Today

I was recently rereading my welcome to my blog entry and realized I had been slacking in my entries recently.  I am supposed to be telling you about not only Lux Photography and my experiences with work but also about my life.  Hence the title “Life in a Photographers World”  it may be telling that all my recent entries involve wedding photography as peak wedding season draws to an end my thoughts have been all about the weddings lately.   My life in the past has consisted of work, work, and more work.  I did my time in corporate America waking up early in hotels and not remembering which city I was in that day until I had my requisite diet coke – equivalent to a coffee drinker not having their coffee.   I have come out of my hotel before dawn and tried to open the door to the wrong rental car.  They all look the same!  I and other road warriors could be seen standing on the sidewalk using the key “clicker” to flash the lights and honk the horn of our rental cars.  When I transitioned to running my own business I thought my life being about work would change; it didn’t with one exception I love what I do (for the most part) and each day is filled with tasks that I enjoy (exception being figuring out which taxes to pay, how much and when.)   I recently learned I missed a local county tax and owe for the past 2 years.  Arg I thought I had them all.  I wonder if I am missing anybody else?

Now is when I tell you about all my hobbies and what I do in my down time.  My husband is quick to point out that I have very few “hobbies”.  The two I have I am passionate about, reading and planing vacations.  The ultimate for me is being on one of my vacations (which I get  great deals on) reading a book.  I recently scored round trip non-stop tickets to Cancun Mexico for $99.00 each way and 5 nights free at the JW Marriott (thank you swine flu and rewards points).   August 2nd my mother and I leave for 11 nights in Cancun Mexico.  She and I are perfect travel companions as we share the same hobby reading.  I’m working on addicting my stepson to reading as well, so far he is hooked on our Sunday (when I don’t have a wedding) trips to Borders Books.  I’m not sure if it is the lure of the bookstore or breakfast at McDonald’s before the bookstore.  Either way I enjoy “our” time together and smile when he sinks into the chair next to mine with his own pile of books to look over.

I can’t sign off without showing a few pictures.  Here are some from a wedding I photographed on July 3, 2009 at Oxon Hill Manor (incredibly beautiful) the reception following was at the Colony South Hotel.

More of our photographs are available at Lux Photography

One of my favorite photographs from this Filipino wedding.

Traditional Filipino weddings include a ceremony with the veil and cord.

Half way through the ceremony the rain came down again, the bride and groom just smiled and continued with their vows as the maid of honor and best man ran to their sides with parasols.

After the ceremony all the guests gathered for a group photograph.

The grounds at the Colony South Hotel also provided great backdrops for photographs.

Ethnic Wedding Photography

Photographing in the Greater Washington Metropolitan area has allowed me the opportunity to photograph all different types of weddings and receptions.  Close to our nations capitol this region epitomizes the “melting pot” philosophy of the United States.   As a wedding photographer I get to see how the worlds different religions and cultures are celebrated on the wedding day.  From a traditional intimate Arabic ceremony for immediate family followed by a large and lavish reception to the jumping of the broom many cultures and religions have a unique way of celebrating couples love.  I have donned a Hijab,  dodged flying plates, heard full choirs sing their praises,  celebrated for three days,  and elbowed my way through mobs of cheering guests.   Below are some images from some of my more memorable experiences.   Enjoy.

Lux Photography

Arabic reception. The bride and groom are preceded in the introductions by all their family hwo line the dance floor. The groom then escorts his bride around the floor "introducing" his new bride to family members.

Dancing to the beat

Everyone Dances

The bride and groom were presented with this "bounty" symbolizing prosperity for the couple in this Persian ceremony.

This ceremony is to bless the bride with fertility.

Armenian Ceremony

Guests and family members showered this couple with money symbolizing prosperity.

Dodging flying plates