A good snapshot stops a moment from running away.  ~ Eudora Welty

Photo Credit: Alswang Photography

“Don’t forget to enjoy the moment.  Your wedding will fly by and you won’t remember a thing.”  This is what countless people have told me.  To keep this from happening, I need to find someone that would be able to document the day with pictures.  After the day is gone, photos are all that remain.

To be perfectly honest, I HATE taking photos – doesn’t matter what type we are talking about – Work ID, Driver’s License, group shots, whatever!  I’ve never been that person that makes an effort to purposely have their picture taken.  My dad (who has more photos of me than the law allows), had all but stopped asking me to pose for photos until I got engaged because every time he would, I would scowl and run in the other direction.

Photo Credit: Alswang Photography; Venue: Meridian House

While I loathe being the subject of a photograph, I do love a well taken photo.  Of all the methods, the one that I identify with the most is a Photojournalistic style.  Here’s how I see it – if I have a photojournalist document my wedding, I have struck the perfect balance of having my photo taken, while not “knowing” I had my photo taken.  Maybe this won’t be so bad after all…

My first experience with photojournalists came during an internship at a TV station.  On this day, we had a celebrity coming to visit and a photojournalist was brought in to “capture the event.”  I was awestruck by the final photos!  Even though I was there and could recount every move the celebrity made, the photographer was able to capture images that I had (somehow) missed.  He was able to recount the day in pictures.  Moments I still remember, even to this day.

Photo Credit: Alswang Photography

I must have looked at countless photographers’ websites.  While many of the photos were stunning, even striking, I keep asking myself the question, “Who is this couple and what is their story?”  I needed to “feel” something about the work of the photographer.  I had to know that the person that would capture my day would be able to express what I was feeling, even if I didn’t say a word.

After much consideration, I take a meeting with a photographer that I will eventually hire to document my wedding.  Ralph Alswang has over 20 years of experience and has worked for Newsweek and Reuters.  He shared with me that his most humbling assignment was serving for eight years at the White House under Bill Clinton as the President and First Lady’s official documentary photographer.

Ralph has made a career of documenting the lives of so many people – famous and everyday; across countless states and countries.  He has captured history as it was unfolding and documented it for all to know.  He will now add two more people to his dossier – and we thank him for making sure our special moments live forever.

Photo Credit: Alswang Photography; Cake: K. Rose Cakes

The pictures have been shared, agonized over, the votes have been cast and the finalists have been selected.  Now it is time to choose the grand prize winner.  The contest has been very popular thus far.  Garrett would like to thank everyone who has been voting all week, to the wonderful crew at District Weddings on their ever-popular DC wedding blog (fantastic resource for any bride), and finally his awesome clients.

Without further ado, here are the four finalists you voted on over the past four days.

Go to Garrett’s blog now!  Happy weekend!

Through Thursday, he will post six of his favorite engagement photos from some of his amazing couples. Every day you can vote on your favorite of the six photographs. On Friday, he will tally the results and post the four finalists (one for each day) and then ask all of you to again vote and decide the grand prize winner of the $50.00 gift certificate.  The winner will be announced on Monday. More information can be found here.

Here is a peak at the incredible photos…and of course, if you are thinking of an engagement session, reach out to Garrett at 202.316.2676!

A) We bring our cameras and do not even take them out of our purse as we get swept into the events of the night, B) We bring our camera, take a few pictures, and they stay in our camera after the event as we forget to upload and share them through Flickr, Facebook, etc., or C) The perfect clutch we want to bring is unfortunately too small to fit a camera.

Luckily, we have a solution: a photobooth! We are lucky enough to have spoken with Daniel from Booth-o-Rama, who told us how he came up with this wonderful idea and what a photo booth will add to your special day…

How did you and your brother come up with this fabulous idea?

I am also a photographer and know firsthand that it is not always easy to get people to relax and be themselves in front of the camera.  Whether it is just one person, a couple, or even an entire bridal party, there is a tremendous amount of privacy inside the photobooth, and this leads to amazing photographs.  

