Suzanne & Ryan - DC Engagements

It was officially spring; according to the calendar, according to the meteorologists, according to the equinox. However the days leading up to this session were chilly, gray and even sometimes snowy. 

But for one early spring afternoon the skies opened up. Birds chirped. Sunshine beamed and flowers opened their buds. I'd like to believe it had something to do with the undeniable warmness of Ryan and Suzanne; but we'll leave that to the experts to decide. 

These two are Capitol sweethearts and I loved photographing them at the heart of where their love (and our government) is founded. Gardens in Georgetown and the ivory backdrop of the Capitol building were perfect canvases for their portraits. 

Suzanne and Ryan were laid back in a way that made the statement, "It's a beautiful day and we're in love. What else could matter?"

Stripping away the wedding planning chatter, forgetting the to-do lists and simply taking the time to revel in the moment.  The beauty in these images isn't from a camera. In my heart I'm not moved by that. What I find beautifully moving about these images is the message: 

 two people enjoying their love, anticipating their marriage.

This is what engagement sessions are about. 

{to what it's all about}

-jbw-

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If you follow this blog, you know that many, many of my posts are about love. I believe in love. 
Today (3/29) is Good Friday, a day I believe when the greatest expression of love was made. 

For you. 

You are dearly loved. You are wholly loved. You are perfectly loved by your Creator and I believe he made the greatest sacrifice for you so that you would have the opportunity to know this. I believe our God doesn't just love, that He exists as love. He cannot be separate from it because love is the cornerstone of His existence. And it is the cornerstone of His desire to know you. 

Photography is what I do. But this love is the why I do. 

The desire of my heart is that no one lives without feeling this love. 

{love is the why}
-jbw-

One sweet frame

{to knowing spring (love) is in the air}

-jbw-

Wedding Pin-spiration

I am just LOVING the colors that are popping up for weddings this year! 

I'm seeing so many peach, blush, nudes and gold tones and they're lovely. I love these colors particularly because I don't think they look "trendy. They're soft, muted, classic and oh-so romantic. 

The idea of having bridesmaids wear different dresses isn't new. In fact, for my own wedding I had my girls pick out the dress and neckline of their choice. A new take on the idea is to have bridesmaids wear different or coordinating shades of color! Another great way to mix things up. 

If you're planning your wedding and looking for ideas and inspiration, be sure to visit my Pinterest boards. There you'll find a collection of ideas that I find exceptionally "pinspirational"! 

Where ever you find your inspiration, be sure to stay true to YOU! As much as I love Pinterest and the plethroa of inspiration you can find there, it's so easy to feel drowned in a sea of details.  I really love photographing a wedding that exudes with love and 100% reflects the bride and groom!

{to pinspiration}

-jbw-

Married Love

As a wedding photographer, most of the couples I photograph aren't married. . .they're engaged or of course, on the wedding day, getting married; and I LOVE them. I love the new-ness of their affections. There's little I enjoy more than being around two people who are anxiously awaiting the moment they begin their lives together. 

However, there's also something just so absolutely special about photographing a couple who is already married. A couple who has had time to settle into one another; they know their ways, they know each other through and through. They aren't two anymore, they've been one for a while. 

That love makes your hairs stand up on end. That love brings tears to your eyes all over again. Married love illustrates the fulfillment of promises I witness so many couples make on their wedding day.  

Married love has been through the "for better" times and the "for worse" times, the sickness and the health, and the ups and downs; and married love radiates with strength and joy like no other.

Bryan and Whitney have a remarkable "married love" for one another. Not to mention they are some of the most enjoyable people to be around. The share a beautiful love and I feel so privileged to have been afforded the opportunity to illustrate their married love. 

{to married love}

-jbw-

 

One Frame

I just love....love.

-jbw-

light

The truth is, I am a lover of light.

Light is a powerful tool; this beautiful portrait was taken in an unkempt alleyway but because of the beautiful, soft light bouncing between the disheveled buildings - I couldn't help but stop here to take this image.

I see in light. I dream (yes, I often DREAM about photography) in beautiful light. When I visualize an image, it never starts with a pose. It always starts with the light.

{to light, soft, dreamy, romantic light}

-jbw-