Also over Memorial Day weekend, I took the time to take a few portraits of my dear friends Nathan and Liana. The weather was wonderful, and the shade beneath a tree afforded lovely, even lighting for their portrait.

You may remember Liana from her portrait in the Women with Icons series, of course. She and I have been friends since middle school, and it's uncanny the rapport that we still hold together. I met her husband Nathan when they were dating in college, and was honored to be a part of their wedding, and then a part of their chrismation into the Orthodox church.

The two of them are very natural, unassuming, and affectionate together, making them excellent subjects. Liana, of course, is very comfortable in front of the camera, in contrast to Nathan.

It could be that she is so comfortable, perhaps, because we were taking pictures together since we first knew each other. I spent afternoons in high school doodling with her, drawing her portrait while she held still. She (among others) is one of those people I feel artistically drawn to. I find it endlessly fascinating to work with her as a model, and could never get tired of photographing her.

Megan and David have been married for a number of years, have three beautiful children, and love each other very much. This photo was taken after their son Adam's fifth birthday party was over, and all the kids were in bed.

It's amazing how much fun you can have with a fireworks sale.

Julia Lewis is on her way.

Mother Stephanie is relaxing while awaiting her arrival.

Joe, the proud father, joins her.

By far, this shot is my favorite from the session. Joe and Steph had relaxed a bit and were playfully teasing each other.

We're all very excited to finally meet Julia.

At the Hilton in Linthicum, Maryland, Melanie and Brad tied the knot!

It was a short ceremony and an intimate reception of maybe 30 people. On record, the smallest wedding I've ever photographed, and for the shortest amount of time--only two hours.

An interesting sidenote: Melanie's dress is one of the first strapped dresses I've seen in recent years! She also mentioned that she bought the coverup separate from the dress. When photographing Melody's wedding just a few weeks ago, she too was noting how difficult it was to find something with sleeves, and had to get her long sleeves specially made. Could this be a new trend in bridal fashion?

Since I've been photographing smaller weddings lately, I've found that I really enjoy these smaller affairs. They tend to be low-key, but highly demanding and exciting for a photographer. With no down time, there's always something to photograph and do, and it's a neat challenge to remain unobtrusive when you're one out of thirty, versus one out of a hundred.

The new baby that one family member brought along, of course, barely noticed me.

Sylvia and Mike have been married for about a year, and asked me to take their portrait this spring, while all the blooms were coming alive in Sherwood Gardens, near where they live.

The tulips were in full bloom--an amazingly varied array of color. The park was quite crowded, with tons of people flocking to picnic on the green grass. It almost looked like one of those French impressionist paintings from the turn of the century!

Their affection for each other is clear. Of course, it took a little loosening up for them to be less conscious of me, and to relax and enjoy each other. That's the toughest part about being photographed--knowing what to do with yourself or your hands. It's a bit like being an actor trying to portray one's self.

I wish Sylvia and Mike many more years of wedded bliss.

This past Saturday, on a gorgeous day in downtown Annapolis, Danielle and Arthur tied the knot at St. Mary's Church.

After the ceremony and the family portraits, the couple, bridal party, and I, wandered through the busy downtown streets. People shouted their congratulations. Young girls, especially, excitedly pointed to Danielle and oohed over her dress.

We dismissed the bridal party, and then I had a few moments alone with the couple in the backyard garden at a historic house. Arthur and Danielle were so very low-key and fun to be around. They were up for almost anything, and took direction very eagerly and naturally.

It's so marvelous to be a part of someone's special day, especially when they're relaxed and enjoying themselves; that energy transfers to the pictures while at the same time helping to make the day a beautiful memory.

On May 17th, Lisa and Jon tied the knot!

I love this shot; the chrome of the antique car blends in nicely with the satin dress and the formal tuxedo.

The down-to-earth couple had a beautiful ceremony at St. Ignatius, and then moved on to a homey reception at Slate Ridge American Legion Post.

The kids, as you can see, were very cute and photogenic. They tore up the dance floor later on.

This shot was a lucky one; I was experimenting with dragging the shutter speed with my flash, and Lisa and Jon just happened to kiss at the right moment.

Lisa and Jon deserve all the happiness they have.

Alex and Jay are getting hitched on June 14th! We planned an engagement session just weeks prior to the busy day, on a balmy afternoon in downtown Baltimore by the Washington Monument.

