Oh hey there!

This is Shelby and Jess’ wedding I second shot for Debi Parker Photography. I spent entirely too much time trying to make a Steel Magnolias joke, which I am either not funny enough to write or it’s just not funny…full stop. Shelby and Jess happen to be hilarious. And fans of karaoke. Making them AWESOME in my book. Shelby serenaded his new wife with a rousing rendition of Baby Got Back. Afterwards, he was promptly recruited for my District Karaoke league. It’s a shame his schedule wouldn’t allow participating.

Speaking of music, yeah…let’s talk Lana Del Rey. If you follow my Facebook fan page you’ll know that I totally talked her up. I love her songs…all 3 of them…and I’m kinda obsessed with her Valley of the Dolls hair. So, you can imagine how my jaw dropped when she bombed on SNL. While I don’t pretend that had roles been reversed, I would’ve performed in front of America any better, but it brings to mind the idea of ceasing opportunities. That’s what photography is all about. A moment happens, after years of training, spending thousands on camera equipment, putting oneself in awkward networking meet ups, where everyone seems intimidatingly polished, experienced and talented. The moment happens when you tune out the self-critic and press the shutter. It’s about being vulnerable, showing your work, knowing that everyone has an opinion and shares, through social media, what they wouldn’t say to your face. It’s about treating yourself  gently, because others won’t. It’s about doing all these things…repeatedly. Practicing is the only way to mastery. Poor Lana had a very public and awkward practice. She failed to make the most of her opportunity. I added to the cacophony of criticism from the safe distance of my computer. I’ve had time to pause, collect my thoughts and reconnect to my ethos, to never be the bitchy girl. The world doesn’t need my strongly help opinion on topics which do not matter. So, Lana, I offer you my heart felt apology. Aside from your model looks, statuesque height and recording contract, we’re exactly the same. Well, except I sing on pitch. Sorry. Sorry, that was bitchy again. Our works are both evaluated in a public way, the stress of which can make one pathological. Mind you, your public is a lot bigger. Best of luck.

Blogging weddings involve pulling images together to tell a cohesive story, much like designing a real album for print. The process is pretty cerebral, and one I enjoy almost as much as the photographing. Anyone who knows me can attest to my being painfully deliberate at times. It’s not unlike curating art behind your sofa, choosing throw pillows or a statement necklace for an outfit. Some images are given visual weight when they’re presented as a diptych (two images side-by-side) or even as a triptych (three images side-by-side). It’s a process which is why I don’t blog everyday. Also, if it’s a wedding I’ve 2nd shot, out of professional courtesy I don’t blog those images until after the principal has done so.

Don’t Forget: my Etsy BOGO sale runs through Friday. Order one print and get another free. Ask nicely and I’ll even gift wrap it in pretty kraft paper and pool satin ribbon! Vintage Parisian post cards not included!

It’s almost time for my hair appointment. Friends were almost evenly divided on an informal Facebook poll, with Britney dark just ahead of Super Blonde. Britney dark, of course, inspired by Ms. Spears’ wackiduzy Blackout era. I’ve decided to take their advice. I’ve done really dark before and loved it, but I’m wondering if it’s too safe…I’m bore which always puts me in the mood for shockingly dramatic. It becomes harder and harder to achieve shockingly dramatic when you grew up with a hairdresser for a mother and nothing save a Skittles palette seems like a bad idea.

I never thought I’d compliment Evan Rachel Wood for anything due to the residual Marilyn Manson ick factor, but I just can’t quit her. She is my ultimate hair crush. Just look. I just tried inserting these images into this post and it went all stupid on me, so these other blogs probably had to pay for the images. Sorry, you’ll have to click.

These are images from another wedding I second shot with Debi Parker Photography. It was an uncommonly pretty Fall day for Shona & Michael’s outdoor ceremony. It was also a really sweet ceremony. I hope you like the images.

