Flashback – Jill goes to San Francisco!

Have you ever found money in the pocket of your coat that had been long forgotten?  Even though it was yours all along, it feels like money dropped out of the sky just for you!  Anyway, I just found some photos on my computer that I never finished editing or even showed anyone, which is a similar feeling.  It has been 2.5 years since my solo adventure to Arizona and San Francisco.  I guess because nobody else was there to bug me to see the photos, I just sat on them.

This was part business, part pleasure, as my employer sent me to Scottsdale for a healthcare webmaster workshop.  I have to admit that the desert doesn’t excite me too much, but I decided to add a few personal days to my trip and hop on a flight to San Francisco before heading back home. I had never been any further west than Denver (hi Sarah!), so this was pretty exciting. It was also a new experience to sight-see alone, but at least I got to do exactly what I felt like doing without checking in with anyone else.  It felt empowering to face a new city on my own two feet.

I’d also like to mention that I had to remove a lot of specks and smudges from these photos.  I’m sure those of you who have spent more time in San Francisco know to clean your lenses often, but I was just a silly tourist walking around with the foggy dampness and water spray covering my lens. Live and learn, right?  Chilly + Windy + Wet = San Francisco.

I found it difficult to really show how steep the streets were.  I’ve seen the movies and heard about the area, but I still was not really prepared for the madness of San Francisco.  I definitely got a good workout wandering around.

I took a ferry ride to Sausalito on one gorgeous day.  I was wishing I could be on one of those sailboats!

Sausalito is such a cute town. I had lunch at a little cafe with outdoor seating and walked around.

Before leaving on this trip, I made a reservation with Adventures Aloft for a hot air balloon ride over Napa Valley, which is about a 90 minute drive from San Fran.  I think I had to get up around 5am, but it was worth it.

My view of some horses in a field:

Back on the ground:

Okay, okay, here’s a photo of me.  There was a family on board with me from Bethesda, Maryland.  Small world!

My next post will be back in present time!

Chase’s 1st Birthday, cont. | Baltimore Photographer

I know things have been quiet on the blogfront, but I’m easing into the off-season.  I’m excited to be working on a new website!  It’s going to be more of a blogsite in that the main page will be my blog, and then there will be a tab for my portfolio instead of a completely separate website.  Stay tuned for that.

It would be a shame to put up a blog entry without any photos, so here are a few more pics from Chase’s Halloween Bday party at the Woodholme Country Club in Pikesville.

Chase is one chill little man:

I wish I could say that I got him to make this face, but it was actually his Grandma who I asked to stand right behind me.

Killer cake:

This is one of Chase’s buddies.  I just adore how his one eye is peeking out!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving next week!!

Happy Halloween!

I hope everyone is having a fun-filled Halloween!  I’m getting lots of trick-or-treaters here in Hampden and love seeing all my neighbors out on their porches.

Hopefully you will encounter many cuties like this today -

And NOT so many like this big gorilla -

Haha…even this little guy wasn’t fooled for a second and knew his daddy was in there.  Thanks for inviting me to take some photos at your super duper Halloween birthday party today, Chase!

Kristen and Brian: Wedding at The Belmont!

Kristen and Brian had an amazing wedding at The Belmont Conference Center in Elkridge this past weekend.  It was rainy that morning, but it cleared up in time for their outdoor ceremony.  These two are so perfect together and also a photographer’s dream.  You can see their engagement session in DC by the cherry blossoms here.  I had such a hard time narrowing down my photo choices for this blog post, and I haven’t even seen the images from my fabulous second shooter, Emily Hayes, yet!

Kristen calmly getting ready:

The breezy day was great for Kristen’s long veil:

Here’s Dad seeing his first-born as a bride (playing Cinderella?):

Here’s is Kristen walking with a fun, vintage effect:

Brian waiting for his bride:

Anticipating the kiss!

Little man bowing his head during the ceremony with his Grandma holding on tight:

I almost got teary watching Kristen’s sister / maid-of-honor during the ceremony:

Can you say gorgeous?!

They had this wonderful blue theme throughout the whole event, and Kristen’s super-talented friend and bridesmaid, Heather, did all of the design work.  Kristen and Brian are both very well-traveled, so the table names were their favorite cities, and the favors for their guests were these adorable plane-shaped silver luggage tags. 

