On my way out the door, but I had to get these images up for Crystal & Jeffery.  They will be getting married next spring in Jamaica!!  How awesome is that?   Almost every shoot I start out asking the couple what is that one image that they want to leave the shoot with – Crystal & Jeffery wanted more of the romantic fun images where they were interacting as a couple, with a little traditional thrown in.  That made my day – I love cuddling & kissing pictures:)

Crystal & Jeffery – I had a blast with you and am so thankful God held the rain off so I could capture your love.  Thanks for allowing me a window in:)

♥ Heather

I LOVED the steps of the National Archives!!!!

We had to get the Capital in there!

In Jeffery’s words here, “She looks like a model!” – I have to say I agree:)

Probably my fave image from the day…

At the end of the shoot we ended up at the Washington Monument for a few pics.  As I was shooting I noticed that there were a crowd of teenagers forming off to my left.  They were all whispering about how cute Crystal & Jeffery were and then one of the girls starting posing her friend in the same positions.  When they saw we noticed they started walking away and Crystal & Jeffery got several ” you guys are SOoooo cute!” followed by giggles.  It was cute;)

One more sneak peak for today.  Who can resist this little face???  Not me:)  I got so many good expressions that it has made narrowing down the final images difficult, but for now here is a sneak peak.

Karl & Kristen – He is a doll…a very manly doll:)  Can’t wait to share the rest.

♥ Heather

Early this morning I met up with Crystal and Jeffery for their engagement shoot.  We had a great time making our way around the National Mall and got some great shots.  More to come from this shoot!

Crystal & Jeffery – a little sneak peak for you:)  Enjoy your engagement party tonight!!!!

♥ Heather

Several years ago I started following the blog of a photographer in Phoenix, AZ.  I am not even sure how I found her blog, but as an aspiring photographer Melissa inspired me.  I was challenged in my own photography and as time went on I got to “know” Melissa through her blog.   Kinda weird when you think about the day in age we live in.  I knew about her nephews who both have autism, that she loves her dog Dixie (who has really long eyelashes) and Jesus, what her living room looked like (even got to vote on her new rug!), and so much more.  One of the features that she would blog out over the years was “101 in 1001“.  Basically the gist of it is that you have a list of 101 things you would like to do in 1001 days.  They can be big or small.  The size does not really matter.  So, as 2009 came to a close and everyone started new years resolutions I remembered all of Melissa’s posts on her 101 list.   I decided to do that instead.  One of the items on my list is:

#17 Go to a several day photogprahy workshop/retreat

I have been wanting to do this for awhile but always made an excuse of time or money.  So, in April I finally bit the bullet and attended the MJ2 Day Workshop.  The same photographer that I have been following for all this time I was about to meet!  I have to admit is was a little nerve wracking:)  It was great though!  We went over lighting, client relations, posing, vendor relations, and so much more.

Here is a shot of our group from Melissa’s blog….

At the end of day one we went on a shoot with Melissa.  The goal of the shoot was to watch how Melissa handled lighting, picked locations, and interacted with the couple.  We all brought along our cameras as well and hoped for something good:)  Our models were Promise Tangeman-Wurzel and her hubby Brian Wurzel.  They are so fun loving and extremely stylish to boot:)

Shooting through the crowd of people…

MJ in action….

Who can resist the newborn baby smell & cuddles….not me:)  Babies just have that way of drawing you in to them. Max did not disappoint.  Born at 8 lbs and 11 oz he already had some chunk on him when we took these photos at 9 days.

Lindsey & Michal – thanks for sharing your newborn cuddles with me;)

♥ Heather

This past Saturday Beth & Mike met me down in Georgetown to get some engagement shots.  Not long after we started shooting it started raining:(  So, we grabbed as many shots as we could and then we headed out to their home to get some more.  Both are really into sports so we borrowed a tennis court for some shots as well!  These two are getting married later this year in Cancun, Mexico.  Jealous much?   Beth – want a destination photographer to go with your destination wedding?….you could pack me right next to the sunscreen:)

Beth & Mike – Thanks for allowing me to capture you both!  Have fun planning your destination wedding!

