365 Memories Photography

Jennifer's Family Photos on the Mall

2010-12-11T19:53:00.000-08:00

My friend Jennifer took her family to the Mall for their holiday photos.

The Mall in downtown Washington D.C., that is.

I photographed Jennifer and her family last winter, when there was snow on the ground. This time, we still had beautiful color on the leaves. And even though the temps could have been a little warmer, we still got some great shots of this beautiful family and the monuments.

Jose and Joyce

2010-07-21T18:18:00.000-07:00

Jose and Joyce were married in a beautiful garden wedding at Glen Gardens recently, surrounded by good friends and family from all over the world, as she hails from Lebanon and he served in the Army. They both currently live and work in Kuwait, where they met and fell in love. Standing alongside his adorable children and nieces, as well as siblings and friends, the two pledged their vows to each other under a warm, summer sky. And for a few hours after, everyone celebrated with dancing and music, and a feast of delicious Lebanese food. It was one of the most fun celebrations and I was honored to be a part of it. Special thanks to Franz, my second shooter!

Stephanie and Bruce

2010-07-06T10:07:00.000-07:00

When Bruce met Stephanie at a mutual friend's wedding up north last year, he knew immediately that he was going to marry the gorgeous tall blonde with stunning blue eyes.

She knew it, too. There was an instant connection between them, as if they had known each other for years. Even though he lived here in Washington DC and she lived there in Minnesota with her children, there was no question between the two that they were in love and that they were going to get married.

"We corresponded so much after that wedding," said Stephanie during my meeting with the pair in a coffee shop. "He decided pretty early that he was going to relocate to Minnesota. It was just one of those things where we both knew this was it, so why wait?"

So on a blazing hot summer day recently, the two celebrated their own wedding, married on the banks of the Potomac in an intimate ceremony held on the grounds of a historic library with close friends and family in attendance. Even through the hustle and bustle of final preparations in the hour leading up to the ceremony, the two had such a calm, happy feeling about them. Best wishes to Stephanie and Bruce and the kids as you start your new life together!

Kristiina and Family

2010-06-25T09:26:00.000-07:00

Kristiina contacted me asking if I'd mind taking family portraits at her reunion. Her parents were celebrating an anniversary and for the first time in several years, ALL four kids and THEIR families were going to be in one place at the same time. You see, Kristiina's father was a foreign service officer for the State Department, living all over the world while some siblings moved to different parts of the country, too. It was so fun watching all of them come together and we got some really cute photos along the way.

Here's a few from the session.

Tyra and Nic

2010-06-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

It was my husband and a Mac computer that connected me with Tyra and Nic, who works at our local Apple store. My husband took my iMac in for some upgrades, and Nic, who was servicing our computer, noticed that we had a lot of photos saved on it.

"My wife is a wedding photographer, so it's mostly her images," my husband expained. One of Nic's coworkers overheard this.

"Hey, Nic! Aren't you getting married and looking for a photorgapher?"

This led to a business card exchange with my husband which led to a meeting with me and the adorable couple, which led to me photographing Nic and Tyra's wedding!

It was so sweet being a part of their day! Friends and family from all over the East Coast came together to witness the two, who've been dating a few years after meeting at a conference, exchange vows. There were few dry eyes in the church as the two offered up prayers for each other, especially when Nic tenderly wiped the tears off his bride's face as she spoke. And then everyone laughed and clapped as they danced down the aisle as man and wife. And the dancing continued well into the evening at their reception.

All the best to Nic and Tyra as they begin their life together!!

Alexandra and Brian

2010-06-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

Alexandra was facing the blue screen of death on her computer, and as a student at Virginia Tech, this was a very bad thing. So she called a friend of a friend, knowing he was pretty good with computers.

And when he showed up, she realized he was pretty good-looking, too ... and funny ... and smart. Turns out, he noticed the same things about her, too.

Thus began a relationship that's lasted several years.

So, under a big blue sky, they married June 12 at an inn along the Eastern Bay in front of their friends and family, many who've known the pair since the very beginning.

