Apexa & Manoj's Engagement - Mclean, VA

Apexa and Manoj wanted a forest backdrop in their engagement session and what a better place than Great Falls Park. However, the entrance to the park was about a 3-mile-long traffic jam. I guess the good weather and the first signs of fall sent everyone and their mother outdoors.

Never fear! Instead of waiting in line and paying for $5 a car to get into the park, we ended up finding a lesser known entrance without paying a dime. Oh how ingenious!

So our little crazy adventure begins. We ended up walking about a mile into the woods and I gotta give it up to Apexa who did the whole thing with HIGH HEELS on! That girl's got determination and because of that, we got some really good shots which I adore.

Maddy & Jason's Engagement - 8.16.09 - Washington, DC

Maddy and Jason were such a fun couple to photograph! It was a collaboration of ideas to try to plan our engagement session. The heart idea was Maddy's and we thought of really fun ways to try to work the heart into the photo. I then added the idea of the balloon and wanted to create a story with the balloon and incorporating the balloon in the images as well. Then, the final image of letting the balloon go!

I think both themes were successful and we all had a great time! We ended our day with supper at City Place Cafe - great place by the way.

Julianne & Ben's Engagement - 8.12.09 - Arlington, VA / Washington, DC

Julianne and Ben were such a great couple to photograph their engagement for. They are both transplants to the Northern Virginia/DC area but they have really called their new city, home. We spent the day in Arlington first among some great flowers overlooking the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument from a distance.


A little wardrobe change and a quick trip over the bridge to DC and it was like a whole entire day had past but it was only about a 10 minute lapse. Julianne and Ben looked so great together with their evening wear and they had chemistry like no other - hence the final photo. One word on their relationship: Fireworks.

Rachel & Gabe's Engagement - 8.7.09 - Arlington, VA & Washington, DC

The engagement session with Rachel and Gabe was so much fun. I love it when they try to incorporate something about themselves in their photos. It gives it personality and more meaning. Click on the image below to see a larger version.

First stop on the engagement tour was Gravelly Point. Gabe, the groom, is a big aviation fanatic and so we tried to incorporate that in the photos.

Next task was to find parking in DC. While we were walking to The Mall, I saw this awesome tree which was perfect for a silhouette! They were good sports and followed my vision.

Our next photoshoot landed us at the Lincoln Memorial. We managed to get some photos in front of the Lincoln and Washington Monument, but I personally like photos where there's not a lot of people. Ideally, no people would be great. The back of the Lincoln during that day was perfect!



One of my fave shots of the two of them. The sun was hitting them just right and it gave that washed out look. And the look they had for each other just completed the image.

Found some awesome steps. I love working with perspective!

Aww, we ended our day at a bridge where I wanted to catch a little artsy image of the two of them. I was told that this could be named "Tunnel of Love." I agree.

Shoshana & Jimmy's Engagement - 8.2.09 - Washington, DC

So the original plan was to meet at Great Falls for some climbing shots which they love to do together. However, the rain kind of spoiled our plans and we decided to scrap the project and just head over to Marvelous Market in Tenleytown for some grub.

Determined as I was in trying to get some photos of them that day, I had a plastic bag in my camera bag and went McGyver on my equipment. I wrapped the plastic around my camera which made it waterproof and was able to get some awesome shots on a rainy day!

Ashley & Don's Engagement - 7.29.09 - Silver Spring, MD

Although there was a little drizzle during Ash and Don's engagement, we didn't let a little rain ruin our day (or my equipment). They had a great time being themselves with a little piggyback riding and tree climbing thrown in. Aside from our photoshoot being cut short because of weather, we managed to capture some very cute moments!

Location: Brookside Gardens