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.

Crushed! Mud and wind and cold and a stream-crossing-that-felt-like-a-river and mud and cold. Did I mention there was mud? After the course changed from rocky Michaux to a ‘much smoother’ YMCA Camp north of Carlisle, everyone thought they were getting off easy. However, the freezing temperatures mixed with Zach Adam’s insatiable appetite for drive-train destruction led to moments of glory, and all the riders demanded my humble respect during this four hour lap race. Of course, these circumstances led to many great photo opportunities, indeed.

Here is a link to the Michaux Mash 2011 Print and Download Collection.

Yeah, this photo about sums it up. Snow, snow, snow. Crusty snow, then powdery snow. It turned this mountain bike race into a free-form running stampede of mud-cleats and knobby-tires. And regardless of the weather and conditions, it was still a lot of fun. Not quite as epic as the snowstorm that came in mid-race last year, but I love the giant fields of snow with those lone cyclists treading through it. I had fun and judging by the smiles, the riders had some silly good times, too. Also, I think Number 11 might need to get some new friends.

Here is a link to the Gallery from Plum Grove Cyclery’s – Snotcycle 2011.

And the Complete Snotcycle 2011 Gallery for Prints and Orders. Again, if you don’t see yourself, email me (info@aelandesphotography.com) and I will see what I can find!

One thing is for sure – there was no lack of party-people at Kate and David’s wedding! The whole wedding party was so much fun to be around… and golf carts, sparklers, darts, a crystal pimp cup, and a Super Mario Brothers cake didn’t help the sanity. With cool weather and an early sunset, we needed to get the shots we wanted outside right away, and then get the group formals inside the Old York Road Country Club by the fireplace. The ceremony had jokes a-plenty, and the reception had a cake-smash and an energetic band (I hope you are catching the good-time theme here)… I know this fantastic couple will be a lot of fun to be around for the years to come. Best wishes to Kate and Dave!

Here is a link to Kate and Dave’s Wedding Gallery.

And for the family and friends, here is a link to Kate and Dave’s Complete Wedding Gallery and Print Order site.

Paul contacted me with a fairly unusual (and hugely creative!) way of proposing to his now fiance, Audrey. After photographing them, some surprise pictures around Eastern Market and formal shots of them around the snowed-in monuments were then assembled into a small book and finalized by Paul. The hand-picked collection ended with a picture of Paul knelt down with a beautiful ring… Let me tell you, Paul set the standard high for proposal ideas.

Check out some of their images here: Audrey and Paul’s Proposal Photobook.

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.

First off, I have to thank Kristen (and Ethan… but he had a jacket) for braving the 20 degree weather outside for a few shots! It was cold outside, but the stage lighting and great musicians and close friends made for some amazing photography – even though we were mostly confined to being inside. Highlights for me as a photographer were spending time with the ladies getting ready, posing the guys outside in the super-urban setting, and the sweet time with Kristen and Ethan after the ceremony. But as a friend of the couple, it was so great to see two people with big dreams get together and take off – I am really excited to see where they go. Congrats and much love to the couple!

Here is a selection of images from Kristen and Ethan’s Wedding Gallery.

And for the friends and family, here is the Kristen and Ethan’s Complete Collection and Print Order Website.