Welcome to the k. thompson photography blog!

Come see us at the Washingtonian Unveiled Show on January 22nd!

2012-01-13T12:54:00.001-05:00

On Sunday, January 22nd, from 11:30 - 3:30, Washingtonian Bride & Groom will be holding it's annual Unveiled event at the Mandarin Oriental and we'll be there! If you're newly engaged or even well into the planning process, this event is an amazing way to meet some of the best vendors in the DC area. Tickets are available here. Use the promo code BLOGGER10 to receive $10 off your ticket. Please come by anytime and say hi...we'd love to see you there!

WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards

2012-01-09T12:13:00.003-05:00

We're happy to announce that we've been selected to receive the Wedding Wire Bride's Choice Awards for 2012. We owe a huge thanks to all of our wonderful couples!

Lisa & David | AVAM | MD Wedding Photography

2011-12-16T13:23:00.001-05:00

This was our last wedding of 2011 and, oh my, was it a beautiful one! Check out this sneak peek of Lisa & David's elegant celebration at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore...

Voted to Washingtonian Bride & Groom's List of Top Wedding Professionals

2011-12-15T11:19:00.001-05:00

We are so thrilled to announce that we were named to the Washingtonian Bride & Groom's Best Wedding Vendor List. And to top off this exciting news, we were also designated as "One to Watch." We couldn't be more honored to be among this list of superb vendors. And congrats to all of our friends and colleagues who were also named to the list, some for the first time and others for many years in a row! We are so thankful for their dedication and the amazing work that they do for our couples.

Gorgeous Navy Blue Silk Fine-Art Books

2011-12-13T14:58:00.000-05:00

I shipped these beauties off to their new home last week and couldn't wait to share a few images with you. Jackie & Don selected a midnight navy silk cover and fine-art matte pages for their modern and striking 10x10 wedding album and 8x8 duplicate parent book. This was my first time seeing the navy silk on a book and it just blew me away! It was the perfect compliment to their navy and rust colored wedding.

Love the natural texture of the silk!

Jackie & Don went with a simple and clean design to emphasize their images. I was so excited to send it off that I forgot to photograph any other pages, but you really have to feel the fine-art matte paper to appreciate it's beauty, so here's just one as a teaser. :)

Erinn & Kyle | Halcyon House | DC Wedding Photography

2011-11-11T16:06:00.003-05:00

Take a look at their elegant red & black wedding at Grace Episcopal Church and Halcyon House in Georgetown...

Ceremony: Grace Episcopal Church

Reception: Halcyon House

Coordination: Anne of Atrendy Wedding

Flowers: Philippa Tarrant

DJ: Trevor of MyDeejay

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts

Fall Sneak Peeks | DC, Virginia and Maryland Wedding Photography

2011-10-25T12:27:00.001-04:00

Fall is such an amazing and busy time for weddings and sessions in the DC area. I'm simply beyond excited with the sneak peeks I have to share with you from this time of year! I'm not even going to waste words because I know the images will do a much better job...

First, check out these fantastic Fall colors for Nia & Max's gorgeous ceremony at the Inn at Little Washington.

Michelle & Chris' fun engagement session on the campus of UVA.

Caroline & BJ's beautiful outdoor wedding at River Farm.

Tara & Matt's colorful engagement session in Old Town.

Jenny & Kirk's seaside celebration at Herrington on the Bay.

And lastly, Lisa & Brian's chilly but oh-so-cozy engagement session at River Farm.

Sneak Peeks!

2011-10-03T11:00:00.002-04:00

If there's one thing I love, it's photographing gorgeous weddings in a wide variety of locations. From beaches and farms to museums and ballrooms to vineyards and stadiums, it never ceases to amaze and delight me at the different venues in which each of my couples selects to celebrate their day. As I sit here realizing just how quickly the year is flying by, I want to say a huge thank you to all of my wonderful clients! And of course, here are some recent weddings to check out:

Jennifer & Shea's beautiful celebration at River Plantation complete with the best sunset I've seen in years!

Brittany & Jeremy's stunningly elegant DC wedding at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

Megan & Matt's sunny and intimate beach wedding at Broomes Island.

And lastly, Jenn & Brent's playful baseball-themed (!) wedding at Camden Yards.

