Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Happy Anniversary Church Choir


Music that ministers to your soul. Every time I hear my Church choir my spirits are raised and my soul is nourished. It reminds me often of my grandmother... slowly making her way down the big cement steps (one at a time) from her home in Baltimore, getting in the car with plastic bubble seats.. you know the kind you would slide around on if you were not holding on... I know you remember... My legs would hurt later from gripping my patented leather shoes under the seat trying desperately to navigate the hump in the floor, not slide into my brother who would be bothered by the imposition of being touched and not get black marks on my white shoes... That ride to Church would either turn into a giggle fest, as we slid into each other around every corner, or a fight... depending on which side of the bed he (my brother) woke up on... either way, the noise was going to get someone in trouble. Grandma did not play..

She would give us each a few quarters to put in the collection plate and would sit beside us proud..... just happy that her grandchildren were there with her I suppose.. or perhaps (this is more like it) she was just happy to be in the house of the Lord. When the music began, the church would heat up and the people would start to sway and if it was a particularly moving song people would stand and sometime even walk the floor... I would look at her for assurance that everything was alright and sometimes see tears in her eyes... She was just happy to be in the house of the Lord...

Grandma Beulah is gone now but I still hear songs, to this day, that remind me of her and move me the same. Sunday night was no exception.. Fort Washington Baptist Church Family.... I love you guys!!

Click here to see their slideshow

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Mike and Kia - Wedding

They met one faithful night at “Dream”…. That’s all I needed to know. The rest is apparent through their eyes when they look at each other. “Love is precious, love is kind ….” Michael and Kia embody all of what this verse promotes and then some.

As I stepped from the car the heat took my breath away, I was embarking on a day that had been planned for months, maybe years (the shoes). After all is said and done we all know that it was His plan that made it all so…and for me to be there as well. Grateful? You bet.
There were too many treats for the eyes for me to describe… a photographer’s dream wedding for all to witness. But this day was not about me, it was about Michael and Kia.

Whitehall Manor was the absolute perfect setting for this glorious affair. Situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the sun shown perfectly through the trees as the ceremony began. Susan Smith from "Simply Elegant Weddings" beamed with pride as she lifted the back of
Kia’s dress helping her cross the graveled path to her father. All that was planned and dreamed was coming together perfectly via her coordination and would unfold before all of us like a perfect orchid opening slowly on a Spring morning. With Kia’s hair adorned with orchids, makeup perfectly applied by Ky and a perfectly fitted Lazaro dress from Ann’s Boutique, Kia and her father made their way across the lawn to greet her soon-to be partner for life.

Looking at the scene from afar it was hard not to notice the breathtaking floral decor skillfully created by Linda Merritt that graced your eyes at every turn. With "Ewabo", the Pan players ready to play, dinner in preparation, three cakes ready for guests and a DJ ready to rock the manor, the day was unfolding just as
Kia and Mike could have only hoped for.

Kia and Mike, thank you so much for choosing me to document your wedding. From the time we all met at your engagement session I could tell that we were going to have a blast at the wedding. You are both kind, thoughtful and trusting people whom Eric and I took the greatest pleasure in capturing. Thanks ..

Click Here to see their slideshow

(may take some time to load.. please be patient... it is worth the wait)










Thanks to Doll, my ever persistent sister-in-law, who insisted that Kia at least look at my website.