It was such a blast to capture the wedding for Cyril and Lucy in such a beautiful place - Oatlands Historic House and Gardens. You can feel the sincere connection between the two of them and whole their loving people around. Thank you Anna Nguyen Stratton for helping me to document their amazing day.
Camera gear Nikon D750 and Sigma 35mm 1.4 art, Sigma 24mm 1.4 art, Sigma 85mm 1.4 art
Engagement sessions are always so bright and full of joy! Glad I was able to capture this day of love for Nicholas and Jessica in Dumbarton Oaks Garden and I will be sharing their wedding images on my blog soon as well.
Camera gear Nikon D750 and Sigma 35mm 1.4 art, Sigma 24mm 1.4 art, Sigma 85mm 1.4 art
Guess who is happiest person on Earth? Yes. It's Me! Why? Because somehow my image won Rangefinder Magazine contest "The Best in Wedding Photography". I am so happy to share this news with you all!
Sleep is essential every day, but it's especially important when you have a significant event like your wedding. We all need rest to function well, physically, mentally, emotionally. When you're not getting the sleep you need, it's tough to get through the day, much less an important day when you want to be at your best.
If you're not sleeping well, you'll suffer, both on your big day and beyond. You're at a greater risk of getting sick and developing chronic health conditions such as heart disease and cancer. After one night of poor sleep, your concentration and cognitive focus suffer, along with your memory, problem-solving, and alertness. You're forgetful, your risk of getting in an accident increases, and it can even reduce your libido.
And if you're concerned about looking your best on your big day, sleep is essential. You'll look tired, and the condition of your skin will suffer. People with too little sleep may have more fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin, and skin looseness.
Your wedding day should be joyful, not a drag. But if you aren't sleeping well, it will be tough to get through. It can be a physically and emotionally tasking day as you get ready, greet guests, go through the ceremonies, and dance the night away. You'll need all of the energy you can get for that -- and that means getting your full night of sleep the night before your wedding, and ideally, every night.
Of course, sleep is sometimes easier said than done. Wedding jitters, last-minute projects, guests, and events leading up to your big day can interfere with healthy sleep -- and some people just have a hard time with sleep in general. That's only compounded with the excitement of a wedding.
Use these tips to protect your sleep time and make the most of your rest before your wedding day or any other big day:
Make time for relaxation. Stress and anxiety go hand in hand with weddings. There's a lot to worry about, and that can definitely keep you up at night if you're not careful. It's normal to have these feelings, but managing them appropriately is key. Take time to vent to loved ones about what's on your mind, and use relaxing activities to shake off stress and get in the right mental place for sleep and a great wedding day. Take a bubble bath, do yoga, practice meditation, journaling, or any other activity that offers stress relief for you.
Plan activities around sleep. Bachelor and bachelorette parties, the rehearsal dinner, and other events leading up to your wedding could keep you out too late for a good night of sleep. Plan ahead and have them end early enough for you to get your full night of sleep, or on a night when you have some time to sleep in or nap the next day to catch up.
Don't leave projects last minute. Again, this may be easier said than done, but you shouldn't be staying up after midnight putting bows on favors or updating your seating chart. Ask for help to get everything done, and plan ahead so as your wedding date nears, you have more time to relax instead of work. Delegate last-minute tasks to other people so you're not wrapping things up when you should be resting.
Work through sleep issues. If you're dealing with chronic sleep disorders, that's not going to change when you're getting married. And the stress of the event may actually make things worse. Talk to your doctor about how you can deal with any sleep disorders or difficulty with sleeping, such as chronic pain.
Big days require big preparation, and that includes sleep. Make sure you're prioritizing rest so you can look and feel your best on your wedding day and every day.
Amy Highland is a sleep expert at SleepHelp.org. She loves taking naps during thunderstorms and cuddling up with a blanket, book, and cats.
It was an honor to document my childhood friend's Gintis and Kristina wedding. By the way Gintis was my Breakdance teacher just 17 years ago. Wedding took place in one of the most unique places in the world called Nida which is located in Lithuania. Nida is a part of the Curonian Spit which is declared as a national park and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Camera gear Nikon D750 and Sigma 35mm 1.4 art, Sigma 24mm 1.4 art, Sigma 85mm 1.4 art
I can call myself very lucky photographer. Not because of my images, because of my amazing clients and memories which I able to create for them during wedding. Kevin and Seul wedding was hosted in very unique place named National Colonial Farm located at Piscataway Park. Surprisingly this place located just few miles from Washington D.C.