Washingtonian Bride & Groom Cover | DC wedding photography

2011-09-23T18:23:00.000-04:00

We were so excited to see one of our images from Jessica & Michael's gorgeous wedding at the Omni Shoreham last fall on the cover of the most recent issue of Washingtonian Bride & Groom.

Congrats Jessica & Michael!

More Summer Sneak Peeks!

2011-09-07T12:11:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited with the sneak peek images I have to share with you from the last few weeks! One of my favorite things is how different each of these weddings has been. I love the variety and how each of these couples made their events so completely them.

Tanya & TJ's chic wedding at Holy Trinity in Georgetown and the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria.

Tasha & Matt's glam (and yes, rainy) day at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore.

Liz & Andy's fun and colorful hurricane wedding at Holy Trinity and the Westin in Georgetown.

And, most recently, Isabel & Andrew's beautiful celebration at Manor Country Club with portraits at Woodlawn Manor (love that place!).

Amy & John - Sneak Peek! | Hotel Hershey | PA wedding photography

2011-08-02T17:45:00.000-04:00

This shot makes me happy. Don't let them fool you...it was 95 degrees in the shade, but these two looked so cool! The Hotel Hershey is now one of my new all-time favorite wedding venues. Love it!

Gift card registry now available!

2011-07-13T18:58:00.000-04:00

I am so excited to announce that we now have a site where your guests can purchase gift certificates as a wedding gift for you! Gift certificates may be used for any a la carte product purchases. That means your guests can help you get your dream wedding album or that stunning gallery wrapped canvas for your bedroom or even the photobooth you've been eying for your reception. It's wedding photography registry without the hassle of actually having to register! Just add this link to your wedding website and we'll take it from there. And as always, please feel free to contact us directly if you have any questions what-so-ever.

Summer Sneak Peeks!

2011-06-29T23:57:00.000-04:00

It's been such an amazing year so far and we're not even half done. I just want to say a quick thank you to all of my fantastic clients for always making this the best job ever! Enjoy some quick previews!

Erin & Dan's elegant wedding at the Omni Shoreham in DC.

Ashton & Ryan's colorful outdoor wedding at the Kent Manor Inn.

Sara & Nelson's striking wedding at the DAR in DC.

Sherry & Jon's beautiful wedding at Agricultural History Farm Park in MD.

Jenny & Kirk's fun and playful e-session in Old Town Alexandria.

And one more of my favorites from Jenn & Brent's e-session in Georgetown.

Whitney & Andrew's Real Wedding in Eco-Beautiful Weddings

2011-06-26T08:16:00.004-04:00

Whitney and Andrew's beautiful Virginia wedding from last year was just featured in the fantastic summer issue of Eco-Beautiful Weddings! Check out the full issue here.

Ashton & Ryan's Photobooth | Kent Manor Inn | MD Wedding Photography

2011-06-16T19:41:00.000-04:00

I can't wait to share more photobooth images! Ashton and Ryan went with the fabulous and modern sea foam green and grey backdrop for their booth. L-O-V-E it. Enjoy!

Spring in brief | Washington, DC wedding and engagement photography

2011-05-15T22:12:00.002-04:00

I LOVE Spring. I especially love THIS Spring. Cherry blossom crowds and thunderstorms aside, this time of year just rocks. And mother nature decided to actually give us a real Spring in the DC area this year! I'm loving the 70 degree days and flowers galore. Before coming to the DC area, I swear I'd never seen so many flowering trees. Major bonus for a wedding photographer. So, I just wanted to give you a sneak peek at what's been going on for us so far this Spring.

Liz & Andy's playful cherry blossom session in DC.

Sharon & Su's elegant March wedding at the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons.

Kate & Josh's fantastic and oh-so-spring wedding at the Cosmos Club.

Sara & Nelson's windy and fun engagement session in Old Town Alexandria.

Katie & JP's beautiful wedding at International Country Club.

Amy & John's sweet and sassy e-session in Montrose Park and Georgetown.

Jenn & Brent's fun and colorful e-session in Georgetown.

Priscilla & Greg's gorgeous 16x12 fine-art book

2011-01-26T18:22:00.000-05:00

So, I know I keep promising to post more finished albums to the blog, but I've obviously fallen short in this goal. New year, new goal. Maybe I'll be better this time. I have so many beautiful books to share, only some of which I've actually managed to grab photos of before they are picked up at the studio. Luckily, I did get some images of Priscilla & Greg's book before it went off to it's new home. This baby is HUGE! It's definitely one of the largest books we've ever done, spanning almost three feet wide when opened! I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

And some of my favorite spreads...

