30 June 2008
24 June 2008
V A C A T I O N
I just wanted to let everyone who might be checking in over the next two weeks that I will be on vacation (and out of the country) from June 24 through July 9. I will not have access to a telephone while I am away, however I will have intermitent internet access (for some reason, they don't have wifi in the wilderness regions of South Africa amongst the lions, hippos, elephants and zebras ;-) But feel free to email me with any questions you might have and I will be sure to get back to you as soon as I am connected again. I hope to post a few pictures while I am away too, so stay tuned!!
23 June 2008
Sarah + Chris: Married!
On Saturday, Sarah and Chris were married in DC on a gorgeous summer day. Sarah spent time getting ready with her (fabulous!) bridesmaids at the Hotel Lombardy on Pennsylvania Ave. This is a funky hotel with lots of character that I would highly recommend for good light and neat places to take a few photos. After a ceremony in Georgetown, the party moved back to the Monroe House at the Arts Club of Washington. This was another great space with terrific character (not to mention an awesome caterer!) Their band kept the dance floor moving as the night set in to cooler summer breezes.
Thanks guys (Sarah, Chris, bridal party and family!) for making me feel so welcome! I hope you have a wonderful time on your honeymoon!
End Note: I really thought Sarah's grandmother was beautiful on Saturday. She was so kind to let me take her picture :)
Thanks guys (Sarah, Chris, bridal party and family!) for making me feel so welcome! I hope you have a wonderful time on your honeymoon!
End Note: I really thought Sarah's grandmother was beautiful on Saturday. She was so kind to let me take her picture :)
18 June 2008
Lauren + Lee: Married!
It's weddings like Lauren and Lee's that demostrate exactly why I love this job so much. From the moment I arrived in Canton, PA (after a five hour drive from Northern Virgina), I was greated with huge hugs from their family at the local bar where they met. From that instant, and throughout the weekend, I felt more like an invited guest than a hired vendor. And like any guest, I had a terrific time.
After spending the morning in the salon she booked for private time with her bridesmaids, she looked every part the princess as she put on her gown. You'd never know she was a self-proclaimed tom-boy, in her ruffled gown, tiara and radiant (i.e. contagious!) smile. The ceremony was held at her parents' bed and breakfast, Rock Girt, a gorgeous English style cottage nestled in the mountains with a perfect lake backdrop. And it reflected the personal touches indicitive of their personalities, with the reading of a poem written by Lee, personal vows and a song sung by the bridal party.
When it came time for photo ops after the ceremony, I think it took every bit of restraint this couple could muster not to jump in the lake. As you look at the images below, I am sure you will be able to find the one that caused Mrs. Schoonover to yell, "Lauren Rae, don't you dare!" Meanwhile, the bridal party piled themselves into a pyramid, at the suggestion of my second photographer, Mark Gardner.
And the celebration continued well into the night. As I finally departed at 3:00am, guests and bridal party made their way back to the lake in the darkness to find the tents where they would be camping out for the remainder of the evening.
Lauren and Lee, thank you so much for inviting me to spend such a great celebration with you. Mark and I truly enjoyed working with both of you and wish you a lifetime of happiness.
After spending the morning in the salon she booked for private time with her bridesmaids, she looked every part the princess as she put on her gown. You'd never know she was a self-proclaimed tom-boy, in her ruffled gown, tiara and radiant (i.e. contagious!) smile. The ceremony was held at her parents' bed and breakfast, Rock Girt, a gorgeous English style cottage nestled in the mountains with a perfect lake backdrop. And it reflected the personal touches indicitive of their personalities, with the reading of a poem written by Lee, personal vows and a song sung by the bridal party.
When it came time for photo ops after the ceremony, I think it took every bit of restraint this couple could muster not to jump in the lake. As you look at the images below, I am sure you will be able to find the one that caused Mrs. Schoonover to yell, "Lauren Rae, don't you dare!" Meanwhile, the bridal party piled themselves into a pyramid, at the suggestion of my second photographer, Mark Gardner.
