PORTRAIT: HOLLIE

This week I finished building an epic new background for my photo booth—which you will see on the blog next week after I put it to use at The Grove Christmas party. After taking a few test shots in the booth I decided to take my flash and my model (Hollie) outside to see how much power the flash could put out in comparison to the sun. With a speedlight set up behind an umbrella camera left, it produces a neat effect when combined with the backlighting of the sun. And I think the lens flare (from shooting almost straight at the sun) adds to the warm and sunny nature of the images. I don't mean for it to sound complicated. Let me break it down: Pretty girl + pretty light = pretty picture.

PORTRAIT: VIENS FAMILY

A few weeks ago an organization called The Last Well held a fundraising gala dinner to raise some money to help with their mission of solving the clean water crisis in the nation of Liberia. Over 10 years, they plan to raise enough money to build wells so ALL 3.5 million people in Liberia have clean, safe water. Clean water is an easy and relatively affordable way to increase the overall health and productivity of a country. I have been a supporter of this organization from the beginning so it was my pleasure to donate photographic services to their silent auction—which was won by the Viens family! We spent an afternoon taking some shots in nature, which was perfect because they love the outdoors.

PORTRAIT: LEWIS JOSIAH

The smiles on mommy and daddy's faces say it all: elated to start a family, proud of their healthy son, and that every sleepless night taking care of Lewis has been completely worth the sacrifice. The baby was born on October 21 and 9 days later I was able to meet the family to take these newborn photos. After the shoot was over I was allowed to hold Lewis and it was one of the coolest experiences I've had in a while. Like his parents said as I was leaving, it's so crazy to hold such a little guy and to think, especially when he opens his eyes, that he is a person, with a personality, and will grow up to be totally unique. And I'm completely blown away by the miracle of new life and so blessed to be able to share in the joy of my friend's growing family.

WEDDING: JACQUI & DAVID

Wow. Where to start? Jacqui likes to smile and David is from Texas.

Maybe Jacqui likes to smile because she’s in love with David. I know other people like to smile when they are around her because she’s joyful and optimistic and fun. There came a day this past summer when David realized that he couldn’t live without seeing her smile every day for the rest of his life. And in Old Town Alexandria, at the site of their first date, he asked her to marry him without hesitation.

There was no question that the wedding should also be in Old Town. Jacqui and David planned it all out: getting ready at the Hotel Monaco, ceremony at The Athenaeum, and reception at Il Porto, the restaurant from their engagement and first date. I was stoked to find out that not only were they willing to see each other before the ceremony for a First Look, but they would plan almost 2 hours for photos before the wedding! Not being rushed through photos was a blessing for me and I think it shows with the quality of shots we got. Plus, David is ruggedly handsome and Jacqui is beautiful and likes to smile. So that helped too.

OK, enough mushy stuff. There were some other things that made this wedding really cool. 1) My second shooter was fantastic. Beki Gangi is one of the few people I know with the energy to keep up with someone like Jacqui and added a different creative perspective to the day. 2) I was able to put together a same-day slideshow during dinner so guests could see some of the photos shot earlier in the day. I wasn’t sure I could pull this off, but since Jacqui scheduled in time for us to eat, it worked out. 3) The DJ, Jack Seghetti, was great and kept me informed well before things were going to happen so I was prepared to get the shot. 4) Most of my friends in DC were there, so getting great shots of guests was too easy because I have photographed them all before. And my friends are above average in the looks department and fun-having department. 5) Jacqui’s Italian and Greek heritage made for some interesting points to the celebration from the wedding crown, to the menu choices, to the Windex spray exit tunnel. 6) Dave has been one of my closest friends since I moved out to DC and a Christian brother in the way Proverbs 27 describes it: iron sharpening iron. Letting me participate in his wedding creatively in this way was a highlight of my year. Dang it!—there I go getting mushy. Enough.

Congratulations Jacqui and Dave!

PIERSON FAMILY PHOTOS

Ridiculously adorable. Cute as a button. Just precious. Yes, Tim is all of these things. But so are his wife Liz and their little girls. I met the Piersons at one of their favorite local playgrounds to take some family photos last week. Don't they make parenting look fun?!! It was a perfectly overcast fall day—just right lighting, and Charlotte and Hannah were in the mood to play. Running between swings and slides, we were able to capture a few of the moments shared between father, mother and young daughters that make life so sweet.