Sarah & Nick's blizzard wedding on Brides.com

2011-01-25T11:46:00.003-05:00

I was so excited when the editor of Brides contacted me recently about featuring Sarah & Nick's winter wedding at St. Matthews and the Carnegie Institute. What do you get when you throw 20" of snow into a very DC wedding? One of the most memorable days of the year! You can check out the full feature here: Sarah & Nick on Brides.com.

Their full blog post from last winter is here. Looking back through their images kinda makes me wish for a *little* snow...

Lovin' the latest issue of the Washingtonian!

2010-12-28T11:30:00.004-05:00

In case you don't stalk the latest issue of the Washingtonian Bride & Groom the way that I do, the newest issue came out just a couple weeks ago and I was beyond delighted to see some of my images inside. Bride & Groom is one of my favorite local wedding publications and it features some of the best of DC weddings, vendors, and advice for local couples. Even though I've now been married for over two years, I still can't wait to read it every time it comes out. And to think my poor husband thought he was done with the stacks of wedding magazines after we got hitched! Anyway, if you pick up a copy, check out some of our images inside. I am so excited to be a part of this great publication! And a special thanks to all of my wonderful couples for having such gorgeous weddings!

Last sneak peeks of 2010!

2010-12-19T17:08:00.009-05:00

Here are the final two teasers from this year. I'll be back after the holidays to finally do full posts on all these sneak peeks. I can't wait to share!

Jessica & Michael's fun post-wedding session in Georgetown.

And Kim & George's stunning wedding at St. Matthews Cathedral and the DAR.

Happy holidays everyone!!!

So much more to come!

2010-10-29T10:58:00.011-04:00

With the the busiest time of year in full swing, I have been letting the blog fall a bit behind in order to keep up with all the editing, album design, and orders flooding in this time of year. But don't feel cheated! There are some too-good-to-be-true weddings coming up just as soon as possible:

Kim & Mike's elegant day at Dahlgren Chapel and the Hotel Monaco in Alexandria.

Alex & David's beautiful Fall wedding at Algonkian Park (with potraits at the Manassas Battlefield!)

Kelly & Adam's intimate ceremony right on the water in Old Town Alexandria.

And finally, Jessica & Steve's colorful waterfront celebration in Fell's Point, Baltimore.

Leah & Aidan | Brookside Gardens | MD wedding photography

2010-10-14T13:32:00.047-04:00

Ceremony & Reception: Brookside Gardens
Flowers: Elegance & Simplicity
Catering: Michelle with Main Event
Calligraphy: Meant to be Calligraphy
Videography: Liz with Dolce Studio
Planner: Tara with Elegance & Simplicity

You've already gotten a little taste of Leah & Aidan's wedding with some of their photobooth images, but I figured it was about time that you got to see the rest of their gorgeous day! I had so much fun with these two out at Brookside Gardens (one of my favorite venues!). The day ended way too soon for this photographer...yes, even after nine hours of shooting! There were just so many things about their wedding that simply rocked. Let's start with Leah's dress, which almost deserves an entire blog post to itself...

Love the calligraphy that was used throughout!

Even though the plants and flowers limited our angles, they certainly made for a stunning location!

Love this!

Check out the beautiful flowers!

I think this could be my favorite from the day...hmmm...

The table assignments were various travel locations that Leah and Aidan have been to...

Aidan's brothers were hysterical. I can't even begin to describe how much fun this was!

And a good one to end on.

To view more images from their day, just push the play button on the bottom left below!

Rebecca & Scott | Chesapeake Bay Beach Club | MD wedding photography

2010-10-13T11:54:00.040-04:00

Ceremony and Reception: Chesapeake Bay Beach Club
Flowers: Intrigue Design
Hair and Make-up: Varuna Salon

Rebecca and Scott are one of those couples that simply light up a room with their love for one another. I know, it sounds a little corny, but it's oh so true. Smiles are bigger, eyes are brighter, laughter is stronger. I had only spoken to Rebecca on the phone before we finally met on their day, but she felt like a friend from our very first conversation. From the moment I arrived, I could see that she effortlessly brings out that kind of connection in all the people around her. It was truly a special day and one that I will never forget as a photographer. Rebecca and Scott, thank you so much for having me there and enjoy the sneak peek of your images!

