Wedding & Engagement Photography

Bridget + Larry | Terrapin Beach Engagement Session

Friday, December 9, 2016

A Windy Beach Engagement Session

When planning their October engagement session, Bridget and Larry said it was definitely a priority to select a location near the water. I had a few ideas for locations, but a friend suggested Terrapin Beach in Stevensville. After we were rained out on our first attempt, I decided to brave the wind for the rescheduled date. October weather can be so unpredictable, and we didn’t want to miss a sunny day. The strong waterfront breezes were a bit of a challenge, especially with Bridget’s long hair. I think the resulting photos made it all worth it.

I met Bridget and Larry for the first time at Terrapin Beach for their portraits. We talked a lot about how they met (in college), where they are from (they are new to the DMV area), and of course, wedding planning! Although it was windy, it was otherwise the perfect day for a walk and getting to know one another. I had never explored this park before, and I was pleasantly surprised by the variety! Typical beaches have a lot of sand, and not much else. Terrapin Beach Park was perfect, with stands of tall trees, lots of vegetation near the dunes, and wide expanses of sand looking back across the Chesapeake Bay towards Annapolis. I can see why it is a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts! (There were even several wind surfers out on the water when we were there!)

It feels like it’s been forever since I had a true beach engagement session. Since moving back to the East Coast from San Diego, I’ve had sessions that wanted to include the water, but were typically in downtown Annapolis, or in the DC/National Harbor area. My time with Bridget and Larry made me realize how much I missed shooting at the “real” beach! I’m looking forward to making the most of my beach time this coming summer. (Hint, hint: if you want a beach engagement session, get on my calendar now for the best selection of dates!) I might also just have to plan a long beach vacation for our family, too.

Here are a few of my favorites from their session. I love the movement from the wind, and was drawn to a slight shift in my editing to capture the mood and feel of the beach. Thank you, Bridget and Larry, for being troopers that day; I’m looking forward to your wedding in June, which should be a lot warmer!

Terrapin Beach Engagement Session

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Kara + Eric | Alexandria Couples & Engagement Photography

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Fall seemed to stretch out a little longer this year! The trees kept their leaves a few extra weeks; the temperatures have remained warm during the days. It has been a photographer’s dream! Usually, we are scrambling in late October, attempting to squeeze in as many sessions as possible before the leaves are gone – typically by the first week of November. This year was a much-welcomed reprieve from the usual hustle, and it worked wonderfully in our favor for Kara and Eric’s fall portrait session this past weekend!

This time of year, most of my work is with families, and not as much couples and engagement photography as the rest of the year. I met up with these newlyweds at Greenspring Gardens – one of my favorite locations in Northern Virginia! When Kara let me know they would like to stay in the Alexandria area, and capture the fall colors, I knew this would be perfection. The colors were popped, and the day was sunny. I love this location for its variety in a small area. There is a historic home, beautiful manicured gardens, the greenhouse, and a trail that circuits a few small ponds and continues through the woods. The light is gorgeous in any spot you choose to shoot on the grounds. It is a favorite among photographers, families, and gardening enthusiasts!

We walked the trails and the lawns and chatted, getting to know each other. I learned we are all from the midwest originally, and that they had moved to Northern Virginia a bit over a year ago. We talked about how long I’ve lived in the area, and of course, about traffic. It was such an easygoing day, and before I knew it, we had dozens and dozens of amazing shots!

As the fall season starts to slow down, and winter approaches, I will be sharing more from the past year right here on the blog. For now, I’ll start with my favorites from this couple’s session!

Couples & Engagement Photography in Northern Virginia

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Rochelle + Jacob | Carlyle Club Wedding | Alexandria

Friday, October 7, 2016

In a summer filled with record-breaking temperatures, Rochelle and Jacob’s Carlyle Club wedding over July 4th weekend was wonderfully mild! I’d first met Rochelle and Jake about four months prior to their wedding day for their engagement session in Old Town Alexandria, and think was was as excited for their wedding day in July as they were. Their venue was just one reason I was looking forward to their day! I’d never experienced a Carlyle Club wedding day, but knew it would be so much fun to shoot! I love art deco elements, and the club did not disappoint!