After having rescheduled due to rain quite a few times, the light proved to be absolutely perfect for the occasion.

They enjoy each others' company so much; they have even taken dance classes together so they can perform a little bit during their reception. Here they are, practicing some elegant moves in the plaza area:

And here's one of my favorites: a sweet moment when Jay (who nearly completely ignored the camera the whole time) stole a kiss from Alex.

They were such great subjects: very relaxed, open to direction, while being unselfconscious and genuine all at once. I'm so excited to photograph their wedding!

Remember Alex and Jay?

They tied the knot!

I witnessed a beautiful Catholic ceremony, followed by shenanigans on Federal Hill, and then a lovely indoor/outdoor reception at the Evergreen House.

My favorite shots, of course, are the ones taken of Alex and Jay on Federal Hill, when they had the chance to enjoy each other and celebrate their nuptials. In spite of the heat (it was nearly 90 degrees), the whole bridal party held up well on the hill.

And I must say, I witnessed one of the most energetic and lively receptions I've ever been to; lots of fun was had by all (including me!).

This past Saturday, September 27th, Joe and Liz tied the knot at Morningside Inn in Frederick, Maryland!

On the drive in, the sky was overcast with some fantastic-looking clouds. It drizzled lightly. Upon arrival, I hung out with the groom and groomsmen while we waited for the bride to arrive. Joe and his pals were at ease and jocular.

An on-site catering staffer had pulled a pickup truck near the groom's room, so they all piled in and out of the truck bed for a playful shot. You can see the rain fell onto my lens in the middle of this shot; it was starting to get quite wet out there!

Liz arrived, and I snuck away to meet her. Her mother helped her put on some beautiful pearls.

Liz's lovely friends toasted her with champagne.

We dashed outside to take some pictures, but then it began to rain more heavily. Our hopes for an outdoor ceremony were dashed.

I loved the bridesmaid's hair--it looks like someone sprinkled their heads with stars.

After the ceremony and family portraits, it began to rain even more, but Joe and Liz offered to run out to the gazebo and grab some fun shots of them in the rain under the little roof. My flash froze some of the raindrops in mid-air.

They were very relaxed and gladly kissed for my camera.

And this shot is so sweet and affectionate.

We dashed through the torrent back to the reception; I trailed the bride and groom with my camera, and got soaked (SO worth it, though!).

They shared their first dance...

And the rest of the party joined in for a little YMCA...

Some family embraces from the longest-married couple in the room--over 50 years!

And a groomsman ham's it up for me. "Get a picture of me chowing this cake!" he said. Snap snap, here it is--an extreme hunger for cake, folks!

Many thanks to Heather, the wedding coordinator, for all her hard work. And a big thank-you to the Wensus and Horrell families, who let me document their special day. May Joe and Liz have many years of happiness!

Angela and Phillip recently got engaged, and we wandered around Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Federal Hill together for some fun in the chilly weather.

It may not look that cold in the pictures, but that's because these two were very brave, removing their coats for a few key shots, and humoring me as I directed them.

These sweethearts have been dating for years, and it's plain to see that they have the affection and friendship to show for it.

Here they stand proudly at the prow!

And the romance of a kiss...

I wish them both happiness and warmth that lasts through the seasons!

Tara and Jeremy are getting married in the D.C. area later this year, in the fall. We met up this spring as soon as the weather started turning warm to take some engagement photos, spending some time on their rooftop garden and hanging out in the funky stairwells where they live!

They were great sports for this shot; I was wriggling around on the floor and adjusting my off-camera flash while they chatted with each other.

Plus, the two of them were so naturally affectionate; it wasn't hard to take a good picture of them together!

And that rooftop garden rocked; we had great shadows and architecture.

Such a sweet moment, no?

I wish Tara and Jeremy the best when they tie the knot this September! They have a whole summer stretching ahead of them of anticipation and beautiful weather; blessings to you both!

Remember Nathalie and Cory who wandered around with me down Howard Street in Baltimore that rainy afternoon? Well, I have more delectable photos from that outing; I couldn't resist posting more, since we found so many interesting little nooks and crannies throughout the city.

