Derek & Delinda’s Engagement Session

I love participating in bridal shows.  The excitement and energy levels from so many brides is so high the air almost seems electric.  Being surrounded by this many happy people boosts my energy level and sends my mood soaring.  Just another reason why I love photographing weddings.  In September we participated in Blue Ridge Brides boutique show at the historic GW Hotel in Winchester.  Set in their beautifully restored ballroom we had a chance to meet with and schedule consultations with many brides.  Selected vendors are asked to participate in the favorite event of the day, the Silver Suitcase drawings.   Attendees register when they arrive and a variety of huge great prizes are given out.  I love to see the brides expressions when they are selected to win a prize.  When it came time to draw for our prize, an engagement session and free 8×10 displayed in a matted signature frame for guests to sign, I couldn’t wait to see who would win.  I was not disappointed; Delinda won, she jumped up and down in excitement.   When I presented her the award and discussed the details she was thrilled to have won.  Sometimes things have to get cut in order to stay within budget (I remember vividly how that went when planning my own wedding) and she and her fiance had chosen the engagement session as one of those things.  How perfect!  I was thrilled to be able to give this to a bride who had thought she would have to pass on engagement portraits.

On the suggestion of my friend and fellow photographer Lori of Swadley Studios whose photography style and tastes are similiar to mine we decided on Blandy Farm in Winchester Virginia.    October was a fairly gloomy month with plenty of rain, again luck was on Delinda’s side as the one day she had off and  we scheduled their engagement session on was the one day it didn’t rain that week!  Believe me I was watching the weather.  Many of our brides are very busy with “life” and fitting in an engagement sessions in can be tough.  We had the added pressure of wanting to get them done before the leaves all fell.  October was a bit hectic for us as it did rain so much that we had fewer days available to get all those “fall” portraits done before the leaves were gone.  Hence the longer then usual delay posting “sneak peaks” as I got slightly backlogged with engagement sessions, rock the dress sessions and weddings.  Only a small part of what we do ends when the camera is packed up.  The majority of the work is just beginning as every image is enhanced and those special images are selected so I can apply my “vision” to them.   I promise I’m getting to their images… Did I mention that the Ginkgo grove this farm is famous for was in peak bloom the day we had their engagement session?  The grove was breath taking, golden yellow leaves were lit up by the sun creating a sense of serenity and peace that I can’t describe.  I found myself whispering suggestions as to talk loudly would disturb the serenity of the grove.  Next fall I plan to revisit the farm and perhaps spend some time in silent meditation enjoying the peace that I found there.   Check back with our website, soon we will post a slide show and their entire collection of engagement portraits.

It is hard to “pin down” our style other then to say we specialize in fine art photography.  Below are three examples from this session with three very different “visions” applied to them.  I have a hard time saying if I have a favorite one of these or not.  Usually the image “speaks” I’m not crazy I promise…At least I don’t think so… and I know what direction to take.  On rare occasions such as with this image I tried several enhancements and could not pick my favorite.

Contemporary effect - the first way I "saw" this image

Romantic - soft and understated

Classic - our "standard" image enhancement

Kristen & Ben October 31, 2009; Stone Manor Vineyard & Orchard

Halloween was the day Kristen and Ben choose to get married on.  With one exception every day the week prior had been grey, cold and rainy.  I had been looking forward to photographing at this location for some time now.  Kate had been there two weeks previously to photograph a couple who eloped and had brough back beautiful pictures set on incredible grounds.  I couldn’t wait for my turn…  Kristen and I spoke the week of her wedding to re-confirm everything and I was even more excited as she and Ben had chosen to do have their “first look” photographed so they would have plenty of times for portraits of the two of them prior to their ceremony.  I like to say my wedding mojo was on hand Saturday, when I arrived the sun was shining and the temperature was unseasonably warm.  We spent about an hour or so taking photographs around the grounds before heading one mile down the road to a quaint one room stone church.  Timing was perfect… the sky clouded up and the rain started just before the ceremony.  Ben and Kristen’s friends who had been staying at a campground were grateful too as the shuttle got lost and never arrived; not wanting to miss the ceremony these friends all hopped into the back of someone’s pickup truck and rode to the wedding.  Having photographed over 275 weddings this is the first time I’ve seen guests arrive in the back of a pick up truck.  These friends were committed to being there!

Willing to go to any lengths their friends arrived in a pickup just before the rain came down. The shuttle van scheduled to pick them up was MIA.