There are really no words for how much I love this photo!

Both moms giving Rebecca a final look...too sweet!

Rebecca and Scott chose to do a first-look outside the hotel. I love their expressions in this one!

Such a gorgeous day!

Their flower-girl bolted down the aisle and was too busy smiling and waving to drop any petals!

I'm pretty sure this is the signature smile that Rebecca has for Scott. I kept seeing it over and over in the images of the two of them together.

Love it!

Leah & Aidan - The Photobooth!

2010-09-24T15:13:00.018-04:00

Just wanted to share a few of my favorite photobooth images from Leah & Aidan's recent wedding at Brookside Gardens. We LOVE photobooths! The wacky, zainy, fun moments just keep coming! For any of my current clients considering a photobooth, please give me a call or shoot me an email for more info or to book your photobooth!

Quick Sneak Peek from Jackie & Don's Wedding at the Willard InterContinental Hotel

2010-09-23T15:07:00.000-04:00

This one was classic beauty all the way through...stay tuned for more!

Hayden & Mike | National Museum of Women in the Arts | DC wedding photography

2010-09-22T17:18:00.035-04:00

Ceremony: St. Peter's Catholic Church on Capitol Hill
Reception: National Museum of Women in the Arts
Flowers: Da Vinci's
Catering: Heidi with R&R Catering
Planner: Rebecca with Wish Special Events

I can honestly tell you that I was looking forward to Hayden and Mike's day from the moment I met with Hayden a year ago. Her excitement rubbed off on me within the first few minutes we started talking! I could easily picture the elegant set-up that she described when she told me about the reception they were planning at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. I have to say that the venue was a perfect choice for their vision! Just wait till you see the results! Swoon! It was a beautiful day from beginning to end and I am so excited to finally share some of my favorite images! Hayden and Mike, thank you for having me there! And congratulations again!!!!

Check out how the look on Hayden's face is mirrored on Mike's face in the next image! So sweet!

I love this one of them checking out their wedding bands in the limo right after the ceremony!

These ladies rocked it!

They were such a fun group!

And the men were pretty cool too. :)

I think we were one of three or four bridal parties in the park that day...but Hayden and Mike were totally engrossed in each other and nothing else...love it!

The light was gorgeous...and you know how much I love great light!

Can I just say how much I love toasts?!?! The emotion that comes out never fails to make me smile (and sometimes tear-up too).

Had to end on this great dessert bar!

And chocolate and diamonds...yum! What a great combo!

I've been holding out on you!

2010-09-13T22:13:00.008-04:00

I just looked and saw that it has been over two weeks since my last blog post! Bad, Kelsey! In blogging world, that has to be some kind of high-crime. And it's even worse when you see what I've been holding back! The Fall is just starting and it's already beyond busy and even more fantastic. I'll try to get back soon to share more images from each of these days, but here's a taste for now to keep you coming back for more! *Drumroll, please...*

Hayden & Mike's elegant wedding at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Rebecca & Scott's beautiful waterfront celebration at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club.

Leah & Aidan's stunning day at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD.

And finally, Stephanie & David's fun and fabulous wedding at Antrim 1844 in Taneytown.

Emily & Andrew | Private Farm | West Virginia wedding photgraphy

2010-08-27T14:38:00.058-04:00

Ceremony : Mt. Moriah Church
Reception: Private Family Farm in West Virginia
Flowers: Jack Lucky
Band: Project Orange
Planner: Anne Kelley with Atrendy Wedding

I don't even know where to begin to describe Emily and Andrew's stunning wedding day! A beautiful and breezy 85 degree August day set the stage for their amazing West Virginia country wedding. When I arrived, the tent was already up, the flowers were in place and looking perfect, and Emily was inside just beaming and enjoying her family and friends. Now that's the way to start a wedding day! I had the pleasure of working with Anne Kelley of Atrendy Wedding and she and her team had everything looking beyond perfect! (My jaw dropped a little when I walked into the tent for the first time. Seriously.) But, I'm getting ahead of myself. You may remember Emily and Andrew from their engagement session this spring. These two are absolutely made for each other. During the toasts, Andrew spoke of why he loves Emily, and while I don't remember his exact wording (which is WAY better than mine), he said that Emily is at home in any situation with him, from the grandest of galas to roughing it in the country. I love that! Needless to say, it was an amazing party and I was so happy to be there to capture it all for them. Congratulations you two! Enjoy!

