Bench Seats are Better

... for cuddling together.

Sharyn & Matt's Wedding

Sharyn & Matt are amazing people. I tried to come up with some clever analogy to somehow describe why they are so amazing, but everything just seemed to fall short of being an accurate summation of their amazingness. Let me put it this way... these are the kind of people who change the world, for the better. Now that I've completely built them up, let me show you just how cool, humble, and down to earth their wedding was and why I have such a crush on them...

The day started off with Matt getting ready with his family at a nearby hotel while Sharyn got ready with at home with the help of her mom. The bookshelf gives you a sneak peek into this couple's brilliance and sense of humor. ;-)





They decided to have their ceremony at the Netherlands Carillon in Washington, DC, which is also in the same park as the Iwo Jima / Marine Corps War Memorial, where Sharyn's family laid flowers in honor of Sharyn's father, and where Matt & Sharyn saw each other for the first time on their wedding day...



From the memorial, they casually walked together to their guests where two small rows of chairs and a table with coffee were the simple makings of their ceremony site that overlooked the District of Columbia...







One of the things that Matt & Sharyn had mentioned was how happy everyone seemed in my photos. They feared that they might not look as outwardly happy as the other people they had seen, so they practiced a fake-laugh just in case... which ended up making ME laugh more than anything!


Sharyn's bright orange Kate Spades were picking up leaves as we walked back through the park...


How stylish are these two?!


Matt navigated us through some construction traffic and a back alley as we made our way to the Tabard Inn, where a lovely and intimate brunch was served for the close family members who attended the ceremony...






After brunch, there was a bit of down time that allowed everyone to get into more formal attire for a larger evening reception at the fabulously retro Clarendon Ballroom. To set the mood, The Grandsons were on hand to play some of their signature tunes, such as Party With The Rich, and Hip Replacement. You've gotta check out their album on iTunes to hear their curiously quirky lyrics and rockabilly tunes. After hearing them at the reception, I bought their album from iTunes as soon as I got home!


Orange and red were the colors du jour and I just love the many ways in which it played out, even down to the selection of bottled water and the mashed sweet potatoes! Also, if you look closely, you can see their fabulous Ann Wood Handmade Bird toppers dressed to look just like Sharyn & Matt!


Now THIS is their REAL laugh, genuinely captured during an entertaining toast...


Look at them tear up that dance floor!


What I love most about Sharyn & Matt's wedding is that while they certainly had a fabulous day with oodles of unique style, it was never about the "things"... it was always about the people they loved and were celebrating with, and that's just one reason why I think they're amazing.


Matt & Sharyn, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for inviting me to share such a special day with you!! I consider you good friends and hope you always stay in touch!!

Washington Club Wedding, DC - Kate & Stephen

Who says that elegant weddings have to be stiff? Not Kate & Stephen!! Even in the midst of all the elegance, the energy was all about having fun and enjoying good company. These world travelers really know how to throw a party and enjoy themselves!! I feel so lucky that they chose me to capture their wedding memories!!

Have I mentioned how much I love getting ready moments?




Kate has such a wonderful relationship with her brother, it was obvious how much they care about each other.








She only stood in this beautiful light for a split second, and I'm so glad I caught it!


A completely candid moment before the ceremony began...


I can't say that I've seen many saxaphone quartets play for wedding ceremonies, but it was the perfect combination for the music that Kate & Stephen chose- especially when they danced down the aisle after their kiss!


When Kate told me about her wedding at the The Washington Club, she had mentioned how many mirrors were in the room where they'd have their ceremony and wondered if it would be a big problem. Mirrors? I love mirrors!


Kate & Stephen had just a few minutes alone together as man & wife before joining their guests for the cocktail hour.






I just love photographing musicians... and I have yet to attend a reception where a live band didn't keep the dance floor alive all night long!


There's a really cute story behind this picture. The paper doll's name is Jack Flash and the boy was participating in a project where students send their paper people to other students around the world who take pictures of the paper doll in different places and then tell the story behind the picture. It's like pen-pals, but with photographs and a fictional character to help tell the story in third person! How cool!!


Happy Father's Day!!




A special selection from overseas? ;-)


Rumor has it that the building was used as a second home for the White House during a period of major reconstruction.


You go girl!


The moments before and after the posed shots I'm asked to take are some of my favorite. I absolutely love how this image really shows everyone's personality!! You can just feel how much everyone cares about each other - I can only imagine how much their families miss Kate & Stephen now that they're living in Cambodia!


To Kate & Stephen - I'm so grateful that our paths brough us together. I hope these images can help keep your family close at heart even when you're miles apart.

Erika's Maternity

I think there's something very powerful about a woman during pregnancy.. something almost goddess-like. I think Erika would make an ideal goddess, and a great mom! ;-) When I entered Erika & Steve's home in Washinton, D.C. I was instantly inspired by their sense of style and love of unique finds! They had a lot of personal art and everything seemed to have a special meaning (just like my home!) For example, the painting behind Erika in the image above was done by a friend. I just love that Erika's expression in that image reminds me of Mona Lisa. Isn't she beautiful?! You can't really tell, but she is very delicately balanced on an old table that probably was NOT intended for anything more than papers and pencils!! Now that's a brave woman!!


Doesn't Steve look like a great dad?




The red chair- a favorite piece of furniture. ;-) Here's a suggestion for all parents: each year, take a picture of your child on the same piece of furniture as an annual documentary of how they've grown... it's pretty interesting to see them grow into your favorite furniture!


Erika & Steve were up for anything different, and I just love that!! These next two are favorites!!!





Happy parents= happy baby. ;-)


Thank you sooo much to Beth & Fred for connecting us!! I feel so lucky that I was there to capture the final moments before birth!! Just FIVE days after I was there, baby Oz was born, weighing 7lbs., 3oz., and 19 3/4" long.

Here he is now!!! Sooo cute!! (image from Erika & Steve)