UVA Graduation Photos - PhD

You don’t have to be graduating UVA with your Bachelor’s Degree to get graduation photos taken! I had the honor of photographing this amazing woman upon the occasion of her successful defense of her PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Virginia. Wearing a Doctoral Cap and Hood, we did portraits on and around UVA’s Lawn and Rotunda. She brought two outfits, a custom made balloon prop, and most importantly, a good friend who helped to keep the shoot fun! Whether you are graduating from UVA Undergrad or earning your Master’s, or achieving a Doctorate, make sure to document your time, hard work, and cherished years at UVA with a photo shoot! Email me directly or via the form on my Contact page to set up a session!

Kristin and Lindsay Wedding | Charlottesville LGBT Wedding

I’m looking back on Kristin and Lindsay’s wedding at Lydia Mountain Lodge, near Charlottesville, and there were so many memorable moments, it’s hard to know where to start.  First of all, they had a bounce house for the many kids at their wedding- that was one of the first things they mentioned when I had my first phone call with them - they wanted the kids to have fun.   It was a destination wedding for everyone, and they all stayed in cabins on site at Lydia Mountain.

Lindsay and Kristin told me they never had any grand visions of how their wedding day would be, they just wanted everyone to have a great time hanging out.  They didn’t care  too much about all of those cliche wedding photos you see- close-up shots of rings, dresses hanging by themselves on a tree…they cared about documenting the people and the day as it unfolded, and capturing all of the fun.

Snubbing tradition, Lindsay and Kristin got ready together, in their rustic cabin.  They normally don’t wear any makeup…but wanted to wear a small amount of makeup for the occasion.  Endearingly, they tried to decipher some makeup instructions they had found on the internet - what goes on first- BB cream, CC Cream, or Foundation?…  and followed them step by step, stopping every once in a while to pick up a walkie talkie to joke around with other guests on the premises.  This whole process was extremely adorable.  

After they each were suited up, and looking super fly, we headed out for some pre-ceremony portraits.

One thing Charlottesville area weddings do well are ceremonies with Blue Ridge Mountain backdrops, and this venue did not disappoint in that respect.  If I’m not mistaken, Lindsay and Kristin walked each other down the aisle, to the epic strains of the JURASSIC PARK THEME SONG.  (Also, their reception dinner tables were named after different dinosaurs.)

After the ceremony, the party got started, and the camp fire was blazing outside the barn reception room.  The kids were having a ball…marshmallows were roasted, toasts were made…I witnessed an impromptu taste test performed between the classic canned beer brands Modelo, Busch and Miller Lite…   As the night went on, inexplicably…a NARWHAL showed up in costume, the brides SHOTGUNNED a beer and there was a RAUCOUS singalong to none other than CELINE DION.   So, yes, people, this was a wedding I will never forget.  Cheers to you, Kristin and Lindsay, for the good times and good stories!!!  

Thanks to the Vendors:

Day-of planning by Emerald Events by Nilsa

DJ: Rhythm of Love

Ali & Tony | Charlottesville Courthouse Wedding Photographer

When I arrived to shoot this Charlottesville Courthouse wedding, there was a real buzz in the air - this couple was so excited!  I even believe I heard one of them say "Are we really doing this?!!!"  The bride was wearing an adorable white lacy romper, which reflected her free spirit.  First, we went downstairs in the courthouse to fill out paperwork, which sounds mundane, but I really enjoyed shooting this part!  The old files room was so cool and retro looking, so I got a few quick shots of them in there.  Then we went over to Court Square Park and they chose to do the ceremony under a pretty little Dogwood tree that was just blooming.  After the short and sweet ceremony, we did some portraits around the park and courthouse, some photos with their parents, and then we took a short walk down to The Pie Place on the Downtown Mall for a piece of pie.  I loved that they did that as their little celebration, in lieu of a traditional wedding cake cutting.

Ashleigh & Casey | Charlottesville Courthouse Wedding Photographer

I love shooting Charlottesville Courthouse weddings so much!  They are short and sweet, but each one is so different from the next!  It’s so nice that they allow you to do the ceremony anywhere you want around the adjacent park.  There are several nice spots, with different backgrounds.  In this case, we chose to do the ceremony right in front of the historic Albemarle County Circuit Court, a half block from the Charlottesville Circuit Court.  The red bricks and white columns…classic Charlottesville.  This wedding was the beautiful coming together of two families, with 2 boys on one side and one boy on the other side.  The 3 boys looked on as heartfelt vows were exchanged, with their arms around each other.  This was a big day for them too - they were officially becoming 3 brothers.

I have a connection to Courthouse weddings, because my parents were married at a courthouse!  My mom was wearing jeans from what I have heard!  There are no pictures from their wedding, unfortunately.  I would have loved to see pictures of them on that day.  Just because you are doing a simple courthouse wedding, doesn’t mean you have to skip the photographer!  Your kids will thank you some day!  Even if you are foregoing the huge party, floral arrangements, DJ, catering, etc., that doesn’t mean you don't deserve to have photos of your ceremony and portraits just as beautiful as if you had booked that vineyard venue!  