Trick or treating for the children in the wedding party - so cute!

Having taken all their photographs before hand Kristen and Ben had time to greet their guests outside the church (another lull in the rain – mojo at work again   ) and enjoy their cocktail hour held in the main house at Stone Manor.   The reception was held in a separate building behind the main manor house.  Being Halloween and having several children in the wedding party Kristen and Ben didn’t want them to miss out; prior to dinner the children put on their costumes and during dinner went “trick or treating” at the tables.  The guests willingly filled their pumpkins with candy.    So fitting with Kristen and Ben’s personalities – thinking about the children on their wedding day.

I had so much fun with this couple and was reminded that the most important thing on ones wedding day is spending time with each other, friends and family.   I would also be remiss if I didn’t tell you about Stone Manor and it’s green initiatives…  They compost, create some of their own electricity, offer locally grown produce, they even have the nicest composting restrooms for reception guests that I have ever seen (no smell- I’ll admit I was a worried and a little reluctant to enter).   Luxury is not an option in their guests rooms it is standard.  Soaking tubs, canopied beds, lounge areas, etc… are included with each room.   They refer to themselves as a country retreat and I can’t think of a more fitting description.   I hope to find time in the spring to “retreat” there myself.   Just another reason to love weddings, I get to check out awesome locales and find new places perfect for that long weekend (my weekend is usually consists of a Monday).   It is incredible the number of great choices couples have today to choose to celebrate their marriage out.  After 10 years of photographing weddings in the area I still haven’t been to them all.    As I keep photographing I’ll keep posting my favorite images from great locations.  If you want to see more of our work please visit our website.

I had such a hard time narrowing it down to just a few that I posted more than usual.  Enjoy!

Capturing that emotional First Look.

Incredible luxury for an "eco friendly" retreat

Picture perfect weather for our photography time gave way to rain later that day.

Just before heading down the aisle

Joanna Rocks Her Dress

Rain didn't dampen Joanna & Matt's spirits

I first met Joanna and Matt when photographing a friends wedding.  Joanna was one of the bridesmaids at a wedding I did in April of 2008.  When it was her turn to be the bride Joanna contacted me for her wedding this past August.  I love referrals from past weddings, when I show up it’s like being with old friends.   Joanna got married at Comus Inn in Maryland, a beautiful location we were excited to photograph there.  The day of her wedding the rain poured down.  Not to be discouraged Joanna and I had a back up plan; we scheduled a rock the dress session for after the wedding in the event that it rained on the wedding day.  These sessions are great fun, no pressure, no time limits portrait sessions where the bride dons her dress again and we set out to capture more great pictures.  Joanna’s mom came along and offered to chauffeur us to a variety of locations in Columbia Maryland.  Aside from taking pictures we had a blast, laughing and updating each other on the past few months.  We even shared a few laughs about our husbands, the joys and how at times they can be down right confusing…   Joanna’s mom married for years had great experience she could share, I married for just over two years recalled the ups and the downs being newly married and Joanna reminded us of the joy that comes from just being married.   I’ve included a few wedding pictures in addition to her rock the dress session.  I hope you enjoy them.

 

 

Joanna & Matt just after saying "I do"

Joanna had a tropical theme that was so fitting for this crowd

My favorite from the session

I loved the red in this tree

Reminiscent of a Tuscan Village in Italy

Rock the Dress aka “trash the dress” with Brandy

A few months after coming to work for me Brandy got married.  This was in October of 2008, I was already booked with a wedding so Brandy who was married in NC on the beach chose a local photographer to do her wedding pictures.  Since then we had been planning on doing a Rock the Dress session, often referred to as trash the dress at Lux we prefer to call it Rock the Dress as nothing we do a good dry cleaner can’t undo (hence the dress isn’t trashed).  If you’re keeping up with the dates we had been planning to do this for a while; initially we planned on spring, we were super busy so it got pushed back to summer, our schedules never lightened and next thing we know it’s fall and a year had passed since her wedding.  Determined to have this session we found a Sunday we were not working and made a date.  Vicky of Beautiful Rose Photography came along as well for the fun.  And did we ever have fun,  I would go so far as to say we had a blast!  We went to a regional park in Leesburg Virginia complete with a corn maze and bays of hale.  We started in a big field where tiny spiders prevailed… Brandy afraid of spiders didn’t see them as she posed in this field;  Vicky and I worked hard distracting her as we brushed them off her dress.   Not a fan of spiders myself; the field, lighting and sky were to perfect to pass up.   I found myself going up on the ladder and rolling in the grass all for the perfect shot.  We were a sight… three women two with cameras and one in a wedding dress.