The day started as most of my wedding days do: photographing the ladies as they had hair and makeup completed, and then moving on to the gentlemen as they relaxed and also prepared. One tradition that I adore (and wish I saw more of!) is the exchange of gifts between the bride and groom. Rochelle and Jake had gifts for each other, as well as notes to read just prior to their first look. Oh, and let’s talk about that first look….on a rooftop!!! It’s no secret that I love first looks, and this one was in my top five of all time favorites. Standing back to back, each reading a note the other had written, before getting the first glimpse of one another…well, it may have been one of the sweetest moments all day!

We followed up the first look with some formal bridal party and family portraits. Guests were beginning to arrive to the Carlyle Club, so we found a fantastic little courtyard with just enough space and the perfect light! Now, let’s talk about the wedding party….they were a BLAST to work with! Sometimes a large wedding party can be a little intimidating when you’re on your own to photograph it, but this crew made it fun, fast, and easy! I love it when the party has a ton of great, upbeat energy before the party even gets started!

After portraits, it was ceremony time! The Carlyle Club often hosts live events, and reminds me of what I imagine a supper club in the roaring ’20s would have been like. The stage was perfect for both ceremony and the band. (I have to give a huge thumbs up to the venue’s lighting team…who worked with me to get the ceremony lit perfectly! It is definitely a darker space, but between my gear and the stage lights, we teamed up to make magic!) After the ceremony, the Club’s staff quickly turned the space over into a dance floor while we stepped outside for more portraits.

If you follow my blog at all, you know that I love to dance a little at receptions. Um, I danced my rear off this night!! The band was fabulous, the guests were enjoying themselves, and everyone was excited to be celebrating Rochelle + Jake. You could just feel the love and happy energy everywhere. Before I knew it, it was already time for the sparkler exit, which resulted in my favorite image from the entire night! (And check out the cookies that Rochelle baked and decorated as favors for her guests! Gorgeous!)

Thank you for inviting me to capture your Carlyle Club wedding, Rochelle + Jake! It was such a pleasure to work with you over these past few months. I wish you lots of grand adventures, more sweet moments than you can count, and a lifetime of smiles!

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2016 Fall Mini Session Announcement | Howard County, MD and Stafford County, VA

Friday, September 9, 2016

Fall has arrived, even if the temperatures don’t quite feel like it! Fall means squeezing in final weekends at the shore, the return of pumpkin spice everything, and the start of the school year. Speaking of which, I’m homeschooling my daughter this year, and learning a lot about time management, juggling work/school/home, but more of that to come next week. I am finding that during my daughter’s extracurriculars, I have a dedicated time to blog and share more on the journal, so expect to be seeing more on a regular basis!!

Back to fall…. it’s also the return of the annual Fall Mini Sessions! I know it may seem a little strange to be thinking about falling leaves and the holidays when it still feels like summer outside, but cooler, shorter days will be here before we know it. I’ve carefully selected two dates, based on the peak fall colors for the last few years in our area, and two locations to reach all of my clients!

For Maryland:

October 30, 2016 – Howard County, MD – near the Powell Woulfe Photography studio
only 7 spaces remaining

For Virginia:

November 6, 2016 – Stafford County, VA – exact location will be given upon booking, but near Stafford/Fredericksburg
only 8 spaces remaining

Each family or couple will receive a 25 minute mini session, on-location outdoors, a minimum of 10 digital images with full print release, and an online gallery. I will have some fall-themed props available. Fall Mini Sessions are the perfect opportunity to update your family photos and for those holiday cards you’ll be sending soon! Each mini session is $175, with a $50 retainer required to reserve your session. (Balance is due at the start of your Fall Mini Session.)

Ready to book? Head over to https://powellwoulfe.pixifi.com/booking/powellwoulfe/ and choose your date and time! Have questions? Contact the studio at info @ powellwoulfe.com or (410) 921-9232! I can’t wait to see you all again this fall!