Category Archives: dc

May 26, 2009 · 4:58 pm

kathleen + jerry: married!

dc love + charm city flair.

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kathleen + jerry are married!

their wedding was absolutely delightful! they wed on a warm spring afternoon at the daughters of the american revolution (DAR) in downtown dc two weeks ago! this post is long overdue, and full of tons of images – i loved every moment and have had the toughest time narrowing down the photos! kathleen + jerry were both radiant and it was a privilege to be part of their day.

DAR is a wonderfully classic location and a perfect backdrop for their intimate ceremony, chic cocktail hour and vibrant reception. kathleen + jerry are truly a perfect match and two of the most enjoyable people to be around – i very much enjoy their company and was completely honored to document their day. their friends + family made me feel so comfortable and everyone was incredibly kind – must be that southern charm! kathleen’s family hails from texas and jerry’s is from cuba- and everyone was so fun! the dance floor was an incredible mix of texas line dancing, A&M war chants, and salsa-samba-sassiness!

every detail of the wedding was gorgeous, and their phenomenal iphone wedding cake was easily the most celebrated (and photographed!) detail of all! they commissioned charm city cakes to create their dream cake – complete with icons to honor different aspects of their life + relationship! it was amazing + unique – such a fun idea!

although storm clouds threatened the outdoor ceremony, the rain held for the entire afternoon and evening, allowing guests to witness the union of kathleen + jerry on the marble portico of the DAR. later, everyone celebrated with the moon high in the sky and the washington monument shining in the background, kathleen + jerry at the center of it all – swirling and clapping and laughing – surrounded by their family + friends. 

a grand lightsaber exit sent the newlyweds off into the night, bound for the greek islands and destined for a lifetime of love + happiness.

cheers + congrats to the famed + fabulous o’britos!

enjoy!

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seeing each other for the first time…

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…seeing the cake for the first time!

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5-star vendor reviews!

daughters of the american revolution :: amazing venue in downtown dc

charm city cakes :: original, unique, made-to-order wedding cakes!

cherry blossom events :: excellent wedding planning by chantal rotondo

occasions caterers :: superb catering by megan wilby + her fantastic staff!

distinctive floral designs :: gorgeous flowers by alison de wit

jaime easson :: fun, personable, versatile dj!

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May 22, 2009 · 2:53 pm

springtime = session time!

all around town.

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lian + mark :: engaged! 

following the marathon shooting day in philly on tuesday i had three more amazing sessions back in dc this week! yesterday i met up with mark + lian who are getting married this winter in chinatown, and met baby elia who is just 12 weeks old! this morning i went to visit little evan and i couldn’t believe how much he has changed since our last session!

enjoy these sneak peeks while i prepare to blog like crazy in the next few days – coming your way very soon: 1 wedding, 4 engagements, 1 anniversary, 2 baby sessions, and the much anticipated NOLA photos from my week with the LA-SPCA!

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baby elia :: naptime!

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little evan :: loves my camera!

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May 18, 2009 · 3:18 pm

arlington national cemetery.

a place of rest for our nation’s heros.

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today i visited arlington national cemetery for the first time. my grandmother is in town, and we ventured to the cemetery to visit the grave of my uncle ricky who died in vietnam in 1969. although she has visited his grave many times over the last 40 years it is still an emotional journey and i was grateful for the opportunity to be by her side today. 

it was a cool, sunny afternoon and apart from the groups of tourists near the visitors center and the notable grave sites of JFK and others, the grounds were very quiet. in the far reaches of section 17 we were completely alone as we searched the rows for his name, and found it tucked under the shade of a large tree, close to the edge of the grounds.

the cemetery is hauntingly beautiful – endless rows of gravestones mark the resting place of veterans and military casualties from every war in our nation’s history. over 300,000 men + women are buried here, making it the second-largest national cemetery. during our visit we witnessed a horse + carriage funeral procession, an all too common occurance, with funerals taking place five days a week and totaling approximately 6,400 each year. 

we were both overcome by sadness and grief – not only for ricky but for all those who lost their lives fighting and suffering in war. however heavy our hearts, the visit was a wonderful way to honor and remember those who have sacrificed for us. seeing my uncle’s grave was very emotional for me – i was filled with remorse, anger, and sadness, but i left with an incredible sense of pride.

to live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.
 – thomas campbell

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May 15, 2009 · 2:30 pm

critical exposure: gallery opening.

DC students exhibit their photography work.

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last week i attended critical exposure’s “through the lens of DC youth” photography exhibit at the ARTiculate gallery. i recently posted about my experience working with critical exposure, and was very excited to see the students’ work on display. i was so impressed with their willingness to tackle serious issues and their ability to capture them with such great perspective. the images + words throughout the exhibit focused on a clear message – only about half of dc students graduate from high school, and a small fraction of that number pursue a college degree. the photography students not only documented the causes + consequences surrounding the dropout crisis, but also sought possible solutions to the problem. topics covered ranged from violence, to school programs, to drugs  alcohol, gangs, teen pregnancy, and despair. the students worked within their own communities and schools, sharing what they saw and using their cameras to give an glimpse into the dropout crisis.

i would encourage everyone to visit the exhibit – it is a fantastic opportunity to truly look through someone else’s eyes. there is an educational crisis happening in our city, and all over the country, and while the statistics are shocking, these images portray a reality that is far more unsettling. i found that the true power of the photographs lay in their ability to make me question how children are supposed to deal with such situations. how are they to succeed in environments where gangs and violence are prevalent? where classrooms are in disrepair and school is not a safe place? their photographs take you into their world and allow you to see and feel what they see and feel. i believe these images are a call to action, and a challenge. who will act on behalf of our youth? who will help secure a better future?

get involved :: criticalexposure.org

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i was surprised and excited to see this image i took of my student, msugh, on display at the exhibit!

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critical exposure :: the power of photography

critical exposure :: gallery opening!

critical exposure :: in the classroom!

critical exposure :: photo students!

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