A lot of personal touches were added throughout the wedding, too - her garter was maroon and burnt orange for Virginia Tech, his father clamped a real ball-and-chain on his son as was done for generations in their family, she made all the programs and their friend made the cake. A few of the bridesmaids even snuck away to prepare the honeymoon suite with rose petals. And everyone danced, from the youngest toddler to the oldest couple.

Best wishes to Alex and Brian!!

Jacquelyn and Scott

2010-06-13T23:19:00.000-07:00

Jacquelyn went shopping at IKEA a few years ago, looking for Swedish-inspired home decor, but instead left with Scott's phone number, who was also shopping in the big blue building that day. Jacquelyn had asked for his opinion regarding a piece of furniture, and a conversation followed, the beginning their courtship. During the Memorial Day weekend, the two stood in front of their friends and family to say their vows as man and wife. Despite the unseasonably warm temperatures, the feeling was light and joyful as everyone came together for music, dinner and dancing. From the scrapbooks showcasing childhood photos to a groom's cake shaped as a TIVO television, there was a lot of personal touches throughout the celebration.

Congrats to Scott and Jacquelyn!

And special thanks to Ben, my assistant for the day.

Julia and Dave - Wedding

2010-05-20T20:17:00.000-07:00

Julia and Dave are such a warm and genuine couple, it was truly impossible not to feel such warmth and connection on their wedding day. Their wedding took place in the historic town of Sheperdstown, West Virginia -- their church was turned into a hospital during the Civil War. It was truly a beautiful ceremony and the reception at a local golf course and country club was very gorgeous, thanks to amazing springtime weather. You could tell so much thought went into every detail, too, from the matchbook souvenirs (to play off their Match.com connection) to the photos of Julia's parents (who are back in her native England) to the inclusion of all their close friends and family ... it was such a lively, intimate affair and one I enjoyed shooting very much.

Special thanks to my father and photography mentor, Larry Stulz, who came out to shoot with me. It's the first time we shot a wedding together since I started my business - he's been doing this for 20+ years! It was a lot of fun!

Hada and Russell

2010-05-07T22:59:00.000-07:00

I met Hada and Russell when I photographed the wedding of her sister, Tamarisk, last year. I was so honored when she asked if I'd photograph her wedding, too. She and Russell met in high school, but didn't start seriously dating until college, even though Hada admits she's had a crush on Russell since she first saw him. Surrounded by friends and family on a gorgeous spring day, they got married and celebrated with a maypole dance! Best wishes, Hada and Russell!

Tyler's Bar Mitzvah

2010-04-24T17:43:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to shoot Tyler's bar mitzvah celebration. I met him and his family when I photographed his cousin's bat mitzvah last year. His family is so sweet and fun. It was good to see everyone again and capture him and friends having fun. They played basketball, games and there was even a palm reader! Thanks for having me as part of your day, Tyler!

Julia and Dave

2010-04-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

Julia and Dave are my first West Virginia couple!

She was so sweet and cheerful in her emails when she contacted me, I just knew she and Dave would be a great couple. And when we did meet in person to discuss details, I felt completely at ease with their good nature. Julia hails from England and Dave is retired from the Coast Guard, although both continue to work. They met online, and Dave was completely smitten by Julia's humor while Julia was impressed by "Dave's movie star looks", as she said during our session as he laughed and shook his head.

(I agree that he could definitely pass for Nick Clooney - George's dad!)

The couple lives in that corner of West Virginia that dips between Virginia and Maryland, so for their engagement portraits, we met half-way at Great Falls Park, where the Potomac River cascades over giant, jagged rocks. It's a scenic, beautiful place -- you can easily forget you are just miles from the hustle and bustle of the nation's capital as you stand and watch the water fall. I had such a good time with them. It's very easy to photograph people who are so in love, and these two were so sweet to each other.

Julia and Dave will be married in May and I can't wait to photograph their day for them!!

Sharese and Jovan

2010-03-27T23:08:00.000-07:00

Sharese admitted in her vows that if it weren't for the way she met Jovan, she wouldn't have prayed so hard about it.