Emily and her bridesmaids looked like they stepped out of a magazine!

A special thanks to Michelle for taking this one of the guys while I was shooting with the ladies!

This little church is so cute! It only fit about 70 people, so the rest of the guests watched from outside. (And I photographed from the doorway!)

Married!

Love this one of Emily rockin' it in the chair in the middle of the road!

Andrew REALLY wanted to carry Emily over a threshold, but there was none to be found, so he scooped her up anyway!

We traveled between the ceremony and reception in horse-drawn carriages. Too fun!

I love the little details at cocktail hour!

See what I mean about the tent?!?!

The long tables were lined with flower arrangements down the center. I don't think I've ever seen so many beautiful flowers!

And each was in a unique antique-looking vase. Love this!

Emily and Andrew ordered the fine-art guestbook from their engagement session. It was a huge hit!

The band totally rocked! This was a serious party!

Robin & Jim | Westin Annapolis | MD wedding photography

2010-08-23T10:21:00.042-04:00

Ceremony: St. Anne's Parish
Reception: The Westin
Flowers: Sandi's
DJ: Chris Laich

Whew, I'm finally back from vacation and SO excited to share Robin and Jim's gorgeous wedding day! I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Robin and Jim until their wedding day, but I could tell from our phone conversations that they were going to be a very fun and laid-back couple. What I didn't know is that they were also going to be super sweet in front of the camera! I would have loved to photograph them for hours! They were just so into each other that the cute moments never stopped. Love that! As if that weren't enough to make for an awesome day...the ballroom at the Westin in Annapolis was beautiful and decked out in what I can only imagine must be Robin's favorite color...purple! I absolutely love what good uplighting does for reception photos. Thank you both for being so great and having me there to capture it all for you!

Check out Robin's eyes! Crazy-beautiful!

One of my favorite captures from the day...hehe!

It was a LONG aisle and the smile on Jim's face lasted every moment that it took Robin and her dad to walk down it.

This one makes me giggle every time I see it, so I had to include it!

We walked around Annapolis for a few minutes right after their ceremony to grab some quick portraits and I have to say that sun cooperated beautifully and gave us some of the most gorgeous light I've had all year!

These large old photographs were at the end of a parking lot...too fun!

Jim's face would just light up with this great grin whenever he looked at Robin.

At least half of their first-dance photos have them giving each other these exact same huge smiles. Love that!

Robin's parents surprised everyone with some Irish step dancing during dinner. This group was seriously good!

What a perfect moment to end the night on! I almost bowled down a waiter to grab this one when I saw them kissing in the middle of the dance floor! (No waiters were harmed in the making of this image.)

A little teaser | DC wedding photography

2010-08-08T23:38:00.005-04:00

I couldn't resist giving you just a quick taste of two absolutely beautiful weddings that will be coming up on the blog. They were each so different from one another, yet both amazing and so much fun to photograph! Check back next week to see more from these two stunning days...

Alyssa & Mike | Strathmore Music Center | MD wedding photography

2010-07-30T12:38:00.061-04:00

Ceremony: University of Maryland Memorial Chapel
Reception: Strathmore Music Center
Flowers and decor: Greenworks
Band: The Monster Band
Hair & Make-up: Carla Pressley

Last summer, I did an engagement session with Alyssa and Mike at Barrel Oak Winery. It was a very fun and very hot August day, and right away I knew their wedding was going to be an event to look forward to! And sure enough, what a day! Alyssa had kept me informed about many of the fun details they were planning and it was a blast to see it all come together and to be there to photograph it! We started at Alyssa's hotel room at the Bethesda North Marriott before moving onto the University of Maryland's chapel, and finally the Strathmore Music Center for their cocktail-style reception. The fun decor fit their style perfectly! And boy, did this crowd have a blast...just scroll down to see! Congratulations again, Alyssa and Mike!

Alyssa's bridesmaids looked on while she got buttoned into her dress (there were A LOT of buttons!).

This is definitely one of my favorite shots of the day. Check out Alyssa's dad getting a high-five as they processed down the aisle!

What I love about this photo is that you cannot only see the love on Alyssa's face as she looks at Mike, but you can also see Alyssa's parents looking on at each other in the foreground. Too sweet!

