Julia’s Blogfest

Another fun sibling session!  Little Jack came to me last year when he was 18 months old and his mama was prego with #2.  She wanted to get some high key shots of them as she had done this with little Jack when he was the same age as his new brother, Owen by someone else (not me).  I am always cautious about promising good shots of siblings in-studio when they are this age but I had better luck than expected.    It wasn’t long before Jack was movin’ and shakin’ but I snapped away and very swiftly!!  I don’t normally accept shooting toddlers in-studio b/c I lack space and assistants to help with children.  But got it done.  They are gorgeous children!

Just wanted to post some images of my crazy boys.  Jack took the week off work and packed in a ton of fun activites this week now that Jackson finished up school too.  From making “slimy snot” from a science kit last weekend to bike rides along the GW parkway, to seeing the movie UP (tear jerker!), working a lemonade stand, mini golf and the golf range, spending the afternoon at a local water park, going to our pool and doing pizza night…..he has been awesome this week with planning and keeping them busy!  In addition, Jackson took tennis lessons this week in the mornings while Harry was in a Nature Camp (and was able to bring home a kitten one night).

Here is a bit of what they have been up to….

Mini Golf at Top Golf in Alexandria. I never let my kids win – still competitive when it comes to sports, or quasi-sports!

Harry took tennis for the first time last week as well.  It’s so cute at this age!

Warm days means “no mercy” with the hose.

This is “CC” who came home from Tauxemont Nature Camp for a night.  If you have a child 3-6 in Alexandria, you must do this camp!  We have done it for 6 summers and I was even a counselor there when I was 16!

Harry has such a hard time NOT owning a kitty.  Jack and Jackson are HIGHLY allergic and the 24 hours we have the cat are misery for everyone but Harry.

A successful lemonade stand thanks to great neighbors — they earned $12!  We’ll do it again soon.

This day was a day of COLOR.   When editing Alison and Jeremy’s wedding images, I see bursts of color and amazing details in everything.  From the table decor to the tulle on the balcony to her breathtaking dress by Oleg Cassini, gorgeous tiara, table settings and flowers, Alison took care of every last detail.  They even booked me 14 months before the wedding so they planned far out!  Their wedding and reception was held at the beautiful Rose Hill Manor in Leesburg, VA.  I had never shot there before but loved the venue primarily because each room was a different color and if you know me and my home, my rooms are similar — every room has a different mood elicited by color.  I think it’s so fun.  So it was eye candy to shoot there!   Alison’s make up and hair were gorgeous too and her bridesmaids wore striking red long dresses as well.  I had such a fun day.  Also, many thanks to my friend and colleague/2nd shooter Amanda Pagon for coming along!

Flowers done by Heaven on Earth, wedding planning & coordination by Wish Special Events and catering by Heidi Harrington at the amazing R&R Catering.

Here is their engagement session on the freezing 33 degree day in March!

Look at these exquisite flowers! 

Alison’s ‘choice’ shoes for the day.  YES!  All day!  Ugg slippers!

Gorgeous tables!

Table favors

Yummy walls with a princess amidst!

Lively and HUGE wedding party.  Such fun.

I watch mother+groom wedding dances carefully b/c I’ll have to do it myself ONE day — IF I let go of my boys.  Watching this gets me EVERY time.  And Jeremy and his mom have such a sweet relationship.

Look who caught the bouquet!

Alex & Norah got married Friday, May 15th at the fabulous Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna, VA.  Alex works with Jack and when I was asked about wedding photographers, I suggested they contact my other good friend, Mandi White for their wedding  – and this way I could 2nd shoot and also be a guest!  So that’s exactly what happened –  Mandi shot the wedding and I 2nd shot for her for the first half of the day, then when the reception began, I was a guest!  Though, my camera wasn’t far away.  The other great thing was that I got to hang with the guys which I normally do not do when hired for a wedding.  I spend most of my time with the bride to be and maybe pop in to see what’s going on with the guys (read: usually nothing) and have that covered by my 2nd shooter.  So this was fun and different for me.  I also rode in the super stretch limo to the venue from the Ritz and that was hilarious.  I’ll leave it at that.  The guys were lively and cheeky and were awesome to hang with.

Alex works at Sirus/XM with Jack.  Formerly as a production engineer in the studio with Jack and is now a Producer for the Artist Confidential series.  Norah teaches 6th grade at a Fairfax County School.  They met 9 years ago in Canada at a concert and have been together since!  Their wedding was so fun and the music was great thanks to Alex’s penchant for DJing at high end night clubs!  He was in full control of what was heard and how the bass was bumpin’ at the reception.  Needless to say there was a LOT of dancing.

The wedding was Greek Orthodox and included many of the ceremonial customs which were just beautiful.  This revolves around the 3′s — which reflects the Holy Trinty.  Crowns are placed on the couples heads and switched 3 times.  They also walk around the table (alter) 3 times.  The weather was hot but the light was amazing!  A photographers dream.  Couldn’t have been more pleased in all respects.

Congrats guys!

(all images shots for www.photosbymandi.com)

I love the summer storms that come frequently in the DC area.  The soupy mix of heat and humidity are a perfect combination for wild thunderstorms in this area.  Last night we had some seriously intense ones move thru right at rush hour.