I’m always a little blue the day after Christmas and need something to make December 26th feel just as fun. This shoot from earlier in the month might just do the trick!

FADE In: Ext. quaint bed and breakfast – afternoon.

Two couples saunter along the sidewalk, under a sign that reads “Old City House Inn.” The couples hold hands and giggle. JULIE’s bright red sweater pops under her chic curls as she clutches ANDY’s arm, snuggling up to his argyle vest. CARRIE ANNE glows as ZACH peers at her lovingly from under the brim of his fedora, bending down to give her a peck on the cheek.

That’s how I would have scripted it, if our Vintage Double Date inspiration shoot had had a screenplay. It didn’t. If it had, things wouldn’t have turned out as incredibly as they did. What seemed like a damaging blow to our creative ideas for the afternoon turned into a serendipitous opportunity. And Danny and I had a blast! I’d like to take this chance to tell everyone who was involved just how much I appreciate not only their participation, but the fabulous ideas and excitement they brought to this shoot. To Emily from White Blossom Weddings and Events, thank you so much for finding us the perfect location, and for dressing our scene with understated elegance. To Celeste Barney and Kristi Tavolacci, who handled hair and makeup so expertly, thank you for making sure our models looked picture perfect and period-appropriate. And to our models — Julie and Andy, and Zach and Carrie Anne — thank you for your willingness to try anything and go anywhere. Even if it smelled like an entire flock of chickens had been there first. But now, the pictures: Could I have been any happier with this shoot? No. Well, yes — if it could have been about three hours longer. I assure you, we would not have run out of fun ideas, inspiring locations, and great shots even if we’d had all day to work with these two couples! Julie and I were both English majors at Flagler College (we had seven classes together in two years), and Flagler is where she met her husband, Andy, and became friends with Zach and Carrie Anne, who also got married after we all graduated. Since Emily is also a Flagler graduate, St. Augustine seemed like the perfect place for our Vintage Double Date shoot — especially since the city is already so cute and quaint, even before we mix in a dash of vintage styling. We started at the lovely Old City House Inn on Cordova Street in the heart of Downtown St. Augustine — but a mis-communication meant we had to move from the intimate courtyard to the patio overlooking the road, which we thought was a sad turn of events. There simply wasn’t as much room to move on the patio, or as many angles to shoot from. But as Danny and I got to work with our couples, another couple walked by . . . and after just a moment’s hesitation, I chased them down and asked to borrow something(s) of theirs — and they made the most perfect, unexpected “props”. . . . Meet Louis Vuitton and Georgio Armani, two high class poodles with names to match. They had come to town from Palm Beach for the weekend with their humans, and they were a more dashing addition to our shoot than I could have imagined. You know what they say about taking lemons and making lemonade? We never would have had the chance to feature these two dogs if we’d been back in the courtyard where we originally planned to shoot. And thank you, Debra, for letting us borrow your sweet boys! Emily from White Blossom Weddings and Events found the Old City House Inn for our venue, and she put together a clean and simple table setting of antique wine glasses, mismatched china, and some silver and white splashes. In approaching this shoot, she said she believed less would definitely be more when we already had two jazzed-up couples and the fantastic scenery of St. Augustine to incorporate into our shoot. She was so, so right. One thing I can’t rave about enough: How stylish and chic our couples turned out, thanks to Celeste Barney and Kristi Tavolacci and their skill in the hair and makeup departments. And then there are the couples’ outfits — which they put together themselves. How cute is Carrie Anne’s dress?! How perfect is Julie’s sweater?! I’d had this glasses shot in mind for some time — so I was thrilled when it came time to shoot a couple who both have glasses. Thank you, Zach and Carrie Anne!Want to know the best thing about this inspiration shoot? Well, besides the great location and creative collaboration? It was working with two couples who were so relaxed together, so comfortable with being in love. At one point, Danny congratulated Zach on his ability to pucker up in front of so many passing motorists and pedestrians. Zach just looked up and down the cobblestone street and shrugged, “That’s kind of what it was like falling in love in this tourist town. . . .”
Really — could anyone be cuter than Carrie Anne? Zach doesn’t think so.
But Julie definitely gives her a run for her money. Especially when she gets together with Andy. Everybody with me now: Aww!
Oh just make me melt.
Feel free to gasp here. I did. They look like they’re onscreen in a 1940’s noir drama!
This is one of my favorite shots of the day, and Julie and Andy were kind enough to attempt it several times, hopping up each time a car wanted to pass along the one-way street. While they moved, I stayed put — and the drivers probably thought I was crazy, stretched out on my stomach on the brick-paved street. But I’ve got the picture to prove that it was worth it!
I loved this series we got of Zach and Carrie Anne — further evidence why we always bring two shooters to engagement shoots and weddings; I got picture #1 at the same split second that Danny shot picture #2 — but this next one is my favorite. I love moments of genuine, spontaneous happiness, and I love capturing them at just the right time.
I don’t think it’s possible to look at these two images and not feel overwhelmingly happy! The way these two look at each other is such a testament to love.
I mean, seriously. Are they this adorable every day?!
St. Augustine is just filled with the perfect backdrops for a vintage-inspired photo shoot. Thank you again to Emily for recommending we start our shoot at the Old City House Inn, and thank you St. Augustine, for preserving all the wonderful historical spots we found along Palm Row, Cordova, and St. George Streets! Like this one, with an Art Deco-ish mansion in the background. I decided to pretend Zach and Carrie Anne lived there. This picture gives me such a Gatsby-two-decades-later vibe, and I love it!
Then, as we concluded our shoot and darkness fell upon the city, everything lit up again, just like something out of a movie.
I couldn’t have scripted a prettier ending.

Thank you again, so much, to everyone involved for making such a fun, beautiful afternoon come to life!

Planning and staging: Emily Macri – White Blossom Weddings and Events.
Hair and makeup: Celeste Barney and Kristi Tavolacci
Venue: Old City House Inn
Models: Zach and Carrie Anne Ball and Julie and Andy Evener
Shoot concept: Laura Yang
Photography: Laura Yang Photography

~ Laura