Terrapin Park Engagement Session 2009-06-04

Warning to all folks wanting pics at Terrapin Park in the summer... TICKS!!!! And tons of them!!!! Not just your normal tick either but teensy-weensy deer ticks! All three of us were covering with them. We all sacrificed for this shoot for sure. But as long as none of us end up with Lyme's disease, I'd say it was worth it. Great sunset setting for a fabulous photo shoot on the Eastern Shore. Wedding bells are only a little more than a week away. 



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Stephanie and Jason - Annapolis Engagement Photos with Magical Muscle Car! 2009-05-31

When Stephanie asked me to be her wedding photographer, I knew immediately that the pictures were going to be amazing and unique - especially for their engagement session. "Jason has a muscle car and would like to have it in the engagement photos", she says.  I couldn't think of anything else. Immediately, the wheels started turning in my head. All I need is a really cool location and a great sunset and twilight. As usual, my Annapolis delivered on both! I can't thank you guys enough for allowing me the opportunity to capture these amazing images. This was a lengthy photo shoot but the patience paid off!!!! And the two of you could give lessons on how to work the camera. All I had to do was light you, and capture the images. This photo shoot was so much fun. Great weather, fabulous sunset and one amazing vintage Oldsmobile "muscle car". This was a good time. In fact, I had so much fun I blew a 40 amp fuse on my power supply! First time for that EVER! 







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Chesapeake Bay Beach Club Wedding - Kirsten and Matt 2009-05-25

Today's wedding from the double-header weekend was at the famous Chesapeake Bay Beach Club in Stevensville, MD. My first wedding at this venue in 2009...and hands down our favorite venue. Note to all brides considering this location for your wedding and/or reception, the foods is without question, the best around! Erin and Sharon rocked it out as usual and kept everyone (including me) right on schedule. Our bridal party enjoyed some really cool looking cocktails during the after ceremony photo shoot. Very colorful drinks! Check out the pic. I'll bet they tasted as good as they looked too!. 
Kirsten and Matt were a little concerned about the weather because the forecast didn't look so good. Maybe my "no rain" track record has followed me to the Eastern Shore. Wouldn't that be nice. Well, we did it... no rain and the sunset was absolutely spectacular. The Reverend Joel Dan Lehman was our officiant (love him!). Our bridal party wore a mixture of short blue skirts for the gals and slacks and a jacket for the guys. Accessories for the guys were these really cute crab and coral logo neck ties. Nice to see something other than the traditional black tux. I figure if you're getting married on the beach, why not make it a little more casual. The gents looked very dapper. 
And to top it all off, we had a band. Not just any band but "Raggs and the All Stars" from Elan Artists. Bottom line is these folks are top notch. Beyond first class. Our guests danced the night away to the sounds of Glenn Miller and then some more contemporary tunes. Overall a very fantastic day and evening. Everyone danced and had a great time; that's what matters.
Carly, thanks so much for you help. I couldn't have done it without you. A photographer couldn't have a better assistant/shooter...except my wife Jill of course. But if Jill can't be with me then I have it made when Carly is with me. On the way out I ran into my colleague Larry Huffman who taught me something REALLY cool about my new camera. Thanks Larry!!!.. and it was nice having a brew-sky with you afterwards and talk shop. Now, time to relax and get my energy back. Happy Memorial Day everyone.
Seacrest out!!!!
Check out the slide show here.











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Caitlin and Dustin...From the tobacco barn to the church. 2009-05-24

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to capture Caitlin and Dustin's engagement images in the family barn. Great time for me as a photographer. I thought to myself, there's no way we are gonna top those pics... but I spoke too soon! I should have known anyone who is friends with Ashley Riddle is going to have an amazing bridal party who is fun and energetic. Sure enough, I was right on and they were RIGHT ON! Speaking of Ashley (soon to be Mommy) of Up Do's for I Do's... need I say more? Hair and makeup today was e-x-c-e-p-t-i-o-n-a-l! Note to all brides visiting this blog... Hire them (period!) You will look fabulous the entire day without question. Wanna look Hollywood? Wanna be a rock-star? If the answer is yes, you need Up Do's.  


Our lovely bride Caitlin was spectacular and her dress was this flowing silk gorgeous material that my lens absolutely loved the whole day. The way she moved in that thing could be the definition of grace in the dictionary. Our couple said their nuptials at St. Andrew by the BayCatholic Church in Arnold, MD. Flat out the best lit church sanctuary in Anne Arundel County hands down! Then off to the Chartwell Country Club for cocktails and reception. Yale Moyer really knows how to do her stuff. Great gal! Thanks for all your help Yale. We love you guys. The venue can't get any prettier... rolling green grass golf course hills, rippling brooks, a stone bridge and golf cart transport. A photographers dream venue. Chris Riddle of Beat 2 Beat DJ's attended as a guest with his lovely wife Ashley Riddle but Dan manned up the helm and rocked the house like a true pro. Great party, great friends and family. Jill and I had a blast and for the first time in a while, I don't feel exhausted. I'm actually able to blog the same day as the wedding. Cool! Enjoy the pics (I couldn't decide my favorites from the slide show so I added many this time. 
Click here for the slideshow (By the lovely Jill Thompson)









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Blue Angels ripping up the sky blue! 2009-05-21

