Tiffany+Kendall Washington DC Engagement Photographer

Hello lovely people,

I have two very exciting pieces of news to share today.  First, I’m excited to share that I will be launching a new site within a couple of weeks! It will be a site that incorporates my blog right in so you won’t need to navigate between my site and blog, you’ll simply be able to find all of my info in the same place. And this seriously couldn’t come at a better time as I have so much material from the past couple of months that I’m dying to catch up and share with you all.

And now for the really exciting news.  I met these two lovebirds on a warm and sunny afternoon out at the National Harbor in MD. Working with them was such a pleasure, Kendall is incredibly kind and easy going, Tiffany is such a bright and kind woman, you can tell she is different in this way within moments of meeting her, and this is what drew Kendall to her the first time they met, well that and how obviously cute she is of course!  After their first date they talked on the phone and  spent hours on their first phone call, something that came as a surprise to both of them as neither had ever had this happen before, and well, the rest is history.

Here are some of my faves from their shoot.

 

It is beyond rewarding to say that spending time with such amazing couples  is part of my job description. I know that Tiffany & Kendall have amazing things ahead of them.  Stay in touch to catch some of their fabulous wedding photos which will be posted soon!

 

Colleen+Brian| Cherry Blossom DC Wedding Photography

It’s taken me a little while to get this post out but now that it’s done I couldn’t be happier to be sharing it with you guys.  Colleen and Brian are honestly some of the coolest, down to earth people I have ever met!  While I may be no where close to as cool as them, I do like to think of myself as a pretty down to earth and laid back person as well, maybe this is why I felt we got along so great.

Colleen and Brian chose to have a traditional Catholic ceremony in the beautiful church of the annunciation here in NW DC.  

After the ceremony we headed over to the national mall for a couple of shots around the monuments.  Their wedding date happened to land on what may possibly be the busiest tourist day here in DC, the peak of the cherry blossom festival, traffic and crowds were a bit wild but Colleen and Brian were awesome sports and we were able to pull off a few great shots of them around the monuments.

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Their last destination on the big day was the fabulous arena stage theatre in SW DC.  For anyone out there looking for a fabulous venue, with plenty of space and within minutes of the monuments it doesn’t get better than this.

 

 

It was an absolute honor to be able to share such a special day with two incredible people.  A huge thanks to Kristin for helping me 2nd shoot Colleen & Brian’s big day!

Ariel+Marc Georgetown Engagement Photography

I have been meaning to get this post up for a while now.  When things start to get busy around my life (aka wedding season)  one of the first things that I usually put on the back burner is my blog.  I know it’s a sad reality, especially when I have insanely adorable couples like Ariel and Marc to show off here!

I met these two cutie pies a few months back at baked and wired, here in DC.  The weather was a lot chillier back then and our first meetup happened over chai lattes and cupcakes.  I love it when I get to work with couples like Ariel and Marc, who from the very get go seem more like long lost friends than clients . It seemed as if from the instant we sat down until it was time to head out we laughed and laughed, and then laughed some more; without need to elaborate we had a great time!

 

I cannot wait for their wedding this fall, I know it is going to be a lovely and great time!

 

Washington DC Portrait session- Hibah and Furqan’s Day after Wedding Brunch

Where do I even begin?  Hibah’s stunning look? Her gorgeous jewelry? Our beautiful backdrop which was the National Portrait gallery here in DC?..  No, it definitely starts with the amazing love that was shared at this reunion.  The immense amount of support, care and love that was shared and given amongst Hiba and Furqan’s dearest friends and family was a beautiful event to witness.  I feel honored to have been able to be a part of it. Hibah, Furqan, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your beautiful celebration!

 

Blood Orange Margarita

It’s that beautiful and strange time of year that I like to call early spring.   If mother nature has a sense of humor then I think this is when she gets a chance to display her comic relief.  If you’re anything like me, then you’re still dressing pretty warm in all hopes of avoiding the discomfort of not feeling like a walking human icicle.  Then what do you know?  You go out with your boots, sweater, and jacket only to find early june weather.  The next day in hopes of not feeling like a walking human sauna you decide to wear a light shirt and pants, maybe a light sweater just in case, then what do you know?  You end up feeling like a walking human icicle!