After visiting Lexington Market, Nathalie and I spotted these fascinating phrases painted on some of the boarded-up buildings nearby. I love the one with them hidden behind the umbrella; like I snuck up on them somehow.

Also further down Howard Street from Lexington Market, a mysteriously beautiful painting on plywood:

A tender distracted moment...

Enjoying delicious Italian ice:

And finally, holding hands, with another close-up of that fabulous ring.

Major kudos to both Nathalie and Cory for braving the chilly rain, and a big thank-you for treating me to my first-ever Italian ice in quite a long time!

Sometimes you can find love in unexpected places... and even in your own backyard. This is exactly what happened to Robert and Krissy not too long ago. Having searched--quite literally--the world over for the lady of his dreams, Robert found Krissy waiting for him on his doorstep.

We took a little trip to Downs Park the other day as the rain was clearing and the sun just began to peek through the horizon. We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather.

Or a more perfect location--a deliciously old wisteria arbor.

And what with spring in the air, it's the perfect time of year for cherry blossoms, and perhaps a few kisses along the way.

Congratulations to Robert and Krissy--I very much look forward to your wedding!

Nathalie and Cory, whose engagement I shot in downtown Baltimore and along Howard Street, tied the knot on April 26th at Woodend Sanctuary! Wildflowers were everywhere, and we even had deer sightings in the evening.

Their wedding was simply to die for; even though it was a hot, hot, HOT day, everyone fared well and the light was perfect. The ceremony happened at 4 in the afternoon, allowing things to cool off, and the shade to fall over all the onlookers.

This is just a small preview of the gorgeousness to come--more photos in the next week!

So you've all been dying to see more from Nathalie and Cory's wedding, right? Well, never fear; thanks to my wonderful assistant Leah Stern, I had plenty of material to plug through from the whole green event at Woodend Sanctuary.

Nathalie and her sister got ready inside the mansion as the afternoon light came through the wide windows. Her mother assisted her into her wedding dress (by Amanda Archer) and veil (by Leah/smittenxoxo). I hung around, catching a few details of the various stages of getting ready, and then we roamed the grounds taking portraits together.

Leah ran off with Cory and his brother (the best man) to hide from Nathalie. The two of them needed a little help getting their ties together; a few friends volunteered to show them how. All dressed up, they relaxed outside on the opposite side of the grounds while guests arrived, and waited for the main event.

In the secluded grove, the sun shone halfway through the trees. There was a breeze, and David Huber played on the guitar. After some tearful and moving vows, Nathalie and Cory exchanged their beautiful custom-made rings (courtesy of Beth Cyr) were officially married!

After the ceremony and family portraits, Leah and I took the two of them aside for a few minutes to wander the wild grounds and enjoy each others' company.

At the reception, we took pictures at a makeshift photo booth. Gorgeous centerpieces provided by Local Color Flowers not only looked beautiful, but contained fragrant herbs to waft around inside the tent. Leah had been recording video in addition to serving as second shooter and assistant, enabling me to put together this little jewel to share:

Nathalie and Cory's day ended late into the evening, with dancing, cupcakes, and laughter.

What impressed me most about Nat & Cory was not just that they had made every effort to include local and independent artisans (learn more here), but the amazing amount of love between them and their families.

They deserve all the blessings in the world.

On an overcast afternoon, friends and family gathered at St. Andrew By the Bay to celebrate the marriage of Tim and Traci. A devout Catholic couple, Tim and Traci met in their active parish, and slowly but surely fell into admiration, then love for each other.

Throughout the service, reminders of the couples' faith, service, and passion for social justice rang. The cantor's voice soared throughout the airy sanctuary, full of lightness and energy.

Many heartfelt congratulations were passed around from family members and dear friends; I pulled Traci and Tim aside for a few minutes after family portraits to catch some small moments together before we left for the reception.

The church grounds were lush with spring life, providing a marvelous complimentary backdrop for Traci's flowers and Tim's tall stature!

At the reception, loving toasts were given, and laughter shared. While all of the adults enjoyed gabbing and ate their food, the children took over the dance floor and provided most of the afternoon's entertainment.

Tim and Traci, may you have many years of wedded bliss.

On the day Patrick and Erin got married, a thunderstorm threatened over the Eastern Shore. Clouds gathered and a breeze began to blow. As Erin dressed with her bridesmaids, they fretted over the clouds on the horizon.

