This post has been a long time coming. And by a long time, I mean a looooonnnnng time. I am officially leaving the name Studio Blu Images and have rebranded and renamed myself as Simply Blue Studios. A while ago, I was notified in a networking group that a large wedding photography company (they shall be unnamed-ok that's my Voldemort line) had started a sister company and were using my name. Ok, I thought. No big deal. I continued using my name with no problem.

Then last fall as we were trademarking my husband's company's name, I found out that this big box company had indeed trademarked my name. The attornies we were working with told me that I could fight it, but given how big they were, I'd most likely would be drowned in litigation. I freaked out. They also told me that at the end of five years, when the trademark would be permanent, this company could shut me down. Ok, I freaked out more.

At about the same time I started receiving some reviews online from brides. They trashed my company name. Well, guess what? It wasn't me they thought they were reviewing. This broke my heart. I strive for great customer service and these brides had been ripped off. So, that was the point in which I knew I'd have to leave the name.

It took me a while, but I eventually decided that this was a golden opportunity to rebrand and come back as a better company. So, here you go. This is the new me. And here are a few screen grabs. So, if you like what you see, consider visiting my new website, Simply Blue Studios, and liking my new facebook page. I'll be posting new work there and communicating with my clients. Thanks again for your support!

I have been sitting on some big news for my business for a bit. I am going to write a longer blog post about this very soon but I wanted to let you all know that I haven't been ignoring this blog, I've just been working on a new website and blog. I'm not going to be posting to this blog while we finish it off. I'll share it very soon but here's a sneak peak for now.

Ok, I'll be the first to admit that I have a slight addicition to making mini-albums and album design in general. I get such a kick when a client asks me to be super creative in making them something to treasure forever. Monique asked me to create some mini-albums so she could give them to her daughters to remember their renewal ceremony at Sand Key Park in Clearwater.

For these albums, I scanned in the paper samples Monique sent me and used them in the design. She had created pinwheels for the ceremony and these were the papers used.

I also just ordered an album that I designed for Monique and Ken. We took a more subtle route in the design but it's still pretty gorgeous. I can't wait to share!

For portraits of Natasha, we all met out at Pass-A-Grille beach last Sunday evening. Natasha is a cute little girl who is pretty fun to chase around. I have photographed Natasha and her family several times now. I documented her parents wedding and her Christening. I cannot wait to document her life for years to come!

I just love this picture of Natasha and her mother, Valerie.

I wanted to share this sweet, intimate wedding that I shot a few weeks ago at a private estate in St. Petersburg, Florida. Everything about this wedding was beautiful and delicate. From the dress to the setting to the delicious-looking food. It was catered by one of my favorite restaurants in Tampa, Mise En Place, and Jenna wore one of my favorite designers, Monique Lhuilleier.

First of all I have to share some images from the owner's home. I felt like I was in an art gallery :) And I'm an art lover so it was a pleasure!

Prada pumps! Jenna is after my own heart.

I actually helped Cat shoot this wedding a few months ago. I almost forgot to share it!

This was a sweet wedding in Lakeland and I had a blast helping out. I honestly love second shooting because it gives me time to step back and have fun with my shooting. It also allows me to be super creative and experiment. While I don't have any plans to shoot video at weddings on my own right now, I certainly will continue to do this type of shooting.

I wanted to share just a few images from this short pregnancy shoot I did with my good friend Alyse after her baby shower in Michigan. I'll say it again, I love Alyse for who she is. I think she's going to be a wonderful mother and I can't wait to meet baby-whats-his-name :)

This past week we took a much needed break and went on a Disney cruise with Hank's family. This was my first cruise but definitely not my first Disney trip. I gotta hand it to Disney, they do everything top knotch. I was a bit skeptical not being a parent myself. I was afraid there'd be nothing for Hank and I to do. Well, of course, we were wrong. We had a ton to do and watching Hank's nieces and nephews enjoy themselves was a huge part of that fun. Here are just few of my images I had fun shooting with my point-and-shoot :)

I had to take this photo as we walked through Nassau.

My mother-in-law and I.

Chihuly was everywhere. This was in Atlantis in Nassau.

One of my highlights was doing yoga on the beach.

Us and my sister-in-law, Whitney and her husband, Timothy.

Emma Hartman and I went to a towel folding class where we learned to make dinosaurs.

The Animator's Palate.

The family!

This sweet little family is very dear to my heart. They have been good friends for years and it's been a joy watching them grow. Ian and Justine are such adorable children and Megan and James are such great parenting. We shot this mini-session at a neighborhood park so they'd have some Easter photos.

I have a huge post coming and have had a crazy couple of months. I promise to blog about that very soon!

This photo made me laugh out loud.

When I first met Alyse, I was scared of her. She was this tough girl I saw in my Science of Light and Vision class at Western Kentucky University. I had this sorta crush on her ex-boyfriend, who was also in the class. I later found out that Alyse thought I was some skater chick and didn't like me. One day, Alyse and I happened to get into a conversation about dolphins. I won't bore you with the details of what was said, but I wil tell you that at that moment, I knew Alyse was going to be a good friend and immediately forgot about her ex-boyfriend. Today, Alyse is somebody I look up to like a sister. She's been a huge influence in my life in so many aspects of my life. I love her so much.

Late last month I travelled to Detroit to be a part of Alyse's shower and to help her and Gail with the day. It was a fun filled weekend with tons of yummy food consumed, lots of cute baby gifts, and great time for friendship. I'll cherish the time I hung out with Alyse before the baby, which we call whatchamacallit, was born.

Here's a few details from the shower.

I helped Gail make these collages of baby pictures for Alyse and Jake.

If you can't tell, the baby is going to have a cowboy theme in his bedroom.

To Alyse and Jake, and baby whatchamacallit,

I am so excited for your new growing family. I cannot imagine better parents. And to baby whatchamacallit, I can't wait to meet you!-Carrie