Our first stop of the session

Perfect sky and lighting on this hilltop field

Vicky prepping Brandy for the next shot. What a diva

Sunglasses were the solution to squinty eyes. Love it!

Heading back to the car

We jumped back in the car, well Vicky and I jumped in after we made sure Brandy was safely stuffed in the backseat of my Honda.   We drove a little further down this dirt road and came to the corn maze.  We ventured in a little ways, Vicky and Brandy promised not to lose me; I am known to get lost trying to get to the local Walmart, I can only imagine how long I would have been there had they left me to my own devices.  The sun was dropping quickly and we got to work playing in  the corn, my favorite part… watching Brandy run, dress hiked up black boots peeking out.  Brandy used to being on the other side of the camera was not as one would say a natural on this side of the camera.  Knowing her so well I really wanted to show her personality and zest for life in these pictures.  The best way was to keep her laughing and not focused on “posing” for the camera.

Emerging from the corn  we had a good laugh as Brandy climbed hay bales in her high heeled boots so we could catch the last of the fading sun.

Watching the light fade

Right before it turned dark I spotted a piece of farm machinery behind it the horizon where the sun had just set.  Hurrying Vicky and Brandy I knew we only had a few moments to capture the image I had pictured.  I hope you enjoy this final image from a great session.

Hustling to the final image

2941 Resturaunt; Scott & Mina September 19, 2009

I was so excited to be returning to one of my favorite locations to photograph weddings, this time Kate came with me so she could experience this incredible venue.  I’ve mentioned before not only is the setting breathtaking but the staff and food are incredible.  Everything runs so smoothly as the event planners make sure every detail is attended to.  This allows us to focus on photography and know that we won’t miss a thing.  Scott and Mina planned this incredible wedding in just 6 weeks!  I’m in the wedding industry and I took 18 months to plan my wedding.  Luck would have it when Scott contacted me I had one open Saturday in an otherwise very busy September and it was on their wedding day.  A few phone calls and emails later and we were ready to go.  I called Kate and gave her the good news, not only were we headed back but the ceremony was scheduled to take place during my favorite time of day the “golden hour”.  Check out the long shadows…  The only challenge we faced is the ceremony was so close to sunset that the sun was directly behind the couple  during the ceremony (not ideal for photographs) however we used our experience to play on this lighting and create some dramatic images that are only possible for a short time period.  Following the ceremony we raced to get photographs done with the remaining light.  The beautiful couple glowed and not just from the gold light.  They were so happy.  I love wedding days you can almost feel the happiness and the hope for a wonderful future.

Following  their introductions the father of the groom and uncle of the groom played a moving first dance.  The first dance was even more special because two people close to the couple played a part in this moment.  We always take several “first dance” images;  your timeless ones of the couple smiling and looking at the camera and then we move on to capture the emotion of the moment with our more creative imagery.   Kate shared her artistic vision with one image I love, from the click of the shutter to the image enhancement she made this image come alive and for lack of a better description “oooze emotion”.  Enjoy!

Click here to see a slide show of more of Scott and Mina’s weddings collection

Incredible lighting set the stage for these dramatic images

Kate's vision of the first dance

checking out the ring

See more of our work at Lux Photography

Brian & Alyssa’s Engagement Session

September 27 the day of Brian and Ayssa’s scheduled engagement session dawned sunny and perfect… however it didn’t stay that way as the evening “golden hour” approached the clouds rolled in and the rain began.   I had spoken with Alyssa the day prior regarding the weather report for that late afternoon and she was anxious to photograph, even in the rain.  She was excited to have nabbed a rare weekend time slot and her can do attitude extended to her portraits.  Rain would be “fun”  as she was preparing herself and Brian with umbrellas I was preparing Kate for the possibility of being not just my “bag girl” as I affectionately call my intern but also my “umbrella girl” a much less fun prospect as it often involves getting wet while the camera and usually I get to stay dry .  She was up for it, I had a couple ready to go and we were on.  As I got within 5 miles of Old Town Alexandria where we were meeting the heavens opened up and the rain came down in torrents.  We can work in rain however torrential downpours are another story.  I was nervous but counting on my wedding rain mojo to extend to this engagement sessions (I have had less then 10 weddings “rain out” it will rain before or just after but almost always my brides get their beautiful outdoor ceremonies).  The mojo came through and 10 minutes before we were scheduled to meet the clouds went away, the sun came out and the golden hour didn’t disappoint.

