Michelle Stoker Photography

Tampa Family Photographer

Leah and Greg – Lake Mary Events Center Wedding

Orlando, Wedding

Leah and Greg, high school sweethearts, were destined to become husband and wife. Their natural, easy relationship led to a calm and joyful wedding day in October at the beautiful Lake Mary Events Center. Leah and Greg contacted me a year and a half before their wedding date. Leah was such a great planner! After having their wedding on my calendar for 18 months, I was so excited to finally document their beautiful day! A few of my favorite moments were the beautiful floral arrangements, the sweet bridesmaid gifts, the first kiss smiles, the incredible first dance on a cloud, and a night FULL of awesome dancing! Enjoy their love story.

Venue: Lake Mary Events Center 
Dress: Aurora Bridal
Bouquet Florist: Blossoms Orlando
Floral Centerpieces: Florida Flowers and Orchids
DJ: Our DJ Rocks
Caterer: John Michael Events
Make Up: Kristy at Primera Salon and Spa
Getaway Car: VIP Transportation of OrlandoVIEW POST

Vendors You Should Know – Kristin – Our DJ Rocks!

Orlando, Wedding

Dear ladies and gents, get ready to meet one of the coolest and badass DJs in the Central Florida wedding industry! This is Kristin of Our DJ Rocks. She is the founder and Senior DJ/MC of this incredible business. I got to meet and work with Kristin and Gaby (and their signature sparkly Toms) at Leah and Greg’s wedding at the Lake Mary Events Center last weekend. I was SO excited to spend the reception with two fun, energetic female DJs (such bossbabes!). I was so impressed when Kristin got every. single. guest. out on the dance floor during the beginning of the reception. The guests were dancing all night! If you are engaged or have any need for a DJ/MC in the future, read on for some super helpful advice from this passionate wedding vendor.

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Lauren and Jarrod – Downtown Sanford Engagement

Engagement, Orlando

When Lauren mentioned they wanted to do the second half of their engagement session at their favorite microbrewery in downtown Sanford, all I could think was “YES YES!”. Lauren and Jarrod are two of the sweetest people that I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. Their love for each other is gentle and natural. Their two personalities match perfectly. Their style is just plain awesome… those tattoos?! I love it. Lauren and Jarrod, thank you for showing me your adorable town and for allowing me to capture this special time in your life. Enjoy your year of engagement, it will go quick!

Thank you Wop’s Hops in Sanford for allowing us to shoot in your brewery. You were awesome!

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2015 Holiday Mini Sessions

Family, Tampa

I am so excited to be offering Holiday Mini Sessions to couples and families in Tampa this year! These sessions are designed to be short and sweet: grab your family, coordinating outfits, meet me at your favorite Tampa spot (or I can give you location suggestions), and let me capture your family’s adorableness. Within one week, you will receive 20 high-resolution photos in an online gallery and then you can download the photos straight to your computer. These photos are perfect for holiday cards, family newsletters, Facebook profile pictures, etc! If you are interested, email me ASAP because spots are limited.

*Holiday Mini Sessions will take place on weeknights from now until mid-December.
October 12 – October 29 sessions will start at 6pm.
November 2 – December 17 sessions will start at 5pm. 
Family sessions are limited to 6 people. 

Send me a message on the Contact page or email me at hello@michellestoker.com.

 

Katie and Ryan – Kraft Azalea Gardens, Orlando Engagement

Engagement, Orlando

I love when photography allows me to reconnect to old friends. I met Katie in college at UCF in a teaching math class and she always had a smile on her face! Fast forward a few years and I was able to see Katie’s smile grow even bigger while taking her engagement photos at Kraft Azalea Gardens. Katie and Ryan, your love and joy is contagious and photographing you was just so easy. We can’t wait to photograph your wedding in April!

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Kelly and Eric – Kraft Azalea Gardens, Orlando Engagement

Engagement, Orlando

I am always so honored when friends ask me to photograph big life moments, such as their engagement session! David and I have been friends with Eric for years (he is such a good guy!) and we are so happy to see him so happy with his beautiful bride-to-be. Eric and Kelly are getting married in Winter Park in May and very recently just bought their first house! These two are doing big things! On their wedding day, I will be leaving my camera at home and will be enjoying their wedding as a guest… can’t wait! Eric and Kelly, wishing you many years of wedded bliss!

