I am very honored and excited to announce that I have been selected as one of this years Top Knots winner for my image, “Sarah.” I could not have done it without my bride and her total trust in the creative process on the wedding day. I must admit I was so nervous she was going to trip on her dress going down the staircase, but Sarah is the epitome of grace and elegance. Thank you to both her and her husband Tony.  And of course, to PDN and the esteemed panel of judges for selecting my image from among an extremely talented pool of photographers. It’s an honor. 

You can see all of this year’s winners in the May issue of PDN, available on most newsstands, or online in the 2013 Top Knots Winners Gallery.

“No one is an artist unless he carries his picture in his head before painting it, and is sure of his method and composition.”  - Claude Monet

 It was the most beautiful spring afternoon in Vienna Virginia for T+ G’s engagement session at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens.   The Cherry Blossoms had just peaked and had a few more gorgeous days left before the lovely petals would all fall to the ground in a rain of pink and white.  We were a world away from the chaos of the Tidal Basin in Washington DC…

Coffee.  Good music. The company of someone you love.  Not sure it gets much better than that…

My big sis is getting married this year.  She’s my best friend, my advisor, my role model, my “drinks and apps” partner in crime.  She’s the one person in the world who can make me insanely madder and crazier than anyone else.  She’s probably knows the most about me after 30 years of sharing our lives.  She reminds me of my strengths and good qualities on a regular basis and she loves me and challenges me when it comes to my flaws.  She’s my family and that is everything.  I’m so happy for her and Glen!

It’s mid-February and it’s freezing out.  Traffic is a nightmare.  There was a rally going on downtown and we are sitting smack dab in the middle of it.  Finally, Rachel pipes up and suggests we just get out and walk.  Mind you, she’s in a strapless wedding dress and she’s suggesting this.  This goes to show how much of a rockstar she really is.  As we’re walking down the National Mall, making our way to the Carousel, Daniel is carrying Rachel’s dress as the wind whips around them.  We finally make it to the Carousel and the guy working it kindly lets us on.  The ride begins.  The wind kicks into overdrive and the temperature drops about another 5 degrees as we start moving in circles, DC’s classic architectural background becoming a blur behind Rachel + Daniel.   Rachel is laughing and crying all at the same time…crying because her eyes are watering from the wind.  As the motion starts to slowly cease, Rachel exclaims, “I really do love Carousels!  That was so much fun!”

Attitude is everything, especially on a wedding day.  And when I get the opportunity to work with such amazingly awesome couples like Rachel + Daniel who take everything in stride and see the joy in the little moments, perfect and imperfect, it makes being a wedding photographer pretty darn amazing.

Ceremony + Reception: Union Station  |  Caterer: Design Cuisine and The Kosher Kitchen Catering Co  |  Florist: Fox Ventures   |  Band: Nightsong from Entertainment Exchange  |  Cake: Parisers Bakery   |   Videographer: Suburban Media Group

Tutus.  Lollipops.  Bubbles. Fairy Wings.

Being a little girl doesn’t get much better, especially when you are as adorable as these three little cuties.

James is smiley baby with big, beautiful, brown eyes, just like his dad’s.  He loves blowing bubbles and snuggling in his mom and dad’s arms.  He isn’t the biggest fan of tummy time, but he’s working on it.  He lives is a home filled with much love, two playful cats, Bit and Bite, and two very wonderful parents, Carole and Rich, who I feel lucky to have gotten to know over the past few years as I’ve watched their family grow.  I’d say James is one very lucky baby.