Hey hey hey

WEEK THREE OF ZHOU31. We’re almost there! Same drill as always, I skip the talking here and do it under the photos. Let’s get to it, shall we?

This was such a cute session! Annie wanted to propose to her girlfriend and had planned to do it with an intimate group of their friends on a DC rooftop. The plan was to propose during golden hour for some extra juicy photos….but some things went off schedule and the proposal ended up happening almost 45 minutes after the planned time. The sun was gone, Annie was getting anxious, and we were starting to get worried that this proposal was going to go south.

Or so we thought! (or maybe just me) As soon as Kiita walked up those stairs, the room was silenced. We didn’t get a sunset, but really, who cares about that. She said yes, and we celebrated. Bopped down to take some photos in an alley and on our way back I caught this tender little kiss.

Shot on Sony A7III, 24-70GM

This was an incredibly cute, but also incredibly hot summer wedding I got to shoot with my good friend Hawraa of Sweet Charms Photography at Glenview Mansion in Rockville!

If you’re regularly leaving your home to go out into public and engage in activities, you probably noticed that we had a hella intense heatwave this summer…and this wedding fell smack in the middle of that. After we sweated our way through an adorable little portrait session, everyone heads on inside to cool down and prepare for the reception. Once all the ducks were in a line, Ashley and Collin came down the steps, all of their friends gathered up around them and she was SWEPT off her feet.

It’s traditional for photographers to want to be in front of all the family and friends with their phones but when you see a couple surrounded with so many people that are so invested in them….it just feels right to keep them in frame.

Shot on Sony A7III, 24-70GM

Ashley + Collin wedding (pt. 2)
The photography timeline for this wedding was slightly atypical in that the time we would have to capture details would not happen during the getting ready phase, but instead happened in between the ceremony and the reception. We found these beautiful shadows pooled across the jade toned marble and it only felt right to take advantage of that.

Shot on Sony A7III, 24-70GM

Ashley + Collin wedding (pt. 2)
Near the tail end of our portrait session, one of the flower girls came running down because she wanted to play. Almost IMMEDIATELY after running down one set of stairs, her aunt/sister yelled down to tell her to come inside (we were all hot, sweaty, and trying to get dinner started).

She eventually complied, possibly out of fear of la chancla, but it does make for a pretty sweet moment.

Shot on Sony A7III, 24-70GM

This photo joins the ranks of the few photos on this list that weren’t shot for clients (I’m trying to change that for next year).

With the help of a fun little facebook group called Asian Creative Network, I found myself in DC in the middle of the summer with some complete strangers. As we slowly made our way through the National Gallery of Art we eventually found a cute little staircase tucked into the back. In frame is wonderful DC comedian, Shelley Kim!

Shot on Sony A7III, 24-70GM

Just a cute little frame from my wedding with JiangLing and ShuHao! They got married at their home church in Silver Spring and trekked up to Baltimore to take their intimate reception to the inner harbor on the Spirit of Baltimore!

I usually won’t try to bend the timeline for extra portraits because I think it’s important that couples get time to relax and celebrate with their friends but when we saw the sunset over the water….we kind of just had to.

Shot on Sony A7III, 24-70GM

HANDS down (get it?) one of my favorite photos. Taken during the tail end of Leah and Jesus’ intimate 1840s Plaza ceremony. In total there were maybe 20-30 people in attendance? Super small, super cute. Honestly, some of my favorite weddings have been extremely tight, super intimate weddings. I noticed her holding her sisters hand and exchanging nervous glances and next thing you know: a tender moment like this is born.

It also totally helps that the huge windows washed them in some beautiful fall afternoon light.

Shot on Nikon D810, Sigma 70-200.

Next week we’ll be going through our final 10! Hope you’ll come back around for that.
You can find the other weeks right here:
Week One
Week Two
Week Four