Contest! | Cans for Comments & Holiday Food Drive

Over the holidays, I did my 2nd Annual Food Drive as well as participated in Cans for Comments. In the first food drive, I collected over 40 pounds of food to donate to Loudoun Interfaith Relief. This year, the goal was to collect at least 100--and I made it! Here is a shot of the whole donation. I had planned on taking photos the whole way, all the way to the donation site, but juggling my two kids, navigating semi-plowed streets, and hauling 100 + pounds of food proved to be a bit of a hindrance to the picture taking.

So, now the fun part--Leave a comment here on the blog with your guess as to the total weight of the food donation. The winner who comes closest to the correct total weight without going over will receive a $100 Amie Otto Photography gift card! The hint is that I exceeded the goal of 100 pounds. I'll leave the guessing open for the next week and post the winning guess by 2/17/10. Good Luck!

AOP Wins the Bride's Choice Award 2010!

Washington DC – February 2, 2010 - WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced Amie Otto Photography has been selected to receive the WeddingWire 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™ for Photography! The annual Bride’s Choice Awards recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds. Amie Otto Photography is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. “We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.” We are happy to announce that Amie Otto Photography is among the very best photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. We would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating us for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards. For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at our Wedding Wire Storefront.

Katelyn is 1! | Ashburn VA Children's Photographer

It really is true--they grow up so fast! Katelyn was one of my Baby's First Year plans, and we did her one year session just before the holidays. She is growing into a delightful little toddler--full of personality and super cute! Here are a few faves from the session.

This is right out back in the yard! Got super lucky with field/woods/light.

I love when babies go for my lens :)

Katelyn, it's been great watching you grow! Now, to put together your album!

Baby Miles and Family | Northern VA Family Photographer

As I'm typing this, I'm realizing that this may be one of the last times I get to refer to Miles as "Baby Miles!" He will be a year old soon, but we got these portraits in late last year, just before the holidays. The real goal of the session was to do an extended family portrait, but of course, Miles stole the show. Here are some favorites from the session.

His first year book photo.

The extended family portrait.

Love these shots of Miles with the remote--such a fun age!

I can't wait to see Miles for his one year session--He's come a long way from his days in the salad bowl!

Ashley + Reuben: Married! | Washington DC Wedding Photographer

Even though I am just blogging this wedding now, Ashley and Reuben were actually my last wedding of 2009. With the busy portrait holiday season, and lots of clients wanting their albums before the holidays, my blogging definitely suffered! But even though this is a little late, I can't think of a better way to start off 2010 that with this beautiful wedding.
The wedding day was actually the first time I had met Ashley and Reuben as they actually live out of state. It was so great to finally meet them after chatting on the phone and over email. They had planned a gorgeous wedding, held at the Willard Intercontinental in Washington DC. Even though the day was rainy and overcast (like so many weekends were in 2009!) the Willard provided a warm sanctuary from the elements and a beautiful backdrop for the wedding day festivities.

The Jenny Lind suite was HQ for the bride and bridal party to get ready. The view out the window in the image above is actually from the bathroom! And check out the bedroom....couldn't ask for a prettier setting for the dress and detail images.






The ceremony was short and sweet and filled with emotion. It was presided over by members of Reuben's family, making it extra special for the couple.


The new Mr and Mrs!


Some of the luxe details from the reception.


The reception was a lot of fun--Derek from Bialeks kept the crowd on their feet all night long.



Congratulations Ashley and Reuben! We had a blast at your wedding and wish you many happy years together!


Vendor Love:

Site: The Willard Intercontinental

Hair and Makeup: Weddings by Kerry and Patty

Florist: Greenworks

DJ: Derek Romanoff, Bialeks

WPJA Q3 Winner!!

This year, I was so excited when I was accepted into the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA). To explain the organization, here is a quote from their website:
The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) is a professional organization composed of photojournalists and wedding photographers from around the world. What sets our members apart in the industry is their candid, documentary approach – a distinctly artistic vision toward wedding photography.

The application process is lengthy and consists of an application and website review. Part of being a member means you are eligible to participate in the quarterly contests, which are judged by some of the leading photojournalists in the world. I'm thrilled to announce that I won 10th place in the "Getting Ready" category in the Q3 contest! I placed with this image from Marina and Chris's wedding at Belmont Country Club. Here is a screen shot of the winning entry from the WPJA website.


If winning wasn't enough, my image was also chosen to be one of the rotating images on the WPJA homepage! I really can't say how honored I feel by this. I truly admire all the members of the WPJA--it is one of the most talented pool of photographers I have ever seen. So, to be featured on the homepage is just so great.
You can check out the other winning entries on the WPJA homepage.

Last Minute Holiday Gift Sale! 25% Off Gift Certificates

Are you still searching for the perfect gift for the person who seems to have everything? We have the perfect solution--A gift certificate from AOP! Gift certificates are available in any denomination and packaged ready to give as a gift. And now through Saturday, get 25% off all gift certificates! Just email me with your order before 12 am eastern time Saturday the 19th with your order.