This was actually their first of three "first-kisses." And, yes, I got them all!

Alyssa and Mike requested a photo by the large Maryland "M" of flowers. Even though I went to a rival school, I have to admit that it's a really pretty campus! (Do I get brownie points for saying that?)

Such a cool place for a reception!

Alyssa wanted sunset-colors, so the room was awash with purples, pinks, and orange tones.

I hadn't seen rock-candy in years! Love this!

And the building really came to life after the sun went down and the uplighting started to show!

Aren't the candelabras fun?!?!

Alyssa's reaction as they started to lift her chair.

And Mike's. He had a blast up there!

The next three images in a row are great. Here are the ladies going after the bouquet.

And the next two are the men and the garter. Keep an eye on the guy in the tux toward the center.

He sidesteps away and they all let the garter fall to the ground. Too funny!

There was even some limbo action later on in the evening.

Christy & Billy | Airlie Center | VA wedding photography

2010-07-25T22:39:00.040-04:00

Ceremony and reception: Airlie Center
Flowers: J. Morris Flowers
DJ: Mark with Harmany DJs

Christy and Billy were married this July at the beautiful Airlie Center in Warrenton. Their day was so full of smiles, I could barely believe it as I went back through their images. It was actually very difficult to find an image where Christy, Billy, or their families didn't have huge grins on their faces...I LOVE that! And to top things off...did I mention how gorgeous the grounds are around the Airlie House? Our portrait time went by waaaaay too quickly! The three of us were actually still running around the gardens just moments before their first dance trying to grab a few last shots. Thank you both so much for having me there! I was so happy to be a part of your day!

After some contemplation, I decided that their gorgeous rings didn't need anything else in the image. They are classic perfection!

The sheer happiness on Christy's face makes me smile every time I see this photo.

And this was the reaction of Christy's brother when he saw her ready in her gown.

One of my favorites of the day!

Or maybe this one. I'm torn! The light was beautiful and these two were so happy!

The reception was held in Airlie's open-air pavilion.

And one last great smile to end the night on!

Jessica & Steve - Engaged!

2010-07-21T19:22:00.013-04:00

For Jessica and Steve's engagement session a few weeks ago, we met up in Georgetown. As many times as I photograph in Georgetown, I'm always determined to find new spots that I've never used before. So, we set out in a new direction to see what we could find. And, as usual, Georgetown never disappoints. Colorful walls, beautiful light, and more fun alleyways than I can count. And Jessica and Steve sure didn't disappoint either. I'm pretty sure these two must have practiced the "almost kiss" ahead of time, because they are masters! Thank you both for such a fun evening! These two are getting married in Fells Point this October and I can't wait to be there!

With Jessica's great red hair, I found that I didn't do nearly as many black & white photos as usual!

Steve was having fun...I didn't have to say anything and he was twirling and laughing away the moment we got in front of this great red wall!

The sun slipped away a little too quickly on us, so I improvised and used this street light. I love how it turned out!

Ginger & Joe | Daughters of the American Revolution DAR | DC wedding photography

2010-07-16T16:51:00.051-04:00

Ceremony and Reception: DAR
Flowers: Devers Design
Catering: Nicole with Windows
DJ: Derek Romanoff

If I had to sum up Ginger and Joe's wedding day in one word, it would definitely be FUN! These two were so laid-back and playful from the very first moment they arrived at the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) headquarters to the very last moment I saw them somewhere in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue at the end of the night. Even as I went back through their images to select some of my favorites for this post, I was smiling at all the fun moments, laughter and great expressions that filled their day. It was so easy to see how much they enjoy being around each other and their families and friends! Congratulations to you both! I know you have been excitedly waiting to see your blog post...so I won't mess around with too many extra words. Just know that it was truly my pleasure to be there with you on such a special day and I can't wait to get started on your album! Enjoy!

Ginger has, without a doubt, one of the most wonderfully expressive faces I have ever seen. This was right after getting into her dress...love it!

Doesn't she have the most stunningly blue eyes?

Their ceremony was held on the back patio at the DAR...what a beautiful set-up!

A special thanks to Leah for running up all those stairs to grab this fun angle on their ceremony!

I know I said it before, but these two were SO much fun! I love this unprompted pose!

This is definitely one of my favorite portraits of the day!

