During our senior session, I asked her to wipe that smile right off her face. So gorgeous.

We went to Rachel’s family’s vacation home in historic Glyndon for her senior shoot. Five minutes from my studio and I never knew it was there, tucked back in among the old, huge summer homes that line the streets, this little old Methodist church camp/ hotel is like a village plucked out of the turn of the century. I fell in love. I seriously want to move there- for real.

My favorite part of the evening? Watching Rachel and her big sis, Kristen play. They definitely have each other’s backs.

How’s that for Americana? Beautiful.

My promise to Sarah + Bryan was that I would wait until they returned from their Bahamian cruise before posting a slew of images from their wedding.

If grace under pressure is any indication of the strength of a young couple completely in love, Sarah and Bryan get the prize. In a week I’ll tell you more about their gorgeous celebration in historic, Oxford, Maryland . . . a waterbound, treelined, village with a population of less that 1000, which has been the location of Sarah’s family’s summer home since she was in a crib. But if you were anywhere on the east coast yesterday, you know about the record shattering heat and the health advisory for humidity. Couple that with half the island losing power for the better part of the day.  Do you think Sarah and Bryan were ruffled by it at all? Take a look at their faces, and you’ll see the kind of people I’m telling you about.

They’re gonna have a great life together, because I’ve already seen how they deal with the curve balls. Pollyana meets The Red Cross Knight, in the most charming way.

His thought process is razor sharp . . . he’ll go far. That’s why I’m so glad that he balances it all out with his fishing rod and a peaceful spot. I have a feeling that time will become gold to him as time presses forward.

It was fun with Andrew. Only one of us went into the water that day. And we both laughed. Hard.

He works two jobs, reads primary sources for fun, and dreams of working for Pixar . . . after all, somebody’s gotta do it! He’s  is one of those guys who knows who he is and lives out his days at full throttle. He’s a gem, that Nathan.

I always LOVE to capture a mother/ son shot at the end of a senior session. I think the way a guy interacts with his mom says an awful lot about who he is at his core. This guy’s a winner.

Cory kinda grew up. Now he’s into football, fitness and his shiny Soul. Still the nicest guy you’d ever want to meet . . . with  hope in his eyes of dreams on down the road. . . a Hokie engineer. . . and he’s got the keys to get there.

Code name . . . Demon.

View Cory’s entire gallery here.

Jessie and Chris are all about the relationship. Their family, their friends, their colleagues, each other . . . that’s where the treasure lies, and it was obvious all day. The ceremony played out in the foothills of the Antietam Battleground in Sharpsburg, MD . . . right next door to Jessie’s childhood home. It’s called Hillenbruck Farm and is a privately owned 120 year old stone farmhouse overlooking the C & O Canal and the Potomac River. Simple elegance. {it’s a vacation home, available for rental}

The reception followed in downtown Hagerstown. The chic deco AVA Lounge and Leiters’ Downtown put urban chic back into the evening. Love flowing freely . . . the way a marriage should commence.

Jessie . . . you are an amazing beauty. On the inside and out . . . seriously.

Timeless elegance. And just so you know . . . Jessie did not have a moment of anxiety the entire day. She had an infectious giggle and huge smile that lived right behind her deep blue eyes all day long.

Sistas.  Lindsay, Jessie and Annie . . . drop dead gorgeous.

A ceremony perfectly timed to capture that late afternoon golden sunlight spill.

Did I mention GORGEOUS?? Both of you.

Big holllla to DJ Evan Hunt who kept the party rollin’ . . . right on into the wee hours.

Jessie and Chris . . . thank you for trusting me and Ron to capture your wedding day. We felt like part of the family and LOVED every single moment of your incredible day.

Sunny skies over the Antietam National Battlefield provided the mid summer backdrop to the garden wedding of Jess and Chris. It’s the morning after a wedding that will go down in the books as the paramount in “the way to do it right.” Enjoy the sneak peak . . .

More to come soon . . . I promise.

She’s a two-steppin’ cowgirl who shoulda’ been  born in Austin.  She’s the Freundel kids’ Sunday school teacher {and believe me, they ALL have a crush}. She loves on orphans every year at El Canyon in Nicaragua. She’ll compete in the Miss Maryland pageant this October.

Jenn learned that she was accepted into the pageant during our photo shoot. She charmed the pageant officials while I waved my arms like a crazy person, mouthing “we’re gonna lose the light!!!”   We were both in a celebratory mood last night on Meadow Vale Farm, home of our good friends, Wayne and Pepper.

We literally chased the light through the fields. Jenn had been sailing on the Chesapeake all day and rolled in at dusk with chocolate ice cream on her cover up, no make up and hair in a scrunchie. She pulled this off in less than 10 minures.  How’s that for 99 and 44/100 % pure? Nothing retouched. Just sayin. Love this girl.

My community is about roots. Families living their days connected to ancestors by the  farm land.  See that family picnicing under the big tree? That’s been the way they roll for generations and Sharon brought out a worn photo from 1910 . . .  a family in high necked, long dresses and suits and hats standing on that same front porch, to prove it.

The Beaver family has become so dear to my heart. They invited me into their lives last year when Megan and Liam were married at Linganore Wine Cellars.

So when Sharon invited me back into their lives . . . this time for a lifestyle session . . . it warmed my heart.

I don’t even have to share their stories . . . you’ll see their family history in the photos, as every location had it’s own precious memory attached.

Wanda’s very own Giving Tree.

Penn Staters . . . all of them . . . and here’s the next generation.  They bleed blue- no lie.

And Megan + Liam are still in that newleywed zone. Theirs is a true, pure love if I’ve ever seen one. The adventure is only beginning as they are getting ready to move to Tennessee where Liam has landed a baseball coaching position for Lincoln Memorial University. Megan sadly said goodbye to her English teaching post in Southern Maryland, but she’s in for the adventure.

Documenting the everyday moments. That’s such a huge gift to the generations to come . . . a priceless family heirloom. Don’t wait.

Swan Harbor Farm in Havre de Grace. A picture of romance.

Sharon and Mike dance as Mr. + Mrs. A picture of tenderness.

Sharon connects with her love of everything equine. A picture of passion.

Bride waits for groom. A picture of  anticipation.

Bride finds her groom. A picture of corn.

Gotta say . . . one of my favorite things is to shoot with Kimberly Brooke. When she calls to say ,” hey, I have this wedding . . . “, I actually interrupt her to say “YES!” A picture of kindred spirits.

And JP Berry and Brian of Absolute Entertainment kept the party rolling.

And the whole day was kept on track by the calm, cool and collected Kate Beck. If I could get a replay on my own wedding  day, I would go for the wedding planner. Oh, what a difference Kate made . . . handling all the “behind the scenes.”