fashion

Survivor Saturday w/ Jasmine Pettross - Maryland Portrait Photographer

Hello everyone! Meet Jasmine the most recent to grace the blog as a cancer survivor.  Jasmine's session started calm and quiet as she didn't know exactly what to expect but once she sat in the makeup chair and the music started she was all in for this session!  Jasmine has the sweetest spirit and we had a great time.  Please read her story, like and share on social media to help raise awareness.

Jasmine was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer at the age of 23 in March 2016. She is currently 24 turning 25 in May.

What/Who helped you get through your diagnosis?

That was the most difficult time for me but with the help of God, family and friends I got through it. My mom and dads side helped out a lot and helped me to see things in a positive way. My friends and family took me to my appointments and came over to keep me company. My friends were always there to cheer me up and to make sure I wasn't down. I leaned on God when I needed strength and he gave it to me, he might have made me wait but he never failed me! Another reason why it's was difficult was because I was told I wouldn't be able to have children unless I got my eggs frozen and that I would have to get my ovaries moved up and one taken out so I wouldn't go into menopause at a early age. I did complete those procedures. I was on chemo April 2016 to may 2016 and had radiation for 6 weeks as well everyday. The radiation caused me to have pain urinating and having a bowel movement.

When were you deemed Cancer free?
August 2016 is when I had my surgery to get my Cancer out. They also put a ileostomy bag on me for 8months. I was then cancer free. My pathology report came back negative for no signs of cancer. I was on chemo for four months just to make sure it didn't come back. I finished chemo January 15, 2017. I will get my ileostomy bag off in April of 2017. 

What do you do to celebrate your anniversary?

I officially celebrated going into remission January 15. I went out with some friends and had a great time and the next weekend spend the weekend at Massenuttin resort in Virginia with a girlfriend, the celebration is still not over. I celebrate everyday for getting a second chance at life!

Do you have any special charities that you are involved in or host as a survivor?

I am involved with the organization We Cancervive. I give back to any one affected by cancer who is in need when I can. I go out and support the organization when they have fundraiser functions. It makes me happy when I can help out a cause like this. We are survivors. 

What advice would your give to someone that is just being diagnosed?

I would just say to someone who is diagnosed with cancer to just have faith. As soon as I had faith in God is when I started receiving blessings ! God truly saved my life and he can save yours to. He tested my faith. Don't let the pain take over you keep fighting and fight again and fight again ! God is working behind the scenes right now ! He got me prepared for something that my future holds and is making me stronger!My mission isn't over yet. He was more than my Cancer. Keep fighting and never give up!

Survivor Saturday w/ Jennifer - Maryland Photographer

Hello everyone!  Survivor Saturday is something I have had on my heart to do as a photographer for awhile.  I have wanted to highlight women that have survived by having a glam day for the individuals.  It is a little girls day out type session where hair and makeup is provided and I shoot them in a contemporary glamour session! it is time to celebrate the women that have survived all cancers and tell their stories so that it might help others.  Please meet the first survivor of the series....Jennifer!

Jennifer was diagnosed in early 2015 with adenoid cystic carcinoma. It's a rare salivary gland cancer (primarily) but can be found in several different glands in the body.  She didn't have any symptoms other than she discovered the lump in her neck by accident. She was initially misdiagnosed but after surgery to remove my gland, they did another test and that's when it was discovered that it was malignant. For Jennifer, it was a trying time to manage and find her own care. It took her 9 months to find doctors to assist her and finally determine radiation treatment was needed. Jennifer spent 6 weeks (33 sessions) receiving radiation to my head and neck. Jennifer is in the Air Force and was medical TDY about four hrs from where she lived to a German hospital. She was able to receive a type of radiation that is only available in Germany and Japan. The treatment itself was not painful, but the side effects from radiation to her neck area were rather painful.

