Friday Friend Feature: Becca

I had an unexpected 10 day break from the internet a couple of weeks ago.  While I initially had a mild panic attack, (complete with dramatic crying and "my clients will never understand" whining to my mother), it proved to be very good for me, my family and my business (more on that later).  It turns out I needed that little break to get my creative juices flowing. 

One of the products of this unexpected creative break is the "Friday Friend Feature" on the blog.  You see, I have some pretty amazing friends.  Argue if you will, but I maintain that I have the best friends in the world.  Coincidentally, many of these friends have contacted me lately for family, maternity, and newborn pics.  What better way to show them off on the blog than by telling some fun stories?  I haven't decided how often I will do this - every Friday seems a bit much, and while I feel like I have a lot of friends, um.....I definitely don't have enough to do a Feature EVERY Friday!  So, that being said, enjoy the FIRST EVER Friday Friend Feature and stay tuned for more!!

Today's feature is none other than the fantabulous Rebecca "Becca" Watkins.  Back in September, I had a surprise birthday party for my husband.  I invited a LOT of people and some I had never even met (co-workers for the most part).  While I was running around like a maniac putting the finishing touches on everything, I noticed a guy looking at all of the pictures on our walls.  About 20 minutes later, he introduced himself as one of Gary's coworkers and proceeded to tell me that his girlfriend was also a photographer and we should get together some time.  The next day I had a friend request from her on Facebook and the rest is history.

Becca and I began to email, text and FB each other like we'd been friends forever.  I got my first chance to work with her when I asked her to tag along on one of my engagement sessions.  Again, I felt like I had known her forever.  I was so surprised at how easy it was to work with her!  She is fun, easy going and obviously awesome at what she does.  Her IT knowledge and self proclaimed "gear head" status complemented my artsy creativity and complete LACK of IT know-how.  And when I say IT knowledge, I mean she should pretty much be named my personal IT department.  I can't tell you how many times she has helped me or taught me something new in the last few months.  My typical response to the many things she's taught me?  "Do you have any idea how much time you just saved me?". 

We have many future projects planned and I am beyond thrilled to be working with her.  While waiting for our bride and groom last month we played with the light and snapped a few pics of each other to try a few new things.  (2 photographers left alone + amazing light and texture = more headshots than you know what to do with).

How gorgeous is she??  Because of her general awesomeness, I have decided to forgive her for being a Nikon girl.......the fact that she is a Cowboys fan has yet to be addressed.  I've let it go for now because she's also a die hard Caps fan <3

The site we were at had these amazing floor to ceiling mirrors....had to have a little fun :)

I call this Becca's "it's starting to rain - where is our Bride?" face.

Please check out Becca's website and blog here and leave her some love!

Have a great Friday!!

Army Wife

She ends every Facebook post with EET <3, his initials.  Her countdown to July 27th has begun.  She hasn't seen him since mid December when he walked through the airport gates, headed to Afghanistan, as she held their 2 week old son in her arms.

"It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do" she says. 

At the same time, she was thankful he had been there at all.  Eric left on deployment when Ashley was just shy of 4 months pregnant with their precious son.  He scheduled his R&R leave for her due date and arrived at the hospital mere hours before their son was born.  This was mostly due in part to Ashley putting herself on bed rest when she initially went into labor.  For 2 days she kept that baby in and when Eric let her know he had landed in the US, and was about to get on a flight for his final stretch home, she figured it was safe to get up and shower and prepare to go to the hospital.  Her contractions were much closer and much stronger when Eric called to tell her that......his flight had been delayed.  She told him she would try to hold on but ended up leaving for the hospital while Eric was boarding his plane.  A family friend picked him up at the airport and they rushed to the hospital.......

When Ashley contacted me and inquired about having her little man's pictures done, I came up with a million different things that I wanted to write in this blog post.  Things about love, sacrifice, honor.....so many things.  But, there really aren't words.  There aren't words enough for what thousands and thousands of men and women are doing every day for us.  There aren't words for what their families go through.  There aren't words for the sacrifices they make being away from their spouses, loved ones and most of all, their growing children.  Ashley says she has found a strength she never knew she had and I don't doubt her. 

She told me "I would never choose to go through this deployment but it has strengthed everything about me and us.  Our relationship, our communication skills.  I've learned that things I used to think are important in life, aren't that important at all.  I worry about him all day, every day and when I hear his voice, my heart simply melts"

To Ashley, Eric and the thousands of troops and their families: thank you.  There really isn't much else to say, but simply thank you.

Enjoy your sneak peek and when Eric gets home, I think you should just keep making babies because you do a very good job!!  This little man is so incredibly handsome!

Ashley repeatedly insisted that she has 10 more lbs to lose before her husband gets home in July.  Um...honey?  I would KILL to have your figure!!  You look amazing and you're a stunning mama!!!

Look at those eyes!  Could you just EAT HIM UP?!?

FYI: I only slightly tweaked the exposure on this one - those baby blues?  All him <3



Eric, hurry home because this is what's waiting for you:

Girls & Curls

She moved to our neighborhood in June of 1995 and proceeded to take the neighborhood and our 8th grade class by storm.  Boys' heads turned, girls wanted to be her friend, even the parents loved her.  It was and is quite easy to see why.  She's kind, funny, smart, beautiful and just overall....well, magnetic.

