• Dawn McKinstry Photography Blog
  • Dawn McKinstry Photography Blog
  • Dawn McKinstry Photography Blog
  • Dawn McKinstry Photography Blog
  • Dawn McKinstry Photography Blog
  • Dawn McKinstry Photography Blog
  • Dawn McKinstry Photography Blog
  • Dawn McKinstry Photography Blog
  • Dawn McKinstry Photography Blog
  • Dawn McKinstry Photography Blog
Dawn McKinstry

Hi!

A little about me… I’m a small town girl who loves to travel and is a bit on the shy side.  ;)  That may be mostly due to the fact that I am a twin, and she was the talkative one growing up. But get to know me – and I’ll chat up a storm.  I love talking photography and weddings, so give me a call and we’ll chat!

A little about my experience… I’ve been shooting weddings throughout Florida and the Southeast US since 2008.  I am also a PPA Certified Professional Photographer.

Email or call me and we’ll chat!

 

dawn(at)dawnmckinstry.com

352-258-5047

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Space Shuttle Atlantis

July 21st, 2011
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In honor of Space Shuttle Atlantis returning to earth this morning, I’m posting a few images from its launch two weeks ago.  As a kid, I was fortunate to view a few space shuttle launches from across the inter-coastal waterway.  However, to be able to watch the launch of STS-135 from Kennedy Space Center was unlike anything I have ever experienced.  The ground shook and I watched in amazement as the giant shuttle left the launch pad and disappeared into the clouds in a matter of seconds.

Space Shuttle Atlantis final flight

Space Shuttle Atlantis flight STS-135 lifts on July 8, 2011

Final launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis from Kennedy Space Center

space shuttle launch

As the shuttle program comes to a close, I’m excited to see where we’ll go next with the space program.

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Sonoko & Timothy’s Live Oak Wedding

June 18th, 2011
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Timothy & Sonoko had a beautiful small wedding in the small town of Live Oak last week.  Sonoko’s family lives in Japan, so they decided to have two ceremonies, one in Timothy’s hometown of Live Oak, and one in Japan.

Japanese bride putting on wedding dress

I love the following series of Sonoko putting on her American bridal gown and feeling the excitement of the moment.   :)

joyful bride bride feeling the anticipationbride feeling the excitement and happiness of her wedding day

Sonoko’s mom wore a beautiful traditional kimono for the wedding.  I loved their interaction as Sonoko was getting ready.

mother of the bride in kimonoJapanese mother of the bride seeing bride for the first time

Sonoko, you are stunning.

Japanese bride portrait

Timothy’s father is the priest and married Timothy and Sonoko that day.

Episcopal priest and groom under treesgroom seeing his bride for the first timebride and her father walking up the aisle of the Episcopal churchgroom, bride, and father of the bride at the altarbrother of the groom reading bible passage during Episcopal wedding ceremonypouring of the communion wine during Episcopal wedding ceremonybride and groom kneeling at the altar during Episcopal wedding ceremonywhite flower in bride's hairhappiness between bride and groom during wedding ceremonyEpiscopal blessing of the bridegroom looking adoringly at his bridenatural bridal portraitnatural light bride and groom portrait

Sonoko’s mother performed a beautiful traditional Japanese Fan Dance during the reception.

Japanese fan dance

bride and groom first dance

Sonoko changed into a gorgeous Japanese kimono before the toasts.

father of the bride toastmother of the bride wearing a kimono during toastsbride in kimono and groom react to toastsbride wearing kimono and groom during toastscute flower girl during toasts

bride dancing and partying during receptionwedding reception dancing using off camera flashbride and groom dancing using off camera flash

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HOME Magazine: Jaide Childs’ Story

April 17th, 2011
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Back in February I had the honor of meeting Jaide and shooting some images of her for a story HOME Magazine was doing on her.  Jaide was born with arthrogryposis, which resulted in limited arm movement in her case, as well as affecting her spine and limiting the flexibility in her legs.  However, in spite of all this she is a record-breaking Paralympic swimmer.  She was just named to the USA Paralympic Pan American team, and is currently training for the Pan-Am Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico in November!

Oh… and she’s thirteen.

girl with many medals

Jaide and her coach Jennifer Davidson of High Tide Aquatics:

swimmer and her coach adjusting her swim capswimmer starting a race, leaving the blocksswimmer starting a raceswimmer starting race

swimmer poolsideswimmer and trainer poolsideswimmer racingtrainer coaching swimmer in the pool

Pick up a copy of the newest HOME Magazine to read the full story about Jaide and her accomplishments and goals. I am honored that I was able to meet her.   :)

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Graduation Sessions

April 13th, 2011
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Are you graduating from college?

Well, congratulations!

Before you leave your fun college town and start your new life somewhere else, why not have a Graduation Session?  It can be a session with just you alone, or we can have it with a group of your closest friends – to commemorate your friendship and the close bond you generated through late-night study sessions and commiserating about classes together.  ;)  You don’t want to leave this phase of your life without documenting this monumental achievement.  Let’s go take some pictures!

Graduation picture at UF stadium The Swamp

girls group portrait in little black dresses

Sessions start at $300.  Please contact me for more information.

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HOME Magazine

April 8th, 2011
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I know it’s been quiet on the blog here lately.  But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy.  In fact, I’ve been busier lately than I’ve been in a long time.  Recently I started shooting for HOME Magazine, a local publication in the Gainesville area.  They are very active in the community and are also focused on sponsoring and advocating for deserving charitable organizations in the area.  HOME’s mission statement sums them up pretty well:

Our mission is to be the leading lifestyle publication in North Central Florida, while giving back to those who consider the heart of Florida HOME. By providing relevant information to enhance our community’s well being, we value the opportunity to entertain, educate and inspire you– our neighbors.

The magazine is free and widely distributed in and around Gainesville.  If you see a stack, pick one up.  You’ll see some of my images inside.   ;)

local magazine, pinwheets

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