Gina Meola Photography Blog | Arizona-Based International Photographer » Lifestyle

Ginger + David :: Prescott, AZ Engagement

Gina Meola — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:56:51 +0000

She gets him. He gets her. They’re fun and quirky, very much in love, and simply perfect for each other.

Ginger grew up in Nebraska with a huge family, and eventually made her way to Arizona where she met David. He grew up in the quaint town of Prescott, so it was a special treat when we headed there for photos. We enjoyed a crisp “winter” day, just before the annual Christmas decorations were unveiled. Rumor has it that Prescott is a major tourist destination during the holidays… LOVE that!

David is drop-of-a-dime helpful, always willing to serve and give, and Ginger is such a nurturing soul. We love them together and are so excited for their wedding, just a month away in Nebraska!

Ginger worked it. Ooooh yes she did!

And all of David’s previous modeling experience totally paid off

YUM! Love those eyes!

Kind of obsessed with this set.

They’re so fun and cute together.

Love, love, love.

XOXO!!

Things To Come

Gina Meola — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:24:16 +0000

Marcus and I were able to spend our anniversary in Hawaii this year, thanks to the fabulous Kristine and Hisashi (below) who picked a great month to get married, ha!

It’s impossible NOT to fall in love with these two. Maui wedding? Just wait.

We ended our phenomenal 2011 season with the gorgeous wedding of Kara and Jason. Talk about going out with a bang!

The infamous Alex of AVE Styles was at it again with a cutie pie southern-inspired shoot. Yeehaw, my friends. Yeehaw.

XOXO!!

Mike Adrian + Co.

Gina Meola — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:18:57 +0000

During our outrageously fabulous trip to Hawaii, we had the opportunity to spend time with Mike Adrian, his beautiful wife Me-Shell, and their rockstar baby, Rhys! They are such an amazing family, with bragging rights to multiple successful businesses AND a baby mohawk. On top of all that, they also happen to be avid surfers. I know, right?! I want to be their kid.

It’s so special for me personally to photograph other photographers… it’s rare we’re given the opportunity to be in front of the camera, but for people who crave telling life stories through images, it should happen way more than it does. Blessed we got to capture a part of it!

Start the brainwashing early

Such a peanut! Already a ladies’ man.

XOXO!!

Melissa Jill :: Lifestylin’ in Phoenix

Gina Meola — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 23:45:39 +0000

Meet one of our favorite people, EVER! Melissa Jill is a dear friend, previous housemate, sista in the Lord, and awesome photographer. We were so excited when she asked us to capture her this year with Ms. Dixie, the fluffy peanut butter to her jelly!!

Zee fabulous Alex of Ave Styles pulled together a few yummy outfits for Melissa to hang out in around her home, with lovely hair and makeup done by Tina Burnham!

Dixie gets SOOOOOOO excited to see her mama whenever she’s away.

One of many bonuses to being bff with this girl are the homemade cookies regularly found in the kitchen.

Readers are leaders! Lol. But really, though.

She’s so beautiful!!

The light was stunning in her quaint backyard.

So evidently, it’s the new thing to water your plants in heels.

Not gonna lie. She rocked it.

Gah! So beautiful, even in a back alley!

Evening stroll in Arcadia.

LOOOVE YOU TWO!!!

Virgie + Ryan :: Washington, DC Engagement

Gina Meola — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 05:17:25 +0000

It was a law school moot court meeting that first brought them together. Because, really, that’s how most people are getting together these days… He flirtingly worked up a conversation, and the solid takeaway for each had something to do with “he was cute”, and “she was cute”. Two years later, they unabashedly glow in the presence of the other while radiating “YES!” to forever.

Virgie, an eloquent writer, health care policy and public relations specialist, attorney, and once-shy young girl, is downright smitten. And Ryan, a certified gentleman, attorney, and anti-shy-patrolman is her perfect match. It’s incredible to me… watching, literally, a person pull out the absolute best in someone else. They’ve found that in one another, and we could not have asked for a better experience capturing that love through our lenses.

We can’t WAIT for their wedding next summer!!

Virgie and Ryan took us to Old Town Alexandria, and it. was. AWESOME!!

Work it!

Gorgeous historical buildings lined the quaint streets.

Gah! They’re so wildly in love it’s contagious!

Very appropriate.

Beautiful, beautiful.

These will come in handy when they run for the presidency in a few years.

We ended the evening by the water and it was so calming and lovely.

They snuggle up flawlessly!

The next morning, we popped in to spend time capturing life at home. Virgie, writing away.

They kept their old love notes from their long-distance days!

