This session was shot by GMP associate photographer Jennifer

Melissa and Austin eloped at a park in Ocala with my photographer Jennifer officiating and capturing it all on her iPhone!

When Melissa and Austin asked us to marry and photograph them at a Park in Ocala, we said “absolutely!” and thought nothing of showing up to do just that. I was fully booked that day, so my photographer Jennifer joined them.

I made a huge mistake not considering whether or not the park would require a permit and had no idea that it was privately owned land. Upon arriving, they were all confronted by the owners who denied Jennifer the permission to shoot the elopement with her big camera and said she could only take pictures with her phone. Jennifer asked if we could obtain and pay for a permit on the spot and it was all pretty hostile so, like the absolute professional that she is, Jennifer gracefully complied with their requirement that she only use her iPhone and you know what—she killed it.

I don’t think you’d know these weren’t taken with her professional camera which just goes to prove that “the best camera is the one you have with you” and that it’s not about the camera—it’s about the skill of the person using it. And girl. is. skilled.

She not only did this session on her iPhone, she did it while the owners followed from afar in a golf cart watching with binoculars. Can you imagine?!

After the park elopement, they moved to land owned by their friend where Jennifer could start shooting with her camera but honestly, the ones from her iPhone are my faves. She did a great job.

Thank you so much for having us, Melissa and Austin!