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Briana, Paige, and Tim – Orlando Newborn

Family, Newborn, Orlando

One of my greatest memories from college is joining Sigma Phi Lambda, the Christian sorority at UCF. The very first person I met was Paige, who just happened to become my Big Sister months later. My favorite things about Paige are that she is so compassionate and kind. She loves well. She makes my heart feel happy when we spend time together. It has been such a joy to watch Paige fall in love with her college sweetheart, Tim, and get married and start their family. They welcomed their sweet baby girl into the world on August 16th and they couldn’t be happier. I got to meet little Briana Michelle just 6 days after she entered this world and I think she is the most darling, squishiest, precious little baby – and I LOVE that her sweet parents wanted us to share our name.

I really love these types of sessions – relaxed, slow-paced, full of love (and tears, poop, milk breaks) but I mostly love that it’s in the comfort of their home. This is where little Briana will call home. This is where she will rest her head at night. This is where she will learn to crawl, walk, and run. This is where she will feel most safe. Paige and Tim, I hope that you treasure these photos for many years and that one day, little Bri will see how much she was loved from her very first days.
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Courtney and Tim – San Clemente, California Portraits

Family, Travel

David grew up in sunny Huntington Beach, California until he moved to Orlando around 5th grade. Growing up, David spent his days playing outside and at school with his best friend Timothy. It was such a sad day when David’s family drove towards the East Coast and he had to say goodbye to his little buddy. Fast forward twenty years and here we are – both guys are married and in their mid 20s! Tim and his beautiful wife, Courtney, live in San Clemente, California and have been married for two and a half years. We’ve met up with them a handful of times over the past few years, including a freezing January day in NYC. This time, we spent the evening with them exploring Southern California and walking along the gorgeous beach. I have always wanted to photograph on the West Coast and these two lovebirds were happy to model for me! Tim and Courtney, your love is gentle, kind, and enduring. It is always a joy spending time with both of you. Happy two and a half years!

*Brides – if you’re looking for a customized wedding website, Tim is your guy! Check out Premium WedSite for a beautiful, unique, customized site for all of your wedding details (with so many great features!). I totally recommend his services!
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Krissi and Simone – Milan, Italy Portraits

Travel

My new friend, her Italian boyfriend, red wine, and Milan’s biggest park was the perfect mix for this session. I met Krissi a few weeks after moving to Milan through an expat Facebook group. We met for cappuccinos and instantly hit it off. For the following months, we adventured through Milan together and took each other to our favorite spots. She kept telling me about her Italian boyfriend, Simone, and how she would spend the weekends with him and his family. She told me stories of how they met through an Italian exchange student that stayed with her family in high school. After talking on the phone and video chatting, Simone flew to America to meet Krissi and her family. It was definitely love at first sight… they’ve been together ever since! After dating long distance, Krissi decided to move to Milan to work as an au pair and to be closer to Simone. Now, they are doing life together in Italy. I love it!
I hope you enjoy these photos of my favorite American and Italian couple at Parco Sempione in Milan, Italy.
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A Decade with David

Michelle and David, Personal

Happy 4th of July! As I write this, I am sitting in my parent’s house in sunny Orlando. I am back in the States! I flew home from Milan on Tuesday night to spend some extra time with my family. The 4th of July is always a special day for David and I because we started dating on this day in 2005. That’s right…. TEN years ago! It has been a DECADE of doing life with my handsome husband. David awkwardly (you know it’s true, boo) asked me to be his girlfriend on the sandy shore of Cocoa Beach and then we spent the evening enjoying the fireworks in Avalon Park. This was the summer before our junior year of high school and we have been together ever since! I have truly loved all of our experiences, adventures, and major life moments that I’ve spent with this man. David, I love you. Thank you for supporting me, pushing me, and always making me laugh. I can’t wait to do the rest of life with you. Here’s a look back at the past ten years…

2005 – We flirted like crazy for the first half of the year and then became official in July. I loved going on group dates with friends, trying on vintage clothes and dancing in Goodwill, and getting ice cream after school. We had so much fun together as teenagers!

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THEME BY ECLAIR DESIGNS