♥ Heather

LOVE this one!

Some major bling bling:)

After their engagement shoot I could not wait to shoot Genna & Kenny’s wedding.  Genna is the total diva and Kenny adores her.  He smiles all the time and they both are full of laughter.  The wedding proved to be full of love & laughter.

I know Genna is patiently waiting for these pics so I will keep it short and move on to the pics:)

Genna & Kenny – Thank you for allowing me to document your first day as Mr. & Mrs. Hamilton.  I hope you enjoy your pics.

♥ Heather

Mrs. Genna getting ready….

Her dress was amazing!!!  I have never seen pleats in a wedding dress before and I must say they looked so awesome!

These flowers were so unique.  These flowers are made out of paper.  What a neat element!!  Check out the designer for more information.

Check these shoes out!!!

The bride & groom’s first look…

I don’t normally post many “formals” on the blog but these two cuties with Genna are the couple’s little ones.  Both escaped me the majority of the day, but I think we have a cute one here

Genna – you are hottttt!!!

The below pic has a funny story behind it…..Genna & Kenny had wanted to take some pics at the Lincoln before the ceremony, so we headed over there.  It was crazy busy that day, but I thought we could get some shots (which we did!).  People tend to move out of the shot when they see you are taking more formal pics and all.  We had done some shots of just Genna & a handful of the two of them.  I wanted to try, just try for one shot of the bridal party.  Well, as soon as I got them situated I knew it was not going to happen without the tourists in the background.  The reason I still kept the shot though is the  security guards in the background (man in white with the yellow stripe and his buddy).  Who knew that you are supposed to have a permit to take pics there….not me;)  I am pretty sure they were writing me a ticket, but quickly left right after this shot:)

The guys…

The gals…..

The flowers at reception were so incredible.  The theme was cherry blossoms & orchids (flowers were done by Tierra Floral & the reception was held at The Westin Grand in Georgetown).

From the couple’s first dance..

I normally would not save this pic since it is technically lacking (ie: my hand shook taking it), but there is no way I could delete it.  The look on both Genna & her father’s face is priceless.

Night;)

Off to make dinner but had to get this sneak peak up for Mrs Genna.  She knows how to work it for my camera:)  More to come soon…..now off to conquer dinner!

I LOVE Springtime!!  There is just something about everything coming to life that inspires me.  Everyday as I drive through my neighborhood I am overwhelmed by the beauty of the trees and flowers.  So, the other day I took my dog Bella on a really long walk and took along my camera.  Brave I know.  I couldn’t let it pass me by though.  There were definitely some shots that were blurry due a squirrel or bird flaunting themselves at my 7 month old puppy;)

Here is a sampling of what I saw that day….

I am told that the below is a tulip tree…never knew such a thing existed!

So, my friends often say compare me to Martha Stewart and the occasional Sara Lee.  In my “free time” (I don’t have much of it) I like to cook.  Recently it has taken the form of baking most of the time.  It all started last summer when I saw these sugar cookies on a food blog that I read called Annie’s Eats. They are in the shape of  baby onesies and I could not resist.  Thus my obsession with royal icing started.  I have made the onesie cookies numerous time for friends who had babies, fall cookies, and now dog bone cookies.

Recently my dog Bella has gotten out of our fenced yard on a few occasions.  She always goes to our neighbors house that is beside ours and also is conveniently next to a good size creek.  Thankfully they have seen her multiple times and grabbed her.  My husband and I have been so appreciative.  So, I thought to show them our appreciation I would make them some cookies.

The results are below.  Now humor me a minute and let me point out that I made chocolate sugar cookies with pink & white icing because I have a chocolate lab who wears a pink collar:)  Yeah, I am slightly cheesy at times but they turned out great.  The neighbors loved them too!