What we throw away….

Posted on September 15, 2011

I know my clients would like to think that I don’t toss a single image from their session. Each and every moment is truly precious. But when it comes to making a decision for printing, we all suffer from paralysis through analysis. I haven’t had a consistent headshot in years, because my Dad keeps taking pictures of me, but I can’t decide which truly represents my personality.

So the question becomes, not, do I delete this:

 
Because, of course, yes. But do I delete this? 

 
Because, while Anthony’s look might seem mid-thought to me, it may personify his true personality to his Mom and Dad. There’s this picture of my husband, hanging permanently as an 11×14 on my in-love’s wall. It’s black and white. Juan’s tongue is slightly out between his tight lips. He’s got a gleam in his eyes and a small ball in his hands. He looks like he’s up to something both super fun and no good at all. The image speaks volumes about who he was as a three year old. It represents both the trials and the joy that he has brought to his family for 35 years.  
The true essence of a person is what I try to capture in a photograph. A work that will stand the test of time. Something that hangs on the wall of house after house, year after year, and always speaks: “that’s my (son) (my brother) (me) (my lover).”
So, in this age of digital photography. What do we throw away? What do we keep? Let me know how you make this decision, in the comments.
A few favorites from Dina and Mark’s session….

more soon, from the land of the busy and blessed….svg

 Category: Cherry Blossom Mini Sessions, Families    Tagged:

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Jason and Stina – Meadowlark Botanical Gardens | Vienna, VA Wedding Photographer

Posted on September 10, 2011

About a year ago, I get this email through my online website form, from a Jason, asking about my wedding packages. After a few back and forth email’s, we sent up a meeting downtown to discuss their wedding. I show up a few early, and in walks one of my former yoga students. It takes me a second to put two and two together, when his girlfriend, Stina, also a former student, joins him. They sit down and say “we thought it would be a fun surprise not to tell you!”

Needless to say, so much fun to work for folks that you respect so much, and who are so vibrant at heart.

Their lovely wedding brought Stina’s family in from Sweden, and united many friends from California and around the country. Meadowlark Garden, in Virginia, one of my favorite family portrait locations, provided the perfect backdrop for this heartfelt ceremony.

The gorgeous bride:
I love this shot of the “first look” among Jason and Stina. It’s as if they can’t believe that the day is finally here!
During the ceremony, Stina choked up (as did I). During the toasts, her father said “This is true love and commitment, for us Swedes don’t often cry. “
The ceremony was so pitch perfect. A misty haze settled over the gorgeous landscape. The bride and groom had picked very heartfelt and unique music to set the mood for the ceremony, then walked down the aisle together, in typical Swedish fashion.
During the ceremony, a gong was hit every few minutes, which resonated throughout the gardens and really deepened the emotion of the vows. Come to find out that the gong was not theirs, nor did anyone know where it came from! How perfectly serendipitous.
The witnesses!
 
The Bridal Party!

Music provided by One Nite Stand, who performs every Monday night at Madams Organ, in my home neighborhood of Adams Morgan.
Post Ceremony, on the grounds…
The relief – we did it! photo

Pre-ceremony, mid-day sun
Post-ceremony, dusk….
The ever gorgeous Meadowlark Gardens

Many congratulations Jason and Stina! What an honor to work with you both.
Have an amazing honeymoon!
more soon,
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 Category: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Virginia Wedding Photographer, Weddings    Tagged:

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Stephanie and Aaron – Crescent Beach Club | Long Island, New York Wedding Photographer

Posted on September 7, 2011

This weekend I had the joy of traveling to shoot the wedding of Stephanie and Aaron.
Stephanie is a triplet, and last year I photographed her sister and brother-in-law’s gorgeous wedding.

This past winter, I photographed their Times Square engagement session, in which we did a famous reenactment. Together we created an awesome guest book from that session, and a large wall art print of the famous photograph. That print is an instant family heirloom that I’m sure their kids and kids kids will love. 

So, when they asked me to do their wedding in Long Island, I jumped at the opportunity. Assisted by the fantastic Cary Barker, of Christine Barker Photography, we drove up on Friday, and shot this daytime wedding on Saturday.

 
The bride and her sister.
The wedding was on the Long Island Sound, and the tropical Crescent Beach Club.

 
The mother of the bride. There were lots of tears of joy at this wedding. 
 
 
I love the Navy Sword Arch, to close the ceremony. The bride and groom have to kiss to gain passage through each cross of the swords. 
 
And after the last passage, the Navy man taps the bride on the backside, and shouts “Welcome to the Navy!”
 
This bridal party was 90% the same people as were in Chris and Alexis’ wedding. It’s enviable that their group of friends are so tight. With each wedding, they’re growing closer in friendship and love.
 
Aaron and Steph choreographed a great dance for their first song….I’m told that Aaron really stepped it up in rehearsals and got into the dance, but by my account, they both stole the show.
So many more images to share, but this one has to be included. Guess who caught the garter? Stephanie and Alexis’ triplet brother. Guess who caught the bouquet? His long-time girlfriend. Perhaps another blog post for this family in the fall of 2012? Just sayin….:)

Aaron and Steph, you two are the best. The bonding of not only yourselves and your families, but also the strengthening of your tight-knit group of friends is just inspirational to witness. I  hope you’ve rested up from your marathon wedding week and are enjoying these first days as newlyweds.

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 Category: Crescent Beach Club, New York Wedding Photographer, Weddings    Tagged:

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