Rising Lotus Photography by Marilyn

What a cool wedding space this could be!!!

ChoZen Retreat

📸 Capturing Love at Valley View: A Photographer’s Dream Venue 🌸

As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of shooting at many beautiful venues, but Valley View at SFRR, just outside of Gainesville, truly stands out. This place knows how to make wedding days a flawless five-star experience for couples getting married. Truly a gem.💍✨ So when Rabecca Cruz Photography asked if I wanted to join her team for this beautiful wedding I happily packed up my gear to photograph a wedding with one of my best friends.

From the moment you step onto the property, you’re greeted by the most amazing staff whose attention to detail is impeccable. It’s clear that the owner’s passion for this venue shines through in every aspect. 🌟

Valley View offers a variety of stunning photography locations that make my job an absolute joy. The flower fields are a vibrant, colorful backdrop that adds a touch of magic to every shot. 🌷🌻 And with multiple ceremony locations and reception spaces, each wedding feels unique and personalized.

Whether it’s the grand oak ceremony or the outdoor covered reception viewing the valley, every corner of Valley View is picture-perfect. 📸💒 The natural beauty of the surroundings combined with the elegant decor creates a timeless and romantic atmosphere that every couple dreams of.

If you’re looking for a venue that will make your wedding day unforgettable and provide endless opportunities for breathtaking photos, Valley View is the place to be. 🌿💕

Guess the city...

Rising Lotus Photography by Marilyn

In this blog post I divulge some tips and tricks for how I work locations on a wedding day to optimize the documentation artistically. It's a good read full of lots of information for other photographers AND couples looking to hire a wedding photographer. Rising Lotus Photography by Marilyn

Optimizing Wedding Day Locations | International Wedding Photographer Tips and Tricks International wedding photographer Marilyn Bray from Ocala, FL explains her techniques for optimizing wedding locations on wedding day for epic capture

These Are the Most Underrated Summer Wedding Destinations We asked destination wedding experts to share their favorite underrated summer destinations, so grab your planning binder and keep reading to learn about these seven hidden gems.

Ring shot in a puddle. I love macro details photographs and anytime I can get creative. This photo was taken in a puddle after a rainstorm with the lights of the tent behind. Use what you have!

What is your favorite wedding scent? Mine is any Jo Malone fragrance. I'm obsessed.

As you plan your wedding, every detail is a brushstroke in the masterpiece of memories you’re creating. But have you thought about the fragrance that will define your day? 🌸💍

Selecting a wedding scent is more than just a touch of luxury; it’s an invitation to your olfactory system to hold onto the moments, long after they’ve passed. A scent can transport you back to the laughter, the tears of joy, and the warmth of embraces. It’s a powerful trigger for the memory, a whisper of the past that can bring back feelings in an instant.

Imagine years from now, catching a hint of your wedding fragrance in the air. Suddenly, you’re there again – barefoot on the dance floor, the clink of glasses, the soft murmur of friends and family, and the feeling of your partner’s hand in yours. ✨

So, take a moment in your planning to choose a fragrance that captures the essence of your love and the spirit of your celebration. Whether it’s a bespoke perfume, a signature flower, or a blend of essential oils, let it be a scent that will remind you of the day you said, “I do.”

Because in the end, memories may fade, but a scent lasts forever. 💖

Beautiful private estate wedding at Shangril-la rental in Bradenton, Florida.

Super fun for this destination wedding newlyweds.

Shangri-La Vacation Rental Home

Emily + Michael Highlight Film Emily and Michael’s wedding was a celebration of love and laid-back elegance. Set against the backdrop of a private estate, their special day was a picturesque…

🎆 Capturing Fireworks Magic at Weddings: A Photographer’s Guide 📸

As the night sky ignites with bursts of color, wedding fireworks create unforgettable moments. Here’s how to capture their brilliance only with your newlywed couple. These suggestions will be DIFFERENT than strictly photographing fireworks for you want the subject in focus and properly exposed:

Gear Up: Bring your trusty DSLR or mirrorless camera. I personally prefer my mirrorless for this type of work because it's more forgiving and captures way less noise. A zoom lens offers compositional flexibility—wide-angle for wide setting the scene photographs, telephoto for creamy, dreamy light displays behind your newlywed couple. And don’t forget a video light or flash system. (We can capture great fireworks photographs WITHOUT a tripod!)

Manual Mode: Set your camera to manual mode. Here are the key settings:

ISO: Keep it mid-level in the native ISO setting. You do not want to rely strictly on ISO to expose your couple. The image will be very noisy in the night ambient light. Every camera whether sony or cannon has a native iso, often 6,400 is a native which does not produce a ton of noise. Remember noise is not grain and high levels will negatively affect the quality of the image.

