Washington DC Engagement Photographer (Jon & Els at Meridian Park)

Jon and Els met while studying abroad in England.  A specially coveted name tag from a special dinner was saved from their time in England, all the way until the night of Els law school graduation, when Jon slyly handed it back to her, with a collection of love notes to his beloved.

On the last card, the name card, he wrote a message...

   

We shot at Meridian Park at dawn in Washington DC. The one thing that really bummed me out about this shoot is that when I went to look up the information on Meridian Park (located in Colombia Heights) after the session, I found out I had totally missed out on the opportunity to pay homage to my uncle, who has a statue in the park. Rats! I will have to try again on my next trip out there. :)

   

DIY Milk Glass Tutorial for Wedding Reception Tables

I absolutely LOVE the look of milk glass. It is such a beautiful, classic piece of tableware and can be so incredibly stunning whether you are having a down-home country affair, or something more modern and chic. It all depends on the way your florist styles your blooms.

But milk glass can also be incredibly expensive, and at times, hard to find. Not everyone has the months of weekends free to hunt up random pieces at garage and antique sales.

So we have an idea. An incredibly brilliant idea thought up by one of EHP's brides, Tessa, who married just this last weekend in Warrenton, Virgina just outside Washington DC. For her wedding, Tessa looked to her kitchen for inspiration. Tessa likes Starbucks Frappuchino's... a lot apparently. And after acquiring a number of large bottles through her own drinking habits, thought that the glass was really, actually quite attractive!

Simply peel off the labels (this is easy to do since Starbucks uses clear, sticker-type labels), or if you use a different brand or type of drink with a paper label, simply soak it over night in hot, soapy water and that label will be easy scrubbed off the next day. You can also lightly score it to help the water work it's way through the adhesive a little faster.

Once the label is removed, just paint the outside of the bottle with some nice, white paint, available at any craft store. Depending on what type of bottle you have may determine what type of paint you need, but I bet any oil-based paint would work.

So easy! And aren't they pretty? You could do all kinds of things with this!





   








   

                  

Union Hill Inn of Sonora, Wedding of Gabe & Bridget

Bridget and Gabe traveled all the way from Southern California to marry at the stunning Union Hill Inn in Sonora. I did not meet Gabriel and Bridget until their lovely wedding day, but after so many emails back and forth, it didn't matter. Bridget was just as welcoming in person as she was over her messages, and her darling beagles melted my heart as soon as I saw them passed out and snoring on her bridal bed!

Soft greens, yellows, creams and just a touch of aqua fluttered around the venue as everyone busied for the big moment, which took place in a barn converted into a chapel, in front of a beautiful stone fireplace. Fairy lights twinkled from the suspended wooden chandeliers as the local children's choir ascended the aisle. It was stunning.






   










  

Now, as you all very well known, it's not possible for me to avert some type of disaster with everything I do. On the way home from this beautiful, magical wedding, I started to not feel so well.

About 10 minutes away from the venue and I was doubled over the steering wheel.

I think finishing that milk-based energy drink that had been sitting in my car for the last six hours was probably not the brightest idea I ever had.

(Enter ye tale of food poisoning...)

I would like to take this time to apologize to the Chevron, Texaco, and the other unnamed gas station where I left a slight mess in the parking lot.  Uh...

After pulling over basically in the woods on the country road which 49 is, I was overwhelmed with gratitude that I am an absolute slob. After the birds received yet another helping of my dinner on the side of the road, I was able to pull the following things out of my back seat:

A full change of clothes
Advil
Dramamine
Sheets
Blanket
Pillow

It pays to never clean out your car. See, mom?

I took a nap. I felt better. My just over two hour right home stretched to over four hours, but it was good! And my poor little beagle, who had been waiting with his nose pressed against the glass the entire day waiting for me to pull up, welcomed me with a trumpting howl. :)

                  

Washington DC Bound (Brides and Beagles)

At about 2am, just hours from now, I will rise, pack up my puppy's overnight bag and take him to "boarding school." He doesn't know yet, and he will be very sad.

Luckily his doctor has doubled his Xanax dose, so I hope that takes the edge off.

I will be out of the office from Thursday, May 3rd- Monday May 7th, when I shall collect my puppy and collapse into bed exhausted after so many shoots, a lovely wedding, and much traveling.

Have a great weekend.




   

Bridget and her beagle baby.

                  

Placerville Engagement Photographer (Tiffany and Brett)

Tiffany and Brett will be tying the knot in Placerville in June. They graciously agreed to arise at the CRACK OF DAWN to meet me for their engagement session also in Placerville. Their friends so graciously loaned them their extensive property for their exclusive use on this sunrise session (since the whole world was asleep anyway ;) and I will tell you, it was gorgeous! Woods, vineyards, mountains, a pond! Whewhoo!


   











   

   















   











   

                  

Pebble Beach Engagement (Katherine & Bryant)

Katherine and Bryant met at Starbucks. She flirted, he... didn't notice. After awhile she took offense and started ignoring him. THEN Bryant noticed her plenty! With some hard work and sweet talking, Bry stole Kat's heart... and now she's taking his last name! ;)