About Alisandra Photography
Hey friends! My name is Ali, and welcome to my blog!
I am a Wedding Photographer based in Richmond, Virginia. I try to keep this baby as up to date as I can with recent shoots, personal thoughts, and the random, fun little things life brings. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to visit. I really appreciate it. Please make yourself at home and enjoy your time here!
Questions or Comments? ali@alisandraphoto.com
Borrowed & Blue is one of those websites that you can get lost in. It is so deep, and a great resource for brides planning weddings in any one of the 4 local areas they cover. I love it because their photos are big and they have a totally different format than most wedding blogs. This past year I had the honor of capturing Sarah and Ilya’s wedding in Charlottesville. I’m excited to have their wedding featured on Borrowed & Blue’s blog. Check it out – spend some time!
Abby and Josh are welcoming their little baby boy in November. I shot their wedding a little over a year ago, so I was so excited to do their maternity shoot. We ventured down Ivy Road and found some spots to capture Abby and her boy[s]. This is so wonderful — it is my first friend [who lives close by] to have a baby. I remember their wedding day. I remember when they told us they were pregnant. I remember watching her belly grow [not much else, though, Abby... not fair!]. I’ve enjoyed learning about pregnancy and babies, and I can’t wait to hang out with her little dude! Baby watch starts in just 3 weeks, and it’s going to be epic!!
I found myself putting down my phone [aka GPS] and guessing that this picturesque grey stone farm house was where I was supposed to be. I knew I was right when I saw this beautiful blonde fly out the front door all done up to the nines. We started the afternoon with a tour around Grey Gables; and then the words “lets take the four wheeler” came out of her mouth. And, “We’ll just go slow,” is not an appropriate assumption when riding backseat to Jill, even though she had already had her hair done…
After visiting the dogs, chickens, the fields, and the cows, make-up came next. ”Yea! I’ll do make-up!” Although I am not a professional, it was my little excuse to tag along.
Finally, when the light was just right, a little VW pulled up into the driveway. Out pops a little red head. Katelyn, I have hair envy, FYI. And now, before you scroll at all, PLEASE do your eyes the favor of going over to Katelyn James Photography to see the real portraits. She is SUCH an amazing photographer, designer, and styler. And so generous. I’m so thankful she let me shoot some! Jill, I can’t believe how insanely beautiful you are. Congratulations on your wedding, and your marriage is in my prayers!
About just under two years ago, I met Adriann on my first day of CDIA. She and I had arrived SUPER early to class and we struck up conversation about where we were from, business, family… I learned she was from Stafford and was pregnant! [Can you imagine going to photography school everyday for nine months while making a baby?]
Anyway, we decided to ride together to class each day. I love talking with her because the girl can’t say anything negative about anyone or anything. She hardly ever complains, and always looks for the good in people. But she is also honest. When you ask her how she is, she isn’t one to say, “Fine how are you?” She really makes you feel like you’re part of her life and important. I loved seeing Adriann grow in her work, and baby grow inside of mommy. I especially loved showing up at the hospital when baby Aubrie was born just under a year ago! How cute she was! So small and feisty…
I met Don soon after Adriann because he became “the driver” for us girls in to Washington DC. They are so perfect for each other, and I was so honored and excited to shoot their family portraits for Aubrie’s first birthday, which is in a few days! We went into the city and found some awesome light among a few rain clouds. Aubrie was a dream to photograph. She smiled BACK at you. So, as long as I smiled, she smiled. Amazing.
It all came out when I was looking for a wedding venue. I knew I wanted to have a very relaxing wedding day. I wanted a country feel. To be surrounded by the sounds of birds and tall grasses. When we settled on Bristow Manor, I emailed my bridesmaids, “This is where we’re getting married!” Little did I know that my Matron of Honor would receive two emails with the same link. One from me, and one from her mother. Her mom’s read, “This is where your great grandmother used to live.”
*article segment written by Suellen Dean from the Spartanburg Herald-Journal.
[© 2010 Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography; click on Image to view his awesome website!]
Clearly this was awesome. Suddenly a shot in the dark with a venue had turned into something so sweet and meaningful! I loved having so much history involved, and on accident! I even got to wear Vivi’s necklace, thanks to Riva’s mom [Vivi's grandaughter]. It was just awesome having all of this “coincidence” in the days leading up to my wedding.
[© 2010 Adam Barnes Fine Art Photography; click on Image to view his awesome website!]
Since finding all of this out, I’ve become very intrigued by Riva’s family history. My newest hobby, if you will. Here is one more snippet I’ve learned…. Because I’ve done a Billy Graham post in the past, I though this particular piece is pretty awesome…
The same article is quoted, along with a passage from Billy Graham: His Life and Influence by David Aikman.
So cheers to history, friends, stories, faith, and the beautiful tapestry our Creator is weaving together. I love ya, Riva! Thanks for being an awesome matron of honor, and a true best friend.
Having just officially started shop in July 2010, I have been wanting to land on an album company. I wanted my clients to be excited about the quality of the craftsmanship as well as the uniqueness of the style, but also to be excited about the price. I made one of my goals at WPPI 2011 to be to find an album company who would meet those needs. Well, I found one.
These are not so much albums as they are Fine Art Books. I would describe them as Fine Art Books because they are far less bulky than your traditional album and they are printed on museum quality, matte, fine art paper. This combination makes each page you turn an experience. Here are some photos of the studio samples I have to show clients.
Dulce Bookcloth, show with engraving.
Cafe Leather
Full Photo Wrap
If you are a previous client, did not have this option available for you, and are interested in ordering a Fine Art Book, please inquire about options and pricing!
Let me interrupt myself with an apology and confession. I went to eat mexican last night instead of blogging! Part of me feels shamed because I said I’d blog. BUT. Mexican with the husband was a perfect replacement!
On to my au revoirs.
You engaged ladies. Do you find ideas and bookmark them? I did too. I actually have two computers, so when I was planning my wedding it was such a pain trying to navigate and go back to my ideas. And what was what? I needed a visual reference. And that is why I am convinced this is one of the GREATEST wedding planning tools out right now.
Say hello to Pinterest. A perfect visual, no-scissors, scrapbooking system, and yet, so much more!
Let me just say. I wish I were planning my wedding again because this would have made it SO much easier.
Once you’ve signed on [and you will], you’ve found an image [you know, from one of the thousand wedding resources on the web], click “Pin It,” and Pinterest saves your “pin.” You can search other people’s and re-pin their pins. It is wonderful.
PLEASE, brides, use me as a reference. http://pinterest.com/alisandraphoto/if-i-got-married-again/ I want to help you as much as I can, and this is a small, yet HUGE tool to get your ideas into one place, if not into motion.
I must say. Bookmarking, say your goodbyes. I’ll pin from now on. With Love, Happy Pinning!