N+J | Engagement

You likely will recognize the faces of the two sweethearts in today's post, they are dear friends of mine and I photographed their proposal a few months ago! Let me tell you, I LOVE SHOOTING PROPOSALS. If you're planning to propose, let's talk! 
Anyways, I digress, like usual. Sunday morning we went to University of Maryland, College Park to shoot their engagement session. J went to school there, and since being together, N has been converted into a Maryland fan! So it was very fitting to have their session at the campus. 
It was a seriously PERFECT fall day. It was cool, the leaves were starting to turn, and of course it was completely quiet, because a college campus on at 7:45am on a Sunday morning is more remote than the desert. 
(Warning-digression ahead.) 
I'm a BIG St. Elmo's Fire fan. Love everything about the movie. It takes place in fall, with a big gaggle of friends who come from all walks of life, and can't quite get the hang of growing up just yet. FEELS LIKE MY LIFE. Anyways, parts of it were actually shot on Maryland's campus, but in the movie they say it's Georgetown (I know this not because I have vast Maryland knowledge, but rather I love the movie that much.) So I had fun feeling like I was on the set of St. Elmo's Fire during our shoot. Well sort of. But it made me want to go watch that movie. So there's that. 
Okay back on target! 
It has been such a pleasure to photograph these friends since the very beginning of their relationship. I was truly touched they asked me, and am so excited to stand with them when they say "I do" next year!!! 

Why you should do a First Look | Bridal Advice

First Looks are something that have become more popular over the last couple of years. I always felt on the fence for my own wedding (in 2 months!) about doing one. I'm getting married in a big church and the walk down the aisle is going to be so magical. I love the idea of walking down and Bryce seeing me for the first time. But I eventually decided on doing a First Look. 

Why? 

Your wedding day is as much about all your family and friends as its about you. For 99% of the day, you are surrounded by all these people who are so excited for you, to talk with you and give lots of hugs! Oddly, you get very little time with your new spouse.  A First Look gives you the opportunity to have 20-30min of time together, just the two of you, to take in the moment. I can guarantee, that emotion comes through the photos more than you think it will. It's incredibly touching. I cry at most First Looks. Just a little tear. I love it. 

There are other kinds of First Looks also. Recently I did a First Look with the bride's parents (individually), the bridesmaids and finally her groom. It was so fun to do this big reveal to all these important people. I know I'm doing one with my dad for our wedding. 

First Looks can take as little time or as much time as you would like. We can turn it into your portrait session, so I don't have to grab you later, or just a way to increase your bridal photos. 

Here are some recent "First Looks". Consider adding a first look to your wedding day timeline! 

Z+B | A Wedding in St. Michaels

Allow me to set the stage for this stunning wedding on the water. Zach and Becca chose to get married in St. Michaels, at the Miles River Yacht Club. Their color palate couldn't have been more dreamy, as it completely matched the water at sunset. Becca's maids wore navy dresses, and the boys a light blue shirt with navy bow ties. The flowers were a mix of pinks and oranges. See guys, sunset on the water, I told you. I'm so thankful that Brittany, of Brittany Thomas Photography brought me along for this beautiful wedding!

The guys looked so sharp! If Zach was nervous about seeing Becca for the first time on their wedding day, he definitely didn't show it!

Don't you love Becca's bouquet?! And her necklace! It was a special gift from her grandmother.

Don't you just LOVE how Zach looks at her during their First Look?! It's pure love. And my favorite shot is when he looked right into my camera, almost to say, "Do you see how lucky I am? Are you capturing this?" Such a sweet moment. I'm really a believer in First Looks. It helps to get rid of the jitters and gives you some time before all the craziness begins. So much of your wedding day is spent with a ton of people (which is great because everyone is celebrating you!) but a First Look is a great time to have a few private moments just the two of you. Additionally, who doesn't want more portraits? 

I love the moment when the flower girl is looking up at all the bridesmaids. It's so sweet! She's taking it all in with big eyes and bright smiles! Such a dapper group of guys as well! You would never know it took a half hour to get the bowties just right!

And they are MARRIED! Time to party! 

Gosh I love the golden hour, and lens flares, and couples madly in love. You just can't go wrong with that combination. Congratulations Zach and Becca! 

N+J | Proposal

How do I even start this post. Its going to be long, so be forewarned. Let's just start at the beginning. 
I've known Natalie since I started PT school. Our friendship is one of those non-traditional ones, but lets just say I'm so thankful for how the stars aligned and that she is one of my most dear friends! 
At some point during school, she started "talking to" this guy who was in her class. That guy was Josh. Even in the early days, it was easy to see how smitten they were with one another. 
Fast forward a year, and they moved into a place right down the street from us. I was thrilled. Our Thursday night Grey's Anatomy dates could still continue! 
Fast forward a few months, and Natalie was telling me they had looked at rings. THIS WAS BIG. Being the photographer I am, I immediately reached out to Josh (without Natalie knowing) and said when the time comes, if its something he would want, I would be honored to shoot his proposal. 
Fast forward a few more months and I got a message from Josh asking me to go get Natalie's ring finger sized. I concocted this elaborate scheme to make that happen (something involving looking at rehearsal dinner dresses for  me and getting my ring cleaned).  I couldn't have her getting suspicious. 
Fast forward 2 more months, to about 2 weeks ago. I got a text from Josh saying, "Are you free next Friday or Saturday?" To which I replied, "IS THIS WHAT I THINK THIS IS??!!" And thus we started planning. 
Josh wanted to propose on Federal Hill in Baltimore. Their relationship started in Baltimore, so it was a perfect place to propose. The cover story was that Natalie was going to be my model as I took some more pictures of my portfolio and then we were going to do a girls dinner! Josh went out of town, conveniently to not get back until late after our pictures were done so she wouldn't suspect anything. 
Meanwhile, I had a card from him to give to her (at a specific time that he was to let me know), at which point he was to come out from where he was hiding and propose. It was really hard to stall, because I knew what was coming. The problem is Fed Hill is all open. Meaning I had no idea where he was hiding exactly, but I didn't want Natalie to accidentally see him before she was supposed to! So I kept checking my phone, and making her face the harbor (so her back was to the rest of Fed Hill) for some "wide dramatic shots". I think she got a little suspicious at that point. Finally I got the okay, and the rest is history.
The pictures speak for themselves (Can you figure out when she starts to put everything together and when she sees Josh?). It was a beautiful moment, and I'm so touched that I could be part of it. Natalie + Josh, I'm so thrilled for you, love you guys and I can't wait to watch you embark on this adventure together! Best wishes and many congratulations!! 

J+M | Anniversary

"It's all messy. The hair. The bed. The words. The heart. Life..." William Leal

Marriage. Doing life together. 

Jared and Missy just celebrated their 1st Wedding Anniversary! I had the pleasure of knowing both of them back in college when they started dating, and what a wonderful thing it is to see them with their first year of marriage down!  

We chose Quiet Waters Park, in Annapolis, MD to set the stage for their photos. When we left home, it was super cloudy and had been ALL day long. Clouds aren't a bad thing, because it acts like a soft box with no harsh shadows. However, you don't get that amazing sunset! As we kept driving towards Annapolis, the clouds got less and less, until it was SUNNY! Not a single cloud. Man oh man did we luck out.

You can see from their photos, they are just as in love (if not more), than when they started dating. What a pleasure it was to work with you guys and capture this special time in your life! 

I wish you all the best, for the many many anniversaries to come!