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Michael + Elinor | Virginia Engagement Photography

August 8, 2016

What happens when a lovely red-head ends up sitting next to a happy-go-lucky and very energetic intern in the office? They fall in love, naturally! Well not exactly. But close! Elinor was working as an intern for the Heritage Foundation when Michael came along. Sitting at the desk next to her every day, he would tease her about his LONG commute (30 seconds) compared to hers and make his rounds bantering with people in the office. After he returned to Florida they kept in touch but it wasn’t until he came back to work full time for Heritage that he suddenly realized what a beautiful, smart, joyful person Elinor is. After watching her teach Sunday school to a bunch of preschoolers one Sunday he went home and told his mom that he’d found the girl he wanted to marry. And Elinor told me how very charming he is and how much she loves his enthusiasm. Together they make quite the happy, dynamic couple. As Michael said, “Give me 5% and I’ll find the other 95.” They both can’t wait to have kids, love to travel and are passionate about their work and of course each other.

Elinor is now in charge of taking care of the new interns that come to the Heritage Foundation and one of the things she does for them is give them a tour of Mount Vernon. One of the funny memories from early in their friendship is of Michael telling Elinor to get out of a photo of a bunch of the guy interns when they were touring the estate. Hence Mount Vernon has a special significance for them and it was a lovely location for their engagement photos. We even got to spend some time with the sheep. 🙂 It was such a treat walking the grounds with them and I am so excited for their wedding in August!

PS – Awesome couple alert: the morning of our shoot was my mom’s birthday. Elinor brought a bottle of wine FOR MY MOM. Wow! That’s the kind of person she is.

Jack + Tori | Leesburg, Virginia Engagement Photography

August 5, 2016

“Perhaps, after all, romance did not come into one’s life with pomp and blare, like a gay knight riding down; perhaps it crept to one’s side like an old friend through quiet ways; perhaps it revealed itself in seeming prose, until some sudden shaft of illumination flung athwart its pages betrayed the rhythm and the music, perhaps . . . perhaps . . . love unfolded naturally out of a beautiful friendship, as a golden-hearted rose slipping from its green sheath.”

L.M. Montgomery

This is one of my favorite quotes because it describes how I fell in love with my husband. But I think it describes Jack and Tori too. Friends in high school, they did not date (“Tori was on the dance team and I don’t dance”, was Jack’s explanation of why he didn’t ask her out), but he thought she was pretty and I’m pretty sure he might have had a crush on her. They stayed friends through college and finally towards the end of school things started to change. Tori started to notice things about Jack that maybe hadn’t struck her quite that way before and soon their friendship blossomed into romance. Well it’s clear that they were absolutely meant to be. I loved getting to know them as we climbed around Bear’s Den overlook along the Appalachian trail where Jack had proposed one rainy afternoon. They brought their pup along too who was so obedient! Thankfully the rain was nowhere around the day of our shoot and it was the perfect summer evening.

Jack and Tori, you two are perfect together!! Can’t wait for your wedding in Harper’s Ferry this fall!

Jon + Ariana | maryland engagement photography

June 21, 2016

Who would have guessed that when Ariana’s dad, the pastor of a church in Columbia, Maryland, suggested to his daughter that she join a new church that was starting in College Park where she was studying, that she would meet the man of her dreams? Well that is exactly what happened. Jon Martin, a talented carpenter, was helping with the new church when Ariana joined. I don’t think it took very long for them to notice each other and soon it was clear that there was more than just a little interest. That interest blossomed into romance and now here we are, less than 3 weeks away from Jon and Ariana’s wedding day! God is good!

We met just a little before sunrise for these engagement photos back in April. (I know, I’m so behind but I was gone for 5 weeks with my family on vacation and when I go on vacation, I really go on vacation). Anyway, Jon and Ariana had already scoped out the location and had a few spots in mind. I love it when my clients own their session and have ideas. Ariana looked gorgeous and Jon is already doing such a good job looking out for her and taking care of her. They are so clearly smitten and in love – so adorable! It was a lovely morning and my subjects made it even lovelier.

Thank you Jon and Ariana for allowing me to be part of your journey! I cannot wait for your wedding!

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Christian and Kati | Pennsylvania Engagement Photography

January 13, 2016

She was working at her job as a nurse. He came in to do some repair work at the facility. I’m pretty sure it might have been a case of love at first sight and it didn’t take long for them to realize they wanted to be together. Getting to know each of them a little big over the course of our session, I can see why they would each be smitten with the other. And they clearly are.

A few weeks after I started chatting with Kati about wedding photography, she told me some exciting news that was going to put wedding plans on hold. I think you can guess what that news was! So we incorporated it into our engagement session. We meet in the cute little town of Gettysburg and then headed to the battlefields on a beautiful autumn day. Christian and Kati also had their adorable Golden Retriever, Cooper with them and he was such a good pup. I am so happy for this wonderful little soon-to-be growing family and it was an honor to capture some precious moments for them.

Leo + Mary | Alexandria, VA Engagement and Wedding Photography

August 14, 2015

We met on a lovely summer evening in Old Town Alexandria. I got there early and scoped out some cobblestone streets and quaint architecture. It was a Sunday and everyone was out on the town enjoying the fine weather and care free days of the season. It was going to be a great night, I could tell, and it was! Leo and Mary were so easy to work with. Leo was charming and and Mary was elegant and together they are a perfect couple. We walked and talked and they danced and laughed and looked beautiful. Leo scored big with a gorgeous spot by the water to finish our shoot. He promised the walk would be worth it and it was! The sun set over the water and we went our separate ways… they holding hands and me with a smile in my heart. A perfect night. Thank you both!