Athena+Alex | Old Town Alexandria Engagement Session | Northern Virginia Wedding Photographer
Old Town Alexandria is always a favorite location of mine for photography sessions. You can’t go wrong with the rows of historic homes, the cobblestone streets and the waterfront. Athena and Alex felt the same way when they decided to have both their engagement session and their wedding celebration in Old Town. So we pranced through the streets one afternoon this month and had a lot of fun collecting photographs to showcase their relationship, in all its romance and its silliness! I look forward to watching this beautiful couple tie the knot here next September. In the meantime, following are my favorites from the session: enjoy!
Jannel + Matt | Georgetown Engagement Photos | Washington DC Wedding Photographer
Jannel and Matt hail all the way from Texas, but will be tying the knot this coming May in Virginia. We decided that taking advantage of one of their scouting trips for a mini Georgetown engagement session sounded like too much fun to pass up and off we went. From the yumminess that is Georgetown Cupcake to the waterfront, following are some of my favorites. Enjoy!
Becky + Blue | Charleston Engagement Photos | Charleston Engagement Photographer
Becky and Blue’s love for Charleston, SC, came up very early on in our initial conversation about their wedding. Having decided not to make their friends and families travel there for a destination wedding, Becky and Blue wanted to bring a little bit of Charleston into their Richmond wedding. So, we opted for a destination engagement session instead! This was more like three engagement sessions in one, but when you’re in a place as beautiful as Charleston, you can’t help but snap away. We wandered the alleys, found bright vibrant colors, great texture in the stucco and wrought iron and little hidden corners soaked in Southern charm. The beach on Sullivan’s Island, the porch swings along the waterfront and the gas lanterns that lit up at dusk allowed for quite the variety of images. Finally, we stopped by one of Becky and Blue’s favorites, Savannah Bee Company in downtown Charleston, to sample some sweetness. Following are my favorites from the day. Enjoy!
Alexandra + Tim | Tuckahoe Plantation Engagement Photos | Richmond Engagement Photographer
For Alexandra and Tim’s engagement session we wanted to spend the afternoon playing at Tuckahoe Plantation. The site is beautiful to begin with. Add in vintage bikes, an old gray barn in the perfect light, a carpet of autumn leaves and a field and the rest is history. Alexandra and Tim were wonderful to work with and it always makes it more fun when a couple is willing to hop a fence for pretty light or throw around some leaves. Following are my favorites from the session. Enjoy!
Kyli + Omar | Richmond Engagement Photos | Richmond Engagement Photographer
For Kyli and Omar’s engagement session we wanted to tap into the feel of Richmond’s Church Hill neighborhood. We split our time between Libby Hill Park, with its gorgeous view of downtown, Captain Buzzy’s Beanery, a neighborhood staple, and one of the many old advertisements one can find all over Church Hill’s old buildings and side streets. From golden light playing off the old cobblestone to a game of Ms. Pac-Man (really, who could resist?), I had a great time capturing this sweet couple. Kyli and Omar, I look forward to your big day in 2013!
Lindsay + Phil | Richmond Engagement Photos | Richmond Engagement Photographer
Lindsay and Phil picked the PERFECT day for their RVA fall engagement session. 80 degree weather, gorgeous pre-hurricane fall leaves, late afternoon golden light…and one extremely happy photo lady. I admit I was a little nervous going into the session, feeling the pressure of photographing someone who has become a great friend and one of my favorite people in the wedding industry. However, soon after we started making pictures and Lindsay and Phil relaxed into just enjoying each other’s company and our beautiful surroundings, the session flowed and the photos with it. Then, you add in Jax the bulldog and who wouldn’t have a good time? We went from shopping for pumpkins to the Nickel Bridge, from the Pump House to Carytown and had a blast racing the setting sun and trying to get as much of a taste of Richmond into the session as possible. A huge congratulations to Lindsay and Phil on their engagement and I can’t wait for their dreamy winter wedding at the Carillon. Enjoy!
Jennifer + Kyle | Vienna Engagement Photos | Northern Virginia Engagement Photographer
We had a gorgeous day for my fall engagement session with Jennifer and Kyle at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, in Vienna, Virginia. Luckily, this sweet couple was willing to tolerate my excitement for everything autumn, to wait with me for just the right golden light, to trek all over the gardens and even to lay down in some leaves. After spending a few hours with them, I’m a huge fan and I can’t wait until their May wedding next year. Enjoy!
