Jill and Charles | Keswick Vineyards Wedding Photographer

Keswick Vineyards is quite literally a wedding photographer’s dream venue. Jill and Chas’s wedding in October went so smoothly partly because of this fun and laid back couple, and partly because this venue has everything you could want for photo locations, all within a few steps in any direction. From the epic estate house with iconic white columns to the vineyard views, Keswick Vineyards has endless spots for gorgeous wedding portraits. They have beautiful getting ready suites for the guys and the gals in a cute building just off of the pool. The pool terrace itself is a great spot for photos, with striking architecture surrounding the pool. The fountain in front of the main house is a photo op in itself, and there is all sorts of varied landscaping around the elegant estate building. You’ll find beautiful views as you wander the vineyard rows, or go all the way down to the pond with it’s own swans. Their onsite tent for the reception is perfect, and gives piece of mind during COVID times- it’s like being inside, but actually being outside with plenty of air circulation!

Anyway, enough about the venue….just LOOK at this gorgeous bride and groom, who are so comfortable in each others’ arms. This couple really killed it on their wedding day looks, I must say. I adored Jill’s lace long-sleeved dress with tattoos barely peeking through here and there. She wore her hair in a long loose braid into which were woven gorgeous crystals and pearls. Chas (pronounced Chase) surprised with a dark floral bow tie and a perfectly fitted blue three-piece suit with a coral pocket square. His light blue eyes stole the show, though!

I was so happy to see them finally get the wedding they had been dreaming of for so long. Charles is a Lieutenant in the US Navy, and Jill is a school teacher turned nurse. Jill and Charles’s wedding was one of many that had to be rescheduled from 2020 to 2021. They were so ready to finally tie the knot after all of that time waiting. They danced the night away on a beautiful fall night. I never did get the story on those dinosaur cake toppers!!

Event Coordinator: Stacy Burleson of Burleson’s Big Day Events

Flowers: Verde Natural Florals

Cake: Paradox Pastry

Hair: Event Hair by Lauren

Officiant: Kathleen Ayers at Virginia Wedding Vows

Betty Cabell & David | Charlottesville Elopement Photographer

During the time of socially distanced gatherings, large wedding processionals and hundreds of wedding invitations have been exchanged for smaller ceremonies with close friends and loved ones, or microweddings, as well as elopements.

Betty Cabell and David did just that in a beautiful Bed and Breakfast in adorable Orange, Virginia. They exchanged vows in the intimate presence of three people: the Innkeeper, the officiant, and me, their photographer. Despite the small wedding, Betty Cabell and David still wanted the ceremony to be captured and preserved for those not in attendance.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the newlyweds and I set out on foot for local destinations within walking distance of the Bed and Breakfast where we ended up in front of an old train station down the main drag. The train passed through with perfect timing, running behind the couple in gorgeous photos to be shared with their loved ones.
Therein lies the beauty of elopements and microweddings: with small ceremonies trending during this period of distance, couples have been able to shake off the anxieties of organizing large weddings and focus on the importance of the day. Family and friends are still able to experience the day through the artistry of photography, while the couple can decide to have a larger celebration later on if they wish. 

Even if the day of is smaller than expected in the constant change of the world, couples have options to celebrate and capture the day!

WEDDING ALBUMS

“Why should I buy a wedding album when I’ll already have the photos as digital files?”

It’s a question I get all the time. 

Think about it. What are your photos REALLY doing for you by sitting on a hard drive in your closet? 

Imagine this: It’s 30 years down the road, and your sweet grandchildren come running in asking to see pictures from your big day. Wouldn’t it be nice to sit down with them and flip through the pages of a beautifully designed, archival-quality album? 

What happens years from now when you finally unearth those dusty hard drives, only to discover that the technology has changed and you can no longer access your files?

The fact is, maintaining physical prints of your favorite wedding photos is extremely important, and albums represent one of the best ways to do so. Not only do they look great and provide a convenient means for viewing, but—if taken care of—they can last forever, becoming treasured family heirlooms that span generations. 

Some couples I work with elect not to purchase an album when choosing their photo package. They swear they’ll get around to making their own one day. But they rarely do. Life gets crazy, and kids and jobs take hold—not to mention the fact that producing these things takes patience, skill, and a WHOLE lot of time. 

My albums use the traditional “silver halide” photographic process, which results in a classic look that you’ll never achieve on consumer sites that employ standard ink-jet printing (which tends to age badly and fade). The pages of my albums are thick, rigid and feature lay-flat construction.  

I also offer a number of customizable options to achieve precisely the look you want: Choose from silver, gold, or black gilded edges, and take your pick of cover materials—from virtually any shade of leather you can imagine to Japanese silk. 

Two of my wedding packages contain albums: The Premium Album (Zook Book) Package includes a 12" x 12" Zook Book album, with 90 photos included, and the Lustre Book Album Package includes a 10" x 10" Lustre Book album, with 75 photos included.  

When you sign up for a wedding package that includes an album, you get a break on the price of the album. For those of you who want to buy an album after the wedding, I’ve included a la carte pricing as well. Under the pricing, check out some of the options available for each book. There are many, making each album a truly custom affair.

So to summarize, if you’re getting married soon, please do yourself a favor and BUY THE ALBUM! They are the best way to tell the story of your wedding day. They look and feel great, and they’re sure to outlast any technology that may not be around in the future. 

I promise, you’ll never be sorry.

Blog Archive

• *Weddings
  • Jan 16, 2022 Jill and Charles | Keswick Vineyards Wedding Photographer
  • Nov 14, 2021 Betty Cabell & David | Charlottesville Elopement Photographer
  • May 7, 2021 WEDDING ALBUMS
  • Sep 27, 2018 Kristin and Lindsay Wedding | Charlottesville LGBT Wedding
  • Sep 12, 2018 Ali & Tony | Charlottesville Courthouse Wedding Photographer
  • Jan 30, 2018 Ashleigh & Casey | Charlottesville Courthouse Wedding Photographer
  • Jul 28, 2017 DelFosse Vineyards and Winery - Styled Shoot
  • Jan 21, 2017 Amanda & Matt | Early Mountain Vineyards Wedding Photographer
  • Sep 12, 2016 Daisy & Troy Charlottesville Courthouse Wedding | Elopement Photographer
  • May 19, 2016 Sara & Zach Elope in Orange, VA | Charlottesville Elopement Photographer
  • Jul 18, 2015 Gilly & Flash | Richmond Wedding Photographer
  • Jun 2, 2015 Brandon & Marlena | Charlottesville Wedding Photographer
• Bar Mitzvah
  • Dec 16, 2015 Gabriel's Bar Mitzvah | Washington, D.C. Bar Mitzvah Photographer
  • Mar 24, 2015 Isaiah | Bar Mitzvah Photographer
  • Jan 11, 2014 NYC Bat Mizvah | Virginia Bar and Bat Mitzvah Photographer
• Engagements
  • Sep 11, 2017 Megan & Kevin | Stone Mountain Vineyards | VA Wedding Photographer
  • Jun 7, 2017 Lexie & Emily | LGBT Engagement Photographer
  • Jan 16, 2017 Steve & Annie Engagement Session at Humpback Rocks and Raven's Roost | Blue Ridge Parkway Engagement Photographer
  • Aug 12, 2016 Cody & Mady Surprise Proposal at Stinson Vineyards
  • Apr 14, 2016 Suzanne & Tim at Early Mountain | Charlottesville Engagement Photographer
  • Feb 8, 2016 Elisabeth & Chet | Charlottesville Engagement Photographer
  • Sep 24, 2015 Rachel & Austin | Charlottesville Engagement Photographer
  • Jul 9, 2015 Kari & Chris | Engagement Photographer
  • Jan 6, 2011 Dana & Radika | Engagement Portrait Session
• Family Portraits
  • Jul 27, 2015 Isabel | Charlottesville Newborn Photographer
  • Nov 23, 2014 Lily, Anthony & Naomi | Family Portrait Session
  • Nov 14, 2014 Kate, Jeyon & Romeo | Family Portrait Session
• Graduation
  • Feb 21, 2021 UVA Graduation Photos
  • Feb 20, 2021 UVA Graduation Photos - PhD
• Personal
  • Jan 15, 2015 Max Franklin | Baptism Photos
  • Nov 3, 2014 New Beginnings...
• Wedding Industry
  • May 7, 2021 WEDDING ALBUMS
  • Jul 28, 2017 DelFosse Vineyards and Winery - Styled Shoot
  • Jan 12, 2017 Amanda Maglione Photography Wins a 2017 WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award
  • Apr 20, 2013 Marchesa Bridal Show in NYC

UVA Graduation Photos

This gorgeous family had two UVA students, and one about to matriculate in the fall! With their eldest daughter in the UVA Medical School, their middle daughter graduating UVA Undergrad, and their youngest about to start her First Year at UVA, these were some proud parents! If you can, invite your family to join you for your graduation photos! You will cherish these memories with them as much as they will.

UVA Graduation Photos - PhD

You don’t have to be graduating UVA with your Bachelor’s Degree to get graduation photos taken! I had the honor of photographing this amazing woman upon the occasion of her successful defense of her PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Virginia. Wearing a Doctoral Cap and Hood, we did portraits on and around UVA’s Lawn and Rotunda. She brought two outfits, a custom made balloon prop, and most importantly, a good friend who helped to keep the shoot fun! Whether you are graduating from UVA Undergrad or earning your Master’s, or achieving a Doctorate, make sure to document your time, hard work, and cherished years at UVA with a photo shoot! Email me directly or via the form on my Contact page to set up a session!

Kristin and Lindsay Wedding | Charlottesville LGBT Wedding

I’m looking back on Kristin and Lindsay’s wedding at Lydia Mountain Lodge, near Charlottesville, and there were so many memorable moments, it’s hard to know where to start.  First of all, they had a bounce house for the many kids at their wedding- that was one of the first things they mentioned when I had my first phone call with them - they wanted the kids to have fun.   It was a destination wedding for everyone, and they all stayed in cabins on site at Lydia Mountain.

Lindsay and Kristin told me they never had any grand visions of how their wedding day would be, they just wanted everyone to have a great time hanging out.  They didn’t care  too much about all of those cliche wedding photos you see- close-up shots of rings, dresses hanging by themselves on a tree…they cared about documenting the people and the day as it unfolded, and capturing all of the fun.

Snubbing tradition, Lindsay and Kristin got ready together, in their rustic cabin.  They normally don’t wear any makeup…but wanted to wear a small amount of makeup for the occasion.  Endearingly, they tried to decipher some makeup instructions they had found on the internet - what goes on first- BB cream, CC Cream, or Foundation?…  and followed them step by step, stopping every once in a while to pick up a walkie talkie to joke around with other guests on the premises.  This whole process was extremely adorable.  

After they each were suited up, and looking super fly, we headed out for some pre-ceremony portraits.

One thing Charlottesville area weddings do well are ceremonies with Blue Ridge Mountain backdrops, and this venue did not disappoint in that respect.  If I’m not mistaken, Lindsay and Kristin walked each other down the aisle, to the epic strains of the JURASSIC PARK THEME SONG.  (Also, their reception dinner tables were named after different dinosaurs.)

After the ceremony, the party got started, and the camp fire was blazing outside the barn reception room.  The kids were having a ball…marshmallows were roasted, toasts were made…I witnessed an impromptu taste test performed between the classic canned beer brands Modelo, Busch and Miller Lite…   As the night went on, inexplicably…a NARWHAL showed up in costume, the brides SHOTGUNNED a beer and there was a RAUCOUS singalong to none other than CELINE DION.   So, yes, people, this was a wedding I will never forget.  Cheers to you, Kristin and Lindsay, for the good times and good stories!!!  

Thanks to the Vendors:

Day-of planning by Emerald Events by Nilsa

DJ: Rhythm of Love