Here's the deal. I don't always like talking about myself--especially on the internet. But as my business grows, I've realized that clients like knowing about the people they're hiring. So I finally decided to bite the bullet and list 5 things you might not know about me. Here goes nothing:

1. I was named after my father.
When I was born, my parents couldn't decide on what to name me. Dad didn't like any of the suggestions my mom offered, but he also didn't offer many of his own. After nixing Luana (thank god!) and Bri, they settled on the feminized version of my dad's name, which is John Michael. 

2. I like bad country music.
Like, really bad. Like the kitschy stuff from the 90s. I dunno why, but it just makes me happy. I think it's because the songs are so silly. When I'm driving long(er) distances, you can almost always bet that i'm singing at the top of my lungs to songs like Mark Chesnut's Goin' Through The Big D (and he doesn't mean Dallas) or Watermelon Crawl.

3. I can't sing.
Seriously. If someone put a gun to my head and said sing, I'd be dead. I pretty much only sing alone because I know how bad I am at it. I'm too embarrassed to even sing in front of Cliff.

4. I'm madly in love with my partner.
I've been through a lot in my short life. I've lost a lot of loved ones and have suffered from some pretty serious medical conditions. But I'm so thankful to be lucky in love. A lot of people say relationships are hard. I usually nod, but in my head I think, really? For me, loving Cliff is as easy as breathing. And it's been that way for more than 10 years.

5. Partner/husband/boyfriend--it's all the same.
Yeah, you read that right. Cliff and I have been together for more than a decade. We aren't married, and that can sometimes lead to awkward circumstances when it comes to titles. I use the words partner, husband and boyfriend interchangeably when I talk about Cliff and he does the same when talking about me. Except instead of saying husband, he says wife. Cause, ya'know...

Wow! What a weekend! I jam packed so much more in than I was expecting. 

For starters, I hung out with good friend and co-worker Stephanie and her awesome cat, Zoey. Stephanie was invited to speak on a panel and needed head shots for her gig. While I was at her place, I just couldn't help capturing some precious moments she shared with her fur baby :)

I also enjoyed spending time with Amina of Handmade Habitat and browsing the goods at Silver Spring's Fenton Street Market. Cliff and I did some thrifting in Bethesda and I met good friend Jimena at one of our favorite hangouts, Parkway Deli.

Finally, I was nominated for the ALS ice bucket challenge. Although I'm not always swept up by pop culture, I decided to take the plunge (get it? plunge? Ice water!) and accept the challenge. Not only do I know someone who is bravely fighting ALS, but I also know the devastation orphan diseases can cause. Research for many of these diseases, including ALS, cystic fibrosis and Charcot Marie Tooth, is not funded by the government and relies on the public's support.  You can see my video on the jhPhotography Facebook page.

Dauchtoberfest is less than two months away, and I've been doing a lot to prepare for the event. Some preparations on my end are big, others are small, and some are just plain fun!

The folks over at Dachtoberfest have graciously offered me a booth at their 2014 event, and I realized not long ago I'm going to need to fill it with something. I've got an idea for set up and design, but the most important aspect will be displaying my work. I've ordered my first round of prints for the booth and I have to say, they look great!

I usually go with Nations Photo Lab for my printing. They're a Maryland-based company (think local, shop local right?) but for these latest prints, I took advantage of a summer sale offered by mpix. I've been pleased with the quality and products offered by both labs. 

Each print is mounted on cardboard and ready for hanging. The only task left is finding the right frames!

For those of you who plan on attending Dachtoberfest, you'll have the opportunity to purchase your own prints from the festival. Stay tuned for additional updates to learn more!

A year ago this month, Cliff and I took the vacation of a lifetime to Iceland. We loved it. Words can't describe the rugged beauty this country offers. I only hope the photos speak for themselves. (p.s. Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the post for a slideshow of the eruption of Geysir!)

Just one more quick dad update: He's been home for nearly two weeks now and is doing great. He's continuing to strength train and is working on honing basic life skills, including getting dressed, making food and going up and down stairs.

On Wednesday he went out of the house for the first time since coming home from in-patient therapy. My mom took him to Subway. It might sound boring, but for Dad it was a real treat! Yesterday they tested out his new transport wheel chair. It was a success!

Physical therapists and nurses are stopping by a few times each week to check on his progress and assign him new exercises as needed. The goal is to tone and strengthen leg, buttocks and core muscles in preparation for his prosthetic. Once he gets fitted for the prosthetic, he'll undergo rigorous out-patient psychical therapy and he'll rely heavily on those muscles to learn how to walk with the new piece of equipment.

Finally, I have to give a shout out to AmputeeOT. This incredible woman is vlogging about her journey with a missing limb and has become a true inspiration to my father. He watches her videos daily and says he learns more from Christina than any doctor or nurse he's spoken with. (Not to at all diminish the medical professionals  who have helped care for my dad. They've all been outstanding! I think this is just one of those takes-one-to-know-one cases).

Depending upon how things progress, this may be my last update for awhile. We anticipate his routine for the next four to six weeks will be much of the same. If anything changes, I'll be sure to let you know!

I'm incredibly appreciative and flattered when any family asks for  photos. But when the Brunkenhoefers invited me to capture their daughter's first birthday, I was absolutely honored.

This weekend I had the privilege of hanging out with the Sandersons -- a Washington, D.C.-based family that can trace their heritage back more than five generations! Members traveled far and wide to attend a reunion at the Woman's Club of Chevy Chase, where they talked about old times and new, delighted in the antics of kiddos and shared stories from long ago. 

Don't miss out -- more from this great family is coming soon!

We all need a good dose of adorable sometimes. I know, I know. This post isn't exactly about dogs, but the cute factor is purrrfict.  

One of the most important aspects of any wedding day is determining your unique style and look. Finding the perfect photographer, dress and flowers will help, but makeup is the ultimate finishing touch. To help with this important detail, I've enlisted good friend and professional makeup artist Sev Gedra. 

Sev specializes in event and special-effects makeup and has a client list that ranges from Cosplay fans to blushing brides. I've asked her to share her expertise for finding the perfect wedding-day look in this five-part series, Makeup Your Photographs.

Know what Questions to Ask
In most cases, your budget is a top priority and it’s important to know what you’re paying for. Here is a list of sample questions to ask any artist(s) you may be interested in hiring:

• What do you charge for the bride only?
• What services are included in that base price?
• How much extra will it cost to add additional members of the bridal party, including bridesmaids, moms, and flower girls?
• Are there any hidden or extra fees? 
• Are you open to price negotiations or service/craft trades?
• What type of makeup is used? (Now is a good time to let your makeup artist know of any allergies you have to skin-care or makeup products). 
• Are airbrushing services available? (This may sound silly, but I promise that as an airbrushed bride, you'll look flawless).
• How far in advance do you need a day-of wedding schedule?
• Are there any hair vendors you can recommend?

Finally, remember to factor in a tip for your makeup artist. They are providing personalized service and are most likely commuting to meet you. A tip is the best way to thank them for their time!