I just had to show a shot of their outdoor lounge set-up. These sofas were great!

I had such a tough time narrowing down their dancing shots for this post...everyone had an amazing time!

It was a warm night and the ice cream sandwiches were a HUGE hit!

For the last image of the evening, we managed to grab a shot in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue (and without getting hit!). What a fun way to end a great night!

Justine & Zach | Woodend Sanctuary | MD wedding photography

2010-07-14T10:17:00.051-04:00

Ceremony and Reception: Woodend Sanctuary
Flowers: Growing Wild
DJ: Kirk with Kirkabees
Coordinator: Shelley with Project Posh

Wow, what a beautiful wedding Justine and Zach had at Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase! I'm not sure I even have the words to sum up their day. Everything was breathtaking...it's so easy to see why Justine and Zach chose Woodend for their ceremony and reception. I could have kept on photographing there for days! Here are some of my favorite things about Justine and Zach's day:

- Justine in her dress. I mean wow, oh wow! Her gown fit her to perfection and she rocked it.
- The way Zach fought back tears as soon as he saw Justine coming toward him down the aisle. It was so easy to see the depth of their love for one another.
- The deer and rabbits that kept watching us during photos. This isn't a nature sanctuary for nothing!
- And finally, the shoes. Oh yes, the shoes. Justine's Badgley Mischka heels were amazing!

Enjoy some of my favorite images from their day! Congrats to you both!

See what I mean about the shoes?

I've worked with Barbara from Growing Wild before and she always exceeds expectations...the flowers were beautiful!

Okay, I loved the shoes so much, I'm posting another image. Yes, I have an obsession for cute wedding shoes.

What a setting to get married in!

Recessional images are always some of my favorites...I love the reactions!

And as soon as they were away from the crowd, they grabbed another kiss.

Love this place!

The sun was blinding and hot, but these two made it look so good!

And here's our little friend who kept watching us during portraits.

And then it was time to let loose and have some fun!

Sneak Peak!

2010-07-08T20:56:00.009-04:00

Whew, it has been a busy and amazing few weeks filled with some beautiful outdoor ceremonies and engagement sessions! While I catch up on editing, here is a taste of what's to come...

Justine & Zach's gorgeous wedding at Woodend Sanctuary

Jessica & Steve's colorful engagement session in Georgetown

Ginger & Joe's stunningly elegant wedding at the DAR

And, most recently, Christy and Billy's fun wedding at Airlie House in Warrenton

Meg & Stu | River Plantation | St. Michaels, MD wedding photography

2010-07-01T09:44:00.050-04:00

Ceremony: St. Michaels Mission Church
Reception: River Plantation
Make-up: Kim Reyes
Hair: Hair by Jewels
Coordinator: HJ Planners
Band: Black Tie Band

If you follow the blog, you might remember Meg and Stu from their engagement session last Fall. I have been looking forward to their wedding for months and months! Meg and Stu had a fantastic attention to detail with their planning that made this one spectacular day. This was my first wedding out in the St. Michaels area, and it was a blast looking for fun spots to photograph! I love shooting in new places! They started and finished the day at River Plantation, which is a total gem, right on the waterfront and complete with winding driveways, split-rail fences, and lush green areas galore. As a result, I may have gone a little overboard with the number of images below. But I'm sure you won't mind when you see what I'm talking about. Meg and Stu, thank you so much for having me there to photograph your beautiful wedding day! Enjoy!

This could be one of my absolute favorite series of a bride and her dad walking down the aisle. Check out her dad's expression in each image!

Such a great church to photograph...the light was perfect!

A quick moment to themselves before we headed off for photos...

As soon as I spotted this building, I knew we had to stop! (I think it was an old lumber mill...too fun!)

A special thanks to their fantastic bridal party for putting up with the 90+ degree heat and making it look this good!

Meg slipped inside for a quick hair change with the talented Julie Jackson and then we headed back out for some more photos.

I loved Meg's hair piece...stunning!

This was the scene inside the tent when we returned...the yellow lanterns just popped!

Meg slipped into a little something more comfortable for the rest of the reception and I LOVE Stu's expression in this one! Too funny!