In hopes of beating this late spring/early summer itch, I’ve decided to bring summer and that beautiful feeling associated with it to me, or more specifically to my apartment.  It’s currently blood orange season and the idea of a blood orange margarita was something I just couldn’t pass up.  If you’ve never had the pleasure of tasting one of these ruby beauties then I suggest you get your booty to the grocery store and pick some up this weekend, and while you’re at it why not give this recipe a try?

 

Blood Orange Margarita  

Makes one drink:

• 4 oz. fresh Blood Orange Juice
• 2 oz.  100% de agave silver tequila
• 3/4 oz.  Simple Syrup*
• 1/2 oz.  fresh Lime Juice
• Few dashes of bitters or orange Bitters
• Coarse Salt for rimming the glass

1. Rub the rim of a rocks style glass with the edge of a lime.  Run the rim of the glass through a small pile of coarse salt ( I usually fill a small flat plate with salt and run the rim of the glass around the salt on the plate.)  Fill the glasses up with ice. I like to use these large ice molds because large ice cubes melt slower, hence leaving you with a less watered down cocktail.
2. Fill your cocktail shaker with a cup or two of regular ice, orange juice, tequila, simple syrup, lime juice, and bitters.
3. Cover, and shake vigorously for about fifteen seconds. Strain over the glass and enjoy your vacation from winter weather 😉

*Note:  To make simple syrup heat an equal amount of sugar and water together until the sugar dissolves completely. 

 

Erin+Ben-Provo Utah Engagement.

We met four years ago via a Craigslist ad.  One of Erin’s roommates was moving out and leaving Erin with a room to fill.  I was moving to Northern Utah and needed a room.  What followed was roomie heaven.  I mean, I don’t know if a roommate situation has ever worked out as well as ours did.  We clicked immediately and soon, were fortunate enough to be hanging out every night.  Kory and I got married the following summer and got our first apartment together but we always missed hanging out with our friends Erin and  Ben.  So much so, that we would constantly find ourselves at their condo late into the night.  Then as destiny would have it their roommates moved out.  The lease for our apartment came to an end and so we all decided to give it another go and became roommates again. It only lasted a short but sweet six months before we moved to DC.  Those six months were without a drop of doubt some of the happiest moments of our lives.  We cooked, laughed, played and tried to solve the world’s problems with our conversations every evening, lol! We may no longer live in the same condo but our friendship is stronger than ever.  I feel incredibly honored to have the opportunity to photograph Erin and Ben’s love, and wedding this coming June.

 

After 7 years of dating these two are still madly in love with each other.  They are the perfect example of why I love what I do! 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Weekly Scoop-Feb 14th

Hello all you lovely people.  Happy Valentines day!  Hope everyone is managing to stay warm both on the inside, and outside today as this weather still continues to feel some what arctic.  For anyone getting a chance to read this, you are the lucky  readers of a new tradition I plan to start here called “my weekly scoop”.  I keep finding all of this great info out on the interwebs that I just know so many of you would appreciate.  I’ve tried to regularly post it on my FB Page however, I feel that if I posted everything I like on there I would just drown your feeds out with little bits of news, tips, etc. So I’ve decided to  go ahead and post the bulk of it here in my blog for everyone to read.  Enjoy and stay tuned for more posts!

#Check out this perfect list of tiny little tattoos, I might just have to get one.

#In the market for a baby nursery, more specifically a gender neutral nursery?  Look no further, this gal’s got you covered with her mood boards.

#I’m swooning over this dress right now!

#And these shoes (not together of course, duh!)

#Want perfect nails every time, that actually last more than a week?  Look no further, this stuff may be the best I’ve EVER tried!

#To say I Love this styled “Bed in for marriage equality” shoot wouldn’t do my feelings about it justice.

#Getting married soon? Then you probably, definitely, need to get a wedding site up.  These guys and these guys just made it a whole lot easier to get a beautiful site up 🙂

#I think there are few weddings gifts better to receive than a honeymoon. After all, isn’t life made up of moments not random kitchen appliances?  Sign up for a honeymoon registry here.

#Ladies, find out how to get the perfect wedding lip.

#And last but oh certainly not least, make your very own customizable breakfast cereal. You’re welcome!

Image Source: The House that Lars built

These are my confessions: I may be a nail polish hoarder..

