A long awaited addition to my equipment line-up has finally arrived–my newly converted infrared dslr.  I was so excited when I got it I went right out to take some photographs around my neighborhood, and here is what I ended up with.  Needless to say I’m pretty excited to start using it on shoots!

If ever there was a good reason for a bride to ‘zilla out, Julie had a list of them.  Her wedding to Chris fell on 12/19, the day we got a record setting snowfall here in the East Coast region.  What was originally going to be a 1.5 hour drive for me from Baltimore to West Chester, PA turned into a 4 hour white knuckler!  Talking on the phone with Julie and her mom on the way, I learned that their limo driver had even cancelled.  And forget about wearing those gorgeous shoes–today was going to be a day for practicality!  Julie was the anti-zilla–she didn’t even break a sweat over the whole thing.

And for all that it stormed like I have never seen, the day was wonderful and fun.  Julie and Chris were both so relaxed, and it was obvious that nothing was going to get to them on this special day.

They very nicely offered me a hotel room for the night, but I could feel the far away cry of my seven month old (it sure seemed that way, anyway) and headed home.  As I watched car after car after truck after 18 wheeler go sliding off 95, I wondered if I should stop after all–but slogged on, only to get stuck 4 hours later on my very own street.  I was and am still so grateful to Craig, Jeremy, and Jeremy’s friend Liron for digging me out that late and in such a storm!  (Hence the last round of pictures).  The last shot is the view from my upstairs window the next morning looking out over a quiet and peaceful neighborhood covered this deeply in snow.

And now for something a little different–I spent a chilly Saturday in Ellicott City photographing one of my favorite Baltimore based bands, Donegal Express.  Known locally–and internationally–their style of Irish-American roots rock is right up my alley.  They can be seen at the Belvedere Square “Summer Sounds at the Square” festivals as well as Irish restaurant and pub Mick O’Shea’s, among other places.  We were welcomed by the Ellicott City B&O Railroad museum to do some indoor shots, and we also thank the Friendly Inn for hosting us (and the pints of Guinness afterwards).

Beth and Brian are a happy, easygoing couple who had a fantastic wedding.  The church, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, was immense and beautiful, and the priest gave me a thorough talking to beforehand with many threats should I run afoul of him during the service  (I was pleased to get a thumbs up from him afterward).

The reception at the 1840s Ballroom right next to the Shot Tower was a monster dance party.  I love a wedding party with a sense of humor–and there was no lack of that here!

Having been friends with Becky for many years, I knew her family would be a fun one to work with–she and I go back to high school!  A beautiful autumn day and two stunning young ladies, Allison and Jessica, made the perfect family picture with Becky and Gordon.

When I hold consultations to meet potential clients for the first time, meetings usually run 45 minutes to an hour.  When I met Nicole, we sat there for 2.5 hours, talking about everything from camera equipment to having babies.  I couldn’t believe how long we’d been there when I left-it’s just that easy to talk to her.  So when it came time for her October wedding to Jeremy, I was pretty psyched–since she’s serious about photography herself, she was willing to try just about anything.  Too bad it was too cold to jump in the pool!  Talk about a great smile–this is a bride who quite literally lights up the room when she smiles.

Jeremy and Nicole were fun and silly and had really great taste in music.  Their reception at the Manor Tavern was beautiful and the food was excellent!

I photographed Hudson’s parents’ (Heather and Todd) wedding, his baby portrait, his one year portrait, and now he’s a big boy of two years old!  It’s a challenge to keep up with him–but he knows his friendly family photographer now, and likes it when I chase him

Did I mention how ridiculously cute he is?  Cuter and cuter every year.

Shawnie and Jamie had a simply beautiful ceremony at the lovely Brookside Gardens in DC.   We were pleased to see our August 30 couple, newlyweds Charis and Duwayne in attendance!  Always nice to know people in the wedding party.   I’m betting Shawnie’s smile muscles were sore the next day–I have never seen a bride smiling and laughing so much.  The ceremony was great!  “And I mean FOREVER!”

Cookies, cookies, and more cookies, school fight songs, and kids who could really break dance.   This was a party and a half!  Not only did I gain 5 lbs from the cookies Leah and Sean sent me home with, but I had a blast taking pictures of this group.  The festivities were held at the Savage Mill Manor, another great mansion for weddings and receptions.

Set in beautiful downtown Annapolis, this wedding was a color splash.  The walk to the church at St John’s College was perfect, and the reception at the Governor Calvert House made it clear that this is a couple that likes to have fun!  Friends and family were almost giddy with good wishes for the happy couple, who have been together for eight years.

We still feel serious empathy for the bridesmaid who broke her toe halfway through the day, and still toughed it out.  That’s -gotta- hurt.