These are some images from another wedding I second shot for Debi Parker Photography. I’m going to let the photos speak for themselves, as I’m short on words today. I was up late painting my basement a color called bleached shadow. I woke up with a headache, no doubt from a lack of ventilation. So, since it’s unseasonably warm this week in DC, I’m going to crank open the windows to the air the place a bit, take in some coffee, listen to Goldfrapp while finishing this last bit of painting in the new house.

While I’m away, I thought I’d share an article on the added value brought by second shooters at your wedding. All year I’ve had the pleasure of shooting for Debi and her clients. We have a really great working relationship and I’ve already been tapped for an early 2012 date. As a second shooter, I am encouraged to be creative and try anything. The freedom and scaffolding provided by Debi, the varied environments photographed in a concentrated period of time and her immediate feedback has improved my photography immensely. My growth is more apparent in the last 10 weeks then my entire formal training at school. Oh, I mean if I do say so myself. Nothing like typing “I’m awesome.” Let me say, Debi and I had recent conversation about talent vs. effort. When people say, “Oh, you’re a good singer” I’m like, thanks, but I was born with vocal chords of a certain length, it’s not something I ever worked hard at. Unless you count giving up a LOT of Wednesday nights to earn townie status at the karaoke bar. Look, I’m a wedding photographer. Wednesday is MY Saturday. But when Debi says, I’ve seen you improve or I really like how you saw this specific image from a recent Georgetown wedding, I lap up those compliments like cream in a saucer. It’s because she will not falsely praise me. I can trust her. Unlike my husband, who loves everything I do. That’s pretty awesome too, by the way.

The article was written by Cicely Procopio of Procopio Photography, a very talented photographer with the richest brown hair. Seriously, she makes me want to dye my hair dark for the winter. The article features other equally talented photographers, otherwise known as my Facebook wall. Lisa Boggs of Lisa Boggs Photography and Kim Seidl of Kim Seidl Photography (Kim, if you’re reading this, I’m totally FB stalking your house renovations!) So, potential wedding clients if you don’t hire me, consider these ladies.

Wow, so for being “short on words” I just knocked out about 500. And THAT’S why on every report card of my entire childhood, my teacher would complain that I talk too much.

The wedding between Chris & Andrew was a real pleasure to second shoot for Debi Parker Photography. First, Debi is a personal friend, an incredibly experienced photographer from whom I continue to learn every chance we work together, and the trusted 2nd opinion you want when you find a pop-up J. Crew sample sale. (We totally did, too! It was awesome. The new mustard cardigan is already in heavy rotation.) The wedding took us to the Pippen Hill Winery, outside of charming Charlottesville, Virginia. And it gave me the opportunity to meet and befriend Chris & Andrew. I’m not sure of the exact moment I decided I needed the bride Chris to be my friend. It was either after she “accidentally” groped me, 2 seconds after introductions, OR it was her request of complete honesty to the question: “Do these eyelashes give me Tarantula Eyes?” I kind of thought, oh yeah, she’s like the awesome friend who got away. So, I was extremely excited when I got a friend request from her on Facebook. I know. I know. It’s Facebook, but you can tut tut Facebook all you want, but quite a few people have deepened my regard for them just by entertaining me with banality. Some have a real talent for it. Look, if you eat Count Chocula with soy for breakfast – inquiring minds want to know. You can learn a lot about person by what they eat for breakfast.

Enjoy!

Ahhh!!! So, I’m ALMOST finish prepping this wedding for the blog. This is the one I second shot for with Debi Parker Photography. You’re going to die. It’s soooooo pretty at the Pippen Hill Winery in Charlottesville, VA. Check back soon. Hopefully, I will have it completed by the end of the day.

I was asked to donate some art to the Borromeo Housing, Inc silent auction fundraiser to be held this weekend. This is an Arlington non-profit which scaffolds young homeless mothers, providing them and their children safe and enriching shelter while helping them attain the education and life skills for employment. I had my Parisienne Carousel print matted and framed in a lovely pewter gold. I hope it raises a lot of money for this incredibly worthy cause. Here’s what it looks like on my office wall.