Debbie & Dave | Chesapeake Bay Beach Club | MD wedding photographer

2010-06-21T23:12:00.001-04:00

Ceremony and Reception: Chesapeake Bay Beach Club
Flowers: Petals and Promises
DJ: Absolute Entertainment

I know I probably say this way too often, but I really love what I do! Debbie and Dave's wedding day was another perfect example of why. Here are a few of my favorite things from their day:

- Debbie's dress. Let's face it, I'm a girl. I love wedding gowns. And when I saw the elegant lines of Debbie's dress, I just had to stop and stare for a moment. And it fit it her to perfection!

- The fun nautical themed details that I'm sure took a ton of time and planning. With their ceremony facing the Bay, this theme was soooo fitting. And I loved how they carried the theme through in so many places, from sand dollars and starfish on the card table to rope knots on the ceremony chairs to the great navy and white striped ties that the men were wearing. So much fun!

- The fist pump by Dave. Just scroll down, you'll see.

What a view!

The fist pump. Love it.

This moment makes me smile.

Congrats you two!

Sneek Peek!

2010-06-18T18:52:00.003-04:00

Here's a quick sneak peek from Meg & Stu's beautiful wedding at River Plantation. I'm heading out for a busy weekend of weddings, but I'll be back next week to share the rest of Debbie & Dave's wedding at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club and then more from Meg & Stu's day. Have a great weekend everyone!!

Paula & Jamal | Westin Grand | DC wedding photographer

2010-06-15T14:38:00.063-04:00

Ceremony: St. Peter's Catholic Church
Reception: Westin Grand
Hair Stylist: Hair by Jewels
Flowers: Twinbrook Floral Design
DJ: Evan with MyDeejay

I'm not sure that I even know where to begin for this blog post!!! There are just so many things that swim through my head when I think of Paula and Jamal and their beautiful wedding last month. I didn't have the opportunity to meet with them before they booked me last year, as Paula was living up in NYC at the time. So, we sufficed with a phone consultation. I remember Paula telling me about her dress and the vintage, art-deco feel that she was going for. It sounded striking and elegant at the same time, which is exactly my style (at least when it comes to my photography...don't look in my closet), so I was beyond excited at the prospect of photographing their wedding. Well lucky for me, Paula was also excited for me to photograph their wedding, so it was a done deal! We met a month or so later for the first time over drinks and dinner and proceeded to talk the night away. Their wedding couldn't come soon enough for me! And when I finally saw the two of them all dressed up and rocking it on their wedding day...I was like a kid in a candy store! So, thank you both for having me there and for being you! And now get ready for more than a few photos. We started with getting-ready time at the Westin Grand...

You know I was excited when I saw the bird-cage veil!

Stunning!

This image makes me giggle a little every time I see it.

Their hotel suite had the most beautiful light! Yay!

Jamal had the best grin on his face when he caught his first glimpse of Paula coming down the aisle.

Come to think of it, I don't think that smile left his face much at all during the ceremony...

I love Paula's expressions! She has this way of crinkling up her nose when she first smiles that is just too cute!

We found this wall that perfectly matched their colors...so fun!

Then it was off the the Westin Grand for their reception...

Great space!

And then the party got started...this group had a blast!

Last shot of the night...

Emily & Andrew - Engaged!

2010-06-11T17:21:00.015-04:00

I had such a great time with Emily and Andrew a couple of weeks ago when we walked around the Mall for their engagement session! The day was calling for thunderstorms, so we planned to do half of the session outside in the Smithsonian Gardens before the rain started and then go inside the National Gallery of Art for the second half of their session. I don't usually photograph in two such different places during an engagement session, but I love how it turned out! Each of the two parts of the day have a dramatically different feel to them. These two will be getting married on Emily's family farm in August and I cannot wait to photograph their wedding! Thank you both for such a fun afternoon! Enjoy!

And when I say it was fun, here's proof...this was the VERY first shot of the day!

I can't decide which of the next two wins out for my favorite, so I'm showing both. LOVE these!

These next three make a great series...so much that I think that's exactly what I'll do for a page in their guestbook!

I could have photographed at this wall for hours!

We spent a lot of time in the tunnel between the East and West wing waiting for the lights to twinkle just right. It was definitely worth it!

Sneak Peek!

2010-06-08T17:44:00.004-04:00

I'm neck deep in editing right now, but I couldn't wait to share a preview of the things to come soon...

First, Paula & Jamal's stunning wedding at the Westin Grand in DC.

And then Debbie & Dave's beach-side vows at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club.

I'll be back just as soon as possible with more!