Aperture: So without subjects in the foreground, I suggest mid-range (f/8 to f/11) for sharpness of the fireworks. I do like my subjects in this case my couple to be tack sharp in focus and the fireworks to have a dreamy glow so my f-stop is going to be set lower to about 3.2 or 2.8 depending. This will help get more light to my sensor, keeping my iso from being maxed out AND I will not have to do such a long shutter speed with is nearly impossible with couples without getting motion blur. Sometimes if I want really blurry fireworks for a dreamy look I will go as low as 2.0.

Shutter Speed: Experiment! Longer shutter speeds (2-6 seconds) create beautiful trails. This is recommended with a tripod for just firework photographs. HOWEVER this will create some blur in your couple and will require a tripod. Instead..... I gradually decrease my shutter to get the desired affect. Since time is of the essence I start at 1/16. On wedding days I don't have time to bring out a tripod and most the time during firework shows I'm get multiple poses with my couples. Remember my aperture is low so it will allow more light to reach my sensor and give me the illusion of light trails.

Focus: I spot focus on my couple. Whatever element, sometimes their eyes, hands or side profile, I want completely sharp in focus.

Off-Camera Lighting: Add drama with off-camera flash or video lights. Illuminate the foreground—meaning your newlywed couple—while fireworks light up the sky.

Steady as Stars: Remind the couple to stay still during the exposure. Their silhouette against the fireworks is pure magic.

Remember, it’s not just about pointing your camera skyward—it’s about capturing love, celebration, and the fleeting beauty of fireworks in relation to your beautiful newlywed couple. 🌠💖

cuteness overload!

My guilty pleasure.... equine photography.

Storytelling: writing with light and capturing the unique bonds between horses and humans.

Do you remember your first interaction with these majestic creatures?

Rising Lotus Photography by Marilyn

Lil Flower Doggie!

Such a great idea for weddings. This little pup was so well behaved. Share with someone who needs a Flower Dog!

Rising Lotus Photography by Marilyn

Getting ready moments....

Film photography... a buzz. But what exactly is this lost art? What is hybrid shooting? AND why is film wedding photography so expensive? Answers to your questions... how to achieve artistic images without filters or presets.

Understanding Wedding Hybrid Photography | Ocala's Wedding Film Photographer What is "hybrid photography" ? Ocala's top wedding photographer breaking down the difference between hybrid, film & digital photography.

📸 Capturing the Laid-Back Magic: 🎉

As wedding photographers, our goal is to create memories that reflect the couple’s unique personalities and desires. Our recent bride was all about the laid-back party vibe. From our initial consultation call, she emphasized her excitement for a fun celebration with friends and family.

After the formal family portraits, Jeremy and I shifted gears. Instead of the typical editorial-style wedding party photos, we decided to embrace the joyous atmosphere. We cranked up some party music on our phone and spontaneously had a dance party with her bridesmaids and groomsmen. Laughter, twirls, and candid moments filled the frame.

Why do we invest time in getting to know our couples? Because their experience matters. It’s not just about the photos; it’s about capturing the essence of their celebration—the laughter, the love, and the laid-back magic. 🥂💃🕺

This moment says it ALL!

Michele Renee The Studio
Stephanie Voth Events
Rusty Pelican Restaurant Tampa
Henna Colors

📸 Behind the Scenes: The Groom’s Journey

As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the honor of capturing the groom’s side of the story—the anticipation, camaraderie, and heartfelt moments. Let’s dive into the groom’s world:

🤵 Groom Prep: The morning buzzes with excitement. The groom ties his tie, adjusts his cufflinks, and glances at himself in the mirror. His nerves mix with anticipation. I capture these candid moments—the laughter shared with his best man, the deep breaths before stepping into the spotlight. It’s a dance of vulnerability and strength.

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Family Bonds: The groom’s parents watch with pride. His mother smooths his lapel, her eyes reflecting years of love and guidance. His father pats his back, silently passing on wisdom. Siblings tease and cheer, creating a tapestry of family bonds. These connections are timeless, etched in every frame.

👬 Groomsmen Brotherhood: The groomsmen—his confidants—gather. They straighten each other’s ties, share inside jokes, and raise a toast. Their camaraderie is infectious. As a photographer, I freeze these moments—the fist bumps, the secret handshakes—because they tell a story beyond the lens.

📷 The Unseen Gems: Beyond the posed shots, there are hidden gems—the groom’s nervous glance at the door, the way he clutches his vows. These unscripted fragments reveal vulnerability, strength, and the promise of forever.