Thank you DVLOP for creating amazing presets!
Camera gear Nikon D750 and Sigma 35mm 1.4 art, Sigma 24mm 1.4 art, Sigma 85mm 1.4 art
One of the most exciting, if not the most exciting, part of wedding preparations is picking out a wedding dress. While there are already so many design options available today, it can still be quite challenging to find the dress that looks and feels right. With the right bridal salon and experts, the search is made easier. For brides-to-be living in the DC area, they’re in luck as there are some great wedding dress options right here in the city.
Since 2006, Carine’s Bridal Atelier has helped local and international brides find the right dress for their wedding day. This bridal shop has built a reputation for housing some of the gorgeous designs from renowned designers like Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, and more. This atelier definitely stands by their motto, “Your aisle is our runway.”
Besides its sophisticated offerings, Carine’s Bridal Atelier also offers high-class customer service for an overall positive shopping experience. Brides are guaranteed to be treated like the queen they are from their very first appointment. The consultants will offer guidance in selecting the right gown, as they consider the bride’s style and personality, as well as the wedding venue. There are around a hundred designer bridal gowns at any given moment, so there’s no shortage of choices whenever the bride decides to visit.
Ellie’s Bridal Boutique offers beautiful wedding dresses in a wide range of styles—be it classic or modern, simple or intricate. They offer in-store and at-home appointments to give their clients the exact experience they need. Besides bridal wear, they also provide other services, including alterations, gown cleaning and preservation, trunk shows, and sample sales.
A typical in-store appointment consists of 60 minutes with a personal bridal consultant and a choice selection of gorgeous bridal gowns from designers like Justin Alexander, Madi Lane, and Stella York. Their gown offerings range from petite to plus size, so they’re able to accommodate every bride.
With Anomalie, brides don’t have to leave the comforts of their home to get the dress they’ve been dreaming of. Touted as the number one for online wedding dress shopping, this boutique offers a large selection of bridal gowns. With beautiful designs and style options that are body-inclusive, brides don’t have to settle for anything less on their wedding day.
Their online model means there’s an almost unlimited selection of customization options so that the brides can find the dress that’s distinctively theirs, one that reflects their own style and personality. Additionally, the boutique overhead costs are eliminated, so the brides also get better prices. Anomalie Collection gowns start at just $1,399. A custom dress can be delivered to the bride’s doorstep straight from the shop’s factories in just 10 weeks by removing the middleman.
With Anomalie, women can enjoy a better fit, better selection, and better value, a truly hassle-free online wedding dress shopping experience for the modern bride.
Why I do love engagement sessions ??? Because it's so nice to get know each other before wedding! This time with Dylan and Christina decided to do engagement session in Georgetown Washington DC. As you can see we have a lot of fun! :) Can't wait to share their wedding already!
Photographed Nikon D750 and Sigma 35mm 1.4 art, Sigma 24mm 1.4 art, Sigma 85mm 1.4 art
This is my very first Black and White blog post ever! :) Not sure how you guys going to react to it, but I always love to do experiments and do something different. These weddings took place at River Farm VA. Can't wait to share more amazing weddings and engagement sessions soon!
Photographed Nikon D750 and Sigma 35mm 1.4 art, Sigma 24mm 1.4 art, Sigma 85mm 1.4 art
These days, it’s not enough to have a unique aesthetic or signature look; you also need solid business, branding and networking skills to build a profitable brand that evolves and grows over time. And we get it—making your mark in an over-saturated market can be overwhelming and frustrating, to say the least.
Rangefinder editor-in-chief Jacqueline Tobin brought together a panel of hardworking industry creatives at WPPI in Vegas this past February to discuss not only how to get hired by brides and grooms, but also what type of wedding imagery wins competitions and receives accolades from industry leaders and peers alike.
Two of the 2017 Rising Stars, Mantas Kubilinskas and Cami Grudzinki, joined wedding photojournalist Kevin Mullins and Art, Life, Business branding expert Blair deLaubenfels to discuss inspiration versus imitation, how to submit a strong, cohesive 30 Rising Stars portfolio rather than a collection of images that fail to deliver, what catches a photo editor’s eye and why, what to consider in naming your photo business, how to be your own best editor on your website, and so much more.
(A big thanks to our 30 Rising Stars sponsors, Fujifilm and ShootProof!)
By Jacqueline Tobin