The dilemma was in creating a photobooth that had the quality of sharp hi-resolution photos and the great lighting that I demand as a professional photographer.  It took a fair amount of time because we had to design and build the photobooth ourselves from the ground up.  I like to think we have a unique product that is perfect for an array of special events.

How does the photobooth work?  What add-ons are available?

We will deliver the photobooth to your event location which will be setup and monitored by an on-site photobooth specialist.  As for operating the booth, it is super easy.  To start, simply enter the photobooth and press the big red button.  You will then see a live preview which helps to give an idea of what is in the camera frame.  A countdown will begin and the first of 4 images will be taken.  Just seconds after the sequence is complete a four image personalized photo strip will be ejected directly from the booth.

Options available include: an extra hour of coverage, double prints (great if you are thinking about having a scrapbook as guests can share one photo strip and keep one), or all images on CD.

Will the photobooth be able to blend in with the theme and decor of the event?

Absolutely!   This is a crucial aspect and one that we paid careful attention to when coming up with the design of the photobooth.  The Booth-o-Rama Photobooth has a very sleek and modern look.  We also offer our clients the ability to request any specific curtain color (the curtain that guests enter the photobooth thru) to match their theme colors.   This really makes the photobooth fit in seamlessly and appear as if it was designed just for the event.
 

What do you think a photobooth adds to a special event?  Why is it a unique way to remember a wedding or other type of event?

There are many benefits to renting a photobooth for your wedding or special event.   First off, the photobooth generates an instant photo strip of 4 images immediately after guests exit the booth.  This photo strip comes with a fully customizable banner that marks the occasion of the event and thus becomes a perfect party favor for all guests to take home with them and remember your event.

The bride and groom also benefit because they can choose to have a scrapbook/guest book setup next to the photobooth that guests can then share their photobooth photo strip along with a personal note.  Finally, the overall entertainment value of having a photobooth at any event cannot be emphasized enough.  As soon as they see it, guests are instantly excited and eager to jump in the photobooth and it works as a nice break from dancing or other socializing throughout the event.

What should client’s look for when selecting a photobooth to rent?

This is such an important question.  In the last year there have been many new photobooth rental businesses popping up and I feel strongly that it is important for clients to know what they are truly paying for and receiving.   Here are a few questions prospective clients might not think to ask that I would highly recommend they inquire about…

First off, be sure to request a sample of the actual photo strip your guests will be receiving.  

Finally, make sure you understand the size of the booth and how many people can fit inside. Photobooth dimensions vary tremendously and some can only accommodate 2 or 3 people which is important to be aware of especially if that is not what you are expecting!

Thank you SO much Daniel! Your Booth-o-Rama photo booth is absolutely amazing. This is the PERFECT way to bring home memories from a great night!

Today, we hope that you enjoy the eye candy.  If you are looking for an incredible photographer to capture your engagement or Wedding, without a doubt, Corey is your answer!  Email him at corey@hendricksonphotography.com.

The first DC couple to book him for your wedding will get a FREE engagement session – amazing!!

I spent the weekend by Ashley’s side as a bridesmaid, watching as she married her college sweetheart in an incredible, over-the-top, gorgeous celebration that will undoubtedly be featured in a future issue of a bridal magazine.  And boy-oh-boy, was their wedding fun.  Ashley and Tom are so in love, so perfect for each other.   They are why I love weddings so much.

In the spirit of gushing about love, I’ve been dying to share with you these amazing engagement photos sent over by Stephen Bobb at Love Life Images, Inc.

Kaja, the stunning bride-to-be, lives in D.C. and Dan, the oh-so-cute groom-to-be, lives in New York.  They often travel back and forth on the train to see each other.

After pulling a few strings at Amtrak, they were able to have exclusive use of one of the platforms at Union Station, and my, what a fabulous backdrop.  These pictures will show you exactly why photographer Stephen Bobb is one of our favorites…

Kaja and Dan will be married soon at the House of Sweden.  Congratulations!  And THANK YOU, Stephen, for treating us so well and always sending us your amazing work!

