Maryland wedding photographer

Mommy, Me & Baby Makes Three - Modern Maternity Photographer

Hi there!
Miranda here with some tips for moms that are getting ready for maternity portraits.

Plan Ahead. Some photographers schedule 3 - 6 months out for there sessions and are often booked the closer you wait to the day.

Pick your style. If you don’t know there are many styles to photography. You should try to find a photographer that matches your style. Do you like traditional things and style? Or maybe you like a photojournalistic vibe or even more lifestyle to capture you in your element. Classic, modern or funky!

When is the best time? Most photographers will tell you Third Trimester is the best time, usually around 33 weeks. This way there is a room to reschedule if need be and time enough before the baby arrives. Oh and you aren’t completely miserable and can still move around :-).

Read Reviews. See what others have said about their experiences. See if they are a photographer that can grow with your family and continue to take photos as your family grows. Connections are priceless!

Clothing - Look great! Make sure you pick clothing that you feel and look great in. The better you feel the better it will translate onto your images. Don’t try styles that you don’t feel comfortable in. If you have body parts that you aren’t fond of, don’t pick this day to change it up. Also, pick a couple of outfits. Pick items that will compliment you belly and your shape. Your photographer should be able to help you with colors also if they have the experience.

Relax. Remember this day is about making memories and having great images to look back on and to share with your child as they grow. With this in mind, you will want to have plenty of time that day to get ready and have time to relax. The last thing you want is to be rushed because it will show on your images. If you have to get your hair, nails, other children and husband ready, please allocate the time to do so. Also, consider traffic and anything that could happen.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR UNIQUE & AMAZING MATERNITY PORTRAIT EXPERIENCES!

Miranda Drummond is a published photographer in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area.  Her portrait sessions are conducted on location and in her studio in Alexandria, VA.  She also travels around the US and abroad for many of her sessions as well.

If you would me to be your Maternity Photographer, please reach out!  I'd love to meet you, get to know you and capture your best images.  For pricing and availability, please do not hesitate to reach out!

EMAIL: INFO@CATHERINERAEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

PHONE: 240-339-5176

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A Wedding Unplugged - Maryland Wedding Photographer

In this world of technology, sharing details of one daily life through social networks has become the norm. The modern generation is obsessed with cameras on their phones, especially selfies that like to share with everyone. People will use their smartphones and cameras to take pictures of the wedding ceremony.  My recent couple Veronica and Jason decided to have an unplugged wedding and it made the day even more intimate and filled with love.

However, the use of personal cameras and phones at the weddings can be distracting at times, it takes the guests away from the moment and steals the importance of the day. But not all the photographer can go far as to be taken away from the skills of the professional wedding photographer by literally standing in front of them and hijacking the shot. Being present in the moment is becoming a lost pleasure. It seems to be a catalyst for many couples to opt for unplugged marriage. 

What is an Unplugged Wedding?

By definitions, Unplugged wedding can be referring to a kind of wedding ceremony where the bride and groom inform the guests to put off their electronic devices, such as their smartphones, tablets, camcorders, etc., and be fully present their mind at the moment of the ceremony. 

Here are some of the benefits of an unplugged wedding.

1. Marriage is a unique event in life, and any disturbance can affect the importance of it. An unplugged wedding will have less disruption and the guests will be fully present right now and will not be busy taking pictures, talking and responding to social networking posts.

2. It will be difficult to control the distribution of your wedding photos when your guests are busy photographing of this personal moment and share it on social networks. You do not always want your wedding photo published on Facebook 2 minutes after the "I do’s".

 3. Guests who are trying to snap pictures during special moment such as during rings exchange, vows and first kiss moments may end up spoiling the photographer's photo. Although this does not happen often, they can negatively affect the background and sometimes erase the picture with fast flash.

 4. Another point to consider is the distraction of sounds that multiple cameras make, again, this is not a big problem, but with this hearing loss on the phone becoming a tune which has the potential to overtake the moment. 

You can notify your wedding guests about the unplugged wedding in advance by choosing a very polite message from your invitation card or an announcement before your wedding ceremony. By doing this, you are inviting them to be with you on the most important day of your life and at the same time ensures you to protect your investment in photography.

 

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW I CAN CAPTURE YOUR SPECIAL DAY! 

