Baltimore Wedding Photographer Kathy Freundel » 443.844.2352

Seven continents. Seven marathons. An entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Ever dream of doing that in your early twenties? Paige force demands reckoning . She a Hopkins’ graduate, economist and a petite ball of fire. Her strength and personality shine through her warm smile, throaty laugh and super sized dreams.

I couldn’t resist Paige . . . and in our quest to get her corporate sponsors, we consulted  a mutual force in our lives . . . a business man who knows how to make things happen.

Our goal? To get Paige on that ship to Antartica to complete the last of her marathons to earn her the title of “youngest woman to run a marathon on each continent.”

When a young woman chases her dreams with that much joie de vivre, the question begs to be asked. It’s my favorite question, and I asked it. If you know my journey, you know the question.

Her answer:

I’d start a foundation in Baltimore City, to bring top notch teachers and  coaches into the public schools, underwritten by private industry, to level the playing field among economically advantaged and disadvantaged kids.

Early twenties. No kidding.

Paige Cantlin. Remember that name.

Two words. Snow. White.

Rebecca is everything ingenue. The smile, the sparkle in her eye, and the way that she left our photo shoot to go chase a dog that had escaped its frazzled owner . . . and then when he didn’t even thank her, so politely smiled and sincerely said, “Have a great day now!”

Rebecca is traveling this week to audition for the big “D.” Tokyo site that would be.

She’s got a heart as big as her smile. I know. I’ve seen her in both her happiest and saddest moments. She embraces both and lives them fully.

She’s the girl about town. And when her newsletter slides into my inbox, I read the whole thing. Steph helps me to remember that everything in my life says something about the real me. And that I would rather do without than settle for just alright. I was excited to get to do her most recent shoot.

Owner of Bradshaw Styling , Stephanie is a breathe of fresh air.  And she’s up to something new. Stay tuned, because Stephanie’s getting ready to roll our her newest brain child. And it’s gonna be good.

I am an admitted Frank -Lloyd- Wright-o-phile, so the opportunity to shoot in a home designed by architect Robert Gurney was too enticing to pass up. Five amazing women that make up Ferris-Peter-Levin,  a premiere real estate firm in Washington, D.C., made quite an impression on me. First of all, it was obvious after spending an afternoon with them that they are a group of powerhouse women who have each other’s backs. Among them I met an artist/ photographer, former editor of Glamour magazine, former President of the Women’s National Democratic Club, a Wellesley girl . . . and I learned none of that until I read about them on their website.

Unassuming. Warm. Easy.

To take a professional photo shoot and turn it into an afternoon of camaraderie, breaking out the Veuve Clicquot, goat cheese and fruit, taking turns under the wand of Baltimore’s best, Jamie Leboe, and conducting the weekly business meeting.  . . now THAT’S making the most of your days.

But the BEST part was to learn that Judy Levin, one of the founders, grew up in my hometown. Her family has roots in Westminster and owned a store right on Main Street. First thing I did when I left?  Excitedly called my dad, who was a classmate of Judy’s at Westminster High School to celebrate what a small world it really is.

Yea, I know this will not be the image they choose for their advertising campaign, but it’s my fav. Sista love.

Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE my job?

Whip Cheesy is his name. Workin’ the crowd is his game. I was initially grateful to hide behind my lens . . . not wanting to be called up on stage to play “Meal or No Meal,” or NACE Feud, but after the first game, I was ready to make a run for the stage to play. Seriously. Dave Ricklin of The Original Game Show Live hosted NACE’s meeting at in the Raven’s locker room and Club House last night and I laughed the whole night!

And the party begins . . .  Wedding Designer, Victoria Clausen of Romance of Flowers, and Raven’s makeup artist, Jamie Leboe are jerseyed up and ready to go!

Designer Stephanie Bradshaw of Bradshaw Interiors played Vanna for Whip Cheesy in her usual exquisite style . . .  {Here’s my “fight the February blah’s” tip . . . subscribe to Stephanie’s “The Girl About Town” newsletter on her website. . . it’s like a box a Godiva arriving in the inbox each month . . . Steph sent out retro paper dolls for her Christmas card this year . . . custom designed by Baltimore’s edgiest graphic designer, Carla David! }

Cate Buscher of Plan it Perfect Events won big last night . . . charades was her game.

NACE sponsors for the evening . . .

Kathy Freundel, photography

Tonya Davis, Blue Sky Video
Midory Takeda-Ragonese, BBJ Linens
Bill Reeder, Affairs  to Remember – Elegant Balloons
John Paul Berry, Absolute Entertainment
Carly Mistovich, Aramark M & T bank Stadium

Linsey Poletti, Aramark  M & T Bank Stadium

Dave Ricklin, Game Show Live

I spent much of the night thinking . . . wow, this would be such a fun rehearsal dinner activity or bachelor/ bachelorette party activity. Dave Ricklin is such a personality on stage . . . but the best part of Dave is that he’s safe. Everyone was a winner, even when he wasn’t really a winner. Know what I mean? And THAT’S the gift of encouragement and the big heart that Dave wears on his bright yellow jacket:)

I caught up with event planner Anne Berman and Chef’s Expression’s Jerry Edwards in the Raven’s Locker Room. Jerry is excited about hosting wine tours through California this winter. He takes his clients on a vineyard tour . . . how’s that for a good way to escape the Baltimore winter for a shot in the arm?  Jerry is also still hosting his exquisite meals and wine tastings  at Gramercy Mansion . . . your turn to plan date night? check out Jerry’s website for details.