I love this shot of Kristen laughing during their first dance:

Toast time – more laughing!

They had some tables set up outside the main tent for a “cigar bar”.  I loved how the tables glowed against the dark night. 

A little man-to-man advice?

Kristen and her dad.  Now THIS is a hug:

Cake-cutting time.  I love the light here.

Congrats Kristen and Brian!!!

Habitat for Humanity | Baltimore Photographer

Here’s a little something different for my blog followers and for me!  I donned a hardhat to shoot photos at a few different Habitat for Humanity construction sites and also visited a family who had just moved into their new home.  My friend, Marisa, is the COO of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake and asked if I’d be up for taking some photos for use in new printed materials they’re developing and on their website. Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity and Arundel Habitat for Humanity recently merged, so the organization is growing and changing. I was happy to help out this wonderful non-profit that builds affordable housing for so many people.  Here are just a few of my favorite shots from the day.

I love how this shot of one of the volunteers turned out. He is standing between two of the modular townhomes being built on a formerly vacant lot on East Fayette Street. These 9 homes are almost complete and will be ready for the families to move in by October 17th.

This is a fisheye shot of the whole row of houses from the back alley:

Here is a Habitat staff  member exhibiting the positive attitude that everyone seems to have on these sites:

This hardworking volunteer is still managing to look glam in a hardhat and toolbelt:

Volunteers from Verizon doing some painting:

Here’s a happy volunteer from a local high school at an almost-completed home in Brooklyn:

Here are two happy new homeowners taking a break from painting.  All homeowners contribute at least 350 hours of time to the construction of their homes – Habitat calls these “sweat equity” hours.

Here is another house from the same block that is a bit earlier in the construction stage.  It’s amazing how Habitat can take these shells and turn them into wonderful homes.

Towanda and Tyrone just moved into their new home and were nice enough to let us stop by. Tyrone actually proposed to Towanda at the celebration where the keys were handed over to them, so we were joking that these would be their engagement photos. You can read their story here.

Sweetie-pie in the new house:

Check out the Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake website if you’d be interested in volunteering or donating.  No skills required!

Leena & Suneel at the Evergreen Museum

I’m excited to finally share some photos from Leena and Suneel’s wedding last month. I was second-shooting for Jenn Link – check out the awesome photos on her blog.  She has three separate posts on this wedding so be sure to keep scrolling down her site to view the older posts!

The ceremony and reception were held at the gorgeous Evergreen Museum at Johns Hopkins University.  The day went from very hot to very rainy, but the happy couple and their family and friends kept smiling and laughing the whole time.

Here are Leena and Suneel before the ceremony having their own little moment while the formal portraits were being taken.  She’s gorgeous, huh?

Suneel and his big brother, Sanjay.  Great smiles!

Here are a few of the bridesmaids in their elegant saris.

Here is Suneel about to be led up the driveway on a white horse surrounded by his friends and family.  I thought the guy in the top hat was a nice touch!  This was right about when the sky opened up and drenched us.  Did you know that pro-level digital cameras can actually handle quite a bit of water?  I took off my flash and battery and hid those away, but then just kept on shooting!

 

Leena’s dad leading her into the ceremony:

Suneel during the ceremony:

They changed outfits inbetween the ceremony and reception…wow, they looked incredible.  Here are a couple shots I grabbed from afar while Jenn was shooting just the two of them away from the crowds.

Check out the amazing decor courtesy of Sachi & Sunita Sood of Partyland Flowers & Event Decor.

First Dance as “Mr. & Mrs.”:

Toast time!

This is Leena and her sister with their father speaking in front of them. So sweet.

This dance floor shot cracks me up:

Congrats Leena and Suneel!  It was a wonderful evening!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!

I’m noticing that as I get older, I don’t dread the end of summer nearly as much and it’s not just because Fall no longer means a new school year is starting for me. I think I’ve just come to appreciate the simpler pleasures and to make the best of whatever comes my way. I know how fortunate I am to have this life, so it would be a waste of time and energy to groan about my cold feet and noisy radiators (they’re not on yet, but soon!).

Here’s to fuzzy blankets, fireplaces burning, crunchy leaves, hot mochas, warm socks, pumpkin patches, hiking in the woods, movie nights, baking cookies, sweaters, and snuggling.

We’ve still got some warm days left, so enjoy those flip-flops while you can!