My assistant for the day, caught the moments of Patrick on the beach with his groomsmen before it became overcast. It almost seemed as though it was destined to rain

But it didn't. May 16th, 2009 turned out to be the perfect day. Everyone watched the sun set behind theatrical clouds over the horizon, as the officiant blessed the wedding couple and introduced them to their friends and family.

The beachside location was the perfect temperature, and the perfect ambiance for a quick set of portraits before Patrick and Erin made their entrance at the reception. Their loved ones waited expectantly in the Tavern on the Bay.

And what a batch of loved ones! They thoroughly enjoyed each other through the cocktail reception and beyond, watching the bride and groom dance with obvious admiration. As usual, I teared up a little bit at the father-daughter dance.

Jessah had shot some video of our antics on the beach a little earlier in the day, and so I put together this slideshow of the overall event as well, just for some kicks!

As the night wore on, you could tell the ring bearer was exhausted; perhaps that ear-to-ear grin he had at the ceremony took too much out of him. Plenty of others had energy to keep dancing, and we said goodbye to a balmy and perfect May 16th and hello to a stormy 17th.

May Patrick and Erin have many years of bliss and many blessings!

You may remember Robert and Krissy from their engagement photos at Downs Park. They got engaged and planned their wedding rather quickly, but weathered the excitement very well and finally got hitched on the 24th! It's simply amazing what they accomplished in two months of planning--a very beautiful, family-oriented and fun-filled party!

And that's just a preview! More to come in the next few days.

Okay, so I promised more photos from Robert and Krissy's super-quickly-planned wedding, and here they are!

Krissy and her attendants got ready at a friend's house near the church. Her sisters, Beth and Cece, have gorgeous long hair, that each of them braided differently.

That lovely lady in pink? That's Krissy's official wedding helper, Naomi.

Robert also prepared himself right around the corner from the church, and walked straight in with his brothers/groomsmen after saying a quick prayer. What a handsome bunch!

The ceremony took place at Holy Cross Orthodox Church, in Linthicum, where Robert serves as a subdeacon, and where many of the couples' friends attend. It was packed that Sunday afternoon!

After the ceremony, everyone traveled to Nixon's Farm for the reception, taking some time out for family portraits on the grounds. Things got a little silly with the sisters and the flower girls.

Isn't Krissy's hair just gorgeous? What fabulous braids.

Reception highlights included some fabulous English country dancing (also known as contra dance), which you can see if you watch the video-slideshow of the event. Not everyone had done it before, but everyone learned pretty quickly, and had a blast!

And of course, I stole Robert & Krissy away from the action for awhile to walk the grounds. We found old abandoned playground equipment, and some beautiful old backlit trees to enjoy.

I love that last shot; I think it shows how beautifully contented they are.

The other evening, I was joined by Jenny and Cliff and their new addition to the family: Oscar. Oscar is a rescue dog; Jenny had been wanting a dog "for twenty-six years!" and finally was able to get one. With the help of some chicken treats, Oscar and I got acquainted, and he started posing for me.

Jenny and Cliff purchased a cute doggie tie off of Etsy from Whisker Kisses, which added a bit of variety to his "look". Very business like, although in that particular shot it looks like he could use a little happy hour!

But check out those EARS!

What a fabulous silhouette he has! I think my favorites are of him in profile, because his nose simply oozes character. And of course because of his ears, he casts a magnificent shadow, too.

Oscar has a magnificent story too. Jenny and Cliff got him from Boston Terrier Club of Maryland, who worked with Oscar for a year to get him used to people after a frightening life in a landfill. "He was thrown into a dumpster when he was a puppy," said Jenny, and that's why the Terrier Club named him Oscar, after Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street.

But this Oscar is quite different from his namesake. "He's our little cuddle-bug every night on the couch snorting away. Cliff and I are now his forever home and are so happy to have him part of our family," said Jenny. "We are so glad we got him through a rescue... all of their proceeds go directly to helping other 'Oscars' to find their forever home... what's better than that?"

Indeed, what could be better than helping a companion in need, and then having extra love in the family?

Jenny, Cliff, Oscar and I wandered around Fells Point for almost an hour as the sun set. Everything became so picturesque, and the weather was balmy and not too hot. It was a perfect way to say goodbye to the day; with a simple walk, and a friendly dog and his family.