One of many things I love about NACE is her big heart. Last night’s NACE chapter meeting was a benefit for  Art with a Heart, Inc. which  brings the joy and benefit of visual art to those who need it most by providing interactive,hands-on art activities to disadvantaged families and children, and to people with developmental and physical challenges.

Visit the gallery of images here!

Saturday, December 12 was National Help- Portrait Day. It’s simple. Find someone in need. Take a portrait. Print the portrait. Deliver the portrait. Best part? the whole thing is a gift.

Tim  and I were shooting a wedding at the Historic Savage Mill in Bowie, MD, and he said, “Hey. I’m thinking of putting together a Help-Portrait session here in town. Do you want in?”

Over the next weeks, Tim went to town on this project, praying that God would bring us the right opportunities and people.   I called my peeps . . . Baltimore makeup artists  Jamie Leboe , Jenn Cassell and Debbie Williams. They wanted in before I even finished my explanation. My incredible sister, Nancy hosted the hospitality room, my husband, Carl entertained the kiddos with his guitar. Videographer, Jeff Fritz kept the camera rolling and Tim and I were armed with our best portrait lenses.We did twenty one portrait sessions in an afternoon!

Our team set up camp at the Crossroads Restoration Church in Westminster and we did portraits for the residents of New Life for Girls . . . one of the best things our community has going. New Life for Girls is a residential rehabilitation facility established and committed to freeing women from addiction, restoring self-worth, and providing tools for success . . . all in a Christian context.

These women are fighters. Day by day, they fight to break the clutches of addiction. But the women are so much more than that. They are bright, strong women, full of hope and grace. When they smile, it’s real, and when they can’t smile, it’s real. Tim and I have already been back to the facility to deliver their portraits. On that cold winter night, they had just finished eating a homecooked ham dinner, and were gathered in the kitchen humming Christmas carols and drying dishes. In the time that we were there, they had a choir of Christmas carolers serenade them, and then another group of women from Lifepoint Church come to spend the evening hanging out with them.I can understand why many women who go through the New Life program want to come back and help other women through the program.

Tim and Jeff . . . armed with the big guns.

Our photojournalists on set. Megan Hinsche, Abigail Howard, and Kristiana Freundel.

Chattin’ with a mother- daughter pair.

MAC makeup artist, Debbie Williams works her magic.

Jamie Leboe . . . artist to countless Baltimore brides paints her canvas.

And MAC makeup artist, Jenn Cassell doin’ her thang.

I love this shot of Jamie Leboe. It came from Megan Hinsche’s eye!

This is our team (sans Debbie Williams who had to scoot for another gig). I am honored to work alongside these huge hearts. Baltimore has some of the most amazing industry professionals.

Here’s just a little taste of what we caught that day.  Yea, the portraits turned our beautifually, and the women brought their children, their mothers, (some even brought nieces and nephews!), because ,after all, free is free. But it’s not all about the portraits. It’s about taking the gifts that God has given you and finding a way to share those gifts with others. And that can be done in myriad ways.

For the makeup artsits, it was about speaking life giving words while face to face with another woman. For my sister, Nancy, is was about drawing women out over a cup of tea and some cookies and for our kids, it was about making bellybuttons to share, playing with shy kids, and spreading the joy that bubbles up inside.

Sharon, Suzie and Tito are the directors of New Life, and have poured their lives into countless struggling women.  Suzie and Tito are parents to ten children, five of whom they’ve adopted from the New Life program. Faith in action.

When I answered the phone, I ran for the laundry room, mostly so  I could hear and partly so she wouldn’t hear. Tuesday at our house can be zoo-ey, to say the least. It’s crunch day between Monday and Wednesday– our co-op days. It’s the day of of timers and checklists, and no time for dilly-dallying.

The voice on the phone was calm, but bright and incredibly well spoken. She explained that after checking out other photographers’ sites, she typed in one last address. Mine. And after reading my blog and site, she knew we were a fit. God frequently brings me little gifts, especially when I am running low on reserves.

So here’s the fit. We both dreamed of being English teachers as young women. Joan grew up in the midwest, and made it to Boston, eventually working at Harvard U! She got that degree in English, and moved to Washington D.C. where she pursued her career.

Joan met Jim, and they were married (going on 30 years now!) and she LOVES the institution of marriage. Jim accompanied Joan on our shoot, and they have the real thing, I’m happy to report.

Joan has a mother’s heart. She lives life fully, focusing on the joy, and it shows in everything about her. She is an adventurer, from moving to DC as a young professional to exploring the Cali Redwoods solo. Her latest adventure is becoming a wedding officiant. And let me tell you, her heart’s in it 100%!  Joan’s got the listening ears. A mother’s wisdom. The law of kindness on her tongue.

Have I mentioned I love my job??