The end of May marks for us the beginning of summer and what an exciting time it is for sure! Wedding season kicking off full steam ahead and of course our very own air show pretty much right in our back yard!!! I love Annapolis more than anything. From the historical downtown buildings, the sailboats and the Blue Angels. Yesterday's air show was really interesting. The Blue's choreography was much different from previous years. We didn't know which way to look and just when we thought the show was over, there they were setting up for another awesome formation. It is such a blessing living this close to the Naval Academy. In fact, we get two show each year. The day before the official air show over the Severn River, the Angles perform a practice show that sometimes surpasses the real one! On the practice day we decided to watch from home. They flew so low over our neighborhood with smoke on, the cloud literally went right over over our home and you could smell the JP5 or whatever that smoke smell is. It's sweet!!!! Pardon the noise though, but it's the sound of FREEDOM!!!! 
Go Navy and Marines!!!! Thank you for your service to our country.
Check out all the pics in my online gallery. 




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Leigh and Luke’s Kent Manor Inn Wedding 2012-05-19

Last Friday was the beginning of a dream weekend for weddings – fabulous weather… paradise in fact. On this day we captured Leigh and Luke’s wedding at the Kent Manor Inn in Stevensville, Maryland. Everything about the day and venue made for a picture perfect experience. CJ Curtis from Crow Entertainment was in charge of making sure everyone danced the night away. First class DJ company and I love working with them. Check out this happy bride and groom on their magical wedding day. I mean… they’re used to magic… in fact, the Magical Kingdom. They’re lucky enough to have careers in Orlando, FL!

Link to Pictage to view wedding images.

Link to the slide show.

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The Perfect Wedding Day 2012-05-19

Once in a while Jill and I are blessed enough to experience “the perfect wedding day”. Saturday was indeed a perfect wedding day in every respect of the word. Every single aspect of this day was flawless! Our bride Lisbeth was so regal and beautiful, she inspired me. Awesome hair and makeup provided by Behind the Veil Makeup and Artistry. When we thought was only had 10 minutes to do pictures… boom! We were gifted with an extra hour for bridal portraits. The time spent with the bride and her girls was so much fun prior to the ceremony at the Naval Academy Chapel. Our groom, Nick.. had no idea what graceful lady was about to walk down that aisle. Even Monty playing the organ was on fire. What a musician! Actually brought some tears to my eyes as I snapped away the bride and her mother walking toward the altar. Perfect lighting for the family portraits after the arch of swords. And then, after the pics on the yard, Jill and I were able to enjoy a 2 hour lunch break at the Mexican Cafe. Mmmm!

Our reception was at the Alumni House on King George Street in downtown Annapolis. Already on location was Trisha and Sarah from Working Brides setting up the reception tables in a gorgeous tented back deck. Wendy Owen, Events Coordinator from the Alumni House Association was putting the finishing touches on everything as well. The tables were impeccably flowered by the artisan-ship of Sarah Campbell-Angers from Intrigue Design and Decor. Anthony Simpson from MyDeeJay was already pretty much set up for introductions and throughout the evening he did a fabulous job emceeing the evening’s events.

Thank you Trisha for referring Nick and Lisbeth to me one year ago. I am so thankful that we were available for this wedding. It was such a pleasure working with this team of wedding coordinators. Timing on everything was again… perfect.

The perfect wedding day all around.

Link to Pictage to view wedding images.

Link to the amazing slide show produced by Jill.

Oops.. almost forgot… transportation provided by Matt Grubbs at Discover Annapolis Trolley Company. Love them!!!

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Washington DC Engagement 2012-05-08

Met up with Craig and Samantha in DC last week for their engagement sitting. Best time I’ve ever had with the Secret Service!

 

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Naval Academy and Governor Calvert House – Wedding Bells a ringing. 2012-05-04

Jill and Rob had a fabulous wedding day last Saturday. They celebrated their ceremony at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD followed by a rocking evening to the tunes of Nathan Aubin of C&J Entertainment at the Historic Inns of Annapolis’ Governor Calvert House. Another impeccable job done by Michelle Vellon and the gang at HIA. Great start to another very successful year. We are certainly blessed by doing what we love … in our 13th year!

Link to slideshow.

Link to Pictage to view all wedding images.

 

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Our first Love Point Wedding 2012-05-06

Finally! I did a wedding at Love Point. Now I know what all the hoot and holler is about. The view… is unlike any other view of the Chesapeake around… especially for wedding venues. One word… Spectacular! Worked alongside my good wedding buddies DJ Jason Canaan and videographer Matt Buerhaus. We couldn’t have planned the lighting more perfect. Right when the ceremony started a beautiful blanket of high cumulus created a natural softbox of diffused light and then when it was time to capture some bride/groom shots with Sherri and Jeremy down by the water… the sun magically appeared fora picture perfect sunset. Mother nature cooperated with this event. The venue offers a fabulous deck overlooking the bay and the circular reception hall is just fantastic. I hope to get more weddings at this venue for sure. The owners Rich and Joanne were very easy-going and very accommodating and they are partnered with one of Maryland’s premier caterers, Catering by Uptown. Jeff was the lead guy in charge and he did a fabulous job coordinating the event. And the food offered by Uptown is second to none! Scrumptious! Can’t wait to work with this gang again real soon.

Link to slide show

Link to Pictage

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