Sweet 16 vs Quinceañera | Union Park Photo Session

This session was a sweet 16 but the dress and party was like a quinceanera.

Catherine wanted to do something special for her daughter Shemaiah on her birthday. Yes it looks like a Quinceanera but it is a Sweet 16 since the family is from the Philippines. In Philippines usually we celebrate 18th birthday for a woman. The ceremony is totally different from sweet 16 but since they’re here in US they follow the American tradition which is 16th birthday to make look similar to Quinceanera.
They dress like a Princess, the ceremony was almost the same too. They change the shoes from sneakers too stiletto shoes. They put the crown on her head after the shoes and dance each with mom and dad. She open her gifts from her parents and the parents prepared some speech for her during ceremony. After the ceremony time to eat, drinks and dance party. So she gave her a sweet 16 birthday photos shoot. They chose Union Park in Wesley Chapel. The Quezada family was referred by Hesper.

Shemaiah had her makeup done by @loveleehesper.

Do you know the difference between a Sweet16 and Quinceanera?

For every similarity between a quinceanera and a sweet 16 birthday party, there are just as many noteworthy differences. Obviously, the biggest one is age – a quinceanera is a celebration for a girl who is turning 15, while a sweet 16 party is simply a huge birthday bash for a young lady turning 16. Each type of party is extravagant, memorable and elaborate, but both definitely have a diverse set of differences you should be aware of. Quinceañeras and Sweet Sixteens revolve around family and friends with you being the center of attention. Each party represents a celebration in entering woman-hood, but their different traditions separate them in almost all aspects.

QUINCEANERA

Steeped in religion and tradition, a quinceanera celebrates a young Latina girl’s journey into adulthood when she turns 15. This type of party typically begins with a religious ceremony at a Catholic church. One of the most common traditions is called the “Change of Shoes” – this includes the birthday girl swapping her flat dress shoes for high heels, which are slipped onto her feet by her father or a parental figure. The custom signifies leaving behind a girlish childhood for entry into more mature womanhood. Another aspect of a quinceanera involves the birthday girl wearing a fancy, colorful and glamorous dress along with a shiny tiara. She will also have a “court” of individuals to help her celebrate on a special day. These friends and family members will have matching dresses and tuxedos, and will also have to memorize a few different dances for the actual celebration part of the day. There will be a DJ playing both Spanish and English songs, lots of dancing, food, and fun for everyone involved. Including MGM Banquet Hall, there are a few additional banquet halls in Glendale, California, that are familiar with the customs and intricacies of a quinceanera, so be sure to ask for experience in this type of birthday party before booking.

SWEET 16

Another birthday bash for a teenage girl, popularized in the United States, is the Sweet 16. Again, this is typically a spectacular celebration of a young lady turning 16, blossoming into a woman and in many cases, obtaining a driver’s license. A Sweet 16 party doesn’t have a religious component to it, or a multitude of cultural and religious traditions like a quinceanera does. There is oftentimes a theme or at least a color scheme for the party. Sometimes the birthday girl may request that guests wear that color to the celebration, but that isn’t always the case. Depending on the budget, some parties are over-the-top elaborate and include ice sculptures, live bands, a photo booth, high-end food and ‘mocktails’, a multi-tiered cake and swag bags for those in attendance. The birthday girl and her closest friends may even arrive in a limousine for the evening and some parents will book a hotel room for them to continue the party after it’s time to leave the banquet hall.

Location: Union Park

Here is a great video Link:
https://youtu.be/mq1D1YS267Q

Family Park Session | Nature Photos | Family Fun

This family has been my client for four years or more!! They always come with “Sparky” the puppy. Karla’s mom (Dora) goes to our church in St.Mark Evangelist. Pablo is the name of the dad and this time they came with grandma, aunt, and cousin.

We did this family session before Christmas, but it was intentionally close to Karla’s seventh birthday.

The family session was taken at Philippe Park in Saftey Harbour. This park is full of many diffrent sceneries for photos and family time. The location has a Playground, a rock climbing park, a ball field, and picnic shelters with grills. There is also a place for fishing.

The best part is that parking is easy and free.

Check out this IG reel from a maternity session we did at Philippe Park. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CVLXiVJgPmJ/?utm_medium=copy_link

Thank you for trusting me with your family for all these years.

Post Pandemic Wedding | Beach Wedding | Detail Wedding Photos

Thao & Gabriel got married just when the pandemic Florida reopened from the pandemic last year
They rented an /Airbnb for their venue.
Thao’s sister couldn’t join because Mexico was still closed and she was in Playa del Carmen Quintana Room, Mexico. At that time there were still a lot of states still closed. Even tho his sister was not there. They were able to share this day with some friends and family.

They are just adorable!

The thought of having to postpone again was daunting. We’re at a point where it feels like it needs to happen no matter what, which is not to say that we’ll proceed with an event that does not feel safe and comfortable.

Detail wedding shots are a must-have. In addition to your full invitation suite, items to consider having are copies of your other day paper goods (menus, programs, place cards), your rings, ring boxes, ring dishes, wedding dress hanger, your jewelry, perfume, shoes, veil, bouquet, and welcome gifts for guests. Wedding detail shots showcase the color and aesthetics of the wedding that you’ve so carefully planned. To make sure that you get these stunning shots for your wedding, here are a few examples and tips!

Wondering what to expect from wedding detail shots? It depends on your wedding style, but the following are common detail shots:

• Styled flat lay images with your invitation suite and wedding rings

• Photos of your wedding dress carefully hung in the bridal suite

• Wedding bands in antique ring boxes

• The bride’s jewelry nestled in the wedding bouquet

• The groom’s accessories lying next to a handwritten note

• All 3 wedding rings — the bride’s engagement ring and wedding band, and the groom’s ring!

• Complete invitation suite — save the date, wedding invitation, envelope, and any other ribbons or materials the suite was mailed in

• Flowers

• Bride’s wedding shoes

• Veil

• Ring boxes

• Accessories from the couple — the bride’s necklace and earrings, and the groom’s cufflinks and tie

• Personal family heirlooms

• Handwritten notes