After all, to the great amusement of their friends and family, they met on MySpace.

He was in school in Florida. She lived up here in Maryland. He saw her profile picture and decided to "say" hello with a message. They started writing back and forth, getting to know each other, realizing their families lived just blocks apart in Maryland. There was a connection, and she prayed about it every step of the way, before they finally met in person, before they finally declared themselves an item, before they started to think about a future together.

It was through all that prayer that she realized Jovan was the answer to those prayers, so when he asked her to marry him three years after that first online message, she said yes. So in front of their friends and family, they pledged their love to each other, reciting their own vows in a lovely, heartfelt ceremony in Maryland.

I had such a good time shooting this wedding. It was just so much FUN. Lots of laughing. Lots of affection and joy, not only between the couple but between their families, too. We wish this couple all the very best!

2010 Bride's Choice Award

2010-02-07T19:12:00.000-08:00

Imagine my surprise when I learned today that I've received a 2010 Bride's Choice Award from WeddingWire.com.

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds. Awards are distributed to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and are based on the overall achievements over the past year.

Many thanks to the brides who voted for me!

Sarah and Ariel

2010-02-06T09:07:00.000-08:00

I was so honored when Sarah and Ariel invited me to the Dominican Republic to photograph their wedding. I had so much fun with them during their engagement session, and I knew their wedding was going to be just as awesome. It was very sweet to watch her family from Maryland interact with his family from Santo Domingo as they gathered underneath the small resort church for a Catholic ceremony in the Caribbean sun. Then, we hit the beach for some photos before partying the night away to the beat of vibrant, Latino music. It was such a celebration of love and family. My entire trip with Sarah, Ariel and their family was so beautiful and amazing, and I thank them for the opportunity to share in their joy.

Best wishes to you, both!

Bryan + Christa = Lily

2010-01-23T18:40:00.001-08:00

There is nothing more joyful, precious and intimate as the birth and homecoming of a new baby. That's why I was so touched when Bryan and Christa asked me to photograph the homecoming of their new baby girl, Lily. A mutual friend referred me to them and as we emailed in preparation of Lily's arrival, I couldn't help but feel so happy and giddy for them. I met them at the hospital and captured the moments as they stepped into the world as a family for the first time. It was so sweet to watch them carefully place their daughter in her car seat and navigate the smoothest way home to avoid any bumps. This little girl couldn't have picked better parents - she is so loved! Best wishes to the three of you!

Jennifer and Nicholas

2009-12-19T18:51:00.000-08:00

You know the best man's speech is going to be good when the couple has been together for a few years, such as Jennifer and Nicholas. A lot of good-natured dirt gets revealed and both sides of the family roar with laughter because they get the inside jokes. That's how it was at this wedding. Everyone seemed so excited that Jennifer and Nick were "finally" getting married. Even their pastor mentioned it. As it was said in both speeches given during their reception, these two are just meant together. Their wedding took place in a centuries old country mansion, decorated for the Christmas holiday. It was such a sweet and romantic celebration. We wish them all the best!

And major thanks to my second shooter, Franz, who once again captured some amazing images! :)

Sandy and David

2009-12-05T20:50:00.000-08:00

If it weren't for a broken thumb, Sandy and David would have never met on the job. While David normally worked out in the field for an equipment company, Sandy worked in the company's office. But after hurting his hand, David began work in the same office to heal and that's where the two first struck up a conversation. Just over one year later, they stood in front of about 15 of their close friends and relatives and became man and wife. Her three daughters stood beside her after her son walked her down the aisle. Meanwhile, David's son stood by as his best man. They married in a little cottage between horse fields just south of DC, which looked just gorgeous with the season's first snowfall. Best wishes to them all!

Sarah and Ariel

2009-12-04T22:07:00.001-08:00

She grew up here in Maryland. He grew up in the Caribbean. Both wanted to become engineers. That's how the two of them ended up together at freshman orientation at Catholic University. After realizing they shared a lot of the same classes, the two got to know each other and discovered they had a lot more things in common, such as a love for the numbers game Sudoku. They became inseparable, and after years of dating, the college sweethearts recently got engaged and are planning a wedding in his hometown in the Dominican Republic. They were so playful during the session and so much fun! I wish all the best as they plan their wedding!

