A.E.LANDES PHOTOBLOG

Talk about a lucky bride and groom! There are not too many days in January when you can wear short sleeves – but if any couple deserved such a beautiful day, they are Sarah and Emmanuel! With some amazing weather and a historical church near the Eastern Market in Washington, DC, it was not hard to find some great framing for the happy couple and their delightful wedding party. The couple warned me of the dark interior of the church, but to my relief they had awesome stained glass that filtered in the sunlight so nicely for the ceremony images. While dodging cars is not my specialty, we got some great street photos before heading off to the HUGE reception in a church directly behind the US Capitol. Jan and I enjoyed Sarah and Emmanuel’s company and laughter throughout their day, and we wish them many, many more ahead!

Here is a link to Sarah and Emmanuel’s Complete Wedding Gallery and Print Order Page.

Ever since Iris and Joe told me just a *bit* about their wedding, I knew I absolutely must be a part of it. From the great state of CA, they had some entirely unique ideas of how a wedding should be properly “thrown.” Can I mention it was a beautiful day, perfect for a wedding complete with a moon-bounce, croquet, fishing, canoeing, potato sack race, blueberry pie eating contest, a bonfire, and a ceremonial smashing of (traditional) dinnerware? Between three different ‘costume’ changes and a fun loving crowd, the photography opportunities couldn’t have been better, and we also shot with a few amazing antique and toy cameras for that special look. Seriously, I think I had as much fun as the guests!

Here is a link to Iris and Joe’s Wedding Gallery and Print Ordering, and please check out Iris and Joe’s Film Collection (print ordering from our film selections will be enabled soon!).

Jen and Danny… My oh my. I love photographing weddings, and especially when I feel there is a welcome connection between myself, the couple, and the family. I felt a part of the getting-ready shots with both Jen and Danny, and the ceremony at the Our Lady of Angels Church had gorgeous back-lighting from the stained glass. We photographed outside of the Fort Belvoir Offiicers’ Club, and the huge glass windows overlooking the Potomac River made the reception beautiful. Personal touches were everywhere: Danny had made movie posters for every table, Jen picked out the Dia de Muertos cake topper, and friends from NYC and the UK made for a lively crowd. Duran Duran, anyone?

Here is a quick peek into Jenny and Danny’s Wedding Gallery.

And for the friends and family, here is the Order and Print Site for Jenny and Danny’s Wedding.

Kim and Steve had a lot of fun at their wedding – I mean, with lots of kids, a moonbounce, bike ramps, balloons, and a desert bar full of candy (ahem… not just for the kids), it was tough to keep up! I met Kim and Steve at a mountain bike camp over the winter, and I just knew I had to photograph their wedding. Between watching Steve come down the aisle and jump a log-pile at the altar and Kim holding down a huge balloon for flowers, I had lots of photographic opportunities to keep me busy. I enjoyed their relaxed attitude (and Hawaiian shirt dress code!) and the amazing food as well, and watching to big kids plow down the moonbounce was entertaining to say the least. A special video put together by Kim and lots of toasts topped off this special day.

Thanks Kim and Steve – here is their wedding photography gallery.

For the friends and family, here is Kim and Steve’s Complete Collection and Print Order Site.

NITERYDER. It’s another great event put on by the great folks over at Plum Grove Cyclery. This time, it’s racing by moonlight and headlights, and I am trying not to jump out of the dark like Sasquatch. It took much longer to get every shot set up and balanced, but this race was much more about experimenting with the strobes and trying to produce some visually spicy work. Without blinding the racers. Some things worked, and others did not. All that aside, it’s always great running into familiar faces out at the events – bros from the bike shop and a Trans-Sylvanianite made late night appearances.

Check out the highlights from Plum Grove Cyclery: NiteRyder 2011 here.

Or the Complete Collection for Prints and Downloads is found here.

I was recruited a few months ago to photograph the Beautiful You Conference being held in Washington, DC. Among other things, it is predominantly about ending human trafficking both here and abroad – such a great mission! Simone volunteered to be the shining face for the conference’s promotional images, and with the help of a great makeup and support staff, the images came out better than any of us expected. Her looks are magical, and despite the Arctic temperatures, we got the sparklers lit and had some fun posing in the streets. Enjoy the gallery!

Check out Simone’s Portraits for the 2011 Beautiful You Conference!

Most people started off with smiles and laughing, but after thirteen silly hours of mountain bike racing, there weren’t too many happy faces to be seen. Actually, there were some, but those people were hanging out by some of the massive bonfires and drinking beer at the end. It was another great time for mountain bikers in Leesburg, VA, and the setting offered a wide variety of lighting and backgrounds (a photographer’s playground). I was trying some more non-traditional shots, involving flashes and wide-angles and long-exposures, so hopefully if you raced, you will see yourself posed in the most flattering position: rubber side down and bib shorts up.

Here is the cream of the crop: Plum Cyclery Baker’s Dozen 2010.

And here is the complete collection of images, with the ability to purchase/download images: Baker’s Dozen 2010 Complete Collection. If you don’t see yourself, send me a shout and I will see if I can find your number.

Emily and Chris are two wonderful people – and I am not just saying that because Em is my cousin! Their wedding took place in a little church in downtown Richmond, which had great light all over and some real gritty allies behind it (a PERFECT setting for a wedding dress and a military uniform!). Billowy clouds and the renovated dance hall made for some great photos outside just before the reception. And capturing my expanding family having fun was one of the best times for me as a photographer. Enjoy the photos!

Here is a look at Emily and Chris’ Wedding Gallery.

And for the family and friends, here is their Complete Wedding Gallery for viewing and ordering.

When most people are enjoying their hot chocolate and fire inside, there are those who forgo conventional wisdom and play outside in the snow and dirt in Spandex. This was Plum Grove Cyclery’s Snotcycle 2010 out in Leesburg, VA (and no, I didn’t pick the name). The race went on as it snowed harder and harder, and by the time I was done photographing, my hands were no better than if they were made of wood. I threw on the flash for some snow-sparkling effects, and had a great time with Greg (another guy wanting to stand outside in the cold with a camera) along the way.

Here is a quick look at the Plum Grove Cyclery: Snotcycle 2010 Gallery.

To order prints and view more photos, click on the Snotcycle 2010 Print Website. (If you don’t see any pictures of you, just contact me with your rider number and bike/jersey).

I had a great portrait session all set up and waiting when I arrived in DC. It was really a great time working with Nisma Karedis, a hair and makeup artist coming all the way in from CA for a visit. These women were all friends living in DC area, and we moved some things around in the kitchen to get access to the amazing exposed brick wall and huge bank of windows (hence the great side-lighting!). And then we braved the cold for some outdoor shots around the waterfront and tunnel in Alexandria during the magic hour.

Check out the choice gallery of images here: DC Ladies’ Portrait Session.