Jackie + Ben | Richmond Engagement Photos | Richmond Engagement Photographer
I am super excited to finally get to share Jackie and Ben’s engagement photos. They’ve been kept secret until now because the first part of the session was dedicated to photographing Ben’s amazing woodworking talent. As this couple’s guests now know, each one of them was given a unique and handmade wine stopper that Ben personally sculpted in his wood shop in his and Jackie’s backyard. No instructions or designs, just Ben’s imagination, his woodworking tools and his hands. As you can imagine, the wedding favors were a huge success and I look forward to sharing how the wine stoppers and these photos were displayed at the reception. After such a fun start, Jackie and Ben decided to continue the engagement session with a picnic, complete with wine, on the campus of Jackie’s alma mater, the University of Richmond. And, since our session fell on their joint birthday, yes, there were cupcakes!
Darci + William: engaged!
With Darci and William, let’s just say that it’s a family thing. Last year I had the privilege of photographing Darci’s brother’s wedding and one of my favorite reception photos was of Darci and William getting their groove on on the dance floor. Shortly after, they got engaged and I was thrilled when they asked me to document their wedding this coming October. The photo didn’t lie and these two are fun, sweet and most definitely in love! When talking about locations for their Richmond, Va., engagement session, we decided to use Comfort, one of my personal favorites and Darci and William’s date night favorite as well. The Broad Street area around Comfort has a great feel to it that we decided to try and capture a little bit of for the second part of the session. Lucky for us the G40 Art Summit was in Richmond shortly before our session and 12 of the top mural artists from around the world were called on to create 23 large scale murals throughout Richmond. Well, William picked the panda mural and I can’t blame him one bit!
Mary Elizabeth + Paulin: engaged!
For Mary Elizabeth and Paulin’s Richmond engagement session, we decided to walk on over to the VMFA. If you haven’t been, you need to go. I think this museum and the surrounding sculpture garden are one of Richmond’s new jewels and I have found a sunny afternoon wandering through the garden or hours spent soaking up the exhibits to bring me much peace and serenity. That aside, we had a lot of fun exploring all of the nooks and crannies of the garden, from the fountains all the way to the parking lot. Following are my favorites. Enjoy!
Caroline + Reid: engaged!
Caroline and Reid decided to have their engagement session in Colonial Williamsburg, near where Caroline grew up. First off, let me just say that I love when couples bring along their pet, but I really love when they make their dog wear a bowtie! Well, we played and played in Colonial Williamsburg. Caroline and Reid let me drag them all over and even tried on a few hats to get into the spirit. Once we were satisfied with the results from the shoot, we decided to pop on over to The Williamsburg Winery and check out where they will tie the knot this December. Most of you probably know that when the light gets good, photographers get excited. As soon as we reached the winery, the light became subtle and golden and beautiful, so I started dragging this awesome couple all over the place all over again! Luckily they obliged and I love the images that came out of the afternoon. Following are some of my favorites. Enjoy!
Long Island City engagement session: Sara+Tim
When Sara and Tim called about having their May 2012 Williamsburg, Va., wedding documented, we decided that a great way for us to meet was by shooting an engagement session in their hometown of Queens, NY. Little did I know, they lived across the street from one of the most breathtaking views of Manhattan I’ve ever seen. In addition to this spectacular view across the East River, Gantry Plaza State Park, along the Long Island City waterfront, offered up fun landmarks (thank you Pepsi-Cola) and an almost European design, with great chaise lounges looking out on the skyline. Old gantries, shipping lifts, added an industrial feel to the shoot. Sara and Tim did the rest with their willingness to play and their adorable sweetness with each other. I look forward to their upcoming wedding and hope you enjoy my favorites from our NY shoot!
Jeff+Cristin: burying the bourbon!
According to Southern tradition, if you bury a full bottle of bourbon at the site where the bride and groom are to be married, then it won’t rain on their wedding day. So, Jeff and Cristin set out, shovel in hand, to bury a bottle of Jefferson Reserve on the grounds of Tuckahoe Plantation to keep the rain gods at bay for their September wedding. As a side note, Jeff and Cristin have a Thomas Jefferson thread going through their wedding, from the bourbon to the ceremony site (Tuckahoe Plantation was Thomas Jefferson’s boyhood home), to their mini honeymoon at Monticello. Anyway, Jeff dug a hole and he and Cristin buried the bourbon. Their gorgeous wedding happened this past Saturday and I have to say that between the earthquake, the hurricane, the tropical storm and the flooding…I was a little nervous that burying a bottle of bourbon might not cut it against the wrath of mother nature. However, she must really love Jefferson Reserve, because Saturday was a breathtaking end of summer day without a single drop of rain. I can’t wait to share photos from their wedding, but for now: bottoms up!
Meshayla+Cherod: engaged!
When Meshayla and Cherod told me they wanted to do their engagement session at the Byrd Theatre, I have to admit I was excited. I’ve shot in Carytown and outside the Byrd, I’ve even shot from the roof of the Byrd, but I had yet to have the opportunity to use the ornate and truly vintage Richmond that is the interior of this unique little movie theatre. Built in 1928, it is an unmistakable Richmond landmark and I have crammed my legs into its seats many times to catch second-run movies and let the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ take me back to a different time. Meshayla and Cherod glammed it up for me and dressed the part (don’t you love the sweater vest and bow tie!) and we had a lot of fun. Many thanks also to Nica from Once in a Lifetime Events for all her help. After the Byrd, we braved some very ominous rain clouds and found the perfect Carytown brick wall to go with their coordinated outfits. I can’t wait for their July 2012 wedding and, in the meantime, hope you enjoy these favorites of mine from our shoot!
Love in Annapolis
Here is a fun fun fun engagement session in the beautiful city of Annapolis to kick off my summer blogging. Who doesn’t love charming old brick buildings, sailors and hearts in random places? And did I mention the super sweet couple who made it all come together in a few hours of photo love? Following are my favorites from the session, enjoy!
Lisa+Andrew: engaged!
Everyone, meet Lisa and Andrew! Lisa is a teacher and Andrew a firefighter. I’m a sucker for a fun-filled engagement session and this awesome couple let me check a biggie off my list: *e session in a fire station*! We had trucks, poles, helmets and hoses all at our disposal…how could you possibly go wrong with all that photo prop goodness? We also made a sunset visit to Weston Manor in Hopewell, Va., a beautiful historic home right on the water. I am super excited to document Lisa and Andrew’s big day this coming June. In the meantime: enjoy!
Rachel+Chase: engaged!
Rachel and Chase are seniors at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. These lovebirds met their freshmen year and spent the next four star gazing, climbing trees and learning each other. They knew early on that they wanted to spend their lives together and will officially tie the knot in June 2011. I had a blast shooting this Fall engagement session. Within minutes Rachel and Chase had their shoes off, their feet in the water and then we were off through the woods in search of beautiful Fall colors and a tree to climb. I think this couple’s love for each other and fun-loving spirit come through in the photos and I’m excited to share them with you. Enjoy!
Sarah+David: engaged!
Sarah and David wanted to give a little edge to their engagement session by shooting half the session in an urban setting and half in Hollywood Cemetery, in Richmond, Va. We chose to spend some time playing in Shockoe Bottom, which offered awesome art work in the alleys and plenty of metal with the train trestles along Dock St. Hollywood Cemetery was a very different setting, but enchanting with afternoon fall light streaming through the foliage and a romantic silence. This beautiful couple is all set to tie the knot this coming January at downtown Richmond’s Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and to party lock rock stars at the Jefferson Hotel afterwards. And, of course, I can’t wait to document it!
Lauren+Greg: engaged!
I love, love, loved this engagement session. Lauren and Greg put so much thought into it and their connection was so natural, the photos just kept flowing until we were all so exhausted and hungry we had to stop shooting. Lauren and Greg are planning their vintage wedding at the Valentine Museum in Richmond for next May, so we wanted to give the e session a vintage feel as well. Lauren ordered an adorable bathing suit for the river portion of the shoot. It was important that we get her mother’s necklace in as well as her engagement ring, which was her grandmother’s. Greg’s parents’ original pink Thunderbird was the absolute cherry on top, in pristine condition and just so classy when paired with the black and white cocktail apparel the couple chose. However, you can get all the details just right, but if the chemistry isn’t there, the shoot will never be what is expected. The chemistry between Lauren and Greg was fantastic. It was quiet and intimate, comfortable, sweet and sexy. The way Greg looks at his future wife is butterfly-inducing and Lauren has a magnetism that is enchanting. I am excited to share these photos with you and can’t wait for the big day next May. Special thanks also to the wonderful Lindsay Averette from LK Events & Design who helped style the shoot and is planning what I know will be a beautiful wedding.
Katy+Brandon: engaged!
Have I mentioned that I love shooting engagement sessions? This particular session is a perfect example of why. I had a great feeling about Katy and Brandon when I met with them last Spring to chat about their upcoming November wedding. Katy was super organized, arriving at the meeting with the biggest wedding planning binder I have ever seen, and Brandon not only came to the meeting but participated more than some grooms-to-be would. The couple had a comfortable and genuine vibe. Well, my first impression was right on the dot and after spending a whole day traipsing around Richmond-Newport News-Gloucester with them, I can’t wait for their wedding. As they relaxed and settled into enjoying the different locations they had picked out, I was able to see how wonderfully they work together as a couple. Katy and Brandon really seem to balance each other out and make sense together. We started the session in Richmond’s Carytown, where we played in the rain, ate ice cream and tried on fun hats and glasses at Bygones Vintage Clothing (one of my favorite Richmond places to shop). Then it was off to a charming old country store that Brandon’s grandfather once owned near Gloucester, Virginia. Even though the store was closed, it was great to be somewhere so important to Brandon and his family. Finally, we headed to Christopher Newport University, where Katy and Brandon met. We played with the Geese Fountain on Saunders Plaza, where according to tradition, on graduation day, each senior throws the same penny they were given as a freshman. Sunset in the colonnade at the school’s new Ferguson Center for the Arts made for dramatic lighting and fun shots. Also, Katy and Brandon both work for Ferguson Enterprises, a leading plumbing-supply company in the area which sponsored the construction of the center. All in all, I’m really grateful for the time I had with this couple to get to know them a little better and witness their relationship. If Katy and Brandon’s families and friends are anywhere near as sweet and fun-loving as they are, their wedding is going to be a blast. Following are some of the images from the day: enjoy!
Nicole+Mike: engaged!
Charm City love? Nicole and Mike are all over that! I had so much fun with this sweet sweet couple. Although it took us taking Nicole’s mom’s advice and digging into some snow crabs to really start to relax and have fun, the comfort level between Nicole and Mike was very evident and has made me smile time and time again as I’ve edited the images. The way they took their shoes off every chance they got, the way she hooked her finger in his belt loop during our sunset portraits on Federal hill, the way he gently nestled his nose into her hair as she smiled for the camera just make my heart warm and excited for their life together! From Cross Street for crabs to Pub Dog (where they met), to the American Visionary Art Museum and finally Federal Hill with that gorgeous view of the Baltimore skyline, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Nicole and Mike. Below is a selection of images from our afternoon together, enjoy!
Carrie + Jami: engaged!
Carrie and Jami were a wonderful couple to photograph. When I met with them the day of the session, Jami expressed two sentiments: one that the constant flow of red sox fans on the streets of DC as they headed to an exhibition game right under our noses was KILLING her…; and two that she was a little nervous about the whole picture taking thing. Well, I couldn’t help her with the baseball, even though as a Big Papi fan myself I could understand where she was coming from, but the picture taking thing ended up not being an issue. She was a natural! Carrie and Jami have such a palpable comfort level with each other that they eased into the photos together, they held each other’s hand as they got more comfortable and then Carrie just watched and smiled as her partner started to become more and more playful with the pictures. Below are some of the images from our beautiful Spring afternoon in DC, from Meridian Hill Park to the Masonic Temple where they spent one of their first dates talking on the steps. Enjoy!
Erin + Bobby: engaged!
I loved loved loved working with Erin and Bobby on this shoot. We spent a beautiful pre-Spring afternoon in Shockoe Bottom, hit Main Street Station, Globehopper Coffehouse and Lounge, the flood wall and a few murals in between. As I was editing the images (which I usually start to do about 30 minutes after my shoot if I’m excited, as I was here), different people peeked over my shoulder and every one of them commented on what a beautiful couple Erin and Bobby make. They look at each other with such affection and you can tell they just love being in each other’s presence. They were also totally willing to play with me, even when it came to Bobby balancing on a rather small ledge while he carried his bride-to-be over a pretend threshold! We also lucked out and found a mural of a row of gondolas with Venice’s skyline in the background. As it turns out Venice is the first stop on Erin and Bobby’s honeymoon cruise!