That paint color is called Bleached Shadow just in case you want to say…design a nursery around this print. OMG. You should totally have a baby. THIS WEEK. All the cool kids are celebrating birthdays! Happy birthday to my favorite Virgos:

• Liam turns 5!!!
• Katrina (European birthdays are the best!)
• Laurie K. (OMG! He put a ring on it! Yay!)
• Edgar the dog (Miss you, Fountain Ave!)
• Sio who also turns 5!
• and Liam’s brand new cousin whose name is to be announced! Congrats, Lindsay & David!

Liam, my godson, shown here in '09, is now totally 5 years old! And...eh hem...Liam's mommy owes me new pics!

Edited to add: Thanks, Emily, for correcting my spelling of Nickelodeon! Enjoy the mountains. See you next week! I almost typed: Enjoy the mountains! but figured three exclamation points was overkill. Toodles. -BCT

Can we talk about pinwheels? They will be the next big wedding trend. Mark my words. Credit is due to Ariel, my friend, recent bride & current Martha Stewart intern, for her influential trendsetting. Mama did EVERYTHING. Invitations. Menus. Placecards. Programs. Chuppah. Paper pinwheels. And it should be duly noted that a handwritten thank-you card arrived less than 10 days after the wedding. Alright, Mrs. Manners, your mother taught you right. Speaking of Ariel’s mom, she literally brought me to tears with her thank you note:

Brandy,

Words cannot really express how wonderful your wedding photography is!  Because of who you are (not to mention your talent!), you were able to capture the people and the event with an artist’s eye. In reviewing the photos, I was truly reliving the wedding in ways that I could not because I was such an integral part of it.

So, thank you for an incredible job. You are a very special person, and Ariel (and therefore we) are very lucky to have you in her / our life.

Fondly,

Susan (and Steve)

Aww. It’s comments like those that totally validate my love of weddings. The intimacy you share with couple and their family connects you in truly meaningful ways. It enriches my life to bear witness to such warmth. While chilling at the Hall & Oates concert last month with photographer friend, Debi, she told me that this wedding season yielded such awesome couples that she earnestly wanted to be their friends. THAT is what you look for in a wedding photographer. Connection.

Speaking of love and commitments: Congratulations goes out to family friend and awesome crafter in her own right, Jamie, who FINALLY married the woman of her dreams in an intimate ceremony in Boston. Wishing you many years of laughter and smiles.

For more pinwheel inspiration check out BHLDN’s In The Fold collection. Eeeek. So pretty.

The few hours we spent in the bridal suite were really special. It was totally chill. Ariel’s attendants were all smiles and lightness. Her best-friend, Gayle, played Phoenix on the iPod. The flower girl colored a picture of, appropriately, Ariel the mermaid. Her mom and mother-in-law told us about their weddings. We laughed. We ate bagels. Everything was exactly as it should be. Lovely. Just like my Ariel. Is it wrong to like my own photograph as much as I love this last image of Ariel? Maybe a little wrong? Okay. I’ll take that. Ariel is a unique combination of an outgoing introvert, so I knew the attention she would receive as a bride would be overwhelming enough, my camera lens would only heighten that. As such, I tried my best to be there first as her friend, and 2nd as her photographer. This was the portrait I wanted to capture.  Not the public Ariel, there would be time for that at the ceremony. I was looking for the private Ariel who is approaching the solemnity of a life-time union with maturity. The thing about weddings is that they are the beginning of a new life, but naturally it’s the end of something as well. It’s the end of individual, little girl, girlfriend. You become wife, future-mother, full-fledged legitimate adult. Father and husband share room in your heart. Spouse becomes a phantom limb. These can be heady emotions and make for beautiful moments.