Our day began at Leslie's house, where all the ladies were in various stages of hair and make-up. It was quite a scene!

Cicely Procopio was my assistant for the day, and she hung around the guys at South Shore Baptist Church while I was stashed away in the church with the girls.

What a beautiful and loving ceremony; Leslie's dad gave her away, and Chris had a big grin across his face the whole time.

Chris and Leslie drove these gorgeous antique cars from the ceremony to their reception; we had to take a few moments to swoon over them and the newlyweds!

We moved on to the reception at the historic Baldwin Hall in Millersville, Maryland. Chris and Leslie had the entire place decked out with songbird-themed fanciness. It was very beautiful, light, and airy decor.

And what a cute couple they made during their first dance.

Of course, things picked up quite a bit after that first dance; Cicely shot some video of the dancing and other moments, and I put it all together in a little slideshow...

Chris and Leslie's friends had (unbeknownst to them) filled their car with balloons prior to their exit; in order to leave, they had to release quite a few into the crisp evening air.

I love that last shot, of the whole family enthusiastic and happy; many blessings to everyone!

I don't usually update my blog on Fridays, but Chris and Leslie's wedding was too adorable not to at least share a sneak peek of what's to come next week. Their wedding colors were a beautiful robin's egg blue, and a deep chocolate brown, which fit in perfectly with their songbird-themed wedding.

You'll see more of these two and their absolutely adorable affection later on; plus, the car-decorating antics of their friends!

It was an amazing day for Brian and Katie to get married. They arrived, relaxed and ready, at Strong Mansion (one of my favorite places to photograph!) in Dickerson, Maryland, for what would prove to be an eventful evening.

Later on, I asked Katie about what made the day special for her, and the first thing she mentioned was that her friend Melanie ("an amazing friend I've had since high school" and "newly-minted social worker") was the officiant as well as her bridesmaid. I caught Melanie rehearsing a "personal, beautifully written ceremony" in the upper rooms of the mansion. It made quite the impression, too! "I had lots of guests asking me if she was a professional celebrant," said Katie.

Katie's preparation was simple and elegant; her long brown hair swept up and decorated with flowers, and heirloom family jewelry to add a special touch and presence to the day. Check out those gold shoes!

Brian arrived later on, and my wonderful second photographer Leah Stern took charge of photographing the groomsmen down in the gardens. Katie and Brian didn't want to see each other before the wedding, so we played a little cat-and-mouse in the mansion house as a result. No surprises were lost, though!

Guests filtered in and the ceremony began. A Shakespeare poem was read, a kiss of peace exchanged, and Brian borrowed from Jewish tradition and smashed a glass at the end of the ceremony.

Afterwards, Leah and I snuck away with the family and the bridal party to catch shots of the girls all together, in addition to a few private moments for Brian and Katie.

The best of the action was yet to come, though. "Our crazy cousins and relatives were the life of the party," said Katie. "Brian's aunt Mimi gave a scarf dance to one of the groomsman," she remembered, "and Brian's father's cousin Trevor, who came from Northern Ireland to attend our wedding and gave a rollicking toast in Irish brogue that ended in an Irish blessing."

More than one sweet moment was in store, too. Taylor, Katie's maid of honor, gave a beautiful toast. "[It] had me sobbing," Katie said, "and the one by Brian's dad ended in a song from the Baillie men to me."

Needless to say, it was such fun to be a part of such a beautiful, uproarious, and joyous day. Congratulations to Brian and Katie!

Benjamin & Kim had a wedding in the Bahamas. I didn't get to go (boooooo), and neither did some of their beloved family members (boooooo), but these two wonderful lovebirds threw their family a wicked killer reception at Centennial Park in Columbia, renting out an entire pavilion, and decking it out with amazing elegance.

Everything was so scrumptious-looking, I wanted to eat it! The afternoon was heavy with humidity and the grass was wet from rain all week, but the sun stayed out and shone happily upon everyone that day.

Ben and Kim had a second cake to cut and celebrate (made by a neighbor), their dog had a little too much fun romping in the mud, and they created orange-flavored candy table full of old-fashioned goodness for favors for everyone! Too sweet!

Being the adventurous people they are, Kim and Ben were up for a little walk around the slightly muddy field; I took some quick portraits before we walked over to the gaming area for some horseshoes.