Marcie and Family

2009-11-24T15:23:00.000-08:00

Marcie and I attend the same play group with our kids. We have so much in common: we both had our firstborn child overseas, we relocated to DC, we had our second children within months of each other, etc. We also happen to be moms to the most adorable kids in the world. ;) So when she asked if I'd take their holiday portraits, of course I said yes!

Danielle's Bat Mitzvah

2009-11-22T01:34:00.000-08:00

A young lady's Bat Mitzvah is not only an important rite of passage, but also a celebration of faith to share with family and friends, and I was so honored to photograph the celebration for Danielle and her family, who I met while covering her Aunt Sandy and Uncle Jose's reception a few weeks ago. After taking some portraits at the temple before the ceremony, I met up with them again for the celebration and wow - was it a party! Lots of teenagers, lots of dancing, lots of laughing, lots of texting and lots of FUN! Congrats, Danielle!!

Chavonne and DeRon

2009-11-16T22:23:00.000-08:00

DeRon and Chavonne met on eHarmony.com, which hails itself as a relationship site vs. a dating site. And while it did a great job matching these two, the connection wasn't immediate. In fact, they e-mailed back and forth for a few months before actually meeting. And then they dated for awhile. Then, one day, Chavonne suggested that if they were really going to get serious, perhaps they should pray together about it. "And that was it for me," said DeRon when I asked how he knew Chavonne was the lady for him. "No other girl had ever prayed for me, and that's when I knew without a doubt, she was the one." With some savvy planning and the blessing of her family, DeRon asked Chavonne to be his bride over a romantic dinner at Disney World. They are set to marry next summer. For their engagement portraits, we headed to Old Towne Alexandria. I had so much fun with them. Best of luck to these two as they plan their wedding!

Jody and Dave

2009-11-14T16:15:00.001-08:00

With family and friends scattered all over the country, Jody and Dave decided to keep their wedding short, sweet and simple. Really simple. When these two said their marriage vows to each other in a small city park today, the only people present were the officiant, the couple and me - the photographer. But we hit it off so well, I quickly felt like a friend. These two met a few years ago, when Jody was a professor at his university. They became friends when some of his friends were in her class, and started seriously dating about a year ago. They decided to get married this past June. For the past few days, though, the remnants of Hurricane Ida rolled through the area with lots of wind and rain. Were their plans for an outdoor ceremony going to change? Fortunately, the rain stopped and best of all, brightly colored leaves remained on the trees. And we had the whole park and fountains to ourselves! After a quick portrait session, these two left to catch a plane to Europe. While I'm a little disappointed they didn't agree to take me with them, I do wish them all the best! :)

Bon voyage!!!

Sandy and Jose

2009-11-09T23:10:00.001-08:00

Sandy and Jose were married in a small courthouse ceremony a few weeks ago, so their family and friends gathered for a reception this weekend to celebrate their union. Sandy and Jose met three years ago, but as Sandy put it, it wasn't el amor right away. They connected first as friends. But over the years, through the course of movie outings, dinners and lots of great conversations in both English and Spanish (she speaks it fluently having lived in Spain and Mexico), they realized there was something more and decided to become man and wife. Their reception was a very sweet celebration for a very sweet couple.

Krista and Aaron

2009-11-09T10:02:00.000-08:00

Krista and Aaron's journey to the altar started in a busy campaign office for Presidential hopeful, Michael Dukakis. They were young, teenage volunteers and as Krista put it, she saw Aaron walk through the door and told her friend, "That's my guy. He's the one." But just like Dukakis wasn't to be President, their young relationship wasn't to be, either. Or was it? Years later, after both had gone their separate ways, they reconnected and realized that first spark both felt as idealistic teenagers still existed. Now older and wiser, both divorced with children, they discovered time didn't fade a thing for them and so this past weekend, they stood in front of about 30 close friends and family and pledged themselves to each other and their families. It was meant to be all along.

