Wedding Photography

The #1 question everyone keeps asking us is, "who is going to shoot your wedding?!"

While the obvious choice might be my good buddies Jaime or Kim, I decided long ago that my friends are my friends and I want them to have a day to enjoy themselves, and not to work. Of course, I am sure they will have their cameras with them, but they aren't on the clock on June 19th!

When I started to think about it, I decided that I wanted Cristobal and Kathleen Perez of Azul Photography to do it. I met Kathleen several years ago at Maine Photographic Workshops at a week-long wedding workshop. I really clicked with Kathleen and loved her photojournalistic style and her vast knowledge of the craft. Then I found out she wasn't the only photojournalist in the family- her husband Cristobal was also a photographer and a well known and amazing one at that!

We kept in touch over the years through e-mail and whenever they make their way up to DC (they live in Raleigh, NC) we have lunch or dinner. Cristobal and Kathleen helped guide me through the very beginning of my career. They were the ones who encouraged me to join the Wedding Photojournalism Association, which has become a source of great accomplishment for me, and they were the ones who encouraged me to raise my prices significantly, which not only helped me go full-time, but also helped me get more clients (who knew?!), so I am eternally grateful for their guidance and help.

Their photos are so beautiful and real. Many photographer these days are touting their "photojournalist style" when in reality it's all set up and photoshopped. Azul photography doesn't do it- they capture the moments and the beauty that is already there. And that's so important to me. I'm not a model and my wedding will probably not be worthy enough to be seen on the pages of Southern Wedding Magazine, but it will be beautiful and a wonderful time, and that's what I want captured.

When I asked Cristobal and Kathleen if they'd be interested in shooting our wedding, they were so thrilled and excited. I, on the other hand, am so honored that I will have two of the top photojournalists in the nation in attendance. And did I mention how nice and awesome they are?! Yeah. They are amazing.

We signed a contract with them this week, so now it's all official!

Joe and I are truly lucky to have them not only as our photographers, but as friends, too!