I'm no good at horseshoes, but it's fun to photograph!

Lastly, Ben and Kim danced their "first" dance again together, complete with choreography! Man, these guys were good. And their family all watched with love as they embraced tenderly.

Thanks for making me a part of your celebration guys! Many years of bliss to you.

I hope everyone's 4th of July this weekend went swimmingly, and was celebrated with the most-appropriate consumption of delicious food, and the pyromaniac excitement of fireworks. In the midst of all this family-and-friend oriented action, I've been ticking away at Colleen & David's beautiful seaside wedding at Kent Manor on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and have a few special highlights to share from the day.

First off, the coloring of the flowers bespoke how light and airy the overall day felt; and golf tee favors alluded to how fabulously this green the summer has been!

Colleen prepared while surrounded by her lovely bridesmaids and mothers. She's gorgeous, and I'm going to tease you with it.

David, eager and alert, waited with his groomsmen. A hint of nervousness later gave way to glee during the ceremony.

While we sequestered David inside, the bridesmaids laughed in-between portrait takes. The ceremony site--outdoors beneath a wide-open sky--was set with a lovely archway.

Stay tuned when David and Colleen tie the knot, dance the polka, the hora, and kiss as the sun sets...

Of course you remember the tantalizing teaser from Colleen & David's wedding last week. Here are some of the shots I saved as absolute favorites from the day!

This particular day, I was assisted by fabulous photographer Cicely Procopio, who coordinated with me heavily to ensure that neither David nor Colleen caught a glimpse of each other before the ceremony.

David was at ease with his groomsmen, relaxing while all the details were handled around him. Getting married seemed to suit him!

Colleen and her bridesmaids had the finishing touches put on their make-up, and then a big production was made out of putting on her dress. A few bridesmaids who were helping run errands for Colleen (so she wouldn't be seen) came back to the room and were overwhelmed with emotional delight!

Both parties signed the ketubah separately, witnessed by their rabbi and close family members. The parents read blessings on their children and their marriage; I held back a few tears, they were beautiful!

Colleen "was just so happy to have everyone there and to watch the various friends and family that I had meet and get to know one another." She "looked around a few times," during the ceremony, and was thrilled to see "nearly everyone that I loved." Of course the highlight for her was getting married to her best friend. "I was a but surprised at how emotional I got during the vows," she noted.

We snuck David & Colleen away on the grounds for some portraits by the nearby greenery. While the cocktail hour clinked away, the sun set behind them, and gave the two of them a beautiful backdrop in which to enjoy each other's company.

After first dances, some hilarious toasts, and dinner, the newlyweds cut the cake! (Kim Dweir, from With Sugar On Top was the baker. According to Colleen, she was "lovely to work with and did a wonderful job on the cake"!)

Cicely and I, of course, ran around with a small video camera to capture a few of the moments in motion; I've also added a few more of my favorites to the slideshow, which you can see below!

And as you can see, Morgan from Absolute Entertainment definitely got the party hopping. Their friends and family danced the hora, the polka, tossed hats around, and generally made the most of the evening. From outside, you could feel the radius of energy, which was made even more romantic by the fireflies calling out to each other under the stars.

Two young sweethearts decided to get hitched on the rolling hills of Swan Harbor Farm in Havre de Grace, Maryland. Evan and Melodie eagerly watched from the historic farmhouse as guests trickled in under the old growth trees.

After a meaningful ceremony of communion, song, and scripture, we whisked the two away for some portraits.

But that was only the beginning... more to come next week!

These two lovebirds had a short-but-sweet session with me in the ever-lush and immense grounds at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. After gazing at the map for quite awhile, we decided to wander, first, down by the Japanese teahouse...

And then among the formal gardens near the Conservatory, where Kurt and Lily were really able to loosen up and enjoy each other. It was hot, but the overcast day made the gardens thoroughly enjoyable... they almost dripped with a tropical energy.

Lastly, we walked among the roses, enjoying the sights and scents all around us.

What a lovely location and fun couple! You guys were a great pair and awfully fun to photograph!

As you can recall, Evan and Melodie chose to have their ceremony and reception at the lovely Swan Harbor Farm in Havre de Grace, Maryland.

Mindy Best assisted me for the day, and we began at Melodie's house, where here dress was waiting while everyone's hair and makeup got done.

