They enjoyed the adventure of navigating around the busy city and made their way to both the Zoo and the Capitol. After spending a full day on their feet and enjoying each others company, it was time to say good bye. Almost a year later, they followed in the footsteps of their first adventure only this time things were different. Blair had taken a new job and re-located to the district, and with an absolutely packed day full of everything they loved he took Jacqueline around the city and asked her to marry him. She said yes.

It was only natural that for their engagement photos we visit the two spots that became most significant to them, so we started at the Zoo before heading over to the Capitol. The usually calm Zoo was bustling with activity, sounds, and sights as it celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with an event named “Fiesta Musical.” Once I heard about their first date, it was ironic. Once we got over the fact that the crowds of people felt like an unintended audience, we found a few quite spots in the zoo and had a great time taking pictures. Jacqueline looked fierce – and I don’t usually break out that kind of Top Model terminology, but it’s true. I love the colors they wore and how they stood out in the lush green environments we hid away in.

Next we went to the capitol, where Blair proposed! It was beautiful and the overcast skies made it easy to photograph. I encourage couples to make the session personal by choosing locations + activities that are significant to them. It was fun to shoot in such a historic location and I think we made all the tourists jealous.

After seeing the sights from several different angles we ended on the steps overlooking the mall. Each time I visit DC I think “I could live here” and then I drive home and remember how much I love not having traffic (never mind that I live far from everything). Jacqueline + Blair I’m so glad we were able to meet up for these photos and I can’t wait for your wedding next summer! Enjoy the city life for me.

To tell you that Liz and Matt met over donuts at work simplifies the story of two interesting and complex people to a casual everyday encounter. It leads you to believe that their relationship is ordinary when it is so much more than that. For these engineers, meeting over donuts was just the beginning. They soon hit it off and began their adventure together sharing their love for food, fun, and dressing up in the most creative Halloween costume.

I know Liz from way back; we went to high school together back in Michigan. Matt on the other hand is from the Syracuse area, which is not that far from where I currently live in western New York. Rather than try and meet up in either of those two places, Liz and Matt decided to have their engagement session out in D.C. where it all began. They wanted to capture their time living in the city so incorporating landmarks was a priority. I came out there last week just in time for the cherry blossoms and had a great time photographing them around the city and getting to know them as a couple. They shared their love for food with me and took me to some fabulous spots – including a trip to Georgetown Cupcake for a post birthday treat. Honestly they couldn’t have been more welcoming and I can’t wait for their wedding this summer at the Grosse Pointe Academy. I hope you enjoy all of the variety and Liz + Matt I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Can you believe we got a picture here without any other people? Right after a big bus group walked up the stairs, so it was perfect timing.

Gorgeous day and of course gorgeous couple. Liz and Matt decided to go with a color palette of navy and pink, which will also be present at their wedding. The blossoms were a perfect fit and added a delicate touch to the scene.

Love this view of the city from the bridge. I was actually here just over a year ago, you might remember this photo I shot here from Dawn + David’s wedding. The second part of the session took place on the roof and clubhouse of the building Liz and Matt live in. The views were amazing and we thankfully avoided the rain we were dodging to shoot at both of these locations.

I’ll end it with this photo to leave these two alone. Looking forward to August!

The blossoms have bloomed in the nation’s capital and it is one of the most gorgeous times to visit. That would also make it a perfect time for engagement photos, which I took for Liz and Matt this morning. After an early flight we got right to shooting to avoid the coming rain and it really paid off. The cloudy skies set the stage for romantic and moody images with soft light all around. They have been most gracious hosts and even took me by Georgetown Cupcake for a birthday treat! I love to visit this city – can I stay longer?

On Sunday Matt and I (that’s right, Matt came along to help with his first shoot) drove over to DC for Christy and Phil’s engagement session. I had been trying to get Matt to come with me for a while, since I needed the free labor knew how helpful he would be.  I didn’t make it easy on him. By the time we rolled in to DC, amidst signs for major road closures due to the nuclear energy summit, we were hungry and fearing multiple hours in traffic on the way home. It turns out the traffic was not a problem – we were in and out at the perfect times – but we did have to wait a little while for food. I took him out to Ray’s Hell Burger afterwards to make up for it, and I think it worked.

It was great to have him along, help out with equipment and do random tasks like throw a basketball and pick a bouquet of dandelions, so thanks Matt! Here’s just a few from the session for now, and look for the rest of Christy + Phil’s engagement photos soon!

It was the eve of Dawn’s birthday when David proposed. He gave her a present and inside was an engagement ring that he designed and Dawn said yes. They set about preparing for their wedding and their marriage, which if anything is an adventure. So, last month on a rainy spring day, I joined them in Arlington, Virginia for their wedding.

Some gorgeous florals took center stage at the reception, where a lot of the decorations were handmade by David and Dawn. Curly willow came from the mother of the bride’s backyard in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and stood as beautiful mini trees in the center of each table. Since David is a carpenter he made the centerpiece boxes that they stood in, and the gorgeous multi-tiered cupcake stand.

See that amazing cupcake stand? I think all of the kids, including the ring bearer below, were amazed by the display of dessert :)

After the wedding and reception, I headed into the district for some photos of David and Dawn with a true DC backdrop. It was steadily raining, so we brought out umbrellas and shot some romantic images… rain just tends to lend itself to a really interesting and romantic backdrop. (have you seen the new pride + prejudice?)

We had some fun with the umbrella as well of course, and I think they pulled it off perfectly… it’s always important to have fun when you’re taking pictures.

…and after all the pictures they were off on their honeymoon to Brazil!!  Thanks for braving the rain and I think the pictures are totally worth it. I’ve had such a good time getting to know you both and it’s a been a privilege to photograph your engagement + wedding. View the slideshow below to see a more complete overview of the day, and then check out the full gallery of images. Just register and then use D+D’s last name to enter their gallery. Comments left on this post will help them earn a free print, so leave them a note or let me know what you think!

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After every wedding I’m exhausted from pouring every last bit of energy into photographing each inch of the day. I make it home and am ready to collapse in front of the tv with some sorbet (if I’m lucky to have it in the house) while I upload my memory cards. Despite this exhaustion, with out fail I get a second wind and start to look through the wedding photos. I start to sort and edit and see what new things I’ve captured. I can barely keep my hands from editing a few so I don’t even try to hold back. So, here is one of the images from David + Dawn’s wedding today. We had a great time getting photos in the district and trying to keep dry the whole time. It was a juggling act for me but one that I am used to – and you know it would take some pretty severe weather for me to miss photos like this. They had a great wedding that I’m looking forward to posting soon!