And the celebration continued well into the night. As I finally departed at 3:00am, guests and bridal party made their way back to the lake in the darkness to find the tents where they would be camping out for the remainder of the evening.
Lauren and Lee, thank you so much for inviting me to spend such a great celebration with you. Mark and I truly enjoyed working with both of you and wish you a lifetime of happiness.
End note: I received a request from the parents to include a photo of the photographers. And since Mark and I were having such a great time, we couldn't help but oblige :) Thanks for taking it, Angie!
17 June 2008
Diana + Jonathan: Married!
Diana and Jonathan held their long awaited wedding at Strathmore Hall in Rockville two weeks ago under cloudless skies...almost. When we started getting ready for their day, the sun was blazing and the thermostat on my car read 104F. But they took it entirely in stride and I did not hear a single complaint out of either of them or their guests. Diana looked gorgeous in the 2nd gown she purchased for the event while I don't think I ever saw the smile leave Jonathan's face. Not even when the sky opened up and POURED down with rain on their dinner tent just outside the mansion, or when the power temporarily went out for the second time that day.
It was a joy to work with both of you on your stunning event and I hope you had a terrific time in the Caribbean!
It was a joy to work with both of you on your stunning event and I hope you had a terrific time in the Caribbean!
13 June 2008
Busy Season!
First, I want to say thank-you to all of the terrific couples that I have worked with so far this season! I've been wonderfully busy filling my weekends with people in love. It just doesn't get any better than that! I'm a bit behind on my blogging, but soon to come, I have Jonathan and Diana's gorgeous event at Strathmore Hall in Rockville, and I am about to hit the road headed north to Canton, PA for the small town wedding of Lauren and Lee. And next weekend, Sarah and Chris tie the knot in DC just before I catch a plane for a much needed vacation to visit my best friend in South Africa (with a short stop to visit my good friend Mary in London)! I'm soo excited and can't wait to see them, and the lions, cheetahs, zebras, elephants....
Also, for any brides that might be looking for a photographer this fall, I still have a few open dates in September, November and December and I'd love to hear from you! I'm also in the process of meeting with couples for their 2009 weddings and I'm looking forward to many beautiful events next year. If there is any way that I can assist you in your plans, please don't hesitate to let me know! I look forward to hearing from you!
Also, for any brides that might be looking for a photographer this fall, I still have a few open dates in September, November and December and I'd love to hear from you! I'm also in the process of meeting with couples for their 2009 weddings and I'm looking forward to many beautiful events next year. If there is any way that I can assist you in your plans, please don't hesitate to let me know! I look forward to hearing from you!
10 June 2008
Christina + Vincent: Married!
Christina and Vincent were referred to me last fall by the lovely and talented Laura Auer of Soiree Special Events. She coordinated a beautiful event at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, with the help of DaVinci Florist, R & R Catering, Cakes by Design, John Farr Lighting and entertainment provided by The Biscaynes. I've been to the Torpedo Factory many times in the past, but never before have I seen it looking so beautiful. As you can see below, professional lighting really can make all the difference and John Farr created magic in a wonderland that DaVinci's provided. I was so impressed by all of the details that this will be my longest post to date!
This was my first event with Laura, and little did we know that our initial event together would be a bonding one. During the middle of our formal photo session, Christina, Vincent and I were trapped in the boxwood garden near Hollin Hall during a sudden downpour. Laura had to make two trips through slanting rain and hail to rescue us and my equipment. By the time we made it to the break between the ceremony and reception, she and I were soaked above the knee and had to make a quick Gap run for pants to finish off the day...just in time for the sun to come out!
This was my first event with Laura, and little did we know that our initial event together would be a bonding one. During the middle of our formal photo session, Christina, Vincent and I were trapped in the boxwood garden near Hollin Hall during a sudden downpour. Laura had to make two trips through slanting rain and hail to rescue us and my equipment. By the time we made it to the break between the ceremony and reception, she and I were soaked above the knee and had to make a quick Gap run for pants to finish off the day...just in time for the sun to come out!
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