These are some of my favorite photographs from the year!

I've been looking forward to this blog post for so long! I'm so excited to debut photos from Kathryn and JR's wedding -- which is also my first LDS wedding!  I never knew that photographing a wedding WITHOUT photographing the ceremony could be so fun!

Photography isn't allowed at a Mormon wedding ceremony -- called a sealing -- so instead of photographing the "I do" part, I photographed the Temple where Kathryn and JR got married, followed by the couple's Grand Exit from the Temple. After the sealing ceremony, we all headed to the Bethesda Marriott for the reception... This is where things got incredibly sweet.

As a way to honor friends and family who were unable to attend the sealing, Kathryn and JR held a ring ceremony -- complete with a walk down the aisle -- during their reception! It was so beautiful and something that I thought made their reception incredibly unique! After that, the party started! As a photographer, I LOVE weddings where everyone gets their groove on during the reception -- and Kathryn and JR's friend's didn't dissapoint! EVERYONE was on the dance floor!

Kathryn and JR were an amazing couple to work with. They're absolutely adorable together and I'm so glad we were able to meet! I wish them the very best as they begin this exciting new chapter in life!

Thanks to everyone who participated in my first ever canvas contest! The contest was neck and neck for a few days, which made it really exciting! I'm thrilled to announce that the winners are Alison and Drew! They will recieve a FREE 16 x 20 gallery wrapped canvas! 

Congratulations to both winners! It was a pleasure working with you! To all canvas contestants, thank you for trusting me with your family and wedding photos! I couldn't do this without you, and your support means so much!

One of the things I love most about being a photographer is all of the new and unique experiences it allows me to have and the wonderful people it allows me to meet. My time with Kathryn and JR exemplified this. I got to have so many "firsts" with this couple, which was really exciting for me!

For starters, Kathryn and JR are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I'd never photographed a Mormon wedding before and was actually really nervous about it. Kathryn and JR are an incredible couple, though, and they made me feel so welcomed and loved. Whatever nerves I had about photographing their wedding vanished as soon as I was with them.

Second, by the time we met, Kathryn and JR already had engagement photos taken. JR proposed to Kathryn in Utah during a picnic, and hired a photographer to take photos that day. In lieu of engagement photos, which I offer complimentary to couples who book me for their wedding, Kathryn and JR chose to have their first look and wedding portraits taken a week before their wedding. This is something I'd never seen or even heard of before, but I love the idea! And for LDS couples, it makes a lot of sense!

For those who don't already know, an LDS wedding -- called a sealing -- is a very intimate, sacred and private affair. In order to witness it, guests must be members of and in good standing with the LDS church. Photography is strictly prohibited, and the bride and groom usually wear traditional Temple robes over their clothes. That means the couple doesn't actually have photos from their ceremony. By having a first look and couples session before their sealing, Kathyrn and JR were able to experience elements of a non-LDS wedding while still honoring Mormon traditions!