 

Amy & Amartya’s Wedding | Taking Photos as a Guest

I went to Texas for the first time this past weekend for my friend Amy’s wedding. Dallas, more specifically.  I met Amy soon after officially moving to Baltimore City, which I believe was late 2003 if memory serves.  She replied to an ad I had on Craig’s List for a roommate and came to check out my apt in Bolton Hill.  This isn’t a roommate story though as she declined moving in with me….I can’t really remember why, but I think she wanted to be in a more happening neighborhood or maybe it was the narrow three flights of stairs that scared her away….or maybe she thought I was a shifty character. Probably not though, as we hit it off and eventually started hanging out on a regular basis.  I think I was even one of the first of her friends to meet her now husband, Amartya (Marty), as they met in the area.  Anyway, they are living in Chicago now and finishing up their advanced degrees, but I know they must miss B’more terribly!

Amy and Marty had a traditional Hindu Bengali wedding that spanned the whole weekend.  I don’t know if that’s the right way to put it, but I’m learning! Check out “Bengali wedding” on Wikipedia to learn more.  I’m also learning about Indian food, though some of it is a bit too spicy for my palette.

I made my first details collage – it’s neat to see how everything really fits together.  Lots of warm colors and sophisticated graphic design courtesy of the super-talented bride.

They had an Ashirvad the evening before the wedding, which is a ceremony for blessing the bride.  Someone please correct me if I describe anything incorrectly. This was held at a contemporary Indian restaurant called Clay Pit, and included lots of food and mingling.

Here is Amy getting some encouragement from a family member:

Gotta love this face:

Getting ready on her wedding day!

Bridesmaids doing some primping of their own:

Here is Amy having her bindi applied….so sparkly and pretty!

Anxiously awaiting Amy’s entrance at the ceremony:

Amy’s brother escorted her in while she hid her eyes with a betel leaf as tradition dictates.  She was having a hard time walking while hiding her face and wearing heels all while wrapped up in her sari, which led to some laughter.  She had to make it down the aisle and circle around Marty seven times before removing the leaf for their first glance at each other.

Look!  My name in English and Bengali (or Hindi?)!

I always find the cuties!

Speech time….I love the warm light surrounding them.  I still can’t get over how gorgeous Amy looked!

I hung out with some of Amy’s super-cool friends who went to the University of Texas together most of the weekend…some I had already met before.  I’m only 5′7″, really.  Thanks to Regan for taking this pic with my camera!

Check out these little guys with the cell phone cameras!  Madness!

 The cake was really yummmy…better than most I’ve had!

 

Caught Amy doing this cute little wave from the dance floor:

Congrats Amy & Marty!  Have fun in Spain!

Family Portraits at the BMA | Baltimore Photographer

Blog regular, Julian, is now about 16 months old and I had the pleasure of hanging out with him, Julia and Carlos at the BMA Sculpture Garden recently.  This was my first time seeing him walking all on his own…he has some serious energy….just kept walking and exploring until we wore him out and sat down for brunch at Gertrude’s.

He just keeps on getting cuter every time I see him!

I was actually amazed to find that I got one shot where all three were looking at the camera and smiling. Julian was off and climbing just a second after I clicked the shutter.

Where’s Julian?

There he is!

I love the teamwork here:

He looks like he’s about to make a break for it here, but mommy was quickly at his side.

This was his first taste of a pickle which he seemed to really enjoy.

Megan & Brian are engaged! | Maryland Portraits

I had such a good time photographing Megan and Brian on the campus of their alma mater, the University of Maryland – College Park.  Megan was my roommate when I lived in Bolton Hill and I saw Brian a lot during those days as well!  Their wedding is planned for next summer at the Science Center, but they thought it would be best to do their engagement portraits now as Megan will be in Boston finishing up nursing school for the next two semesters.  Anyway, picture time!

They were laughing and playing a lot, so were very easy to photograph!  Here they are sitting by the Jim Henson & Kermit statue.  Jim Henson went to the University of Maryland at the same as my dad.  = )

The Maryland mascot, Testudo the Terrapin.  His head is shiny because people come by and rub it for good luck.  

I love when couples are “up” for anything.  Haha…I’m hilarious, I know.

Love this one….they look so relaxed.

We were walking around and this grove of trees caught my eye.  I love when a photo turns out exactly how I envisioned it!

Can’t wait for the wedding!!