Tamarisk and Brian

2009-11-08T20:53:00.000-08:00

It was a match made in heaven. And, it was a match made on match.com. Tamarisk and Brian met through the online dating service nearly a year ago. She was ready to deactivate her account, but decided to go on one more date. He happened to be it. As in, THE ONE. It was an instant connection. Their wedding celebration was fun and sweet, just like the couple, and we wish them luck as they prepare for a cross-country move in a few weeks!

Ruth & Jeremy

2009-11-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

This was definitely a wedding celebration! Ruth and Jeremy are high school sweethearts and on Halloween night, they took the next step and became man and wife surrounded by their close-knit group of friends and family. It was such a party filled with such loving and fun details, from the great food and music to the handmade decorations and gifts to the funky sneakers they all wore during the portrait session. It was a blast!

As always, many thanks to my second shooter, Franz, for his awesome work.

And major props to Ruth's sister, Glenda. She is a sergeant in the Army and served in Iraq and Afghanistan, not far from where I spent time, too. Glenda attended out-of-state Army training the past few months, but still managed to be my contact for this wedding. Military organization at its best! :)

Kelly & Chris

2009-10-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

Kelly and Chris are college sweethearts from New Jersey, who met during their sophomore year five years ago. When Kelly moved to Maryland to continue her education, Chris moved down here to be with her. So, it wasn't a huge surprise when Chris proposed marriage earlier this year ... or was it? Turns out, everyone in their families knew about the upcoming engagement -- except Kelly. Unbeknownst to Kelly, Chris talked with her dad and recruited other family members to keep it secret as he found the perfect ring. So it was a nice surprise when he pulled out the ring in their apartment kitchen to ask her to be his bride. And of course, she said yes! :)

Vanessa & Michael

2009-10-25T20:08:00.000-07:00

Michael and Vanessa met on a Catholic dating Web site ... only to discover they attended the same church. And her uncle worked with his mom. And they both have a Spanish-speaking parent.

As it turned out, these two share a lot of connections, all which led to Michael proposing recently to Vanessa with a digital picture frame full of their photos, with the last photo featuring her engagement ring. So their friends and family threw them a lovely engagement party to celebrate!

Here are a few pictures from the event.

Anastasia & Daniel

2009-10-13T07:28:00.000-07:00

Aren't they a beautiful couple?

My photographer Franz and I had such a great time shooting this wedding. The location was beautiful, right on the Chesapeake Bay. Even on a chilly, overcast the day, the smell of the salty water and the seagulls g...ave this wedding such an open and easy feel to it, very much like this genuine, relaxed couple.

When I first met Anastasia and Daniel to discuss wedding details, I was immediately struck by the humor and playful banter between them. During their toasts, it was mentioned that Anastasia often participates triathlons and David never misses the opportunity to show up and cheer her along, always waiting for her at the finish line. How sweet is that? Best wishes to them!

Melonie and Kofi

2009-10-10T22:11:00.001-07:00

Theirs is definitely an example of a "meet cute" introduction. Melonie, who is from this area, and Kofi, who is from Ghana, met in a local laundromat, striking up a conversation in the midst of humming dryers and whirling washing machines. That connection eventually led these two to the altar of a beautiful church in Washington D.C. this evening, where they became man and wife in front of their many friends and family. Their reception was a blend of the two cultures, too, with homemade Ghana dishes served alongside chocolate sweets hidden in jewelry boxes prepared by one of their junior groomsmen.

Here are a few photos from the event. Many thanks to my second shooter Franz for great work, too!

LaTauya & Keith

2009-10-06T02:48:00.001-07:00

Isn't it funny how you can meet a person, but feel like you've known them much longer? It was like that for me with LaTauya. That's not surprising, though, considering we both grew up in Northern Kentucky; she in the Louisville area while I grew up around Cincinnati. She even recognized me as my mother's daughter -- she and her family used to watch my mother's local television morning talk show back in the 1990s. She could even name my mother's co-host and everything! (I can't escape the fact I look like my mother, can I?) Needless to say, there was an immediate connection and I just knew photographing her wedding was going to be fun.