Miranda Drummond is a published photographer in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area.  Her portrait sessions are conducted on location and in her studio in Alexandria, VA.  She also travels around the US and abroad for many of her sessions as well.

If you would me to be your Photographer, please reach out!  I'd love to meet you, get to know you and capture your best images.  For pricing and availability, please do not hesitate to reach out!

EMAIL: INFO@CATHERINERAEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

PHONE: 240-339-5176

You Had Me At Holliway - Classic Maryland Church Wedding

To much to say about these two.  I met the bride almost 5 years ago and we have been laughing ever since.  I am so happy that she found her forever love and they recently tied the knot at a local church in Maryland.  The ceremony was very sweet and you could feel the love they have for each other.  We then went out to the vintage Cadillac the bride had to have and headed to the Washington National Harbor.  We had a lovely intimate dinner for the reception and headed out to the water for so intimate photos of the two.

Please enjoy!

Cancun Wedding - Russian & African American Beach Wedding

Amazing couple and an AMAZING destination!!! Met this bride and groom and one of her friends weddings and it was an instant click.  I photographed Maria & Ian's engagement portraits and from there the ball began to roll.  

The day was absolutely beautiful...and hot but we had an awesome time in Cancun at Moon Palace.  We photographed and partied and became a part of the family by the time the weekend was complete.  I thank my second photographer and ride or die Patrice Mason for accompanying me on this destination wedding to Moon Palace Resorts and Spa.  

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW I CAN CAPTURE YOUR SPECIAL DAY! 

Miranda Drummond is a published photographer in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area.  Her portrait sessions are conducted on location and in her studio in Alexandria, VA.  She also travels around the US and abroad for many of her sessions as well.

If you would me to be your Photographer, please reach out!  I'd love to meet you, get to know you and capture your best images.  For pricing and availability, please do not hesitate to reach out!

EMAIL: INFO@CATHERINERAEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

PHONE: 240-339-5176

VALENTINE BRIDAL INSPIRATION - MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Stepping out of your comfort zone is sometimes not that easy but the other day I did and drove out to Bealeton, Virginia and spent the afternoon with a group of creative young women and we turned out some amazing portraits.  Great Marsh Estate was the setting and Brittany was our leader of this amazing Valentine theme session that she coordinated.  Once I was home and started seeing all the images from the 7 different photographers, I then started thinking about a question that I see on a lot of social media groups.

Why wedding photography is so expensive?

Well I guess expense is relative to ones budget and the importance of the item.  Often you are paying for all of our creativity, knowledge and not let's forget our time management skills to keep your payment where you want it!  Oh and let's not forget you want these images for years to come and to pass along to your kids.  Yes photographers have equipment that costs and our time to be with you for 8 or more hours and oh yes the time going through the 2500 images from your event that we need to shift through to give you what is presentable, but we do a lot more!  I know personally I am often the only person in the room that knows how to get the bride in her gown.  I also, make it a point to meet the staff at the venue to keep your event on schedule to provide you with the best images...to prevent the conversation of "Do you want to pay for more hours?"  You are also paying for our professionalism and to get your images in a timely manner and not 2 months down the road. (No shade). I have heard from many brides..."I never got my images." or "I wish we would have spent more on photography."  Face it, there are tons of photographers out there but make sure you are selecting someone that values the importance of your day and isn't going to miss your first kiss as husband and wife.

Click on the links of our amazing vendors from this shoot:
Invitations: @sugarquillcalligraphy
Gown: @katherinesbridalboutique
Bride Hair & Makeup: @yisellsmakeup
Bridesmaids Hair & Makeup: @sarahkhanartistry
Rentals: @mainstreetweddings
Venue: @great.marsh
Jewelry: @leljewelry
Baker: @scoutsbakeshop
Florist: @westvirjeni

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WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW I CAN CAPTURE YOUR SPECIAL DAY! 

Miranda Drummond is a published photographer in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area.  Her portrait sessions are conducted on location and in her studio in Alexandria, VA.  She also travels around the US and abroad for many of her sessions as well.

If you would me to be your Wedding Photographer, please reach out!  I'd love to meet you, get to know you and capture your best images.  For pricing and availability, please do not hesitate to reach out!

