this photo from mary + john’s wedding – taken on the docks of fells point in baltimore last weekend – is simply awesome. how fantastic is this moment!
i’m SO excited about it.
more to come…
bidemi + adrian.
bidemi and adrian’s wedding was exceptional.
first of all, it was a true, all out celebration of love and family, seeped in old african tradition. the festivities began earlier in the week with parties every night leading up to the ceremony – family and friends came from all over the world to attend this wedding, from across the states, europe, africa, and beyond.
the thursday before the ceremony MK and i attended a very traditional pre-wedding ritual event at bidemi’s house, giving us the opportunity to meet her family and understand more about their heritage and culture. both bidemi and adrian are from sierra leone, and are actually moving back there in the fall. their families and friends were so warm and fun, it made me want to visit west africa more than ever – although being at the wedding felt like we were in africa, it was great.
after a methodist church ceremony, it was on to the wild reception…everyone looked absolutely amazing in all their colorful, unique outfits, many changing into traditional african dress for the reception, including the wedding party and bidemi and adrian, who emerged in bright green and gold, looking stunning surrounded by the massive crowd on the dance floor.
the dance floor! it was like riding a wave in there! everyone was grooving, and bidemi made it her mission to dance with every guest, and since the party went on until the early morning, i’m sure she probably did!
the celebration was fantastic: but above all else, i was profoundly struck by how much adrian absolutely adores bidemi. he never took his eyes off her, and he started his speech by first pausing to kiss her, saying “i have always wanted to put the entire world on hold for bidemi” and then added ” i also have always wanted to start a speech by saying ‘my wife and i’…” and you could see just how proud he was, and how much he really meant it. when adrian wasn’t gazing at his beautiful bride he was on stage with the microphone urging the crowd to dance with and admire “my gorgeous wife!” the photos really show his enthusiasm and energy, espcially the ones where he is lifted up by the crowd withhis arms spread wide: a moment of sheer exhiliration.
“love never loses it’s way home” – that was the theme of the wedding. how perfect. here are two people who found their way to each other and in turn back to their roots – their families have apparently been friends for hundreds of years, and will continue on as adrian and bidemi begin their married life back in sierra leone.
what a wedding! i loved the tradition, i loved the closeness of the families, and i loved being a part of bidemi and adrian’s wedding!
enjoy!
Filed under photography, photojournalism, wedding
hela
if you live in dc and you haven’t yet become familiar with hela, it’s time to pay a visit to this stunning swedish day spa. right in the heart of georgetown, on M st, across from the city tavern club, hela has been featured in all of the chicest publications, including my personal favorite daily candy.
on tuesday evening, the spa hosted a swanky cocktail hour together with the washington performing arts society, showcasing two incredibly talented musicians: changamire and lincoln ross. their awesome jazzy blues sounds complemented the serene atmosphere of hela perfectly.
guests lounged sipping on champagne, wine, and sparkling swedish juice, and received complimentary chair massages and skin analysis. the crew from cafe bonaparte was also there, serving up fresh (and delicious!) crepes…how awesome is that?
it was a great event, and a great venue, and above all, a great spa! this coming from it’s newset client!
Filed under dc, event, photography, photojournalism
kristen maye allan
kristen maye allan is arguably one of the best female judokas in the united states – and possibly the world.
in addition to being an incredible athlete, she is an awesome young girl (turned 24 yesterday!) with a great sense of humor, just the right amount of confidence, and a natural beauty.
the fabulous kate michael of the greater washington sports alliance accompanied kristen and worked on her hair and make-up. she did a great job!
photographing kristen was a blast! i had so much fun trying to make her laugh, and asking silly questions that demonstrated my (former!) ignorance of judo. i also inquired about her strength, her style, and her life (yes, she can kick my butt and no she will not succumb to cauliflower ear nor cut her gorgeous long blonde hair.)
kristen is proof that it is possible to be a strong, accomplished athlete and a friendly, beautiful woman – and not have to sacrifice one for the other. i have a lot of admiration for kristen and can’t wait to see all that she accomplishes.
olympic gold? i wouldn’t be surprised.
read more about kristen maye allan here.
Filed under athletes, headshots, photography
matt + leslie engagement photos.
matt and leslie are getting married in just six weeks!
i am really excited for these two, they are so fun to be around and i’m really looking forward to their wedding. turns out matt and i went to the same grade school and high school, and his mom was one of my favorite teachers! such a small world!
we had only an hour to snap some quick pics – so we ran around the tidal basin, i did my best to get matt to smile, and he practiced dipping leslie for the wedding ;)
what you won’t see below are some of the hilarious outtakes from the shoot…these two are so funny!
matt and leslie you guys are great, and i can’t wait until your wedding!
enjoy!
Filed under dc, engagement, photography, photojournalism, wedding
blackle: save energy. feel good.
ok – this post has nothing to do with my photography. but it has everthing to do with my google addiciton, and if you spend half as much as i do searching online, together we can save a whole of of energy by using blackle instead.
this low-energy, google-powered search is pretty much the coolest thing i’ve seen in a while, and a very easy way to save a little, and still get what you’re looking for. don’t quite get it? it’s all explained here.
this comes in response to a blog written earlier this year by mark ontkush, suggesting (based on some convincing research) that a black google would save 750 megawatt-hours a year. i totally dig it.
rock on heap media!
Filed under news
blonde photo :: have more fun! 