Christine Lee Photography

Downtown Plant City, FL Portrait Session

February 19, 2018

This was my first session of 2018 and let me just say this…she brought her A game! This was also my first time taking portraits in downtown Plant City and I have so been missing out! I loved everything about this session.

At 13 I can honestly say that my self-esteem was at an all time low; I had zero confidence in myself. That obviously wasn’t the case for this beautiful girl; she absolutely rocked her portrait session! I commend her parents (who were two of the sweetest and easy going people I’ve ever met) for arranging this photography session for her.

I think it’s SO important to help build confidence and self-esteem in girls these days; with all of the pressure from the media to be perfect.

(Seriously I didn’t even tell her to do this!) This whole session she was just completely natural and it couldn’t have turned out better.

“Beautiful has nothing to do with looks. It’s how you are as a person and how you make others feel about themselves.”

Tampa, FL Family Session

January 27, 2018

This has to have been the easiest family session I have ever done. They were all smiles from the very beginning and their smiles stayed the entire time.

I met the beautiful Cyndy during my best friend’s labor; she was her doula. She was amazing and as soon as I met her I realized why she was chosen for this. She is truly one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Once you meet her it’s like you’ve known her your whole life.

I just love every image from this session….I love their smiles and just how happy they were as a family. I truly can not wait to capture more sweet moments of this amazing family!

Vanessa & Anthony’s Apollo Beach Session

January 12, 2018

I’m going to start this out by saying I LOVE THIS SESSION!!! Not only are these two just so gorgeous but the sunset and lighting were perfect.

Vanessa is actually one of my best friends and a mom boss herself. She has an amazing line of oils (Vlove Essentials) so you should definitely check her out! She not only has these incredible oils but she’s got a crazy amount of knowledge on how to better your life and wellbeing (physical, mental, emotional…all of it).

This little guy is seriously so adorable! I swear he’s like a little Gerber baby. He’s also one of the happiest kids I know; he smiles so much and just loves everyone. I promise this is true even if he didn’t want to give me too many smiles during this session…it’s okay though because that pout of his is just as cute!

I was cracking up when I was reviewing these images…it looks like he’s about to drop some dance moves on us!

She had told me people some times told her she resembled Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen but I never really saw it until this picture. She’s prettier in my eyes!

I will absolutely never tire of capturing the love between a mother and her baby…these moments are fuel to my passion!

Family Pregnancy Announcement Session in Valrico, FL

January 2, 2018

Happy New Year!!! I’m so excited for what 2018 has in store for all of us! Which is why I wanted to write my first blog post of the year about this adorable family who are expecting their second baby this year! Also, this was my very first attempt at “fake” snow…because their pajamas were just too cute NOT to try it.

Their little boy was honestly cracking me up with his adorable facial expressions; and the pups kept looking anywhere but at me (even with a squeaky toy!). But I was loving their session because I love the chaos and the realness of it all.

I can’t wait to find out if this sweet blessing is a boy or a girl; and of course I can’t wait to meet them once they make their grand entrance!

Ashlie and Joe’s Fort Desoto Wedding

December 13, 2017

Last month I had the pleasure of photographing one of my friend’s wedding…which also happens to be my first! I was so nervous and excited. Nervous because everything that I usually photograph can be retaken if it doesn’t come out perfect. Weddings can not be retaken and that scares me to death. BUT I was excited to be doing something out of my comfort zone and because weddings are just always so beautiful.

I knew right away that I wanted to photograph the bride getting ready for her big day…and I’m so glad I did! It captures her emotions perfectly.

I won’t make this post too lengthy with words…I think I’ll just let the photos speak for themselves.

Let me just chime in here to say HOW FREAKING ADORABLE are these two??? I can’t take it…their happiness and love is truly infectious.

I wish them nothing but love and happiness for the rest of their lives. I can not wait to see what the future has in store for these 2 newlyweds!

Christmas Mini Session, Lakeland FL

December 11, 2017

This season has been so busy for me! I couldn’t be more thankful for all of it. I try to update every week but between holiday sessions, Christmas shopping, planning my son’s 3rd birthday party and celebrating my 10 year wedding anniversary it has been insane! I’m finally able to start catching up now. And why not start with this adorable mini session???

This little girl is SO funny. When we first started the session she would not smile for me, even though she knows me and she usually poses for me right off the bat. Thankfully she warmed up to the idea of taking pictures and her faces were PRICELESS.

Of course I absolutely love this family. They are one of the families who have been so supportive of me during this journey into photography. Megan is always happy and thankful, she’s very encouraging and I can’t say enough good things about her. (And if you’re interested in LulaRoe you should check out LulaRoe by Megan and Ashley .)

