love the one you’re with.
in honor of valentine’s day i wanted to share this perfect image from mk + joe’s engagement session (coming soon!) and encourage everyone to show a little extra love today – to your partner, to your family, to your friends, or to yourself! despite the silly controversies over this “hallmark holiday” i do love me some love, and any reason to celebrate it is fine by me! so enjoy an opportunity to spread the love today!
Filed under just for fun, photography
i love key west.
sunset dinner at louis’ backyard – the unparalleled view from our table.
a few of my very favorite images from one of my all-time favorite places – key west! i could write forever about this fabulous island, but this time i’ll let the photos tell the story…enjoy!
the best way to arrive in key west – via the overseas highway, US RT1 from miami.
i can see havana on my gps. awesome.
hello cuba!
i *love* this.
pepe’s is the oldest, and best, place to eat in key west.
happiness is a blue door, a mermaid on your roof and a bicycle.
the infamous, rampant key west chickens!
key west was built with bricks from baltimore!
one of hemingway’s unique six-toed cats…
public trash cans downtown each have a unique, sassy message promoting cleanliness.
sunset at mallory square.
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Filed under just for fun, photo road trip, photography, photojournalism, travel
a hands-on experience.
one of our favorite experiences in key west was the aquarium – a small, humble home to so many incredible sea creatures! the key west aquarium has endured hurricanes and natural disasters, but remains an awesome institution that cares for the ocean community :) everyone there is so nice, and we got a great little tour of the facility and learned about the great work it does. john especially loved the “petting tank” where you could (gently!) play with the sea creatures!
enjoy!
sea urchin!
horseshoe crab!
street art.
sea star!
the next tank over had sharks!
Filed under just for fun, photo road trip, photography, photojournalism, travel
hello 2009!
i stole away to key west to ring in 2009 and it was amazing! think relaxed island vibe meets new orleans’ bourbon street madness…
true to key west standards, the new year’s celebration is full of competing traditions, which makes is the perfect place to revel in whatever type of party you fancy. from one end of the island to the other, revelers spilled out of jammed bars with live music and crazy cocktails, popping champagne in the streets and tossing mardi gras beads to the crowd. we started the evening at schooner’s wharf where we watched as the pirate wench hoisted herself up the liberty clipper and prepared to descend at midnight. we got a sneak peek as they practiced firing the cannon and lit the mast, before heading into the madness of duval street. a sea of people streamed along the infamous main drag of downtown key west, gathering in front of sloppy joes for the annual dropping of the conch shell. we decided to make our way all the way down duval to take in the spectacle at bourbon street pub where Sushi, a renowned local drag queen, descended in a life-size red high heel shoe! it was packed, it was crazy, and it was truly fabulous.
the key west conch shell by day…
…and late at night.
the pirate wench at schooners wharf.
revelers party in the streets.
the infamous red high heel.
Filed under just for fun, photo road trip, photography, photojournalism
lunch with two amazing women, by my favorite caterer in dc.
a few weeks ago i was invited by the fabulous danielle couick to a tasting lunch at windows! danielle is a senior event coordinator at windows catering which is highly regarded as one of the premier caterers in dc. i absolutely love working with windows and was so thrilled to be invited to their tasting room! i was joined by my friend + fellow photographer julia macinnis, who wrote an incredible entry about our experience on her blog!
windows is absolutely gorgeous – a light-filled space adorned with gorgeous images of their food + events, i was impressed the moment i arrived. we were welcomed with mango bellini’s and entered the stunning tasting room decorated with the sparkling colors + textures of their amazing dinnerware. a sublime 4-course lunch followed, featuring tuna tartare, maine lobster, lobster pasta, filet of beef, the freshest vegetables, and a decadent chocolate dessert. each course was paired with wine and it was all perfectly incredible!
afterwards, we toured the facility, admiring the impeccable kitchen with it’s stellar staff and impressive organization. windows provides catering for corporate events, weddings, and even private dinners with as few as two guests! (a *fantastic* idea for valentine’s day or an anniversary!)
i absolutely loved my windows experience – i already loved working with danielle at weddings, and now i can attest to the fact that they serve absolutely incredible cuisine. stellar service, attention to detail, and amazing food – what more you could you want from a caterer?
lobster-pineapple.
maine lobster with cannerozzetti pasta.
strawberry-tuna.
the filet of beef.
mango + cocoa bomb.
the incredible array of table + dinnerware!
Filed under food + wine, just for fun, me, photography
celebrating 50 years of love.
my favorite image of the day, right after they renewed their vows.
on january 31, 2009 mary lou + bob celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! it was a true privilege to join their family + friends at st. mary’s of the mills church, and watch as this amazing couple renewed their vows and honored their lasting love! a huge part of what made the celebration so uniquely special was the participation of their family in the mass. their six wonderful grandchildren presented the gifts, gave readings, and lead the audience in prayer and song. mary lou + bob have an inspiring, enduring love from which an amazing family has sprung. all of their children gave touching toasts in a moving tribute to their parents’ anniversary, followed by words from mary lou + bob’s siblings as well. mary lou’s bridesmaid and friend for 50+ years had a wonderful and hilarious surprise – her original bridesmaid dress! also present at the reception was their wedding invitation, framed wedding photographs, and their original wedding cake topper!
i *loved* being a part of this day – i am so in love with love, and am so inspired by mary lou + bob’s love and commitment. they never stopped smiling all day long and i can see why they have stayed “best buddies” all these years!
congrats to mary lou + bob! and cheers to love!
enjoy!
everyone participated in blessing the couple.
so happy together!
their cake topper from 1959!
the original bridesmaids’ dress!
from the “top 10” reasons why mary lou + bob are still best buddies.
then and now. 50 years strong! go love!
Filed under ANNIVERSARY, photography, photojournalism
welcome! my name is jaime windon, i am the blonde photographer, and the world is my oyster.
my life is nothing less than a global roadshow - originally from washington, dc, i just returned from living + working in lamu island, kenya. i am currently based on the eastern shore of maryland, and travel incessantly to satisfy my wanderlust + to capture the best images possible.
i believe candid photography is the ultimate art, and my ideal subjects are people who are in love with life, with each other, and with the world around them.
my work is primarily focused on weddings, portraits, travel & documentary projects. i love a good story. have one you want me to tell? then email me with your request and any questions, comments, or concerns.
i'd love to meet you.
all images © jaime windon - the blonde photographer ® - blonde photo, llc.
enjoy.
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