Sure enough, her wedding to Keith this past weekend was truly a beautiful and meaningful event. Surrounded by friends and family from both Kentucky and the Washington DC-area, these two celebrated their marriage with a simple, yet classic ceremony in a Crystal City hotel in Arlington. Below are some photos of the day. Many thanks to my second shooter, Franz!!

Camilla & John

2009-10-02T20:51:00.000-07:00

This evening, my husband and I attended the wedding of our dear friends, Camilla and John. We have known Camilla for about four years and John nearly that long, so it was so awesome to be a part of their wedding day. It was the culmination of a very loving courtship, and there is something so satisfying when two people stand together in front of their friends and family and pledge themselves to each other. That is especially true when it comes to these two.

Even though I wasn't their official photographer, you know I couldn't leave my camera at home with the kids, so here are a few shots of the ceremony from my seat as their guest.

Best wishes, Camilla and John!

Updated Site

2009-10-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to reveal my updated SITE today!

While my site still reflects my simple, classic style of photography, I've added more galleries, music and a shopping cart so that anyone visiting the site can order selected prints. I've also created a Facebook page for the business, which you can find HERE.

Enjoy!

Weddings We Love: Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi

2009-09-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

Like so many others, I was sad to hear that actor Patrick Swayze died Monday after a brave battle against pancreatic cancer. Ghost is one of my all-time favorite movies and what American girl my age didn't listen to the Dirty Dancing soundtrack a few times in a row? But I must admit, I didn't know about Patrick's real-life love story involving his wife Lisa Niemi until I heard about it in all the news coverage surrounding his death.

That's how I found this photo from their June 12, 1975 wedding, in one of those life-in-photos galleries showcasing his accomplishments. I had read about their wedding (or maybe I heard about it -- I can't remember if it was on television or in print) in an interview with the couple. At the time, they were young, he wasn't famous yet and it was a small ceremony with friends and family in the dance gallery where they met as teenagers. I'm willing to bet the photos were taken by a family friend or relative with a camera. (The blue smudge in the corner gives it away.)

But isn't this photo just so sweet? The way he's gently feeding her the cake. The way their guest is standing off to the side, so smitten with the love this couple radiated.

I've labeled this as a wedding we love, but I'll take this further and say this is a LOVE we love. This marriage lasted 34 years. In Hollywood, that's a miracle. In the outside world, it's incredible. Both Patrick and Lisa spoke candidly in interviews that theirs was not a perfect marriage. He battled alcoholism. She hinted about the darker times. But they remained together through it all, right up to the very end.

The photographer of this photo probably didn't give much thought other than he or she wanted to get a photo of the couple tasting their cake. But the photographer managed to capture so much more. And years later, the meaning of this photo has changed, especially in light of his passing. In a way, I think this photo, specifically the guest in the corner, represents the way those who mourn Patrick's passing look at his marriage with his wife; that we've witnessed a very sweet and loving couple experience the real thing.

Louis and Nkengsa - Engagement

2009-09-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

I just love shooting engagement sessions, especially when the couples are as fun and photogenic as Louis and Nkengsa. They contacted me about getting photos for their wedding website, which they plan to share with friends and family living overseas. They wanted to incorporate images that reflected their lives here in DC, as well as in Africa. So, we headed down to the National Harbor just outside the Beltway, which offers a variety of scenery, from sandy beaches to urban settings. Even though it was a rainy day, nothing could damper their sweet and endearing love for each other which was just so evident. Thanks for a great session, you guys!

Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too!

2009-08-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

It was, literally, a piece of cake planning for the edible centerpiece of my wedding reception. My mother-in-law ran a German bakery at the time, so I managed to avoid the stress the comes with choosing a wedding cake. I simply told her the color theme of my wedding, the number of guests and that was it. The first time I saw my cake was at my reception, and I wasn't disappointed. It was a beautiful, three-tiered cake with vanilla, chocolate and raspberry flavors layered with sweet buttercream and decorated with edible flowers and pearls. It was gorgeous.