Brian was like most grooms a little apprehensive yet he wanted great photographs for his fiance and was willing to give it a go.  A little discussion a few jokes later he was feeling a little more comfortable in front of the camera.  Alyssa was a great sport trooping around in heels that would probably cause me to topple over and meet with an ill fate.  I didn’t notice till I was enhancing her photographs that the shoes she chose while giving her some added height also had hearts on the bottom.  Way cool!  As the session progressed I was excited to see their love unfold in visual form.  I couldn’t wait to get home to review our pictures and start the next step in our creative process.   Here are a few of my favorite images, to see more from this session visit our website and select engagements under galleries.

Lux Signature – Fine Art Wedding Photography

As a pre-teen (the term today is “tween” I believe – thank you marketing geniuses for making me feel old…) I watched my mom, dad and pretty much every grownup I knew sign their name with a “fancy” grown up signature.  I recall practicing different ways of signing my name until I had what I thought was a grown up signature.  That signature served me well until I got married and took my husbands name; at which point I felt at a loss how to sign my name.  What had become a habit a no thought included process now had me stymied.  I again brought pen to paper to determine what my new “signature” was going to look like.  It looks like my old signature just a few different letters, as my husband would say “shocker…” his commonly used term when I am surprised by something that should be obvious.  At the time (pre-teen/ tween years) a  signature was something that indicated you were all grown up.

Recently faced with the task of better explaining to clients what makes our photography different I coined the term “Lux Signature”.   Over the past two years my work has evolved and I feel like the company with our newest additions and focus on creativity and fun has “grown up”.  As an artists I have struggled with being everything to everyone.  I have photographed weddings for over 10 years now and many of those years were on film in what today is coined a more traditional or classical style.  I loved the opportunities when I had them to be creative but often the media, customer preferences and or budget didn’t allow for that.   I found myself doing more “personal” fine art photography in addition to my weddings.   Today I and my team are focused on creating fine art wedding collections.  These wedding collections serve to fill my desire to create unique one of a kind artwork.  A wedding is the perfect place to create unique artwork as every couple has their own special way of interacting, individual choices when it comes to the details such as the colors, decorations, cake etc… This is hard to explain but I’ll try;  It has been this way since I first starting photographing at 14… I see differently, as I drive down the road I see lines, forms, and colors.  I see scenes as they are and envision them “better” with a little creative tweaking courtesy of the digital age.   For any brides reading this I also recognize the importance of capturing those classic posed images; the ones mom is looking for, that your grandma had and that you want you grand-kids to have.   For the sake of this entry however I am focusing on the type of wedding photography that makes me passionate.   A big part of  our Lux Signature is the after the fact processing of images in addition to personalized service.  All images come through me for quality control and “enhancement”.  This is where I  go in and tweak every image to ensure that our brides look as good in the photographs as they ever did.  The other big portion, my favorite part is as I initially scroll through the images  whether taken by me,  Brandy or Kate images jump out at me; I mentioned earlier  seeing differently, well I “see” these images slightly different from what the camera captured.  My job is then to take that great image and turn it into what I see.  Another way to put it is applying my vision creating a one of a kind art piece.  This doesn’t happen with every image, if I knew what inspired me to see an image differently I would share it.  I don’t know… it’s just something inside me that has been there as long as I have been taking photographs.  Below are several images taken by myself, Brandy and Kate that I have “seen” differently.   I hope you enjoy our grown up signature…

Please visit us online to see more samples of our work

Some "signature" tweaks are more subtle like this one. Did you notice the man on the left gone? I love technology!

I wouldn't define myself as a "sappy romantic" however weddings bring out my hidden romantic side at times

Christina & Rolando August 30, 2009 at Thomas Birkby House

Christina and Rolando tied the knot at the Thomas Birkby House Sunday August 30, 2009 in front of the historic carriage house.  I have photographed at the Thomas Birkby House many times in the past 6 years.  Almost all my couples held both the ceremony and reception there.  Christina and Rolando were no exception they said “I do” in front of about 100 guests followed by a reception under their tent.  Shortly after I arrived the groom blew in carrying miscellaneous items and hurriedly worked to prepare the site for his bride.  He made sure all the details were attended to while the bride arriving a little behind schedule was able to focus on getting ready for her big walk down the aisle.  I was excited because yet another couple choose to hold their ceremony and subsequent photographs during the “golden hour” of photography.  Unlike my wedding I’m sure they didn’t plan according to the suns’ schedule however the timing was just right.