Jennifer states that she is blessed that not to have any significant lingering side effects so far.  Jennifer says. "This journey has not been easy. It has had great impact on my personal life and relationships. I joke sometimes that I didn't receive my "Congratulations! You have cancer..." handbook because no one can prepare you for how to deal with it. In the military, we learn to push a lot of stuff down and move forward because we have a mission to do. I tried to handle cancer in the same manner and it did not work. It's something that I still struggle with at times. I am ok most of the time. As soon as it is time for a scan (every three months) or a cancer-related appointment, the reality of "oh wow...I have cancer..." is back to the forefront. Since it is still relatively new to me, I am still learning to "live with cancer". I'm still trying to figure out what is my purpose in this. For now, I feel as though I can do things like this to share my story and hopefully provide someone else hope as they fight their battle with cancer."

If you know a deserving woman that would love to have a session please send contact information to info@catherineraephotography.com.

 

Bold Curves End of Summer - Maryland Photographer

Fashion Fashion Fashion!  I have been covering these events for Bold Curves for a couple of shows and I love these ladies and the designers.  Ms Danielle puts these various shows together in Richmond to bring awareness to fashion in the area and to feature curvy girls and the fashion for them.  She is doing an excellent job and I am glad to help and be a part of her team!

DC Swim Week 2016 Finale - Maryland Photographer

2016 was the second year for DC Swim Week and DC Swim Week came in as the weather in the area was at record highs.  I did not make it to the first three events, but I did make it to the finale show at the Embassy Hotel in Washington DC.  The show did not disappoint!  The SWAG bags were amazing and so were the models and the music.  Great designers from the area as well as several designers from abroad to include Brazil and Lisbon were on deck.  Please enjoy the photos below and stay tune for DCSW17. 

WOE Magazine Launch - Maryland Photographer

An amazing time was had by all that attended the WOE Magazine Launch that happened at the Nordstrom's in Annapolis.  Let me begin by saying that it was a first class event and Candice Nicole PR came through on all the details of the event. Ayo and her team was amazing and it was a very uplifting event.  The panel gave words of wisdom on daily life as well as starting your business and building your dreams.  There was a mini fashion show to showcase the WOE women which has many facets to her life and also makeup staff was on hand to glam up the participants. 

If you would like to subscribe to WOE Magazine you can do so at www.woemagazine.com.

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Prom Promenade 2016

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I was linked up with Syreeta C Fashion in April and she was gracious enough to ask me to become a part of her prom giveaway.  I thought it would be a great experience to give back to a local teen in the DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia area and document the journey through photographs.  Prom Promenade is open to all high school seniors in the DMV area and they must fill out an application with a short essay on why they deserve to win.  We also take into account the GPA and any future goals that the individual may have.

Once we received the applications this year our winner was clear and it was Miss Kailah.  Kailah had an amazing story along with the GPA and future goals and had already accepted the college she would attend to study Nursing.  Once we selected Kailah we met with her and her mother and had the initial concept meeting for the dress.  This included the sketch, color selection and fabric choice.  It was awesome to be apart of this initial meeting and help push her out of her comfort zone.  Heck...it is not ever day you get a custom gown, hair and makeup package, stylist and photography!  The next meeting was the first fitting with a rough example of the gown to get the fit as close as possible.  From there, Syreeta began to construct the gown and then we had the fitting with the actual gown.  We had one more fitting that happened at the hair salon with Tei from The Tei Touch.  The stylist Kasha Reavis, sent some amazing shoes, jewelry and a killer handbags for Kailah's big prom night!

Finally, it was prom night and we all came together with Kailah's family to help her get ready.  Her mother cooked for us and we had music and fun!  They were so welcoming to us!  We got her hair and makeup finished, got her dressed and sent her on her way with he two closest friends.

Prom Promenade was such as awesome experience and I can't wait until we get going for Prom 2017!

Frances & Carlo Engagement Session

Frances contacted me not to long ago with a request to have photos done during Cherry Blossom time in DC!  Unfortunately their schedules got us out a week late and we were on the tail end of the festival and the day of the Kite festivities. Now y'all know I am not from DC and being in all this traffic freaked me out!!! However, I braved the traffic and met this awesome couple in the District.  We walked and saw a couple of great locations and got some amazing images.  I am glad we decided to stay in the city and not venture to far off.  I can't wait until their wedding sometime this fall!