I know other brides don't always have such luck, though. Picking out the right cake can be just as difficult as deciding on the perfect dress, the reception menu or the right photographer. With so many flavors and styles, colors and designs, it's not surprising that the cost of the cake can really add up, especially when most cakes are purchased per slice.

So, what's a bride to do when the cake of her dreams costs so much more than her budget will allow?

Go small.

That's the advice my mother-in-law used to give her bakery clients when they came in and couldn't decide between their expensive dream cake or one that better fit their budget. Since most cakes are priced by the slice, it was more cost-effective to order a smaller version of the dream wedding cake (which would be displayed in the reception hall) along with a standard sheet cake, which would be kept in the kitchen and sliced by catering staff before being brought outside to the guests. In the end, everyone gets a piece of delicious cake, the bride and groom get their gorgeous dream cake and the wallet doesn't have to take such a hit.

This cost-saving solution is often used by bakers everywhere, and I was tickled when I recently heard it shared on the reality show Cake Boss on TLC.

It's such an easy way for brides to have their cake and eat it, too!

(These are cakes from various weddings I've photographed.)

Weddings We Love: Jill and Kevin Heinz

2009-07-24T15:00:00.000-07:00

Surely, you've seen or heard about this video by now.

Like most couples, Jill Peterson and Kevin Heinz wanted to do something special for their June 20, 2009 wedding. According to various interviews, they wanted to incorporate the joy and happiness of their love into their ceremony. So, they used Jill's background in dance and choreography to spice up the wedding processional, having their bridesmaids and groomsmen dance down the aisle to Chris Brown's song, Forever, which had special meaning to them.

A few weeks later, Jill posted a video clip of the processional on YouTube for friends and family who couldn't be there. However, the clip went viral, dancing its way into the hearts and minds of more than 16 million viewers worldwide as news media caught on and interviewed the couple, their family, their friends and their friends' friends. It seemed everyone wanted to know all about this couple and the reasons they decided to do a little something different.

Here's what I think is so marvelous: because of a little creativity and a lot of fun, this couple managed to make their wedding truly unforgettable. And it didn't cost them a dime. Every now and then, as I flip through the channels on television, I come across some of those bridezilla shows, where the young girls are flipping out about the littlest of details, insisting they only purchase the best of the best of the best for their special day, threatening to cancel the whole ordeal if the groom or family doesn't pay up for a particular crystal embedded in the wedding cake. It's so misguided. And for all I know, maybe Jill was a little bit bridezilla and maybe there were perfect, expensive crystals embedded in their cake.

But something tells me that wasn't the case here. Something tells me this couple had the right idea. It seems to me they knew what they wanted to share with their loved ones, and that was the love and joy they have for each other. In the end, that's what everyone will remember.

And that's why theirs is a wedding we love.

Cindy & Chris

2009-07-19T20:54:00.000-07:00

I was so fortunate to attend the wedding of my good friend Cindy to her handsome groom, Chris. They got married earlier today at a Walt Disney World resort in Orlando, Florida. Could there be a more magical place for a wedding?

Here are some photos from the happy event.

Disney or Bust!

2009-07-15T14:20:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! The family and I are heading south in a few days to attend my friend Cindy's wedding at Disney World in Orlando. I've been so busy, making lists so I don't forget to pack anything, running last-minute errands and trying to get the house in order so we return to a tidy home. (Does anyone else do this before they go on vacation or is it just me and my perfectionism?)

I'm attending the wedding as a friend -- not the official photographer -- but you know I won't be able to leave my camera at home. I'll definitely post some pictures, as I know Cindy is going to be a beautiful princess bride. From what she's told me, the ceremony and reception is going to be straight out of a fairy tale book.

We're staying for a week to enjoy the parks. I've been to Disney World once before and loved it, and I can't wait to share it with my family and friends again. Hopefully the weather cooperates!

Weddings We Love: Carolyn Bessette & JFK Jr.

