Monica & JP :: A River Farm Wedding

River Farm is one of my absolute favorite places to shoot. I never get tired of photographing a wedding there. It's even better when I get to photograph a wonderful couple like Monica and JP. You might remember our epic DC engagement session. After spending some quality time with them walking the Mall, I knew their wedding would be fabulous.

Gretchen Wade of Dragonfly Events and Design did a wonderful job of coordinating everything. You know your coordinator is in control and loves her job when she hits the dance floor to join the party. Monica and JP did a wonderful job of incorporating aspects of their cultures throughout the day. It was a great day.

This little guy almost stole the show. Love the tie.

Just your typical River Farm wedding, beautiful scenery, blue skies and great light.

Monica's brother got a little choked up. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.

My assistant Elisha grabbed these next two:

Showered with rose petals during the recessional...

Elisha got this great shot of Monica and JP about to make their grand entrance.

By Elisha...

Monica and JP were surprised with a traditional Indian dance...

The marzipan cake by Patisserie Poupon was absolutely delicious (though apparently hard to cut).

Some fabulous details...

Have I mentioned how much I love River Farm? It's so great for portraits.

Monica may have forgotten the words here...

An impromptu limbo line made for some fun pictures.

Sound Nation had everyone dancing.

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Adventures in Eating

Ryan is learning to use a spoon to feed himself... with mixed results.

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Jamie & Matt :: Mount St. Mary's College & Carroll Valley Resort Wedding

There's something about every wedding that serves as my lasting memory of each event. It could be one particular moment or detail or a particular image. Or it could be something larger. For Jamie and Matt's wedding, I will always remember the dancing at the reception. This was the most insane dance party I've ever witnessed. In fact, I hereby declare Jamie and Matt's reception at the Carroll Valley Resort the "Greatest Dance Party That Ever Was and Ever Will Be". It cannot be topped.

Of course the ceremony at Mount St. Mary's college in Emmitsburg was beautiful too. Jamie and Matt have wonderful families and they are so clearly perfect for one another. I'm so glad I was there for their special day.

You know it's going to be a party when the bride and groom dance their way in...

See that mischievous look on Jamie's face?

Here's photographic proof that she smashed the cupcake first...

Matt got her back pretty good though...

I love the intensity here...

Don't mess with Dad...

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Kaja & Dan :: A Train Station Engagement Session

We've often said that engagement sessions are great for a number of reasons - for couples and photographers to get to know each other better, for couples to get used to being in front of the camera before the wedding day and, primarily, to get some fun, more casual portraits that we won't be able to get on the wedding day. My favorite engagement sessions are when the couple incorporates something meaningful to them into the photos. Kaja and Dan took that idea to the next level! Since Kaja lives in DC and Dan in NY, they often take the train to see each other. Kaja went up the Amtrak corporate ladder and was able to get access to the platform at Union Station and use of one of their trains. The Amtrak staff was so friendly and accomodating. It's nice to see a company take care of it's customers, even when it's a special request that could have easily been denied for any number of reasons.

After shooting on the platform, we took a walk over to the Capitol and ended in a nice grassy spot with great light! Kaja and Dan were so much fun during the session and I really can't wait for their wedding at the House of Sweden.

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