Bohemian Rapsody

Having the opportunity to work with models and a styled shoot is something that I love to do, so I naturally jumped on the opportunity to do so.  The day was cloudy and rained off and on but we still were able to capture a few great images and have an overall great day. 

DC Indie Fashion Week 2016 - Maryland Photographer

A lot was learned in this week long fashion experience in the DC area.  I closed out with the Indie Fashion Week Finale which I found out about the night before.  I am certainly learning my way around the media circuit and how to get into such events.  I can tell you that I have been bitten by the fashion photography bug and I am now headed in the right direction.  I met a handful of business people in the area and any opportunity to network is an opportunity to grow and learn.  I am very optimistic about my future in fashion photography.

DC Fashion Week 2016 - Maryland Photographer

Being in the DMV for two years has been an eye opening experience in many ways.  One way was to be able to discover the local fashion scene here in the city and it only took two years to find out that DC has a fashion week.  I was fortunate enough to be able to cover three of the events they had starting with the mens fashion show on the first night.  The second event I covered was the emerging designers of the area and eight designers were featured.  The finale night, which was my favorite, showcased a lot of the international designers that live here in the DMV area.  Below are just a few of the images I was able to show on this blog but believe me there were plenty of amazing designs this year!  I can't wait to see what the next season will bring for this DC designers.

Editor-In-Chief Session - Maryland Photographer

Recently I was contacted by an amazingly talented women to photograph her Editor-In-Chief portraits for her upcoming magazine launch.  We had one brief conversation and I knew we would be a perfect combo.  Upon arriving at the location and meeting her glam squad things just came together.  Little did I know everything I was going to learn that day nor the connections to come.  God is always on time!

Fashion Blog Session - Maryland Photographer

Fashion, fashion, fashion!!!  This lady has the look as well as the wardrobe to match.  We met on IG and from there I knew we would work well together.  Love Joy Styles writes a blog and puts her own twist on fashion by breaking the rules and creating her own looks with a mix of vintage and new.  It is so much fun working with someone that is so creative and allows you to be creative as well.  Check out her blog here: http://bit.ly/1S0Irv6

NYC Model Series (Aaron Bryant) - Maryland Photographer

Meeting new people is what I love to do.  On a recent trip to NYC to attend a class I had the opportunity to photograph NYC/Miami model Aaron Bryant.  He was a cool guy and we all had an amazing time at the session and capturing some memorable images.  Please enjoy, like and share!  You can also follow me on IG @catherineraephotography.

VA Family Portraits - Maryland Photographer

I was excited to be contacted by this blended family to photograph their love for each other.  I recently met them while in school and built a quick respect and friendship with them.  The girls were absolutely adorable and one was camera ready at all times...which makes me very happy as a photographer.  It was a pleasure photographing them on location in Richmond, Virginia and I look forward to many more sessions together.

Merlene Ashley - Maryland Photographer

Excited was not the word to describe my emotions as Ms. Merlene stepped out with this burgundy hair and makeup on point for her session!  She came ready to work and gave it everything for these images.  We had a great time walking around Richmond to obtain these images and she was an ultimate professional.  I have learned to travel to find these hidden gems that others are not willing to.  I am grateful for finding her and hope that our paths will cross again.

Mr. Sean G Session- Maryland Photographer

Everyone meet Sean or Shon as he is listed on social media!  Sean is an aspiring actor who lives in the DMV and was awesome to photograph.  He was more than willing to listen and opened to all the crazy ideas I had for his session.  We have another shoot scheduled soon and I can't wait to see what comes out of it.  Stay tuned!

Mr. Rayshawn - Maryland Photographer

Meeting people is what I do and I love when I meet people that like to be in front of my camera.  A few weeks ago I was contact by Rayshawn that wanted to update his photos to update his online presence.  He recently became a spokesperson for a supplement company and is on his way to doing big things.  I look forward to working with him again in the future.