I have very reasonable special rates for courthouse weddings.  Give me a call!  I’d love to be there to document your big day for you!  I would love to be the official Charlottesville Courthouse Wedding Photographer!  In the mean time, please enjoy pictures from this charming courthouse wedding.

Megan & Kevin | Stone Mountain Vineyards | VA Wedding Photographer

Driving up the mountain approaching Stone Mountain Vineyards for the first time, as the road keeps going up, up, up through the forest, it seems impossibly high up the mountain!  When you finally come out into the clearing where the beautiful wood winery building stands up on stilts, you are hit with a view that is completely unrivaled!  Over 1,700 feet high, Stone Mountain is one of Virginia's highest vineyards!  

I met Megan and Kevin inside the winery, and I got to hear the story of how they met in college outside a classroom, and later at a Halloween party where Megan was dressed as Minnie Mouse!  Together ever since, years later, Kevin asked Megan to marry him with a ring in a tiny glass slipper at Disney World (Megan is a true Disney fan!).   This is one of the best parts of being a wedding photographer- getting to hear people's love stories at this exciting time in their lives.  I'm so happy for these two, who are so clearly in love, and so thoughtful of one another.  Wishing them all the best in their journey together!!!  Check out these photos from their engagement session!

New owners of the winery, Jim and Deanna Gephart, have their own love story, and pouring themselves into operating a winery and vineyard after long careers in the federal government is a beautiful new chapter in their lives, and a dream come true for them!!

DelFosse Vineyards and Winery - Styled Shoot

When I was invited to a styled shoot at the DelFosse Vineyards and Winery, I jumped at the chance, because I needed to go explore the venue for a wedding I am shooting there this fall, and what a better opportunity than to scout out the property while they had some gorgeous models, styled beautifully in wedding dresses from Sealed with a Kiss, and colorful floral styling by Good Earth Flowers!!   Many thanks go to Adrienne Eichner for her organizing, planning, and styling this great event.  I only had one hour there, but look at just a small sampling of photos I was able to get in that short amount of time there!  What an absolutely stunning venue.  Can't wait for my real wedding there in October!   

Thank you to all of the talented vendors who collaborated on this shoot!  

Venue: DelFosse Vineyards and Winery
Venue Host: Adrienne Albers
Event Planner/Stylist/Director: Adrienne Eichner 
Floral Styling/Coordinator/Table Arrangements: Good Earth Flowers
Jewelry: Andrew Minton Jewelers
Bridal Gowns/Veils/Scarf: Sealed with a Kiss
Cake: SprinkleSpark, LLC
Models: Jason Elliott, Katt Marie and Jennifer Hendrickson
Makeup Artist: Yisell Santos-Bustamante
Hair Stylist/Floral Designer: Passionate Prince Designs
DJ/Lighting: Nate Clancy
Pastries: Albemarle Baking Company
Invitations/Menu/Placecards: Calligraphy by Kalika
Painted Globe/Hangers: Limefish Studio
Signage: Bride and Joy 

Lexie & Emily | LGBT Engagement Photographer

Lexie and Emily chose Charlottesville, Virginia’s unique IX Art Park for their engagement photos.  I knew we would have fun there since there is so much to explore in the way of weird, wonderful public art.  There are some park-like areas with long natural plantings and grasses, and some urban looking areas with giant murals and interactive sculptures.  There’s a big wall there saying “Before I Die I want to….” and below that, lots of lines and chalk for people to write their hopes and dreams.  Each time I visit IX, I love to see what the latest visitors have written on those lines.  I thought it would be a great ice breaker to start the session with Lexie and Emily writing out 3 things that they wanted to do before they die- I told them to pick one thing they want to do for themselves, one thing they want to do for the other, and one thing they want to do together.  You can see what they wrote in the pictures below!  

These two were so fun and easy to work with.  They were super comfortable and relaxed, and a little bit giddy!  They were always being funny and making each other laugh, and always smiling!   They got engaged at Disneyworld, and they brought some Magic Kingdom and Epcot mugs they bought there which we played around with at one point in the shoot.  

When Lexie and Emily first contacted me about doing a fall engagement shoot, they asked if I was LGBT-friendly.  And I replied “Of course I am!  (And I hate the fact that you have to ask me that question at all.)”  For the record, in case anyone wants to know, I love lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, transgender people, and I love cisgender people too.  I love all people.  Everyone must be true to themselves!  And Love is Love.  I’m a big supporter of Marriage Equality.  It was a very happy and historic day last year when gay marriage became legal in all 50 states.   And now amazing, joyful, devoted couples like Lexie and Emily can be legally married to match the commitment they have already made in their hearts.