According to its website, Glenview Mansion is a pillared, neo-classical, 19th century home nestled in the 153-acre Rockville City Center Park.  According to the brides who get married there, and the photographers who shoot pictures there, it is one part modern, artistic, and unexpected, and one part traditional, elegant, and pristine.  The inside hosts an amazing Art Gallery; the outside is estate living at its finest.  What more could you want?

See for yourself.  Take the virtual tour.  Glenview Mansion is located just 21.5 miles from downtown D.C.

Okay.  That very talented photographer I just mentioned?  Kim Seidl.  She travels the world to capture people and events, BUT she offers special rates for weddings in D.C.   Special rates!  For one heck of an amazing photographer.  If you’re looking for a photographer, call her.  Let me put it this way, if I hadn’t already booked a photographer for my own wedding, I’d be calling her.

Back to Glenview Mansion.  Two words why you should have your wedding here:  cherry blossoms!  What every D.C. bride wants.  We LOVE cherry blossom trees (check out the District Weddings logo).  Glenview Mansion has loads of them.  

Aren’t they the cutest couple?  Kim Seidl is a master-mind.  She really gets it when it comes to wedding photography.  I’m so glad she shared her talents with us.

For hours of photo fun, check out Kim’s blog.  Thanks, Kim!!

Top of the Town is an event venue located in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington.  With GORGEOUS panoramic views of the city, Top of the Town is a an incredibly unique spot.  Many have said that Top of the Town offers the absolute BEST views in the city.

Gorgeous, right?  And only 2.60 miles from downtown D.C.!

With so many exciting things going on in the world of D.C. weddings, I don’t usually like to spend much time talking about myself.  But today, I need to tell you a little background story.  

My fiance went to the University of Michigan.  And when I say he is a fan, I mean he is like, the biggest, most die-hard fan you have ever met.  Both of his parents AND both of his sisters also went to Michigan, so needless to say, it runs in the family.  Lucky for me.  I went to UVA.  Wahoowa.

Now, it is said that the biggest rivalry in ALL of sports (bigger than Yankees vs. Red Sox, apparently) is Michigan vs. Ohio State.  You have to take a side.   That’s just the way it is.

Okay, whatever, so my little sister’s boyfriend comes from a long line of Ohio State fans.  I still like him.  AND I especially like him because he reads this blog every day.  Yes, that’s right.  He’s a District Weddings fan, and that makes me so incredibly happy.

So, Adam, this wedding is for you.  It took place at our featured District Place, Top of the Town, and well, I think you’ll like it…

Jessica and David were married last July.  To say their wedding was an incredibly fun-filled celebration is an understatement.  Rick Martin, an uber-talented local photographer sent me these fabulous photos… Be sure to check out the amazing view of the city!

Myrna Grossman of For All Occasions was the talented planner behind this wedding.

A big thanks to Rick for sending us these beautiful pictures.  Check out Rick’s blog for hours of wedding and engagement (and baby) eye candy!  

And, congratulations, Jessica and David!  I love that your wedding was filled with personality and terrific fun.  But, I must say, Go Blue.

Can you believe this wedding was only three weeks ago?  I’m pretty sure the Meridian House is (by far) one of my favorite venues in D.C….

LOVE that getaway car!  Congratulations, Carrie & Christopher!  And a BIG thanks to Jennifer Domenick, Stephen Bobb, and the team at Love Life Images for keeping us up-to-date on all of the fabulous work you are doing!

Jennifer Domenick of Love Life Images, Inc. (have I mentioned how much we love the team at Love Life Images?) captured this amazing wedding at the Meridian House.  Her work always leaves me in awe.  Every picture is, well, beautiful.  Every shot is filled with emotion.  Every image is pure perfection.

Carrie and Christopher were married only three weeks ago, on April 18, 2009 at the Meridian House here in D.C.  Here’s the first round of images… More to come in a bit!

I LOVE those Kate Spade blue shoes.  So much so that I ordered them for my own wedding.  Sadly, I was in between sizes and they didn’t work out.  But I still think about them…a lot.

How precious are those flower girls?!?  And those moss-covered baskets — simply adorable!