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Potomac Point Winery Wedding | Virginia Wedding Photographer

I first met Steph in 2008. I was about to become a mom, and she had the most adorable little girl. We became friends over lots of scrapbooking and girls nights out. Our girls grew, and life took us to opposite coasts, but we always stayed in touch. I would visit with her whenever I got back to the East Coast from California. Then two years ago, shortly after we moved back to the area, she asked me to photograph her family, including Jason and his two adorable kids. During that session, it was easy to see how happy Jason made Steph, and how amazing they were together. Jason definitely earned my stamp of approval! A few months later, I received a text from Steph, asking what my May availability was like for 2015. Jason had proposed, and there was no way I was missing out on their wedding!

A Beautiful Sunny Day for a Potomac Point Winery Wedding

So, May came and the day was absolutely perfect for Stephanie + Jason to welcome their closest friends and family to witness their wedding.  As a couple, they love to visit the local wineries throughout Virginia, so a Potomac Point Winery wedding was the perfect choice for Stephanie + Jason! I’ve always loved the cozy, European vibe at Potomac Point. The sun was shining, the vines were beginning to come in, and Steph and Jason had the biggest smiles on their faces.  My favorite moment might have been when Jason first saw his beautiful bride as she walked down the aisle with her new stepson!

More than just a couple coming together, it was a blending of families. Celebrating their new family was an important part of the wedding day and into the evening. The “wedding party” was actually Steph’s daughter, and Jason’s son and daughter. I love how they included the kids throughout the day! It was certainly a special time for the five of them to finally become a family. (Although I know they were always a family in their hearts!) The kids each gave a speech during the reception, and of course, I cried a little. The whole day was beautiful from beginning to end!

Congratulations on becoming Mr. & Mrs.! I love you guys and am so happy that you have found each other. You complement each other perfectly, and even though you’re both absolutely amazing on your own, you are even better together!

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Potomac Point Winery

 

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Blog Planning – Changing my Workflow with CoSchedule | Northern Virginia Wedding Photographer

Blog Planning for Photographers – The Struggle Is Was Real!

Planning and creating blog content used to be my least favorite thing to do. It was a huge time commitment, but necessary to share with my clients and audience. Don’t get me wrong – I actually love to write (although I admittedly could be better at it), but the planning and execution of the posts was just a pain. And that doesn’t even take into consideration promoting my blog posts across the many social media platforms. I know a lot of my photographer friends share this problem. I have heard it time and again: “I wish there was a better way to do my blog planning!” Their complaints were much like mine! Blog planning was cumbersome, time consuming, the follow up social media messages required a full-time dedicated employee, etc. Most of my photographer friends are running similar businesses – we’re mostly one-person operations, handling all of the shooting, marketing, editing, content creation, financials, etc. all on our own. Anything that can help save us time and improve our content sharing is a miracle!

I am an extremely visual person. (I mean, DUH! I am a photographer!) I need to see a written, graphical plan for my blog posts on a calendar. I even went so far as to create my own blog planning system. When I outgrew that system, I started using several Google calendars to plan when I should be blogging and sharing on social media, but even then, I had to check the calendar, stop what I was doing, and actually create the content.  This wasn’t working for me, so I blogged even less often than I had hoped, because it was just too overwhelming as a part of my overall studio workflow.

So what is the solution?

I needed something that would make it easy for me to plan, create, and share my blog content. Preferably something with an easy-to-use graphical interface for blog planning, and that integrating with my WordPress sites. And, as all of us in the photography understand, it needed to be affordable. So where would I get such a mythical creature  solution?? I looked around, and I asked around. No luck until one day when a friend of mine posted on Facebook about CoSchedule, and my life changed forever.

I admit: I was leary at first. It was not a solution purely for photographers, and of course signing up for yet another subscription was a little daunting. But I registered for a free trial (which I was able to extend just by sharing with my friends – bonus!) and within an hour I was hooked! Setting up and linking to both my WordPress and social media accounts was ridiculously simple, but the true test: would this simplify my life, and would I actually use it?