2009-07-07T21:38:00.000-07:00

I was talking to a friend (and fellow photographer) the other day and the subject of our conversation turned to weddings we love. I've always had a curious interest in weddings, specifically the details and stories behind the couple's choices. Why that church or location? Why those bridesmaids dresses? How did the couple meet and how did they get engaged? You can learn so much about a couple from their wedding day.

So, as my friend and I talked, we mentioned some weddings that we both admired and one of the first we both mentioned was the wedding of Carolyn Bessette and John F. Kennedy Jr. I could recall some details about it, but I wanted to learn more, so I hit the trusty Internet to see what I could find...

The wedding could have been a huge, glamourous affair with a guest list full of celebrities and politicians. After all, he was a Kennedy, raised in the White House and amongst our nation's elite. He grew up to become a magazine editor and was named People Magazine's sexiest man in 1988. She was a model and Calvin Klein fashionista from New York. If there was ever a couple with wealth and access for a "platinum" wedding, it was this pair.

But their September 21, 1996 wedding was decidedly humble and low-key. They married in a small First African Baptist Church chapel on Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia. Since the chapel had no electricity, they used candles and kerosene lamps. Their decorations? Two branches JFK Jr. tied together in a cross. The altar was covered in greenery arranged by Efigenio Pinhiero, Jackie Kennedy's longtime butler. Just 40 guests attended, and included close friends and family. Two hymns - "Amazing Grace" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" - were sung a capella by gospel singer David R. Davis.

Of course, these details weren't widely known right away after the wedding. They managed to keep the affair secret from the media. After the event, the couple authorized their wedding photographer, Denis Reggie, to release only one photograph from the event. He decided on the image of JFK Jr. kissing his bride's hand as they left the chapel. That picture ended up on the cover of more than 1,100 magazines and newspapers, and it was later featured among "photographs of the year" by Time, People and Life magazines.

Not only was that wedding an example of how a low-key wedding could be just as magical as a big-budget production wedding, I think that photo also changed the expectation for wedding photography. In 1996, I was the teenage assistant for my father's photography business. Digital photography was still years away in the future and for the most part, brides and grooms expected the traditional posed portraits and ceremony snapshots. After that photo, however, brides (especially) wanted the tender moments of their special day captured, just like that one moment was captured for JFK Jr. and Carolyn. So, whenever my father handed me his camera to get some additional shots, I always kept my eyes open for those moments, whether it was just a sweet side-way glance or an extra kiss on the dance floor.

After all, it's those sweet and magical moments we never want to forget.

About 365 Memories Photography

2009-07-05T00:39:00.000-07:00

So, I'm making the leap and adding a blog to the site! On here, I'll post photos from the weddings and events I shoot, as well as any information and tidbits I find interesting!

I'll start by telling you a little about myself and my business....

From weddings to birthday parties to a simple walk in the park, there is so much to remember on any given day. From the smallest detail on a wedding cake to the majestic architecture of a city skyscraper, we are surrounded with visual memories every day of the year. That's why my business is called 365 Memories. I strive to capture those memories before they pass by too quickly.

If you're looking for quality, memorable photos you'd be proud to display despite a tight budget, I can provide that for you.

Trust me. I know what it is like to be a bride with a budget. That was me back in 2002. I was living in Germany on a miniscule military paycheck when my German boyfriend asked me to be his bride.

We decided to marry in his hometown and pay for the wedding ourselves. I instantly had visions of this gorgeous European wedding in an ancient cathedral with a string quartet. Boy, was I in for a surprise. Everything from florists to rental halls to catering to the legal fees was way overpriced and the dollar-to-Euro conversion was not in my favor. So, in order to afford the wedding of my dreams, I had to be creative and resourceful, cut corners and keep things simple. And make sacrifices.

While my wedding was an intimate and beautiful dream come true, the experience of being a bride on a super strict budget never left me. Great photography doesn't have to be expensive. Brides on a budget shouldn't have to scrimp on their memories, and that's what wedding photography is all about: the memories, the story about your special day.

Don't settle for distant, dark and cluttered photos taken by well-meaning friends and family. I keep my equipment requirements down so that my prices are low, yet my standards and personal expectations and quality remain high.