Capitol Blizzard 2009

It was a rare event to have a foot and a half of snow on the ground before Christmas in DC (not to mention the Senate being in session) and I took the opportunity to capture solid holiday and winter imagery at the Capitol. Surely they'll be seen in holiday cards for years to come!

Merry Christmas all and thanks for a fabulous 2009!















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A Capitol Engagement

She didn't have a clue.

It began with a private tour of the innards of the U.S. Capitol Dome, then an amazing and romantic sunset over an exclusive view from the roof of the U.S. Capitol down the National Mall (all by themselves). And then he popped the question. Well done Marc because she really didn't know it was coming!

I was privileged to shoot the engagement (well it was really a reenactment only seconds later) of Marc and Amanda on top of the U.S. Capitol on a very brisk Fall afternoon recently. The journey to the top of the U.S. Capitol is a historic and hard-to-get guided walk that begins at the base of the old dome, climbs steep stairways and catwalks between the outer shell and the inner exterior of the Dome (called the Interstitial) with a stop 150 feet above the floor of the Rotunda before ending up at the Cupola below the State of Freedom on the exterior.

There Marc's picture-perfect planned expedition came to fruition when he asked Amanda to marry him. I was privileged to be invited along and wish them both a life of happiness and love.

And by the way, she said yes.





















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Not Drinking the Cool Aid

Having been recently married, there is no doubt in my mind that my mom would have been very happy that I surrounded myself with newborns the other night, taking time out from a fantastic visit with friends to capture a brief moment in their new little lives. Sorry to disappoint mom, but nothing rubbed off just yet. One thing is for sure the experience with both families made it seem really easy and I'm grateful that we were able to share the time together. For now though we'll just enjoy these gorgeous little ones from the other side of the lens.














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Let It Snow!

For years now I have been photographing a local family for their holiday card and to document the life of their young daughter. So this year during our planning e-mails I shot back the idea that perhaps we venture out of the living room and den to more diverse environs. It was great when she was an infant, I just got to hang out with her, stay pretty much in one place. Now she is quite the cute little chatterbox, interested in everything and flashing moments of great photographic possibilities at every turn. I felt like the living room was too played out for me, too confining.

Alas, when I woke that morning to wet, rainy skies I thought, oh well, the living room it is.

Far from truth. I arrived at midday to a wonderful autumn snow storm fresh with big huge, wet flakes and a coating of billowy white snow. At every turn the backdrop seemed to beckon and once we got the indoor shot in the can we ventured outdoors to play. I'm not sure if I cherished the time outdoors making snow angels and mini snowmen or the photos I was able to capture.

One thing is for sure: Kids photograph best when they are being kids. So for all you parents who feel pressure to pose them and instruct them, really just let them go be themselves in all their inquisitiveness and follow with a camera, being quick on the draw. They'll produce more beautiful faces and tender moments than you could ever contrive in a dozen sittings.

Let it snow!!











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