My Favorite CoSchedule Blog Planning Features

I might have mentioned, I am a visual creature. I need to see things planned out, so I can – well – plan for them. I even still use a paper planner to organize my personal and client calendar. I love the drag-and-drop interface that allows me to see my planned posts at a glance, as well as adjust timing of posts and social media sharing. If you choose to use the task feature, your tasks will also appear on the dashboard calendar. Take a peek:

CoSchedule Dashboard

You can see the tasks assigned to each blog post, as well as the articles themselves, and their corresponding social media posts. If a social media message does not post, CoSchedule will alert you in the dashboard, as well as via email – that’s pretty awesome, right? Speaking of a failure to post, if you do not complete the blog post, whether you don’t write it, or just don’t hit publish, you don’t have to worry about CoSchedule putting it out there in the world anyway! With the WordPress integration, CoSchedule never publishes unfinished content, or content before you’re ready.

Another cool feature: CoSchedule will sync the calendar you see above to my Google calendar, which is helpful when I’m on the go or sharing with my new team members. (More to come on them soon!) I can pull up my Google calendar on my phone and see what blog content is scheduled to be shown this week, as well as the corresponding social media posts. Sweet, right?

CoSchedule Pulling into Google Cal

My favorite CoSchedule feature? The ability to schedule social media messages. These can actually share your blog content, or you can schedule text or image sharing! (Yup, that is really handy for us!) This function is extremely helpful in reaching my peak audience times. I am not always on Facebook or Twitter when my fans and clients are. If you watch your social media analytics, you may find that you get the most traffic at Wednesday morning at 8:42 AM. Well, I’m not always at my computer ready to send out my message into the world at 8:42 AM. If I am at the computer, I guarantee I haven’t had my second cup of coffee yet. CoSchedule will share my content and message when I tell it to, making my life much easier, and saving myself precious time every day. My brand and message also maintains consistency, as I don’t have to babysit my content. CoSchedule will reliably share, even months after the original post of my blog content.

Let’s face it: as photographers, our schedules are often feast or famine. Especially on the East Coast, we have a “slow season” which is when I tend to take the time to get caught up on the previous season’s blog post writing. However, I don’t necessarily want to share 10 blogs in a week, when the writing bug has bitten (or boredom has set in.) I would rather distribute that content over the course of 5-6 weeks, or even schedule it to post automatically for me in the busy season, when I usually don’t have a lot of extra time to create new posts and content. CoSchedule handles all of that.

There is definitely so much more to CoSchedule than I can even mention here. For photography studios with a team and others in charge of creating content for larger companies, you can use the editorial calendar to manage tasks for your entire team! The social media integrations and possibilities are endless. You can even choose your subscription from affordable plans for any size team. And it’s pretty to look at. (Yes, I will say this is important to me.)  You can even track your top posts from your Dashboard. It’s pretty gratifying to see which of your posts are getting the most visits and shares! Here are some more screenshots from CoSchedule:

Want to see more on how CoSchedule works? Watch the short video below. Want to give it a try for free? Visit CoSchedule now!

Check out the CoSchedule blog – lots of great content and marketing tips!

Have questions, comments, or tried CoSchedule and want to tell me how fabulous it is? 😉 Let me know below! You can get your free trial of CoSchedule right here!

 

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  • Anna A.06/01/2015 - 6:30 PM

    WHOA! Super impressive!

  • Kat06/01/2015 - 7:57 PM

    ok, you might finally have me convinced to try this. I was shying away from yet another subscription, but I *need* to tame this aspect of my workflow!

  • Angela06/01/2015 - 8:18 PM

    I know exactly how you feel, Kat! But it was SO worth the investment (and they have a pretty amazing referral program, too!) Just knowing that I have a tool that will take care of so much automatically for me, at the best time for my audience, is a huge relief!

  • tPoz06/01/2015 - 10:24 PM

    Sounds like a great way to blog effectively! I should try this w/Charm City Wed!