So here’s to the groom—the quiet hero of the day. May your journey be filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories. 🥂💕

Stephanie Voth Events
Michele Renee The Studio
Rusty Pelican Restaurant Tampa

📸 Capturing Love Across Cultures: A Wedding Photographer’s Perspective

As a wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing love stories unfold across diverse cultures and religious backgrounds. 🌟✨

🌺 Honoring Traditions: Every wedding is a tapestry woven with unique threads of tradition. From the vibrant colors of Indian weddings to the elegant simplicity of Japanese tea ceremonies, each moment holds significance. As a documentarian, I strive to capture these cultural nuances—the henna-adorned hands, the breaking of the glass, the exchange of garlands—preserving them for generations to come.

📷 The Unscripted Moments: Beyond rituals, there are unscripted moments—the tearful glances, the laughter shared during toasts, the stolen kisses. These candid snapshots reveal the essence of love, transcending cultural boundaries.

🌎 A Global Celebration: In a world that sometimes feels divided, weddings become a celebration of unity. They remind us that love knows no borders, no language barriers. As a photographer, I’m honored to be a silent witness to this global celebration.

So here’s to love—colorful, diverse, and beautifully unifying. 🥂💕



Stephanie Voth Events
Michele Renee The Studio
Rusty Pelican Restaurant Tampa
Henna Colors

Epic getting ready with this beauty. Rising Lotus Photography by Marilyn
Michele Renee The Studio
Henna Colors
Rusty Pelican Restaurant Tampa
Stephanie Voth Events

Magical newlywed time! These two... all those romance vibes.

Rising Lotus Photography by Marilyn
Michele Renee The Studio
Rusty Pelican Restaurant Tampa
set go
Stephanie Voth Events
Henna Colors

Those eyes....

Stephanie Voth Events
Michele Renee The Studio
Rusty Pelican Restaurant Tampa
Rising Lotus Photography by Marilyn
Henna Colors

I love the drama in this groom silhouette.

Red Mesa Events
Truly Yours Event Planning

Gorgeous!

Riveredge Resort

Beautiful new wedding highlight film Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club! Jeremy Taylor outdid himself with this epic film. Amazing storytelling, expert captures and the editing makes this a compelling watch. NOT you average wedding film. If you want a highlight film that uniquely showcases the romance, emotion and fun of your day.... Rising Lotus Photography by Marilyn.

click share.... because a couple out there desperately needs to know about us!

Arina + Brandon Wedding Highlight Film: Golden Ocala Photography & Cinematography: Rising Lotus Photography by Marilyn Venue: Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club Wedding Coordinator and Florist: JF Events &…

Real wedding. Real couple. Real castle. Not AI!
Another post of "what's different". In the world of AI photographers are using AI to create false portfolios, mislead couples and create unrealistic wedding scenes..... WHY????? Our sense of reality is so skewed anyway........ Rising Lotus Photography by Marilyn we still edit all our photographs and footage.... we don't run through AI programs to do the work and creativity our clients paid for us to do. I will use select programs to remove objects... because let's face it.... the edit is cleaner than when I try to do it by hand. However, this process is still time consuming ..... and requires some skill in generative fill.

I LOOOOVE some backlight. BUT sometimes a little direct sun action will give the "photojournalistic" vibe. It's editorial, raw and authentic.

Adore Bridal Hair and Makeup
Swanky Soiree Events
resort on longboat key

📸 Capturing Intimacy: Hannah and Danny’s First Look at Longboat Key Resort 🌅

As a wedding photographer, I’ve stood witness to countless love stories—the whispered vows, the stolen glances, and the dance of two souls coming together. But there’s a moment that holds its own magic—the first look. And when it happens against the backdrop of Longboat Key Resort, with the talented planners from Swanky Soiree orchestrating every detail, it becomes a memory etched in time. 💕

Hannah and Danny’s Intimate Moment
Hannah, radiant in her form hitting wedding gown, and Danny, nerves humming like a hidden melody, stood at the heart of it all. This moment was about connection.

Danny turned, and there she was—his bride, his partner in this wild adventure. Hannah’s eyes held secrets, and Danny’s breath caught. Their fingers brushed, and time paused. It was a chance to connect, to share the excitement that bubbled within them. No audience, no rush—just the two of them, cocooned in anticipation.

Pre-Ceremony Jitters Melting Away
Most couples carry a bundle of nerves before the ceremony. Will the vows tumble out right? Will the tears behave? But the first look changes everything. As Hannah and Danny stood there, their hearts syncing, something shifted. The jitters melted away like sand under the tide. They laughed, whispered promises, and found solace in each other’s eyes.

Here’s to First Looks and Forever Moments
So here’s to first looks—the stolen seconds that become eternities. May every couple find that intimate space, where nerves turn to laughter and love blooms. 🌟❤️


Adore Bridal Hair and Makeup
Swanky Soiree Events
The Resort at Longboat Key Club