Marina + Chirs: Married! | Ashburn VA Wedding Photographer

Marina and Chris were married at Belmont Country Club in Ashburn VA on yet another rainy Saturday. I think more than half my weddings this year were in some sort of down pour! They didn't let that dampen their spirits though, as everything was planned for indoors and went off without a hitch.
This is what guys prep looks like...

Kelly snapped this shot and I love it not only because of the lighting and composition, but how different is this from what the girls do to get ready!?


Marina wore a really beautiful Priscilla of Boston gown that fit her just perfectly!



Belmont definitely has one of the nicest bathrooms I've seen!




The gorgeous flowers were done by Wegmans--yes, Wegmans, the grocery store! I had no idea they did wedding flowers, but was really impressed with that they did.

This is Marina and Chris not seeing eachother before the ceremony!

Chris actually seeing Marina for the first time that day.





Sealed with a kiss!

Loved all the Fall colors and the use of sunflowers, one of my favorites.



Chris' expression here cracks me up every time I see it.

They had not just one, but 2 cakes! The first incorporated their colors for the wedding.

And the second was in the shape of a suitcase--Marina and Chris do quite a bit of traveling, so it was very fitting for them. Dubai and the Maldives were two of the stops on their honeymoon!

And then it was party time!




My view of the bouquet toss.

And Kelly's view.




It was still raining and yucky out when I snapped this one, but I just had to get a shot of the pretty exterior of the club.

Congratulations Marina and Chris! Best wishes for many happy years together!

The Cobbler's Kids Finally Have Shoes!

I always use the saying, "the cobbler's son has no shoes" to describe my situation with photographs and my own family. Often, I, like so many other photographers I know, get so caught up in doing work for our clients, that we forget to record our own memories. I resolved to do better at this task this year, especially after going to Love Affair, where we talked a lot about balance. So, my daughter just turned 4 this Summer, and my son just turned 2 in September, and I hadn't taken photos of either of them! So, I asked my husband to dress them up and bring them out to the Briar Patch at the end of my day of sessions there. Turned out, it started pouring right as they got there, and then the boy would not cooperate at all! Later on that night, we realized he actually had a temperature and was clearly not feeling well. So, all things considered, I feel lucky to have gotten anything that day, and I even think I got a few gems. Here are a few favorites.
This may be my favorite of the both of them from the day.

Beligerant little dude.

This was the only thing that made the dude stand still and look somewhat pleasant. I have no idea why, but he thought it was hilarious.


You can tell who was being the better model that day...





Steve actually snapped this pic while we were waiting out the rain--this is me after a day of shooting!

The W Family | Middleburg VA Family Photographer

I met Stacy and her family last year when she was a bridesmaid in one of my weddings--the bride got her a gift certificate for a portrait session as her thank you gift! What a great idea :) We were finally able to get together in late September and do our session at the Briar Patch. Here are a few favorites!