She quickly became one of my closest friends.  Come on, how often does someone move in down the street that your parents love and you actually think is cool?!?  My requests to stay out after the streetlights came on were now often answered with "well, I guess if Amanda's with you....".

One of those neighborhood boys with a swivel for a neck was Tony.  Lucky for him, Amanda thought he was pretty cute, too.  He started making excuses to walk his dog Tessa down Amanda's street and they would sit on her front porch "and talk for hours" she says.  September of 1996 saw Tony escorting Amanda to the school Homecoming dance and the beginning of a 15 year love affair which eventually led to marriage and 4 stunningly beautiful daughters.  At the time, none of us saw that happening, we were just in awe that Amanda was going to Homecoming with an older boy.  And yes, I said 4 daughters!

When Amanda emailed me and said they "hadn't had a family picture in a while" it was all I could do not to jump through the computer and hug her.  The chance to get one of my oldest friends and her amazing family in front of my lens?  Yes, please!!

They showed up in different shades of pink and brown, every one of them with gorgeously curled hair.  We talked about the "old days", talked about now, laughed, and I'm pretty sure we ganged up on Tony more than once (which I'm sure he's used to, living with 5 women).   In the end, we took some beautiful family pictures.

Amanda and Tony, I'm so proud to call you my friends.  I love your love story and cannot thank you enough for letting me document a small part of it.  Enjoy your sneak peek......

Her eyes are pretty in color but I loved this one in black and white:

Is he the luckiest guy in the world or what??

Lurrvve her hair!!  And the model face.....

What do you do when you keep getting the same, stiff "cheeeeesssse" smile?  Have Daddy make a wedgie joke....

Absolutely love them <3



Capitol Hill Wedding: Brian & Keesha

Brian and Keesha's wedding held many firsts for me.  It was the first wedding I booked without meeting (or even having a phone conversation with) the bride (uber laid back bride = happy, happy photographer).  It was my first wedding on Capitol Hill and it was the first wedding I covered over 2 days.  Brian and Keesha chose to have a small, intimate (and might I add beautiful) ceremony on Friday, with a cocktail party for friends and family on Saturday.  2 days means A LOT of pictures so be ready for a long post!

Now, I always say that I have the best clients and true to that claim, this couple was amazing to work with.  Despite the threat of bad weather, both days were relaxed and fun and reminded me why I love my job so much.  Keesha and Brian:  thank you so much for letting me be a part of your big day(s), it was an honor!  I wish you all the best in your new life together, now go enjoy your preview!!

Keesha had a killer set of heels that I pretty much instantly fell in love with.  Now she has a killer ring to match.....

A special thanks to the always awesome Rebecca Watkins for her never ending second shooting skills.

Saturday's venue, Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar, was pretty much a photographer's dream.  The lighting, the texture, EVERYthing was just gorgeous.  After we picked our jaws up off the floor, and finished estimating how many weddings we'd have to shoot to afford a studio like this, Becca got this awesome fisheye shot.

Is this girl GORGEOUS or what??  Brian, you are a lucky man!

And Brian, you're not too bad either.....

Maybe gorgeous isn't a strong enough word.....

Thanks to Becca, not only for her awesome second shooting, but for her traffic directing...

Becca's view:

I hope you enjoyed your preview!!  Congratulations!!

DC Engagement: Jamie & Alex

When Alex told Jamie he had a work dinner that he needed her to attend with him, Jamie thought nothing of it.  Alex showed her emails confirming time, date, and location.  Again, Jamie thought nothing of it, just made a mental note of what she would wear and marked the date in her calendar.  When August 2nd arrived, they showed up at The W Hotel, but there were no co-workers in sight.  STILL, Jamie thought nothing of it.  Alex explained he recieved a text and the rest of the party was running late, "they said to grab a drink while we were waiting for them" he told her.  They were seated at a table overlooking the monuments and memorials of DC.  Alex began to tell Jamie how much she meant to him and how much he loved her.  "Stop it!  I'm getting all teary eyed and your friends will be here any minute!"  she said, still none the wiser.  That's when Alex pulled a small mahogony box from his coat, opened it and asked Jamie to marry him.


Jamie and Alex, I am giddy with excitement for your wedding in August.  You are an absolutely gorgeous couple and it's been a dream working with you.  Thank you for waking up before the sun and braving the freezing cold weather so that I could carry out a vision.  Enjoy your preview!

This next one is one of my all time favorites...not just of this session but of ALL TIME!!

One quick (and cold) outfit change and these two WORKED it - love these next ones!!

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is a pair of legs like Jamie's!!  (I'm definitely hitting the gym tomorrow)

Seriously, you guys are too cute to handle - I CANNOT wait for you wedding!!  Another of my faves!

This is definitely Alex's GQ face - wouldn't you agree??

Thank you two again, you were amazing to work with!  I hope you enjoyed your preview!!

Wedding Sneak Peek

Just a little sneak peek from today's DC wedding.  More to come!  Happy Friday!