March « 2012 « alisandraphoto.com

Archive: March, 2012

Jacqueline | Richmond Virginia Portraits

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

The girls I met at CDIA are such an encouragement. I don’t know how to appropriately express my love for them, how much I love their work, and how much I want to keep them in my pocket so that we can share jokes, photography stuff, and, because we’re girls, clothes. We’re so different in our styles, but I have such a deep appreciation and love for their work!

Jacqueline one of these ladies. She is a wedding photographer based in DC, getting ready to make a huge move with her husband across country in a few months. I had the huge honor of shooting her wedding [it was one of the most beautiful weddings I've been to; Style Me Pretty picked it up!], and when it came time for her to update her portraits on her website, we decided to swap sessions. We used Richmond as our backdrop, including Can Can, a little french cafe in Carytown. Be sure you check out her work. Not only her wedding portfolio, but also her travel and lifestyle work. Girl’s got skills.

*Just as a note, some of these are edited with VSCO Film Presets. I’m still playing around with them, but let me know what you think!*

I was so inspired by this Anthropologie skirt! Such great movement.

Had me at hello…

Tags: Can Can, carytown, glen allen, jacqueline, portrait, Richmond, richmond portrait photographer
Posted in Portrait | 6 Comments »

Sneak Peek | Jacqueline

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

We walked toward the woods to finish our last bit of shots in the golden light. At the sight and sound of them, we looked at each other and giggled, “The Hunger Games!” And then I shot this. And then I died. I can’t wait to show more of this fun tomorrow!

Tags: colorful outfit, jacqueline, portraits, richmond portrait photographer, sneak peek, spring, woods
Posted in Portrait | 3 Comments »

Marriage Monday | Love vs In Love

Monday, March 26th, 2012

What we call ‘being in love’ is a glorious state, and, in several ways, good for us! It helps to make us generous and courageous, it opens our eyes not only to the beauty of the beloved but to all beauty…

Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing. There are many things below it, but there are also things above it. You cannot make it the basis of a whole life. It is noble feeling, but it is still a feeling.

Now no feeling can be relied on to last in its full intensity, or even to last at all! Knowledge can last, principles can last, habits can last, but feelings come and go. And in fact, whatever people say, the state called, “being in love,” usually does not last.

If the old fairy-tale ending, “They lived happily ever after,” is taken to mean, “They felt for the next fifty years exactly as they felt the day before they were married,” then it says what probably never was not ever would be true, and would be highly undesirable if it were. Who could bear to live in that excitement for even five years? What would become of your work, your appetite, your sleep, your friendships?

But, of course, ceasing to be “in love” need not mean ceasing to love.

Love in this second sense–love as distinct from “being in love”–is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by the grace which both partners ask, and receive, from God. They can have this love for each other even at those moments when they do not like each other; as you love yourself even when you do not like yourself…

“Being in love” first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep the promise. It is on this love the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it.

Tags: CS Lewis, love, Marriage Monday, quotes
Posted in Personal | 2 Comments »

Haley + Michael | Historic Williamsburg Virginia Wedding

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

Post Soundtrack: Emmanuel Moire, Mon Essentiel

I swear. Haley and Michael were planning this wedding with me in mind. The location, the church, the reception venue, the history, the Indian food, the real emotion…a dream wedding. The day took place with the backdrop of William & Mary and historic Williamsburg. Everything was soaked in history. Haley wore her grandmother’s and mother’s gown. When her dad walked into the room, he choked up as he said, “Last time I saw that dress was 27 years ago.” Draped around her neck were the pearls her grandfather in law brought back from World War II. They wed in a brightly lit, stone floor church. During their ceremony, the emotion got to me, and I wiped tears from my eyes. Haley and Michael’s love is serious, y’all. They are a comfortable couple. Genuine. Caring. All of this was confirmed during the reception when during open speeches, guest after guest got up to tell the rest how much their friendship meant to them. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed shooting this wedding. Thanks, Kristen, for tagging along and second shooting with me!

Watching as her granddaughter puts on the gown she wore in 1956…

I’ve always secretly wanted to do a bridesmaid’s photo like this. I’ve never seen the movie, but I think the cover is hysterical. Thanks for suggesting this, girls!

Checking out the bling…

Because I can’t get over how gorgeous Haley is…

How fun is this little guest survey? They had a sketch book so you could doddle a photo of yourself and sign your name, too!

Tags: grandmother's wedding dress, haley, Historic Williamsburg, march, michael, mother's wedding dress, white bouquet, William and Mary, Williamsburg Wedding Photographer
Posted in Wedding | 3 Comments »

Tiffany | Northern Virginia Maternity

Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

“I’m not surprised,” she said as she explained that we would have to postpone our shoot because of a breeched baby and a herniated disc. “Dramatic things tend to happen around our big life events.” Despite the odds, we got our shoot in only 4 days before little Mackayla was born.

