The Lady in Red

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”

― Ira Glass

I had made it. Still tired from the bus ride from D.C., I sat in my chair at WPPI/PhotoPlus Expo anxiously waiting for Jasmine Star. If you have ever asked me about photography or asked me which industry professional I most admire, you already know my “Justin Bieber-esque” awe for Jasmine Star. If you haven’t yet, get ready for me to geek out.

As I sat there, I began to think: how did I get here? Not even a year ago, I had never even given a thought to being a photographer, let alone a wedding photographer. It was only a few months ago, I sat in my bedroom watching Jasmine’s Creative Live & realized that not only she was fabulously dressed, she was REAL & her story was similar to my own.

As she gave her presentation she delivered not only in message but in style. I laughed, I cried, & learned to never give up on my dream! Because at the end of the day, the blood, sweat and tears are worth the sweetness of success.

Afterwards, I had the honor of meeting her and, sweet baby jesus, did I geek out!!!! I’m pretty sure it went something like: HiImABigFan, ImReallySorryButImGoingToTotallyGeekOutRightNow!!! How did she respond? With a Hug. =)

Thank you to Jasmine Star, the woman who never fails to remind me why I took the leap of faith and began my journey to become a Wedding Photographer.

Weddings | Marlo and Clinton

A few weeks ago I had the honor of working alongside the always fabulous Nicole Johnson (Now Mrs. Wingo!) from Photography by Nicole Johnson as a second. The Omni Hotel in Richmond was an awesome location and shooting a gorgeous couple made for a great day.

Here a few of my favorites!

Engagements | Celeste & Tobias

Their love was a storybook fairytale. Written in the stars and destined to be a happily ever after. Celeste and Tobias met while on vacation in Florida. What they didn't know was fate was planning their meeting long in advance. They had each vacationed before separately at the same time in the same place three times without knowing. Their paths crossed on the fourth time when the stars aligned.

After meeting Celeste, Tobias knew that this girl was the one to spend happily ever after with. Proposing with a family ring in the shape of a star (already sized to fit her perfectly), fate could not have written a more perfect love story.

Tobias and Celeste, I was truly honored to have you both as my first engagement session. Not only did you guys rock it out but you give truth the saying "it was written in the stars."

Weddings } Arlington, VA

It's the kind of love you love to see. The love where words are spoken through stolen glances and knowing smiles.

This weekend I had the pleasure of shooting alongside Jenn from The Creative Light Studio at Chris&Vanessa's wedding. I knew Vanessa was a girl after my own heart when I saw her shoes. (Because glitter really does makes everything better!)

And did this girl have moves! Jenn really does find the most gorge and fun loving brides!

Start your Engines!!!! Part 1

I have returned to the land of cyberspace! I have a lot to blog about and will over the next couple of days. But first I will start with the Part 1 of the Mid-atlantic Powerfest.

Now I'm a city girl gone country and when you mix cars with a carnival you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be there. With that said, it was a given that as soon as I saw the lights of Mar Fest lighting up RT.33 I had to be there. So on sat night, I packed my new stylish compact camera bag and we hit the dirt. Literally. There were heats after heats of cars lining up to show who was more ballsy and who would wreck 'em the best. So for four hours I was grinning ear to ear. (It also helps if you have an incredibly handsome date too.)

Wedding Obsessed...

So I have spent an unhealthy amount of time scouring wedding photography blogs looking at the various styles and which ones seem more like my style. While on my hunt, I came across Blogstomp and it has turned my world upside down. :-D (Yes I just used an emoticon & you love it!) I'm playing around with the trial version before I fully commit but so far it looks promising!

These photos were from my very first wedding shot alongside the very talented Nicole Johnson

My Birthday

In true stye, there is always some drama on my birthday. This year it was with Mother Nature. I had planned to lay in my river tube and "tube" on my friend's speedboat. However, Mother Nature decided to make an unannounced arrival.

However, she had other activities to attend and there were smiles all around!

Part two...coming soon!