EMAIL: INFO@CATHERINERAEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

PHONE: 240-339-5176

COUNTRY MEETS CITY IN WASHINGTON, DC - MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

St. Aloysius Church was the setting for this low key wedding with some great family and friends. The bride was the simplest bride I think I will ever meet in my life!  She wore a Hailey Page gown with no train and Keds.  The bride and groom decided to do a first look before the ceremony and then it was on to the wedding on the party bus they rented.  There was one for the party and then later the guest arrived in another.

The family was amazing and the bride handed out boutonnieres on the sidewalk and then applied he lip gloss right there on the sidewalk as she knelt down!  She didn't even want to carry the flowers but we made her as she walked down the aisle with her father to her soon to be husband.  The church was gorgeous and we had some time before the ceremony to walk and take some individual photos after all the formals.

Ceremony was performed by a cousin and the sanctuary was just beautiful along with the acoustics of the room.  The I do's were down and the bride ditched her bouquet before she walked back down the isle.  Family photos with the extended family and then back on the bus to the reception.  

Check out the photos from Abigail & Chris's city wedding!

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WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW I CAN CAPTURE YOUR SPECIAL DAY! 

Miranda Drummond is a published photographer in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area.  Her portrait sessions are conducted on location and in her studio in Alexandria, VA.  She also travels around the US and abroad for many of her sessions as well.

If you would me to be your Wedding Photographer, please reach out!  I'd love to meet you, get to know you and capture your best images.  For pricing and availability, please do not hesitate to reach out!

EMAIL: INFO@CATHERINERAEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

PHONE: 240-339-5176

TESS & LEIGHTON'S BEACH WEDDING - MARYLAND PHOTOGRAPHER

     Where do I begin with these two?  Well first off I have grown to know and love them over time and it all started with the surprise engagement session that Leighton planned for Tess on the beach last summer.  Now if it is anything with these two the locations are always an ADVENTURE!  The proposal was at Assateague Island on the drive on beach and if you didn't have 4x4 you couldn't get to the location.  That should have been a hint for me then...LOL.  On to the engagement session; where we went somewhere way out in the mountains of Virginia! Yes, we got amazing portraits and we had a great time and I learned even more about the two but yes, it was another hike.  
     Then they start planning the wedding!  I couldn't wait.  I knew it was going to be amazing and gorgeous.  Tess was so excited and Leighton was as well.  Tess found her dress immediately and it was the first one she tried on....blush pink!  Oh but wait where was it going to be?  DC, Maryland or Virginia...none of the above!  They picked the Outer Banks in North Carolina and yes it was another drive on beach!  Let the adventure begin!!!!  The weekend was overcast to say the least with a mist all weekend but it didn't stop these two love birds and their friends and family from having their beach wedding.  The weekend was filled with family, wine and flowers.  Tess was a DIY bride and did a lot of the decor herself.  We sat on Friday night and put bouquets togethers and had a great time.  The morning of started with hair and makeup and load of family portraits and first looks with the dads.  
     Once the wedding started, so did the rain, but everything went ahead.  Umbrellas went up and the vows went on as planned.  The I do's were exchanged and sealed with a kiss and we were on to the party.  Formal portraits were taken and then the bride changed into her less formal dress and the guys changed out of their tuxedo vests to their floral shirts for the reception.  A informal reception with good old fashioned bar-b-que was the meal and the dance party got under way! All in all I think the guests had a great time and the bride and groom are now sharing in their happily ever after!  Best wishes to them and I look forward to watching them grow!

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HAWA & JUSTIN FRAZIER - MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

May 20th was a perfect day for an outdoor Liberian-American wedding ceremony at Lucien Manor in Berlin, New Jersey. I have know the bride and groom for quite some time know and was eager to partake in their big day along with the family who I have learned so much about.  The wedding ceremony was a traditional ceremony with the gorgeous bride and handsome groom. The vows were sweet and tear filled. The first kiss was full of love and passion.  The couple then transitioned to their reception at Lucien Manor, with full formal and plated dinner.  Then half way through the ceremony the couple acknowledged the bride's Liberian family root by having a wardrobe change.  This is when the party went through the roof.  We had money dances, a grand march and also a tribute to the mother's where all the women danced around them in a circle to the song Sweet Mother to honor them for raising their children and all they have done for the families.  It was a great wedding and I wish Hawa and Justin nothing but the best in life!

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