Family formals are a time dedicated to formal portraits of immediate family. They are the boring part of wedding day but most often, these are the photos that get framed and hang on walls for generations to come. 

This was my favorite thing I have photographed… possibly ever. Sarah and Chris emailed me a week before their elopement asking if I was available for 2 hours on Sunday. With only a few emails, I was given an address and time to arrive to capture their ceremony. I arrived at Sarah’s apartment to meet them both. Sarah had cooked brunch for their entire wedding (which was 16 people including myself). She got ready in their DC apartment while I photographed a small amount of detail images. Sarah wore the dress that both her mother and grandmother had worn on their wedding day! Her mom had reconstructed it and sewed all three of their names in the lining.

Jenna and JJ were introduced by mutual friends. They met at a concert in DC but almost like an episode of How I Met Your Mother, JJ ended up on TWO blind dates at once! He had to run up and down the flights of stairs at the club to entertain two set-ups from different groups of friends that unbeknownst to him, unintentionally fell on the same evening! What are the odds!

These two have a very cool history. They actually met online but come to find out, their families are from the same small town in India and their grandfathers used to be NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS. How crazy is that!? I can’t believe that these two would find one another hundreds of miles away decades after their families knew one another. I think it’s safe to say that fate stepped in here. 

I learn so much about human relationships by photographing anniversary sessions. Because I shoot mostly weddings and engagements, I most often see couples at the beginning stages of their relationship. Anniversary sessions have shown me that I love getting to see more seasoned couples into a few years of their marriage. The way they interact, talk about their lives now and the things that fill their lives are so different.

If I could use one word to describe Ashley and Eric it would be ‘chic’. These two have insane style and chemistry. Eric is a walking J.Crew add (complete with glasses optional ensembles) and Ashley could be a fashion blogger/social media icon. This stunning pair decided on the Jefferson Monument at sunrise and Old Town Alexandria as their second location. I just love the summer light in the morning time.