Katherine + Allen met up on a chilly fall day recently for their engagement session.  They live in Virginia and the idea of an urban setting in their home state really appealed to them – and where in NoVA is more “downtown” feeling than Rosslyn?  We started for a drink and then jumped all around the town.  And everywhere we went, Allen had Katherine laughing hysterically – madly even!  I couldn’t help but laugh along with them and the time went so fast, I couldn’t believe when the sun was already setting!  Can’t wait for the wedding in April – I’ve no doubt it will be an incredibly joyful day!

I have rarely met two people who are more cheerful, enthusiastic and just all-around delightful than Marie + Johnny.  These two are so bright, genuine and jolly (yes, really, jolly) – I feel like it would be impossible not to feel happy in their presence!  Watching them together is such a joyful thing. During their wedding, it was so evident how perfect they are for each other and how obvious that is to all their family and friends.  They got married the day after Thanksgiving in Washington, DC.  The weather was really icky – just dreary and overcast and cold.  But Marie + Johnny weren’t phased in the last – they had such a wonderful time and kept each other perfectly warm for a few outdoor shots.  Marie got ready at Capitol Hill Suites and then walked across the street to St. Peter’s Cathedral to get hitched.

She’s soooo gorgeous!

Checking out the super fabulous shoes…

Since it was so overcast that day, St. Peter’s was a bit darker than usual, but it worked so well with all the gorgeous white and green decorations – everything felt so cozy, warm and festive.

Absolutely the cutest little posse of flowergirls and ring bearers that ever was!  I love the ivy in the pew adornments and the flower girl’s crown – they were so perfect with the atmosphere.  Marie’s mom put together all the arrangements – it’s great to have a florist in the family!

They are so freaking happy, I absolutely love it!

We headed over to the Grand Atrium, in Vienna, Virginia for the reception – it looked stunning all lit up as the sun set!

I’m in love with this cake – so interesting and unique and unadorned – truly an example of “less is more!”  It was made by Margie of Artistic Cake Creations.

Marie dancing with her father in law – so sweet!

Congratulations you married people!

Just before the weather turned freezing, Danielle + Randy enjoyed the gorgeous fall colors right downtown around U Street in Washington DC.  We found all sorts of fun nooks and crannies and discovered some off-the-beaten-path corners of the neighborhood.  These two were so cute together and had such a great time laughing and joking around – can’t wait for the wedding next summer!

Last shot of the evening – it was fun to experiment a little!  We only had a quick moment, but I kinda like how this one came out!

Congratulations Danielle + Randy!  You guys were so much fun to hang out with and I can’t wait for the wedding!

As the weather is getting colder and the trees are becoming much more naked, I just love having a warm, light and urban studio for portrait shoots!  Cullen and his parents recently came for a fun morning at the studio, bringing along the cutest outfits, most exciting toys and even their handsome doberman, Elko.  And towards the end of the shoot, when Cullen started to get a bit bored with his regular toys and even the new studio toys, we pulled down the red ladder and his face just lit up!  Cullen thinks every boy should get to have a big red ladder in the middle of his room

Just hangin’ with the fam’

Elko is such a gorgeous dog!  He put on his best handsome face for this photo.

Sometimes you don’t realize how much you need some fresh air until you’re out in it, breathing it and loving it!  Alicia + Josh’s engagement session last week at Wye Island on the Eastern Shore of Maryland was like a vacation.   The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, the leaves were gorgeous and we even saw a bunch of pheasants and a fox – extra bonus!

These two lovebirds are lucky enough to live out near this paradise by the bay – they love the woods and water and it was important to them to have their engagement photography session in a place that was meaningful to them.  Conservation of the Chesapeake Bay is something they both work towards and they’ll be celebrating their “green” wedding next summer at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.  I’m personally hoping they’ll bring their two labs to the wedding so I get to meet them!  Alicia organized everything perfectly and came prepared with a cozy blanket and hot chocolate for their fun, organic and woodsy engagement session.

The sound of the bay waters lapping against the shore by this picnic table were incredibly soothing – I’m definitely coming back here again!

I love that you can see the steam coming from their mugs – makes me feel cozy

The light was absolutely perfect as the sun sank behind the trees….