A Surprise 75th Birthday Celebration!

The week was rainy but that day was perfect.. sun shining, temperature moderate, no rain in sight and not a cloud in the sky. As if the day was tailor made for a very special person that was due for one of the biggest surprises of his life.

Wow! What a birthday celebration. It was complete with over 250 guests, a sit down dinner, an ice sculpture, and a program complete with touching tributes, stories, gifts, memories, honor and praise. A special tribute from the beautifully, talented Vickie Winans and a musical selection of another kind from the Ballou High School Marching Band. It was hard to compose myself during both performances because of the electricity in the room. After Vickie's performance of "King Jesus" I caught myself shouting, a squeal, out loud. I had to chuckle and look around to see if anyone heard my sudden outburst (smile); then off I went to capture the rest of the program complete with memories and love (the slideshow), stories of kindness and compassion (the shoes), friendship (the classmates from Bates High School), the musical connection (the marching band), gifts (the high school jacket and the commemorative brick). Good food, family, fellowship, friends and fun.
As I listened to the family and friends on the red carpet being interviewed what struck me was the love, respect and honor that each person reflected and the reverence they ushered to a man whom they know... loves God, preaches the word and brings people to Christ... over and over the accolades where memorable and encouraging, heartwarming and true.... I could not wait to finally meet him... and thus the time came when the room was hushed to silence and the crowd waited with heavy anticipation.

Two years in the making, by the mastermind Regi, the surprise of a lifetime was about to unfold.. the doors swung open and there he was, the guest of honor, Bishop Francis S. Myles, Sr. Pastor and Prelate of the House of Prayer Church of God, Inc.... I could go on for days about the details but I will let the pictures tell the story that only time prohibits me from finishing.
I'd be remiss if I failed to mention "Team Regi" so aptly named by one of the team's fearless leaders. This event will go down in many minds as the one that was above the rest and you all did such a spectacular job working together with the goal of making the day special for Bishop Myles.
Regi, thank you for trusting and allowing me the opportunity to capture this very special day for Bishop Myles. Eric and I were so honored to be apart of his 75th Birthday Celebration and left uplifted and filled with joy after being a part of this incredible day!


Click Here to see the slideshow!

monnette + duc

The circumstances of the first encounter are clear...maybe.... He was standing out side of a classroom and she walked by. He asked a friend who she was and was given her name.
As he tells the story, she giggles and shakes her head "no" that he had it all wrong.. There was one thing she was truly able to commit to remembering. Upon seeing him one day Monnette got so flustered she fell.. That's right.. she saw him, tripped and fell on the floor.... "He did not even help me get up, he just left me laying there" she exclaimed... we all broke into laughter because High School memories do that to you!!

It's been a few years since they graced the halls of Bladensburg High School but one thing is clear. Their love for each other is apparent, genuine, pure and simple, kind, respectful and true and they are quite perfect for each other... He looks at her and she smiles, he touches her and she smiles and she does the same for him.

We had a lot of fun shooting this session and I can not wait to shoot their wedding in July!

Click here to see their slideshow

shondrea + eric - a wedding

*On a crisp, mildly chilly, dreary but beautiful day in Baltimore.. a most spectacular event was to take place. That would be the blessed union between Shondrea Howard and Eric Reeves.. to be man and wife from that day to eternity.

As Eric and I drove to Baltimore.. I silently prayed for the drizzle that was falling on the windshield to just go away.. and then I remembered that rain on a wedding day is supposed to be good luck.. or so they told me way back when Eric and I got married..

Anyway..I was excited for Shondrea and Eric.. While meeting them months earlier they seemed like such a balanced couple.. she is confidently quiet, soft spoken but knows exactly what she wants and he balances that with reserved yet strong consideration that is willing to oblige albeit with a lot of careful thought. You can tell he suits her and her him.... a union that will last a lifetime!
And their Smiles!! Infectious, beautiful, complementary and sure to radiate any room... (you did not know smiles could do all of that.. did you?)

Shondrea and Eric... thanks so much for allowing Eric and I to be there and capture your wedding day.. although the weather was a bit grey that day, no one would ever remember for the spectacular intimate affair you hosted for your very special family and friends.. we were so honored to be a part of it all..

Vendor Corner:
*Flawless make-up by Tahisha Murray "Ty" of "Defining Beauty"
*Gorgeous floral arrangements by Claudette Chambers of "Enchanted Unicorn-Florist
*A beautiful Maggie Sottero dress from a very special boutique "Francesca's Bridal" of Baltimore.. Shondrea could not say enough great things about her new friend "Britt" (aka Brittany) and Francesca's Bridal.. you see Shondrea had been to several different bridal shops in the area but found a special place in this shop, as they treated her like a queen from the moment she stepped in the boutique.. They even sent "Britt", as Shondrea nicknamed her, to lace up her dress on the wedding day.. When I walked in the hotel room Britt was busing herself with helping everyone with adjustments to straps and sashes with needle and thread.. I asked her when she was getting ready.. you know.. the last bridesmaid to get dressed when I was informed she was there just to make sure the dress was laced up properly. I had to chuckle to myself.... Brit did not leave until Shondrea was safely in the limo.. Now that is service..!!

Click here to see Shondrea + Eric's slideshow