English: red nails (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So here it goes.. I may or may not have a small nail polish addiction.  It is so difficult for me to step foot into just about anywhere, CVS, target, Urban outfitters, or really just about any other beauty retailer without immediately being drawn to the nail polish section.  I don’t know what it is but I love seeing the variety of color, the new season favorites etc; and more often than not, when I am drawn to these beautiful little glass bottles full of color I tend to buy one (It’s like I have the will power of a 5 year old).  Here’s the catch, I hardly ever use them!

I’ve racked up a pretty little decent collection at this point, but I can’t seem to get my self to use them! (What is that all about?)  I remind my self of this little fact whenever I’m draw to the  polish section,  you would think that would help me right?  But no.. somehow I convince myself that this time I AM DEFINITELY going to use this one. lol!  With that said, this evening I am DEFINITELY  going to do my nails.  I’ll be sure to post a pic for anyone without anything better to do this evening 😉

While we’re on the subject, does anyone else out there do this or anything remotely similar to it?  I would love to hear that I’m not the only crazy person doing this completely irrational thing, but the truth is I wouldn’t really be all that surprised if I am.

Happy Friday everyone!

Much love,

Cynthia

The Pièce de résistance

What exactly is it that brings the look of a beautiful bride together?  Is it the dress, flowers?  I’ve been thinking about this and wondering what is that one thing that finally brings it all together?  What is the The Pièce de résistance?

This is not my photo BTW.  it was found through Pinterest.  Despite my search I could not find it’s original source.

I believe this small thing that brings it all together like lights on a beautiful Xmas tree is none other than the make up.  Sure, sure others may argue that  hair is just as, if not more important but no one will never walk down the aisle with unbrushed hair, however I do know girls who’ve made the bridal make up mistake & later wished they had put more thought into this particular category, one of them being my self.

In my humble opinion beautiful make up is what brings the whole look together; while many of us may spend absurd amounts of time trying to get our hair perfect, professional make up is probably the one thing most of us girls don’t do on a day to day basis, it’s what helps set your bridal look apart from your everyday look.  Now I’m not saying you have to go out & put on a face so different from your usual, that you don’t recognize the girl looking back at you in the mirror, I’m just saying this is one category you probably won’t regret  not skimping out on.

Wether it’s  the “dark lip & smokey shadow” the “no make up make up” look or the “bronze & beautiful” there are a ton of gorgeous looks out there that you can customize to make your own.  To help any future brides that may need some inspiration I’ve created a Pinterest board full of looks that I love & know will photograph beautifully.  Go look, experiment & have a blast doing so.

If anyone out there has any more looks they’d love to share, I would love to hear from ya!

When life gives you lemons.. make lemonade.

Sometimes I think that the very last days of summer/ first days of fall are the hottest days of the year.  It’s as if summer is trying to give it her all right before she (or he) has to go away.  And who knows, maybe there is some sort of scientific thing to back my (one of many) little theory up, or maybe I’m just rambling none sense; either way I can tell  you last wednesday in DC was one of the hottest days I’ve ever experienced in this lovely ol’ place.

I had a photo-shoot scheduled with a couple who are dear friends of mine, and as luck would have it some unexpected circumstances arose that kept them from being able to meet me for their scheduled shoot.  As I made my way back to the train to head home I noticed one of the cutest shops, I had ever seen in that neighborhood, and this is a neighborhood full of cute shops, it’s called The Foundry.  This is where my day took a turn from sour ol’ lemons to sweet country lemonade (which I actually would have probably traded my first born for on this day).  Stepping into The Foundry was somewhat overwhelming and unreal, seriously every little turn my head made I found some new, beautiful piece of furniture, art, decoration, etc.  It was glorious, and how lucky was I to happen to have my camera gear on myself.

If you live in the area, especially near U street you’re in for a real treat.  I was helped by the incredibly kind and charismatic Ash, who took the time to explain to me what the store’s concept is all about;  Most of the things you see inside are all real pieces!  Found by the owner and brought back to life by re-upholstering, painting, etc.  I will say just about everything carries a vintage feel to it but it’s all in such beautiful condition it’s hard to believe, that it’s all original.  Well I think that’s about enough ranting, I’ll let you have a look for your self to see how The Foundry helped me turn my lemons into lemonade : )