Last but not least can I just say how adorable is their little dog??? I love pet sessions…animals are 100% part of the family and I hope more of my clients include them in their future sessions!

Family of 3 Christmas Mini Session, Tampa FL

November 25, 2017

One of the best parts of being a photographer is the sweet families I get to meet. I’ve always considered myself to be shy and reserved…but there is something about the camera that makes that part of me disappear. I feel so in my element and conversation just happens naturally; thankfully! If anyone knows me I can be pretty awkward at times.

I think it also has to do with the fact that my clients are amazing; I had never met this family before but when we spoke on the phone before their session it was literally like talking to an old friend. I can give thanks to Melissa for that because she was so welcoming and just easy to talk to.

I also love that she sent me a picture of their Christmas cards using these portraits…which I LOVED. They picked the perfect pictures and the perfect design.

This image is definitely because of her mommy! I could not get her to smile for me…I wasn’t winning her over; even with cookies! But Melissa was able to get her to giggle and I was all over it and it was so worth it!

Phillips Christmas Mini Session Lakeland, FL

November 19, 2017

Christmas is my favorite time of year; it always has been. When I was younger it was for the obvious reasons of gifts. As I grew up it became more about spending time with family; less about receiving gifts and more about giving them. I truly enjoy gift giving, I love that it can make someone happy even if only because of the thought.

My son’s birth only added to my favorite season since he was born 2 days before Christmas. So because the holidays are so important to me, personally, for family reasons…I absolutely LOVE that as a photographer I get to capture Christmas memories!

This has to be the best part about being a photographer…seeing so many families and their happiness around the holidays.

There is also something about children and Christmas…it amplifies the wonder, excitement, and innocence in them and their parents. I love it all, honestly. Plus the outfits are usually so freaking cute! Be prepared for an overload of Christmas portraits…but they are so worth seeing. 🙂

Family Session Lakeland, FL

November 12, 2017

I had planned on posting a session last Sunday…but then I heard about the Texas church shooting. I suppose you could say that I’m an “empath”. I feel things deeply; even when it doesn’t directly affect me. I mourn people I don’t know. Mass shootings are always horrible…but when children are involved it just breaks me. I needed time to myself; “step away and pray”. It could be very easy for me to fall into a dark, sad place filled with fear and worry thinking that this is our world now. But I know that for all of the darkness there is so much more light. So instead of letting the darkness consume me I’m letting the light fill me. I’m focusing on the good in this world; not the bad. I’m focusing on the beauty, not the ugly.
So it’s perfect that the session I’m posting tonight is of this family. They are sweet, genuine, good people.

There is also a funny story behind this session (which also proves how good natured they are). When we first got to Lake Mirror it started sprinkling so the girls went to find shelter and the guys stayed where they were. A bird was resting on the wall and it did not seem fazed by them. The bird let them touch him and hold him…for a moment. Then when he tried to fly away from them he ended up in the lake. That is when we realized that he was hurt. He was flapping his wings trying to get out of the water but he couldn’t. Two large swans started towards him aggressively; he desperately tried to fly up but just could not. We were all starting to freak out because after all, it was our fault he was in this situation. So Chase climbed over the wall and into the lake to save him. It seemed very dramatic until we realized the water was only one foot deep. Once the bird was safely back on the wall he started hauling butt away from us. I couldn’t even get a picture with Chase and the bird after he was rescued. He was over us.

This was my first session with all adults…I’m mostly used to families with toddlers or babies. So it was definitely a different experience for me. It made me realize I need to focus on actual poses. I lean towards natural moments but I should be able to guide them into those natural positions. That is something that I am learning.

I’m so thankful they trusted me with their family portraits. It was definitely a memorable session for me!

LuLaRoe by Megan and Ashley, Lakeland FL

October 30, 2017

Can I just say I LOVE taking pictures of these two! I’ve known Ashley since high school and she’s always been such an amazing person. It’s so funny to me because we both started our own business ventures this year…mine with photography and hers with LuLaRoe.

I love that we both started our business around the same time because personally, she has been such a huge support for me. She has reassured me when I needed it; she has referred her friends and family to have sessions with me; she’s given me advice or guidance whenever I’ve needed it. Her sister, Megan, has been a huge blessing as well. I had never really known her prior to this year but she is so easy to talk to and she has lifted me up when I’ve been doubtful about my photography skills. Megan has also left stunning reviews for me and also referred her friends and family. These two girls are just such amazing people.

I’m not necessarily a leggings type of girl…but I did buy 1 pair from them (Minnie Mouse with a camera of course) and they are super soft. Plus I love the customer service these girls give and the fact that if there are ever any issues, tearing or holes that pop up; they refund you or give you store credit. I seriously just can’t say enough good things about these two!