Washington DC {Winter GTG - Surprise Engagement Session}

It's not often that you get the chance to see an proposal happen right before your eyes!
That's exactly what happened to four photographers and friends last night at Sonoma Restaurant in DC.

We had our dear friend and very talented photographer, Shawn Reeder in visiting from CA and planned a whole day in DC visiting museums, eating great food and shooting around the city. We went from the National Gallery of Art to the National Portrait Gallery, and then met up with some more folks for a delicious dinner at Sonoma on Capitol Hill.

We were told by our hostess that a couple at the corner booth were there tonight because it was where they had their first date and the groom wanted to propose to his soon to be bride, at the very table were they shared that special night.
Little did they know that only a few tables away were 4 wedding photographers on the edges of their seats with excitement watching intently for the big moment, cameras ready.
Suddenly I perked up because I saw him on one knee and almost jumped out of my seat, whispering (maybe too loudly), "It's happening!!!!"
Everyone pulled out their cameras and stealthily photographed her saying, "Yes"!

It was so fun to be able to see the proposal happen, and we decide to pass on the word that we
were there, and would love to take them outside in the newly fallen snow to give them an engagement photo session.
They were so excited to hear that all four of us wanted to give them a fun experience of having an engagement shoot just minutes after the actual proposal, and even sent us over a bottle of delicious Prosecco!

After we had all finished out amazing meal and delicious dessert, we made our introductions, gave big hugs, and shared such infectious excitement with one another. That excitement carried over into an almost hour long shoot, starting in the restaurant and ending on the snowy streets of DC.

It was such a memorable experience for all of us, and a night I won't soon forget.
A BIG congrats to the happy couple, you guys made our night.

Jessica Del Vecchio, Kip Pierson, Sarah Hodzic and Shawn Reeder with the
newly engaged couple!

Holga Series {Liz and Niq's Oxon Hill Manor Wedding}

I am excited to finally be catching up on blog posts! Before leaving for New Orleans a few weeks ago, I had the great honor of photographing Liz and Niq's wedding at Oxon Hill Manor in Maryland. If you haven't seen the full blog post you can check that out here!

One of the many reason Liz and Niq's wedding was crazy exciting for me was that, per their request, I was to use my Holga camera during the wedding day to shoot as I saw fit.
This request made be giddy with wedding day photography glee. I love when an artistic vision between client and photographer matches up. There is a lot I love about being able to document weddings for my clients, one of which is the opportunity to create artistic images that not only create a snap shot of a moment in time, but maybe just maybe a piece of art that will also evoke an emotional response when viewed, by my clients, their friend and family and so on..

So with that being said, here are my favorite Holga shots from Liz and Niq's uber fabulous wedding day...

Madelyn and Will {Sneak Peek Indianola Mississippi Wedding}

Madelyn and Will were married two Saturdays ago in Indianola Mississippi, at the BB King Museum.
I can't wait to share their story with you, but in the mean time... here a just a few favorites from the day.

Stay tuned for more great Mississippi wedding photos!

Holga Palooza Winner - 1st Place! - Nothern VA Photogrpher

I am so excited that I had to share the news on my blog...

On my first day in NOLA for Pictage's Partner Conference, I am sitting at a delicious Lebanese restaurant with my old friend Dawn catching up after 3 years and suddenly my blackberry buzzes. I check the incoming message and to my complete and utter surprise I see an email letting me know that they have announced the winners for the Holga Palooza contest that I entered a month ago (now I thought I didn't win anything because they were suppose to have announced the winners by 10/30 via email if you won, and no email did appear on the 30th or 31st).
I slowly scroll down the email reading the winners names with much anticipation, and suddenly I see... Sarah Hodzic - 1st Place in the inspiration category!!!!
WHAT!?!?!?
I almost came off my chair...all I kept saying was, "I can't believe it, I can't believe it!"
I think the people next to us thought I was having some sort of seizure.

I have been grinning from ear to ear since the news for many reasons.
First, I have never ever won anything in my life, much less anything that meant so much to me.
Second, winning first place for photography, a huge passion passion of mine, is quite a boost of confidence for me. Putting ones art work out in the world is a very scary experience.
I know that many many people aren't going to like what I create and that's OK. I also know that in order to keep creating art, we as artists have to remember that it doesn't matter how the world feels about our work.. but man, it sure does feel amazing when you get positive acknowledgment.
Third, I feel like this 1st place win could not have come at a more fortuitous time.
I am down in NOLA with almost 500 photographers attending a conference about growing our passion, artistry and businesses, and I can't think of any place better to celebrate this news.
I would not have even considered entering a contest let alone moving forward with my Holga work if it wasn't for the constant support of my photography community.