  • Ashley Hawkes06/01/2015 - 11:03 PM

    Okay, I’m totally trying Coschedule!! The social media sharing is a huge time sucker for me, this will be great!

  • Ashley Hawkes06/01/2015 - 11:05 PM

    I’m definitely going to give CoSchedule a try for my social media sharing! Love it!

  • Shanelle V.06/02/2015 - 12:07 AM

    Wow! A way to make scheduling a blog planning system made easy! This is great news and it can be merged with your google calendar this just keeps getting better.

  • Saskia06/02/2015 - 2:49 AM

    This sounds very interesting. Not sure if this would work for me, but I will give it a try and sign up for the free trial. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

  • jennifer06/02/2015 - 6:47 AM

    I really need to get a better handle on all of this- you make it look so appealing!

  • Angela06/02/2015 - 8:09 AM

    That was my biggest issue, Ashley! I would get on social media to share, and before you know it, two hours has passed!

  • Taylor @ CoSchedule06/02/2015 - 10:30 AM

    Thanks for writing this awesome review of CoSchedule! We appreciate it!

  • Sergey06/03/2015 - 2:46 PM

    Thank you for sharing! It looks like it is a great tool. definitely worth to check it out! Thank you!

  • Merima06/05/2015 - 6:15 PM

    Reading through this made me realize how much I can improve on my social media presence – so worth the read! Just goes to show that you never stop learning…

  • Frank06/06/2015 - 8:32 PM

    This CoSchedule looks like an amazing tool towards efficiency and production! I’ll definitely have to look into this more

Maryland Couples Photography | Documenting the Everyday

Couples photography is something that occasionally goes unnoticed. Whether you’ve been together just a few months, or many years, there is so much of your story to capture. Typically, when couples start a family, the camera comes back – but is usually focused on the children. But what about your love story? It didn’t end simply because children, or careers, or time entered the picture. (Wow, this all sounds like a bunch of puns, but I promise it is unintentional!)

Couples Photography – Celebrating the Everyday

Looking around my home, there are very few photos of my husband and I. There is one from our first date, and one from a few years ago taken during a family session with our daughter. I’ve failed. I don’t want those around me to feel the same way, so I’ve determined that I want to capture and celebrate everyday couples. Even if you have been married for 8 years, there is beauty to be captured in your everyday.  That beauty might be in a shared cup of coffee, or making dinner together. Or in relaxing with a glass of wine in your backyard while the sun slowly sinks. Whatever moments you share, they are important! Photography should not be reserved for milestone moments only – such as your engagement or wedding day. Your story is only beginning when your love is new. It continues to grow, and evolve, and deepen.

I was honored to join Jen + Shane in their home to capture a little bit of their morning routine. In a few years, that routine may look completely different. Thank you so much for inviting me into your home to document these moments!!

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Just a few shared moments, that may seem “routine”, but someday, I hope that they will reflect back on this time fondly. I feel so strongly about the importance of capturing the everyday, especially as a couple. Parents are always snapping the cute things their children do daily – those moments are certainly important! So are your memories as a couple. Whether you have children, furbabies, or are just the two of you. I am excited to begin offering Lifestyle Couples Photography as part of my photography services menu. For more information, please contact the studio!

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Valley of Fire Part II – Wedding | Virginia Wedding Photographer

Day 2 – Valley of Fire Cactus & Lace Shootout Continued…

Obviously the terrain of the Nevada desert is much different from the usual we see here at our Maryland and Virginia wedding venues. I was so excited for the opportunity to shoot a fully styled wedding as part of the Cactus & Lace shootout, not just because our models, attire and details were so exquisitely gorgeous, but also because of the amazing landscape. The entire day was beyond words – just fabulous – and this portion of the day literally left me breathless. I mean….LOOK at these views!