She made for a beautiful bride, of course! One of the details she had warned me about in advance was that she had planned to surprise Evan with a camouflage garter. "I wasn't allowing anything camo-themed at the wedding otherwise," she said.

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This lady is absolutely stunning.

And this guy? Pretty darn handsome.

Daniel and Amanda are their names, and they had their big wedding party at Morningside Inn, after a beautiful Catholic mass.

As you can see, the party was pretty delicious and rockin'. More to come next week!

Amanda and Danny got hitched the day before the fourth of July! I remember thinking how much fun it would be to have a pre-parade celebration to attend. Essentially, it would be fireworks before the patriotic fireworks later on!

Amanda got ready with her mother and bridesmaids in her parents' home--a converted church building in Ellicott City. Don't you think the architecture is fabulous?

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Nathan and Sarah were married about two years ago in a lovely small wedding with friends and family. They didn't have that many frills, and really wanted to commemorate their anniversary with a special photo session together. So, we set out for the family farm in celebration!

Their first idea was to have a picnic. "We picked food that we thought would both taste and look good," said Sarah, after they had fed each other cheesecake and enjoyed some delicious champagne. The champagne had turned out to be a bit more dramatic than expected, but it made for a great photo!

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My session with Zack and Leslie began in their artfully-decorated apartment. To start, Zack showed off his juggling skills using a nearby bowl of clementines.

And when I say that their apartment was "artfully-decorated" I truly mean it: Jim Dine, Alex Katz, the works, folks. Famous artists' works graced the walls all over. I used the Dine drawing by the kitchen for the shot below.

So romantic; Zack and Leslie were so at ease with each other, and graceful in front of the camera!

Not to mention playful...

...AND willing to put up with an odd posing/location request or two!

Later on we walked through the downtown streets and found a wonderfully-textured alleyway.

Zack and Leslie, best wishes to you both! I had a blast.

It starts with two people and a ring...

Jeff and Mariko met me down by the water in Fell's Point in Baltimore for a little delightful dancing.

Later, we walked around the neighborhoods, creeping through every nook and cranny looking to have a good time.

We even stopped to have a game of Connect Four at Mr. Yogato!

I won't tell you who won. Instead, I'll show you my favorite pictures from the session, involving a blue door.

I loved that they weren't afraid to make faces for the camera, too.

At the lemonade stand, Jeff made his moves.

And as the sun set, they held each other close.

I can't wait to photograph their wedding this spring!

On October 17th, Mark and Veronica had a lovely ceremony at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary's Shelton Chapel. The sun shone down through the autumn air...

Veronica and her bridesmaids prepared themselves nearby. Cool and collected, she eagerly nibbled on some snacks and chatted casually. Her hair was simply gorgeous!

Mark prepared himself in another room with his twin brothers and groomsmen, Scott and John. Full disclosure: Mark is my cousin, and what a handsome one at that!

Oh, and what lovely flowers they had!

The chapel had a lofty ceiling with plenty of intimate seating. As the ceremony time drew near, the sanctuary filled. Both of Mark's brothers gave the gift of their music: John on the viola, and Scott on trumpet.

Veronica's dad, Manuel, gave the bride away gracefully and tenderly.

As a part of the service, designed by Mark's father (a minister) and their dear family friend, Glaucia (also a minister!), Eucharist was served.

Both Mark's father and Glaucia provided their blessing on the couple, followed by the entire congregation.

Married!

And so in love...

Here's a sweet slideshow with a few clips from the action:

A preface: as a wedding photographer, very few of my clients send me an invitation to their wedding. I completely understand this! When I got married, I sure didn't bother to send my photographer an invitation. After all, they're paid to be there! Plus, fancy invitations can cost a pretty penny in production and postage.

And it's not like they don't know if I'm going to be there or not, either! I'm in frequent communication with my couples prior to the wedding, making plans, discussing timelines, and getting excited about the venue.

So imagine my surprise when Mariko and Jeff's invitations came in the mail the other day!

They're having their wedding at the Irvine Nature Center in Baltimore this April, and so I absolutely went ga-ga over the leafy nature theme they used all over the invitations--Audobon-like imagery, paper color, hand-stamping, and a delicate typeface too!

April can't come fast enough!