So, a very very big and heartfelt thank you to everyone out there who loves my Holga work, and also to those who don't. I grow from hearing both the praise and the criticism (though the praise feels better).
I am over the moon today, and so happy to be able to share this win with all of you!

Winning Image

My favorite image from the Mississippi Holga series.
A double exposure with a sepia tone makes the clouds look like smoke rising from the crosses.

Liz and Niq {Married Oxon Hill Manor - Prince Georges County Maryland}

What can I say about my o-so-fabulous clients Liz and Niq....I love them, and I love their friends and family!

Liz and Niq were married at Oxon Hill Manor on October 24th.
They did a fantastic job of pulling together a wedding which they had to plan all the while living LA. Liz and I first talked via phone while she was still in LA trying to finalize wedding plans just as I was leaving to go out of town for the weekend. We immediately hit it off and chatted for a good hour or more (which is a great way to kill time on a long car ride) about the wedding and she booked on the spot! I was so excited because our personalities totally gelled, not only that, but Niq was excited about my Holga work! So not only did Liz and I have an instant connection, Niq who is a fantastic creative film maker himself, was looking to have me document the day with the Holga!
Needless to say, I was as happy as a kid in a candy shop and I couldn't wait for the 24th to arrive.

Knowing that I would be photographing such a creative and artistic couple got me super motivated. Liz and Niq have a very sweet bond. Their caring for each other was very apparent.
I think one of my favorite parts of the day was how Niq looks at Liz. You can tell when he looks into her eyes that he is completely in love with her beauty and hilarious personality.
These two were made for one another and I don't often say that.

So with out further ado, here are some of my favorite images from Liz and Niq's Oxon Hill wedding.

Liz's bouquet was stunning. All the flowers that decorated the Manor were made by a very talented friend of the family.


Relaxing in the tub before the day begins.


Liz had a beautiful collection of old pearls and Indian jewelry that complimented her classic dress perfectly.






Liz and Niq opted for a "first look". I love when my clients are game for doing a first look. Not only does it give us more (stress free) time to get creative photos, more importantly, it gives the bride and groom some very sacred one on one time with each other before the day gets into full swing. So often your wedding day will just seem to fly by, and the time spent together during the first look is a special time together to reflect on the significance of your wedding and marriage to one another.

I loved watching Liz sneak up behind Niq. It was such a fun, sweet moment that I found myself watching with tears in my eyes.

The grounds at Oxon Hill Manor were stunning. The fall colors were at their peak and the summer flowers were still if full bloom.




These two were so fun together. It was hard for them not to break out into big grins each time they looked at one another.






There were even a few tears, but they were happy ones.




Now we did have a weeeee bit of rain that day, but we didn't let that stop us.






This is on of my favorite shots that my second shooter Kip Pierson got. Both Liz and Niq are so hot that it's hard to get a bad shot of them.




Super cutie pie kiddos did a great job with their rolls in the ceremony.






I love that both Liz and Niq's family members had rolls in the ceremony. Both Liz and Niq's mothers read vows as they exchanged their rings.










Liz and Niq also had some of the best favors I have seen in a while.
Each guest got to take home a sapling of a giant sequoia tree to plant in their own back yards.


The delicious cake was made by a dear friend of the bride and groom.
Like I said, I just loved not only Liz and Niq, but also their amazing friends.




Oh so fabulous!! What a great couple. I feel so lucky to have been a part of the day!









We even got to hear happy birthday sung to one of Liz's uncles in Swedish from the groom and his family.














The party started hoppin' once Niq and Liz took to the dance floor.


















Hands down this is one of my most favorite images from the whole day.
Such lip syncing passion and dedication to a song... Journey will do that to people!
Don't stop believing......





Thank you so much Liz and Niq. It truly was awesome to be a part of your wedding day.
Stay tuned for some fabulous Holga photos coming soon!