Virginia Wedding, Elopement & Engagement Photographer

See what I mean? The Valley of Fire State Park has some of the strangest, loveliest terrain I’ve ever experienced. We had a perfect day, too! Just enough clouds in the sky, and just enough breeze. How did I get so lucky to find myself here? Being surrounded by such beauty and interesting rock formations, I found my creativity really was renewed. I know it sounds a bit cliche, but it is true! The sights and open country were just what I needed after a long winter!

Let’s talk about our models. These ladies and gentlemen really do work very hard for us on these shootouts. Most of the time, they’ve just met, and they’re being asked to portray a couple very much in love on their wedding day. Um, wouldn’t you say they nailed it? And they were such a joy to work with. Thank you for being so friendly and fun!

If I had to pick a favorite, it might have been this set. Every minute of our day was perfect, and amazing in a unique way. I loved the little stone homes, and the details, and can we talk about the furniture?!? I’m sure it was no easy task to lug all that stuff out into the desert! I love the succulents in the details on this one. And the place settings…Sorry, I’m rambling, but why don’t you look for yourself?

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Credits

Hosts:
Keala Casson Jarvis Keala Jarvis Photography
http://www.kealajarvisphotography.com
Instagram: @kealajphoto

Jordan Ralphs Burr Jordan Carli Photography
http://www.jordancarliphoto.com
Instagram: @jordancarliphoto

Cactus and Lace Weddings: (also did decor and stylizing)
Cactus & Lace Weddings – Rachel Anne GarciaLory Fabbi & Reyanna Lynn Jarrel
www.cactusandlaceweddings.com
Instagram: @cactusandlaceweddings

Florist:
Miss Daisy Flowers – Jessica Marshall
http://missdaisyflowers.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Miss-Daisy/620858541301505
Instagram: @missdaisyfloral

Makeup and Hair:
Rachel Harper
http://eatsleepbeauty.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/eatsleepbeauty
Instagram: @eatsleepbeauty_

Brandy Norris
Brandy Norris Hair Stylist
Instagram: @hairstylistlasvegas_

Cake:
Gimme Some Sugar Bake Shoppe
www.gimmesomesugarlv.com
Instagram: @gimmesomesugarlv

Motorcycle:
OIL & Blood
http://oilandblood.com
Instagram: @oilandblood

Suits:
True Gentleman
http://www.truegentlemansupply.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Truegentlemansupplyco
Instagram: @truegentlemansupplyco

Invites:
Basic Invite
https://www.basicinvite.com/
Insta: @basicinvite

 

Angela Powell Woulfe is a Maryland Wedding Photographer serving all of the Washington DC/Virginia/Maryland/Pennsylvania/Delaware/West Virginia area, and is available for travel nationwide for weddings, elopements, and engagements! 

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  • Laura03/23/2015 - 11:10 AM

    what beautiful wedding images. Such RAW emotion captured. And the colors and scenery are breath taking!

  • Ashley Hawkes03/23/2015 - 1:46 PM

    Gorgeous couple in some of the most breathtaking country! I love the reds of the rocks in the Nevada desert contrasting with their attire. Perfect styling and amazing photography!

  • Derick Le03/23/2015 - 4:44 PM

    What an amazing venue and beautiful images that you capture for this couple’s special day, Angela!

  • Patricia Lucia03/23/2015 - 7:00 PM

    Beautiful work!

  • JL Garcia03/24/2015 - 2:16 AM

    Really Love the location and your work, great stuff.

  • Merima03/24/2015 - 1:42 PM

    These colors are to die for!!!

  • Sergey03/30/2015 - 12:42 PM

    Wow! What a place to photograph! Could not be a better background. Such a beautiful portraits you captured and love all the details as well. Beautiful!

  • […] ICYMI: I spent about a week in early March traipsing through the desert in Nevada. I love the desert. Absolutely adore it. There is something wild, and untamed about the desert that calls to me artistically. I love to use that rugged landscape in a juxtaposition to my subject, such as in a high fashion shoot. I had the opportunity to shoot at two special shootouts while I was there, one included this styled glam senior picture sesh put together by Cactus & Lace. (You can see more of the shootouts, including the wedding and elopement portions on my other site, here.) […]

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