Weekend Getaway And Flying Machines!

So what I really mean is...aircraft.  Amazing planes and other aircraft from throughout history, displayed like you've never seen before.  This isn't just any Smithsonian exhibit - it's truly an experience.

This past weekend, Chris and I had a weekend staycation-getaway at a local resort.  It's one thing to have a weekend at home, but home is filled with so many distractions and endless things to do.  Sometimes it's nice to get away from it all (even if it's not that far away!) - to leave it all behind and spend some time just being together and being present with each other.  

We finally visited the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center, and spent hours visually devouring the aircraft on display.  With Chris' love of all things automotive, the exhibit of engines throughout history had him drawn in like a kid in a candy store.  

The SR-71 Blackbird - the fastest jet ever built - is probably one of the most well-known and biggest draws, along with the space shuttle Enterprise.  And it was amazing seeing the Concorde (the supersonic passenger airliner), the Enola Gay (the first aircraft to drop an atomic bomb as a weapon of war), and of course the F-14 Tomcat (who hasn't seen Top Gun a million times?! "Talk to me Goose.").  The exhibit was simply amazing, and Udvar-Hazy has quickly become one of my favorite museums!  

Aaaaaaand...if anyone is recently engaged - being that Valentine's Day was yesterday :) - and wants to do an engagement session there...call me!!  Or if you don't but you need a wedding photographer...still call me!!  :)

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OCF Fun In Mystic, Connecticut!

Home to Mystic Pizza, the town's claim to fame, and the awesome Mystic Seminars (from which I recently returned), this town is quaint and full of charm - even at night, when we could barely see much of it!  Lisa Boggs was my super fun travel companion and roommie as we drove from VA to CT.  She was Navigator and DJ as I drove, and we belted out tunes in the car like karaoke was our full time job.  (Lucky for the people in my life, it isn't mine!)  We whipped out our cell phones for photo ops along the way, and ran like crazy people to the top of a ridge at a rest stop for a sunset photo in New Jersey.  The tractor trailer drivers surely were amused.

On the evening after seeing DQ Studios (Dave and Quin are seriously awesome!) speak, we were inspired by their use of OCF and decided to have a little fun in town after dinner!

After moving our speedlights around a bit and adjusting flash and camera settings, I took this photo of Lisa down by the water.  (Speedlight placed on the deck far down to the right to illuminate the side of the ship.  Hand holding a speedlight in my left hand as I take the photo.)


 1/200s; f/3.5; ISO 320

We found this industrial stairwell, pitch dark, and played around a lot to see what we could do in the space.  (Speedlight on a shelf to the right; another speedlight behind me for some separation.)


1/80s; f/2.8; ISO 400

I love the look of OCF and can't wait to play more! Pin It

Ashleigh and Brittany: Anytime

On my last day in SoCal, Brittany Moncrief and I made our way up the 5 Freeway to Ashleigh's home in L.A.  Having met just two days prior, we bonded as we sat in bumper-to-bumper traffic, discussing our careers, the workshop we had just attended, and our faith.  This talented Tennessee gal instantly won me over with her charm and southern belle accent, and I feel so blessed to call her a peer and a friend.

Ashleigh Henning is a tiny girl but she packs a big punch with her energetic personality and infectious smile.  She loves deeply and cares passionately, and this is what makes her such an amazing photographer and friend.  Acting as our local tour guide, Ashley gave me directions as I drove the three of us to Santa Monica.  We loaded up on sugary baby cupcakes at Vanilla Bake Shop and then put into practice what we learned at Jasmine's workshop - find the light and look for natural light reflectors!

Ashleigh will be coming to DC in July, and I'm so excited to be 2nd shooting a wedding with her!

Brittany just won a pass to WPPI, and I can't wait to see her again!

Many thanks go to Elena Galaviz for doing a beautiful job on makeup! Pin It