While the bride was getting settled I photographed her “details” taking advantage of the natural sunlight the many windows at the Thomas Birkby House (affectionately called “Birkby House” by wedding vendors).   I left her curling her hair and went in search of the guys to take their formal photographs.  The groom was just getting dressed and although timing did not allow for any formals before the ceremony I was able to get some great shots of him getting ready.  He was smiling and excited as he prepared to see his bride.   The ceremony went off without a hitch and the reception followed.  I had been watching the sky as a spectacular sunset appeared to be in the works.  The PPA’s (Professional Photographers of America) monthly magazine recently had an article on photographing during the “blue” hour that time just after sunset before the sky turns dark.  It focused on how to best capture images and specifically structures during that time for commercial projects.  I am always keeping my eye out for way to improve my photography and was aching to try the techniques they suggested.   The sun had set and the “blue hour” was upon me, to my delight the sky was perfect and the last rays of the sun light up the clouds and turned them hot pink.  I gave it a shot (literally) and was excited to capture the image below.

Please visit our website to see more samples of our work.

Photographing during the "blue hour"

A fun take on the traditional dollar dance

2941 Restaurant; Beth & Zach July 25, 2009

I have been woefully remiss in keeping my blog entries up to date.  In my defense I was on vacation for the first two weeks in August.  Having said that I am now up to one of my new favorite locations to photograph; the 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church Virginia.  A hidden jem tucked away in an office building the views are incredible and the food amazing.   The pictures below will attest to the scenery and I can say this about the food because the mother of the bride made sure we were fed.  The fillets we received were so tender we cut them with butter knifes.  I don’t often eat meat and do not have what one might call a discernible palate but even this former vegetarian could tell the fillet was close if not at perfection.

Beth and Zach were a fun, low key couple that were intent on enjoying their day.  We maximized their time to enjoy their party by taking the majority of the photographs before hand.  Seeing her groom helped alleviate this brides nerves.  Brandy and I photographed this wedding together and had a blast.  The temperature was perfect, a slight breeze off the lake ensured we stayed cool.  Not only was this a great location but I had rented the newest Nikon camera and telephoto lens to “try out”.  With quality being so important to me whenever possible I like to try new equipment before investing.  Brandy was toting two cameras and after a short time relegated her regular camera to the bag and had fun with my new “toy”;  I say my because I was looking forward to trying out the camera and lens.  Due to the nature of the telephoto lens we had attached it was not practical for most photographs. Therefor Brandy got to stand on the sidelines so to speak and sneak great candids with the new camera and lens.  I will admit I was jealous; I wanted to play more with the new “toy”.  Good thing growing up mom taught me to “share”.    Some day soon we’ll be adding this amazing camera and lens to our lineup and I can photograph with it to my hearts desire.  Until then I can admire the many great photographs Brandy got with it.

Click here to see a slide show of Beth and Zach’s wedding collection.

Scenery from 2941 Resturaunt

Brandy and the new camera in action

An album spread

2491 Restaurant did the couples wedding cake

Morgan & James July 18, 2009

On July 18th Brandy and I headed off into different directions with each of us photographing separate events.  While I was photographing Teresa and David’s 30th anniversary and vow renewals (see prior blog entry) Brandy was photographing Morgan and James as they began their life together.    The couple held their ceremony on the eastern shore with fields of green and water views.   The next day Brandy reported back that the location was beautiful and she was so excited about the images she took.  I couldn’t wait to see them neither could she as she sent me over a “sneak peak” of her favorite images.   I love post production and putting our signature on each and every image.  When I saw her images my mind filled with endless possibilities of how to put our personal touch on Morgan and Jame’s wedding collection.

My favorite image was one born out of circumstance.  The groom a little hot, ready to party did not want to tuck his shirt back in for the groomsmen photograph Brandy has envisioned.   Working with the circumstances she capture this fun image of the groomsmen.  With his shirt tail hanging out one can easily identify the groom – even from behind.   Quick thinking captured this great image that tells the story of this grooms wedding day.

Lux Photography