Holga Series {Patti and Mike's Wedding Day Images} Holga Photographer

Better late than never is my motto for Patti and Mike's wedding day Holga photographs.
I guess this is where digital has film beat, turn around time! :)

I was excited when I got my 120 film back from Penn Camera because Patti and Mike's wedding day had the most glorious sunny weather, and my Holga loves sunny days, especially when I am using color film.
I knew we would get some great images at Cabell's Mill. It's a perfect setting for using the Holga.. but then again, I think all settings are great for Holgas.

So before I go on and on and on...about HOLGAS, why don't I just let you see some of the fun images we created on Patti and Mike's wedding day.




I am a huge fan of multiple exposures when using the Holga. It's one of the many fun and unpredictable creative features of using a toy camera.




Light leeks are part of the fun and unexpected "happy accidents" when using the Holga. I love that you can see the number 3 imprinted in this image as we were shooting the 3rd frame.


Thank you again Patti and Mike. It was a glorious wedding day. I loved be able to bring my creative wacky Holga style to document the day.

Patti and Mike {Married Cabell's Mill Centerville Virginia}

It could not have been a more beautiful day for Patti and Mike's wedding at the Historic Cabell's Mill in Centerville, VA.
The cool overcast skies from the morning hours, gave way to glorious sunshine and warm temperatures for whole time we were at the Mill.

Upon our arrival at the Mill, Mike, the ever dashing groom was busy greeting guests and making sure all the final details were in place.
Patti arrived shortly after we greeted Mike and took in our surroundings of the beautiful ceremony set up.

It was the deep purple of Patti's daughter's gowns that first caught my eye I approached the mill house where they were getting final make up touches, and then I see beautiful Patti in her delicate and lovely strapless wedding gown, she was simply stunning.
I immediately felt my eyes well up with tears, trying hard not to go into the "ugly cry" I held it together long enough to tell her how amazing she looked!
This wedding has been a long time coming and I just could not get over the joy I felt on Saturday.
I know how hard Patti and Mike worked not only for this wedding but for their relationship and the relationship of their children.

The day went off with out a hitch, and I have to say I was deeply moved by the bond and love that Patti and Mike have.
I feel so utterly blessed to have witnessed this marriage, and to have also been able to document it for two such fantastic people.

Thank you Patti and Mike!

Kelly, Shannon, Patti, Mike and Stephen. They are one cool family if I do say so myself!


Patti's girls are totally drop dead gorgeous! They absolutely get it from their mom, but I still don't see how Patti is old enough to have two teenage daughters!



Mike and his son Stephen are not so bad themselves.
Handsome and very sweet men, Patti is a lucky lady.







I loved that these place cards held a special secret. If you take the leaf and bury it, next spring you will have wildflowers! It's a leaf made from seeds!



My fabu second shooter Kip had the fun idea of placing the rings on one of the lily pads, I was a tad nervous at first but seeing his adept skill at balancing in 3 inches of mud and placing the rings every so carefully in position made me excited to snap this shot.

One of my favorite shots that Kip got of Patti waiting to walk down the isle.







Such a beautiful setting for their wedding day. It could not have been more perfect outside!





Patti and Mike are husband and wife!

One of my favorites of the day. I love that Mike can make Patti laugh so much. Humor is a wonderful thing to share in a marriage.



The gorgeous couple!





I loved this section of Cabell's Mill. A huge pond covered with lily pads and a bridge down the center... it was a dreamy shoot for us that's for sure!











Oh and the field! I wanted to spend hours running through the field with Patti and Mike the colors were beatiful, the textures of all the trees and grass and flowers...just divine. And to top it all off, it was a bluebird trail! I was one happy photographer.





Many people know that Mike is an avid hockey player. He has been playing for years and years. I was thrilled when his teammates said they had their hockey sticks in their cars! We kept an eye out for body checking, we didn't want the bride to loose any teeth while there were still photos to take!



Mike's brother gave a hilarious and touching toast. One the best I have heard... I I have heard many...





Patti and Mike did a beautiful and fun first dance. They took lessons before the big day and totally nailed it!



Dabe and Janelle were the uber fabulous DJs. I love working weddings with Dabe and Janelle. They know how to get people on their feet!





And who doesn't love a sparkler exit!!! It's one of my favorite ways to see a couple bring their wedding day to a close.

Thank you again Patti and Mike, it was truly a special day.


Stay tuned for some fabulous Holga images from the wedding...coming soon!