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A walk in the woods with an Elf | Photographer Ruth Shepherd

Ruth — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 23:24:50 +0000

I’m a bit of a geek. Okay, I’m a bit of a big geek. Lots and lots of bits of me are geeky. Geek R Me. I’ve spent time at conventions like MegaCon celebrating the geekiness that is Sci-Fi, comic books, you name it. I enjoy things like video games and fiction books, the Steampunk sub-sub-genre, and I’ve recently sewn a couple of costumes for nothing but the pure fun of having a Victorian bustle.

With that confession out of the way, let me introduce you to another geeky friend of mine, Amanda. She created a Lord of the Rings-esque elven costume, and somewhere down the road we decided we needed to do a themed shoot around her costume. When we found out Ft. Clinch up in Fernandina Beach was already closed for the night, we headed to Big Talbot Island. Here’s the results of that EPIC time spent on the beach:

Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens | Kori & Robert’s Wedding

Ruth — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:48:22 +0000

Anyone who has taken a peek inside my portfolio can tell you… I LOVE the Jacksonville Zoo. When I was approached by Kori & Robert to photograph their wedding there, I was thrilled. Since the remodeling several years ago, the Zoo has been transformed into beautiful botanical gardens with thousands of plant species from around the world.

But the real story here is between Kori & Robert. They’d known each other since they were children, had gone their separate ways through life, and had found each other again — different people but the same. Watching them interact was a treat. They know how to make each other laugh and they still have the ‘play’ instinct, my favorite part of relationships. Without much more, here are the photos, starting at the Young, Broke & Fabulous, a wonderfully unique salon on the edge of Avondale & Riverside.

Thank you, Kori & Robert, for allowing me to be a part of your day. I had so much fun!

-Ruth

Atlantic Beach Wedding | Hannah & Drew

Ruth — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 15:55:34 +0000

Couples that choose a beach wedding are gutsy. There’s the heat of Florida, no shade, the chance of severe wind, rain when the beach breeze can’t hold it back… all were forecast the day of Hannah & Drew’s wedding. Drops of rain hit my windshield on the way to the venue and we had to dodge a few during pictures, but when ceremony time loomed, the skies opened up in sunshine, not storms. Of course, the payoff was fantastic.. what better setting for photos than blue skies, white sand, and water?

Hannah & Drew got married at Ocean Ave & 8th Street in Atlantic Beach, FL. It was an ideal location with the Adele Grage Cultural Center just two blocks away, where they held the reception afterwards. If you’re looking for a smaller space for an intimate wedding, I suggest the Adele Grage. It was bright, beautiful, and such a convenient walk.

Thank you guys for allowing me to be a part of your amazing day! It was so beautiful!

-Ruth

Jacksonville Wedding Photographer Ruth Shepherd| A brand new look!

Ruth — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 01:52:37 +0000

Welcome to Roving Girl Photography’s all new look — no more dreary blacks and grays, but bright whites and blues. Enjoy the makeover and feel free to contact me with any questions!

-Ruth

Jacksonville Wedding Photographer | A Texas Wedding in San Antonio

Ruth — Mon, 24 May 2010 23:46:36 +0000

A couple of months ago, I announced my first destination wedding in Medina, TX, a short drive out of San Antonio. I wasn’t prepared for what an amazing adventure it was or how I would be treated… just like a member of their family. Porter and Raphaelle were incredibly fun to shoot; He is one of those kinds of guys with a warm heart and a gazillion friends. She is infectiously joyful, her smile and laughter untethered.

We all stayed up at the hunting lodge at the Trail’s End Ranch, an exotic animal ranch in Medina, TX… and by ‘we all’, I mean me and all 24 members of the wedding party. So many people from his and her lives, and everyone got along famously.

Let me introduce you to the ranch with this first photo shot from the backyard of the house, also the backdrop for the wedding….

Good luck on your new life together, Raph and Porter!

-Ruth

Jacksonville Wedding Photographer | Kevin & Taylor’s Couples Session

Ruth — Sat, 15 May 2010 14:17:27 +0000

When Kevin first contacted me saying he was Navy being deployed in less than a week and he needed some good photos of him and his girlfriend before he left, he got me hook, line and sinker. I cleared my schedule for Sunday evening, because there’s nothing more heartbreakingly beautiful to me than military families & the sacrifices they make for our country. They stole my heart again when we met, because the love they have for each other is so apparent in the way they interact. All I had to do as a photographer is sit back and watch them be themselves; clients who are willing to just be themselves without reservation are such a treat. And so, I present to you, Kevin and Taylor.

~Ruth

Jacksonville Wedding Photographer Ruth Shepherd | Donna & Thomas’ Wedding

Ruth — Sat, 08 May 2010 01:01:27 +0000

Big congratulations to Donna and Thomas for their heartfelt wedding today at Ft. Caroline Baptist Church. It was one of my more traditional weddings, but everything clicked just the way it was supposed to. Thank you to both of you for letting me be a part of your day.

-Ruth

Jacksonville Wedding Photographer Ruth Shepherd | Hannah & Drew’s Engagement Photos

Ruth — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:37:05 +0000

As wedding season has started in Northeast Florida, these last few weeks have been a blur. Last weekend I spent some time at Trail’s End Ranch in Medina, TX… one of the most beautiful, relaxing places I’ve ever been. I was there to celebrate and photograph the wedding of Raphaelle and Porter, but I’ll get to that in a couple of days….

This weekend, I’ve been catching up on the backlog of photos sitting on my hard drive that are itching to get done — but I took a break to shoot the engagement of Hannah and Drew at Friendship Park in downtown Jacksonville. In just a few minutes’ time, I knew this was going to be special… Hannah’s smile lights up everyone around her, and Drew knows just how to make her smile. Here’s a sneak peek :)

Jacksonville Beach Event Photographer Ruth Shepherd | Relay for Life

Ruth — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:19:04 +0000

April 17th and 19th was 2010’s Beaches Relay for Life in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. I was honored once again to be their event photographer, documenting the celebration of the survival of men and women who have been afflicted with breast cancer. Proceeds of the event went to support the American Cancer Society, but they haven’t quite reached their goal this year. To help them out, I’m going to be donating 50% of all proceeds of print sales from the event back to the Relay goal, as well as from my Nature portfolio. A great time to pick up prints for gifts or for your own home! To order, click ‘Add to Cart’ when you’re on a photo that you’d like to purchase. This sale is good til June 1st!

To visit all the photos from this year’s event, just click here.

Here are some of my favorites.

Jacksonville Wedding Photographer | Kori & Robert’s engagement photos

Ruth — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:58:32 +0000

Let me introduce to you Kori and Robert. These two approached me after being referred by a mutual friend, and I’m so glad they did. They have a sweet and affectionate love for each other that radiates from their faces whenever they’re together.

They met each other in grade school, went their separate ways, and now years later have found each other again. They’ll be married in June at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (can’t wait!), but last weekend we did their engagement session.