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!
I met Cheka and Michael outside the Ronald Reagan Building on the corner of 13th and Penn. I had to follow my google maps and ask a few security guards to point me in the right direction. [I'm so not a city girl.] I knew I’d be looking for a girl in a party dress, and as Cheka and Michael casually walked up, looking so chic, I knew we’d be having a wonderful night! We snapped some portraits, and then the party started! I cannot thank A Gioia Event enough for their amazing work in planning and coordinating the party. The details were phenomenal, and the service was top notch. Enjoy some views from this Capitol event.
Event Planner: A Gioia Event | Venue + Catering: The Pavillion Room @ The Ronald Reagan Building | Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Lighting: Atmosphere Lighting | DJ: MyDeeJay | Florist: Silver Stems
Sometimes I wonder if God tickles us.
Before you click away, just hear me out. Have you ever been so joy filled that you laugh? Out loud? You’re heart starts to pound, you smile, you’re wiggly, and you know that there is a higher power at work. Not because you can prove it, but because you know it and you feel it. I fell in love with Charity and her wedding. And was absolutely tickled. I don’t have much else to say about these two. They reek of mature spirituality, passion for Jesus, and love for each other and others. I don’t know them very well, but these are truths displayed and spoken about at their wedding. It’s serious storybook stuff, y’all. Anyway, LOVE to you, Charity and Chris. So excited for you!
“The entire Campaña family!” I shouted above the excitement. The sanctuary of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church was buzzing because the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Campaña had married Nic only minutes earlier.
“Is this your first cuban wedding?” One of the guests, and member of the family asked me, slightly smiling. Yes. It was. I think he was making fun of the fact that I had no idea what I asked for when I asked for the ENTIRE Campaña family…
Although the church was loud and everyone was cheering, you can’t help but notice Silvia and Nic’s quiet love. Silvia is the oldest of three sisters, but she is not your typical “run the show” older sister… [No offense, older sisters. Feel free to poke fun at only children]. She is the definition of patient and kind, and was one of the most easy going brides I will probably ever work with. “The light is nice outsite… want to go take some pictures?” “Sure!” Nic is fun–up for anything type of guy, and the perfect addition to Silvia. They are so sweet and gentle together. Anyway. Back to what I was saying. I am not sure about other Cuban families, but there are like, a million Campañas. The photo turned out wonderful, but it was funny watching as 30…40…50 people slowly strolled up onto the altar to take the family photo. “Is that it?” “No!!!”
It was my first Cuban wedding. But definitely not my last!
Check out Dad’s suit. Tails and all–100% inspired by Prince Harry’s attire at the royal wedding. So chic!
Reception: Holiday Inn in Old Town Alexandria | Dress: Sottero & Midgley Couture
First Dance: Etta James At Last | Father Daughter: Louis Armstrong What a Wonderful World | Mother Son: Forever Young
“Joy wants to know if you’ll shoot her wedding,” is the question I got from my best friend [sister in law of the newly engaged Joy]. Honored? Stoked? Blessed? Those were a few words that came to mind. So there we were. June 4th I’d be in Abbeville, South Carolina with one of my favorite families in the world. And thats not just a wedding photographer making exagerations about her clients. This is actually one of my favorite families. The Cains are the most humble, warm, welcoming people. And Joy is no exception. She laughs at herself and makes you feel important. And she has no idea how beautiful she is. “I’m not very photogenic,” she says. Right. Ok.
Anyway, I arrived in South Carolina with my second shooter the night before the wedding. Because of how small the town is, our only options for lodging were a few bed and breakfasts. Which was perfect. The Bernibrooks Inn [another blog post coming about this amazing place], a recommendation from the Cains, was just a block from both the wedding and reception. And with all of it’s South Carolinian charm, the inn was a great choice. A big ol’ porch for the evenings, and AC for the hot days. And boy was it hot. June 4th isn’t exactly mid summer, but there’s no convincing the weather. All said, we had a beautiful day.
This was one of my favorite moments. This is Joy and Brown behind a curtain. The next photo is of Caroline, Joy’s sister blowing on her eyes so she would stop crying!
A few “OMG I’m about to get married!!!” jitters…
Married!
Riding in their SURPRISE horse drawn carriage!
Flowers: Lucia’s | Dress: Anjolique | Reception: The Livery Stable
Yea. You’re gonna love these. Coming soon…
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.
This cute thing is turning one soon! More to come on Monday!
I found myself crying. Steven Curtis Chapman’s Cinderella was playing and I’m driving to the first wedding of the season. “Ok, get it together.” But when it was time for the father-daughter dance, the same song came on. And I teared up something fierce.
The wind was blowing and the clouds were dancing around the sun. Amanda and Jake picked a BEAUTIFUL day to tie the knot. Even though I had met Amanda at a previous bride’s wedding, I didn’t really know the couple. But the amazing thing about weddings is you see people’s personality come out in so many ways. Amanda was so calm. I mean, the girl memorized her vows. [I could hardly repeat mine.] Amanda and her bridesmaids made their own bouquets. Um. That is just awesome, as you can see below. And another thing: Jake and Amanda are so in love. They just make you smile. I was smiling all the way home and as I downloaded the images. Chad said, “I love seeing you’re face as you work.” It was them. Their love. I hope you have a peaceful time in the North Carolina mountains, you two!
Love the fist-pound…
Did I mention it was REALLY windy? And here are those cute girls with their bouquets they made themselves!
At this point, I’m thanking the wind.
