendship started their junior year in high school. They were in next-door classrooms and because Jessica had a car (and her license), Matt asked if he could join her for lunch off campus. The rest is history. These high school sweethearts grew in their friendship and relationship over the next two years and through college where they both studied at East Carolina University (Matt in biology and Jessica in education). Sometime during their early dating years, Jessica and Matt made the connection that they went to the same elementary school and were in the same Kindergarten class! These two actually first met when they were little 5 year old cuties! I love that. Their love is strong and steadfast. They were fully supported by their family, friends, and loved ones as they said “I do” on a windy winter day on the East coast of Florida. Their wedding was a beautiful tropical theme with gorgeous flowers and surrounding palm trees. I loved the coordinating bridesmaid dresses and the unique groomsmen vests. The wedding team was phenomenal and put on a perfect event for these lovebirds. Jessica and Matt, we wish you many years of wedded joy and that your relationship continues to grow throughout the years. We have loved getting to know you and getting to be part of this special time in your life!

Venue: The Estate on the Halifax
Coordinator: Lora Ritzie Wardman
Officiant: Weddings by Matt Stallbaum
Bridal Dress: New York Bride and Groom of Raleigh
Bridesmaid Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu
Catering: 4 Rivers Smokehouse
Cake: The Sweet Shop
Hair/Make Up: Actually Hair by Kasey
Flowers: Rachael Kasie Designs 
DJ: The DJ Man – Joe Fister

monogrammed bride shirtmonogrammed bridal party shirtsVIEW POST

Behind the Scenes in 2016

Engagement, Michelle and David, Orlando, Personal, Tampa, Wedding

Happy first day of 2017! I’m so looking forward to the adventures that this new year will bring. Even though I’m looking forward to a fresh start in a new year, I have to think back to the goodness of 2016. It was our busiest photography year – ever, which is so amazing since we spent half of 2015 living in Italy! In the past year, we photographed weddings all over Florida and an out of state wedding in North Carolina. We were guests at a handful of weddings, including our besties Emily and Thomas and our little sister and new brother in law. I accidentally matched the bridesmaids at a Gainesville wedding and David always found time to rock out to his favorite songs during the reception. We built our own photo booth and always took time to take silly test shots. We photographed in the rain, on the beach, under huge oak trees, in the summer heat, and in the winter heat #floridaproblems. We met so many wonderful people and truly felt welcomed into so many new families. Thank you for inviting us to photograph your most special day! Ok, here we go – our 2016 Behind the Scenes photos!

Here’s a look back at 2015 and 2014 and 2013.

The day I accidentally became a bridesmaid… I kinda loved it.My crush on David started while watching him play guitar in our church youth group band so I’m all about the air guitar!
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Rickerson Family – Orlando Photography

Family, Orlando

It is the coolest thing to see your high school friends grow into a new role. Lindsey and I were in the same Bible Study all through high school and we went our separate ways for college. Thanks to social media, I’ve got to watch Lindsey meet her special someone, get married, and start their family. The week of Thanksgiving, I went over to her family’s house for a mini reunion and to capture this wonderful stage in their lives. Lindsey’s sweet parents, husband, baby boy, and older sister were full of smiles during their family session. Little Elijah was happy the whole time, too! Such an adorable little man!

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Melanie and Billy – Tampa Mini Session

Family, Tampa

I met Melanie and Billy at the gorgeous Davis Island for their Christmas mini session last week. We were there in time for the perfect sunset. I love that warm sunset glow! They brought their dog Stella along with them and I’ve never met a more calm, relaxed dog in my life! Stella was willing to sit, pose, and listen to all directions. It was a doggy miracle! I’ve known Melanie since she was a little middle schooler many years ago and I am so happy to see her so happy with her new husband, Billy. They are absolutely meant to be and complement each other beautifully. I loved getting to capture this unique time in their marriage and get to hear more of their love story between snapping photos!
Davis Island Portrait SessionSession with dogVIEW POST

Lindsey and Colby – Bridle Oaks Barn, DeLand Wedding

Orlando, Wedding

Lindsey and Colby, who met through the athletic program at Liberty University in Virginia, gathered their closest friends and family together the weekend after Thanksgiving for their beautiful wedding! Everything was so perfect, from their First Look, to Lindsey’s white leather cowboy boots, to the sun setting behind their outdoor altar ceremony, and the twinkle lights shining over the dancing guests. It was our pleasure to document this wonderful wedding for such a sweet couple. Congratulations, Lindsey and Colby! We hope you’re having an amazing honeymoon in Cancun!!

Venue: Bridle Oaks Barn – DeLand, Florida
Coordinator: Ashley Richards Events
Caterer: 4 Rivers Smokehouse
Bridal Dress: David’s Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Cake: The Sweet Shop 
Flowers: Julia’s Floral Designs
Videographer: Giovanna
DJ: Nathan Seta of Duo 58
Honeymoon: Cancun, Mexico

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Rose Quartz and Serenity Wedding Inspiration – Tampa Photography

Tampa, Wedding

Did you know that Pantone’s Color of 2016 is soft pink and blue? Well, in fancier names, it’s Rose Quartz and Serenity. They compliment each other so beautifully. When my talented friend Emily of Emily Katharine Photography invited me to shoot alongside her at her styled shoot featuring these colors, I said heck yes! A few talented vendors gathered to capture our couple, Jessica and Chris, and so many beautiful details. I loved the florals by Inna, perfect calligraphy by Amanda and the gorgeous styling by Cassandra! Thanks for including me, Emily!

Invitation Suite: Wedding Paper Divas  Calligraphy: Bugaboo Bear Design Styling and Rentals: Ever After Vintage Weddings  Florist: Inna Olimpiyuk Events  Hair and Makeup: Lillian Rose Beauty  Cakes: Sweet Tooth Cakery
Dress: Catherine Deane  Earrings: Nicole Miller  Suit: Banana Republic

calligraphy wedding invitationsVIEW POST

Emily’s Bridal Shower – Orlando

Family, Other, Wedding

bridesmaids bride banner

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of helping host a Bridal Shower for our younger sister, Emily. That pretty lady in white will be a gorgeous Bride in December at an awesome venue – the Doe Lake Campground in Ocala. She’ll walk down the foresty aisle to her groom, Charles. Our family friend, Carol, hosted the shower in her beautiful home and we snacked on delicious homemade treats and had lots of girl talk. We had a big mason jar of Hershey’s Kisses and guessed how many kisses were in the jar. I’ll post the answer at the bottom! We played a “Who said it?” game where the guests had to guess if either Charles or Emily gave the response by using a blue or pink balloon. Then, Emily played the game by guessing Charles’s response to a few questions, like who is the better driver and who is the better cook? It was so fun! Then, Emily got to open up her gifts that will bless their first home as a married couple. We ended the shower with some bridal party and family pictures outside. Emily, I love getting to be part of this exciting time in your life. We are so so happy for you and Charles!! Can’t wait for December!!

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THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS