Our trip to the Caribbean

As you probably know, I had the incredible opportunity to shoot a wedding in the Caribbean in early December. My photography business really sky rocketed in 2011, and I'm so excited to see where it goes in 2012. Although I've traveled to several states for weddings, this was my first true destination wedding to photograph.

We drove to El Paso, dropped our kids off with our families, and headed out on the first REAL vacation ALONE since we've had children. I was full of anxiety saying goodbye to the kidlets, but I felt like we were on our honeymoon all over again. It was FABULOUS.

We headed to Miami, had a fun night out on the town, woke up early the next day, and headed to our ship.

These photos are a mix of my camera and our lovely phones, FYI.

Miami was a very fun city. I've heard mixed things about it, but I personally loved it! It was a fascinating place.

Our first stop was Key West, which is where I shot the wedding. I'll be posting those pictures on my photo blog soon. There is currently a sneak peak over there. The wedding was on a beach, and then we headed to the downtown area.

Key West was an awesome little town. I was in HEAVEN shooting groomals (bride + groom) throughout the fun area. Forget being a tourist that day. This was way better. The bride wanted to cut us free, but I insisted on following them around. We had a fabulous brunch at a popular rooftop cafe, and soaked up the atmosphere Key West had to offer.

Why yes, the man playing the bag pipes was part of the bridal party. Why yes, he played them while walking around.

We headed back on the ship that day, relaxed a bit, and then dressed up for "Captain's Dinner". This is the formal night where the whole ship dresses up. I love dressing up, and I got a sweet fur little jacket for the occasion. I wish I would have gotten a better picture of it. :)











The next day we docked in Cozumel. We had a fabulous day in Mexico. Once we got off the ship, we headed onto a speedboat to the mainland, where we jumped on a bus, and took a 50 minute drive to Tulum--some Myan Ruins.

We fell for it. We fell in the tourist trap....and we're smart people, so I was so disappointed in myself that we took the bate.

These awesome people were all dressed up. Of course I start taking pictures of them. Who wouldn't? And just as I did, a Jaguar Knight (below) told me, "Come, come! I take your picture! You get in with others, give me your camera, and we'll take picture!"

I gave him my camera and thought, "sweet!" Then...

...then, just as we are posed (below) with an ENTIRE crew of tourists watching, they yell, "Ooooh! And you give us 5 dollar for this picture!" I'm not going to be the cheap tourist that says, "never mind", even though I knew I already had the picture I wanted. Oh well, it made for a fun picture. And Cliff said, "Call me old school, but when a Jaguar Knight asks you for your money, you give it to him." ...in Mexico, I'll add.

Cliff is a History buff, and could have walked around the ruins for HOURS.

The ruins really were fantastic. Made for the PERFECT backdrop for pictures. The bride and groom were on the same excursion, so I got to take MORE pictures of them at the ruins. Seriously, could I have asked for more as a photographer? I was in HEAVEN!

Where's Waldo?! Can you see me below "working"?

And here's Cliff in action (below). You may not know, but Cliff is the one that really got me into photography. I dabbled in high school with film, learned how to develop, but the excitement kind of faded. It rekindled when we got married. He's always been into photography, and can tell you more about our cameras AND photography, than I could probably tell you. When I started my business during law school, he actually went along with me on shoots. It was a team effort. Then he became a lawyer, and now it's just one of his favorite hobbies next to guns.


While in Tulum, we got to swim in the ocean. The water was perfect, the weather was wonderful, and we couldn't have asked for more.

One night we went Latin dancing (why yes, I took my Zumba moves to the dance floor). The Latin dance room was full of Latins. I was the ONLY white girl, but this white girl has got mooooves. I do teach Zumba! They did a role call of all the Latin countries to see what kind of mix was in there. They got to Mexico, and I raised the roof with my hands, almost yelling, "Viva Mexico!" But I resisted. I did grow up on the border, and my hubby is half Mexican. Which technically, if he's my other half, that makes me a quarter Mexican. There ya have it.

We also went to comedy shows, did karaoke, ate more than we should have, went running on the top level where the outside track was, laid out, went to shows, watched fake snow fall in the gallery, went to a piano bar for the reception where we got to sing along with the piano player...the list goes on and on and on. Cruising was the best way to travel!

We sailed the entire last day, and soaked up all the opportunities the ship had to offer that we had not yet taken advantage of. It was a rainy day, so we didn't get to swim, but we laid out on the deck watching the storm in the ocean and enjoying each other's company.

The last morning, we woke up early enough to catch the sunrise. It was breathtaking.


Altogether, we had the time of our lives. Yes, we missed our babies, but it was amazing to sail through the Caribbean with the love of my life, act like newlyweds all over again, and "work". I've decided we are making this a regular habit.

Everything about this trip was amazing. I think I stopped at 30-something pictures, and could have kept going, but let's face it...most people come here for our kiddos!

AHH-MAZING.