Last fall I was invited to document Baby Lily’s first birthday party on a beautiful November day.  It was a small family gathering where everyone pitched in to make cupcakes, lunch foods (including Grandpa’s famous mac-n-cheese) and decorations.  I loved how the cupcakes were arranged into caterpillars, begging the question of who was really the hungry one: the caterpillar or me, salivating all over the sugary goodness?

It was the perfect afternoon with one possible glitch: Baby Lily was not about to sully her hands, face and clothing with her cupcake as tradition dictates.  Dan brought her a birthday cupcake after lunch, everyone sang and waited with cameras ready for the moment of messiness and then… nothing.   She stared back at all of us, what were we looking at, anyway?  We tried to initiate project cupcake nose dive again later in the day but she was having none of it.  You gotta love how a baby can happily makes spontaneous and even epic messes throughout the first year only to deny her parents the pleasure of the one mess they are expecting and prepared for: the ceremonious cake face.  Who is in control?  And don’t you forget it…

Here’s a slideshow with my favorites from the day and if you would like to visit Lily’s online gallery, click here.  Emily and Dan, thank you so much for inviting me to be part of such a sweet occasion and hugs to little Lily!

Posted by Mel @ 4:58 pm, in Wee Ones | 2 Comments | Permalink

Jessica and Kim were married on the evening of November 20th at the beautiful Mill at Fine Creek in Powhatan.  The couple took advantage of the fact that the sun sets early late in the fall and planned a candlelit ceremony in the ruins of the Old Mill.  Guests were escorted into the ruins and given candles which provided the only light as Jessica and Kim exchanged vows.  It was magical and symbolic, like being able to see the energy of everyone present as they witnessed and supported the union.

Jessica and Kim met on the bridge behind the ruins just before the sun set, a moment Jessica called “The Reveal”.  Her smile was absolutely contagious.

Windy of Weddings by Windy did an amazing job making sure it was an evening to remember, we can’t wait to work with her again this fall.  Here’s a slideshow of our favorite shots from the day and if you would like to view their online gallery, click here.

Posted by Mel @ 2:40 pm, in Weddings | 2 Comments | Permalink

We know, we know, its about dern time – we’re finally up on Facebook.  We’re excited to make it even easier for our clients to share their wedding photos with family and friends and we’re hoping to foster a better community feel since commentary seems easier to do on FB than blogs.  If you fan us you’ll get not only our eternal gratitude and regular blog feed but bonus material as well: after realizing that most of our clients are photo enthusiasts themselves we thought it might be fun to share a weekly photo thought on our status each Monday.   It gives me a chance to reconnect with the photo teacher I miss being sometimes and maybe we’ll get some of y’all posting your own photos up there too.  Its good to share the photo love.   And you might even see our new “mascot”, Yashicamat 124-G making an appearance from time to time as well.   As my very first medium format camera and good luck charm (its photos got me into grad school), I’ve got a soft spot for this metal box.

Visit us soon!

Posted by Mel @ 5:14 pm, in News | No comments | Permalink

Meade and David’s November 14th wedding was held at one of the prettiest churches we’ve been to in Richmond:  St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on River Road.   The reception that followed was held at CCV, James River Course on a lovely fall evening where guests could sit around fire pits and watch the sun set.  Here’s a slideshow with our favs from the event and if you would like to view their online gallery, click here.  Congrats to Meade and David, we look forward to meeting up tomorrow to talk about your album… and reminisce over your crazy limbo skills too!

Posted by Mel @ 9:09 pm, in Weddings | No comments | Permalink