These two LOVE to read, and read to each other. We were swooning over their collection.

Heart them. Like, a lot.

XOXO!!!

Frearson Family :: New York Family Photography

Gina Meola — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:24:26 +0000

It’s times like this, I can’t help but well up with pride. To have captured such a wonderful couple on their wedding day, and now to photograph them with the new addition of a beautiful baby girl… it’s like we’re growing together, and I just adore this sweet family.

Kahlan is amazing. Those massive blue eyes will instantly have you at her will, and the unique bonds she already shares with everyone is so fun to witness. Enjoy a few shots from our evening together!

Daddy doesn’t stand a chance… she’s already won, everything.

I mean really. She even laughs at Carolynn’s jokes.

Austin is SUCH an awesome big brother! These two totally get each other. And her face on the right? Ms. personality.

Shelby looks like quite the little mama. They’re so lucky to have a sister!

Those eeeeeyes.

XOXO!

Jessica Burdick :: New York Senior Photography

Gina Meola — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:10:18 +0000

With dedicating so much time to our weddings, we only schedule a handful of portrait sessions per year. And because we take on so few, the people we work with are always remarkable.

Jessica is downright wonderful. She’s mind-blowingly GORGEOUS, warm, and when she speaks to you, you know it’s sincere. It’s obvious such a beautiful girl has come from a tender, loving family. As Jess goes into her last year of high school, she has the world at her fingertips – with a huge support team cheering her on.

I really love the few seniors we’ve been blessed to capture, and it’s exciting for me to watch them grow. I know Jess has so much to look forward to!

Christina Noelle, the MOST fabulous makeup artist around, did an outstanding job. I just want to put her in my pocket and jet set across the world. The three of us shared a lot of laughs, and Jess was such a good sport to put up with me flaunting her all over town!

American Eagle ad? Yuh.

Photoshoots are hard work. Definitely needed an ice cream break.

I adore this golden light!

It almost wasn’t fair! She’s just so stunning.

XOXO!!

Katy + Jim :: New Jersey Engagement Photography

Gina Meola — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:27:49 +0000

He walked over to their table, ready to get her order. They caught eyes, and almost simultaneously, felt butterflies swarming about. Flustered and nervous by such a beautiful girl, Jim tried to keep it together. Katy laughed, with her huge smile that’s downright contagious, and after she left the restaurant, she was all Jim could think about.

With nudging from a mutual friend, they planned a first date. He picked her up for dinner at a delicious Italian spot, and waiting in the car for her was a red rose. Their evening ended perfectly by a bonfire with friends, and after every date from that point on, Katy had a rose waiting for her.

I LOOOVE these two! They are so kind-hearted, relaxed, and fun.

Katy and Jim – thank you for inviting us to Morristown for a wonderful evening witnessing your love. We are beyond excited for the wedding, and hopefully this time, we won’t have to sit at the children’s table for laughing too much.

Jim wasn’t on fire to take pictures – go figure – but within 10 minutes, he was pretty much stealing the show!

I love how they make each other laugh!

I had to take this. Remember your grandparents old pictures?

HAIR ENVY! Heeeello!

Katy used to commute on the train while she was in nursing school, and of course, would sit and think about Jim for hours. It was so fun to visit the station.

Caught Jim ridin’ dirty.

Katy, you are STUNNING!!!

Sooo stinkin cute!!

XOXO!!!

New Jersey and Tennessee Peek!

Gina Meola — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:45:50 +0000

I had the honor of capturing two very special couples last week. Christine, one of my dearest friends who I met in Italy, exchanged vows with her incredible South African husband at their wedding in Tennessee. And Katy, who is one of only four first cousins, spent a day laughing with her sweet fiance in New Jersey. Excited to share both!

XOXO!!

Lindsey + Josh :: Phoenix Anniversary Photographer

Gina Meola — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:41:32 +0000

I can’t imagine balancing two medical professions, but Lindsey and Josh do it with class! Whether Josh is jet-setting to China (FOR THE DAY!), cooking up a culinary storm in their pro kitchen, or Lindsey is snowboarding the Alps, these two make time for the sweet moments in their adventurous lives together.

A little over a year ago, Josh and Lindsey were married on the beautiful island of Kauai with an intimate showing of family and friends. Capturing their love one year later was SO MUCH fun! In the anniversary spirit, they enjoyed a “stay-cation” at Scottsdale’s fabulous Montelucia Resort and Spa. We spent the evening touring the grounds as paparazzi.

Josh and Lindsey – Thank you for letting us into your love!

XOXO!!