Tiffany is an old friend from middle school. 6th grade! We lived down the street from one another, and I’d frequently go visit Tiffany and her pet bunny. Thanks to Facebook, we reconnected, and there I was shooting her maternity photos! This past Saturday made these photos “old news” when baby girl made her way into the world. But here they are – excited to go back and shoot little miss Mackayla in a few weeks!

LOVE the little bows. This nursery is SO little surfer girl.

Best dressed mom award.

Of course the pups…

Tags: bellies, Bristow VA, family, home shoot, Mackayla, maternity, pregnant, Tiffany
Posted in Family | 1 Comment »

Marriage Monday | Acknowledged

Monday, March 19th, 2012

I had the best AP Physics teacher. He was funny, and made learning fun. He sometimes talked to us about the girl he was dating and slipped in some relationship advice. I still am thankful for this piece. When his girlfriend would say something that required no response, something like, “Gosh the sky is so pretty today,” he would say,

Girls are different than guys. [Obviously.] According to the internet, girls use 20,000 words in a day. Men use 7,000. This is probably where the initial problem comes in. Girls just say things to say them. We like to have opinions. We like to talk things out. And then we like something else: acknowledgement. I don’t know why, but I know that this is SO true for me. I say stuff like this all the time.

I’ve always wanted to go to London.
My skin is cooler, so warm reds don’t look good on me.
I think I’d like to color my hair.
I saw a dog on the side of the road.
I love that movie.
This is my favorite song.
I’m going to bring my jacket in case it rains.
I painted my nails today.

No really. All the time. Sometimes Chad just doesn’t know to respond because whatever I’ve said… doesn’t require a response! So, at the beginning of our marriage, I told him about my physics teacher. “All I need is a response to let me know that you’ve heard what I said.” Even something as simple as acknowledged.

Tags: acknowledged, communication, Marriage Monday
Posted in Personal | 13 Comments »

Sneak Peek | Haley + Michael

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012

Surrounded by family, friends, and history, Haley and Michael said their vows on Saturday to a congregation of 200 or so. I can’t wait to share more with you later this week!

Tags: haley, march, michael, mom's wedding dress, sneak peek, vintage, wedding, williamsburg, Williamsburg Wedding Photographer
Posted in Wedding | 1 Comment »

Featured | United With Love

Monday, March 12th, 2012

Where is Marriage Monday, you say? We’re just going to have to have another Marriage Tuesday. Because… Alisandra Photography was featured on United With Love on Friday!!!

It was such a sweet surprise and huge honor. This blog posts some of The District’s finest celebrations, and I’m very excited to be featured. Adrienne and David were engaged last year, and married two weekends ago in New Orleans. You may remember their engagement…

Thanks again, UWL!

Tags: adrienne, david, featured, new orleans, the capitol, United With Love, washington dc
Posted in Engagement, Featured | 1 Comment »

Jasmine Star & The Great Commission

Friday, March 9th, 2012

The slide popped up, “Go forth…” And that’s when it sort of clicked.

If you’re not familiar with the name, Jasmine Star is a wedding photographer based in Southern California. As she will tell you, she is not the best photographer out there, but hers is a household name among most of us. Last night, I attended a gathering of photographers that was cleverly called, “THE FIX.” I had no idea what I was getting in to.

I drove three miles into the District, arrived with the rest of the 270 some giddy photographers, stood in a 80 degree room meeting new friends and connecting with old ones, and finally filed into the vintage theatre while “Senorita” blasted over the speakers. Jasmine Star walked out on stage and began to offer her heartfelt advice to all of us fellow photographers. She spent 3 hours answering our questions and responding in love to our fears.

She has become internationally known as a photographer, speaker, and just a fabulous person in general. As I listened to her talk, she addressed real life, practical concerns I have with my business. And you know what? She just simplified all of it. To me, the biggest thing I got out of last night was, “DO SOMETHING.” Running a business isn’t rocket science, but it takes support. And without that, it is so easy to get lost, stuck, and turned around when trying to figure out how to move forward. But that is exactly the answer. MOVE–forward. It was like she was giving us a commission. Go. Do. Move. Practice. Take action. Trust yourself. Words that are simple, but easily lost in the webs of jealousy, failure, fear…

Anyway… it was a great night and I’m super thankful she is traveling all over the country on a bus teaching little buds like me! And if YOU want to be inspired, follow this woman!

Twitter: @jasminestar
Facebook: facebook.com/jasminestarpage
Blog: www.jasminestarblog.com/

Tags: gala theatre, Jasmine Star, the fix, washington dc
Posted in Personal | 1 Comment »

Hannah + Luke | Scottsdale Arizona Wedding

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

What a way to begin 2012! A beautiful March wedding in the desert. Luke and Hannah met here just last year and started a relationship that just a few months later led to a family vacation in San Diego, a trip across across country to meet friends, and soon after, an engagement. Luke was in my wedding as a groomsman, and Chad stood in Luke’s. I was so excited to be the photographer who got to witness such a sweet ceremony and fun filled reception. These two click so well. Luke is driven; Hannah is thoughtful. They plan to serve the Lord together overseas, and what a team they will be!

Allow me to introduce Hannah and Luke [and all of their beautiful details]!