Nikki, You HAVE Arrived

Being invited to do the photography for Eric's first cousin's graduation celebration was a no brainier. After working out the little details like what to do with the kids (smile), I was in the car with my sisters and brother in law in route down to Portsmouth Virginia with one thing in mind... to make this a beautifully captured event for the guest of honor and host Nikki Reid..

She arrived late, pulling up with to the venue with a slow but steady glide. She opened the door of the car and the 4 of us started making jokes about how she was doing all late and all... It did not take long for her to mutter, while fighting back tears, that she had just left her husband Norris in the hospital. We stopped dead in our laughing, joking, ridiculing tracks and took deep breaths.. waiting to hear the details, finding out that he was stable, up and talking was a great relief. All the while, we were trying to figure out how in the world we were going to get her to concentrate on the affair that she and her friends had worked months to put together. The four of us knew that this would not be easy!

We listened to details while we made her apply makeup and put her clothes on knowing that the guests would be arriving soon.. daylight was leaving.. we had to get her outside and take her pictures.. she had worked so hard for this day to commemorate how far she had come and how hard she had worked to finish school. YEARS in the making, she never gave up, she kept going.. against all odds and finally made it. "Nikki had arrived". She has stories to tell, about her past and about her present... life "ain't been no crystal stair" but she strives to be the best she can be, walking with faith and conviction that only the best will do!

We got her outside and my sisters and brother in-law got to work. They made Nikki laugh telling stories about relatives and had her in stitches trying not to close her eyes as she smiled. Her smile is contagious. The hard work was trying to get a serious look out of her after the infectious laughter rolled in...

Later, as the guests arrived, she made a grand entrance down the red staircase and rested while her family and friends saluted her with words of wisdom, reflection, advice and love...

"When I think of you I just think"LOVE" her cousin smiled.... she wiped away tears.

Good food, dancing ("the purculator?) and fellowship followed and then time to say goodbye...

"Bitter sweet", she said as she wanted to remember her late father because she knew he would be so proud. She paid tribute to him by ordering and wearing a spectacular ice blue tailored suit from the place suit maker he frequented.."Michael Menswear"in Military Circle. The Swarovski Crystal bracelet and the gorgeous ring?.. presents from her husband..

"Go ahead..", he encouraged her to leave him, "you have worked hard, I'll be o.k.", he told her as he convinced her to leave the hospital..

Life is funny sometimes but one thing is clear. We have nothing to do with the greater path just how we choose to walk down it...

Nikki..You go girl.. you smile, continue to do good for the people you serve and your reward will be great. You are a rock and we all can only learn from you, how to keep going when everything seems too hard. You have incredible friends that wanted you to have it all on this day and planned with and without you to make this occasion as special as you are. Good friends are hard to find. Treasure them..

I will ask for prayer from all my faithful blog readers for your husband "Norris Reid" as he walks a path to recovery.

Aunt Carol? You and Uncle Percy have done well. I have no words to go further but to say that Nikki is so special and I have learned a lot from her over the past few months.. Stay strong and.... Eric and I Love you!!


Click here to see Nikki's slideshow!

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

off he goes

Jetting his head around the corner of his grandmother living room he said hello and proceeded to find his suit jacket.. after a brief conversation with his grandfather we started with the formal shots and although he sported his three piece suit with undisputed distinction and charm I could tell he was itching to loosen up..

I was thinking for your casuals we could shoot somewhere different.. do you know where there is a fire escape? ally or graffiti wall?

Oh I know where there is a graffiti wall... the ledge.. it's downtown... my friends and I hang out there sometimes......his voice trails off as he tells stories of the Ledge...

OK.. lets go! Without much more comment we jump in my car. As we near the first corner imagine my surprise when I find out that he does not know how to get there because he does not drive yet... smile.. I had to remind myself that teenagers seldom pay attention to where they are going (I mean the rights and lefts of driving).. they are just in the car and satisfied when you get them where they want to go... you, the train, the bus.. whoever!!

So, after much ta do, mis-turns, u-turns, laughing and the tales of what's to come at College we relied on a less than perfect navigational system getting us to.... whats close?... Urban Outfitters?... and we finally get there...

We climbed steps, bent under and over barriers, hiked down large boulders and arrive at a truly special spot.... THE LEDGE!! The view was spectacular, the water was glistening and the sun was bearing down... I had to remind myself several times not to get too close to the edge as my equilibrium is not quite what it used to be.. you know... when I was a teenager... ha, ha...

So Mr. M thanks so much for taking me to this little diamond in the rough for this shoot. . I really had fun and I'm so glad I did not fall over...
You are a handsome young man and as you go off to college in the fall be safe, be true to yourself and don't ever forget the special things that make you...you..
Good luck and continue to be blessed.

Click HERE to see KM's Slideshow!
P.S. Kenny I had to pick the song.. "Common" did not quite work.. (smile)

Inaugural 2009 - Obama

Not for the faint at heart.. not for the weary.. The Crowds, the excitement, the blistery cold. Like something out of a storybook. The morning air was crisp and clean, fresh, breathable.. yet bitter cold down to the bone. We woke at 3:00am packed all the things we had carefully laid out the night before and headed to what proved to be one of the most exciting days of our lives.. The crowds were nothing compared to the cold. It whipped around you and caught you off guard every now and then but pure excitement made it manageable, bearable and worth it. We were there to witness History and we had our oldest daughter with us so that she could later say "I was there".(Hopefully she won't recall the frozen toes and the pile of papers she and her dad boldly left on the mall after tearing open fifty three packages of "toe-warmers" to no avail... "these things do not work"!!) My toes were warm as toast.. all I could do was laugh at them..
Did I mention... it was cold?

I might have missed it.. all he had to say to me at 3:00am was "baby..we can watch it from here".. I would have said "OK sweety not a problem, you know it's really cold out there..at least we will be warm!!"
Instead.. I hit the clock rolled over and he was throwing off the covers and was out of bed before I could complete the turn.. I could feel the cold in the air before I put my feet on the floor.. He was up, I did not have to say a thing... we were going! Not so secretly... I was elated.

We were there, we were proud, we were happy, we were representing, we were cold, we were together and we were part of history..May God Bless Us All!

Click here for the slideshow.






Don't forget the slideshow.. Click HERE to view

Understated charm.. It's the eyes

Not often do we get to spend time, just the two of us..
There is always an older sister or a younger brother or a doting father around.. but today it was just me and my baby girl N.

No jeers from the peanut gallery (that would be her brother and sister) for this self motivated, smart, beautiful, determined, self professed middle child.... none of the comments... "that does not look right, fix your hair, you smile crooked, that will not work, look at me I can do it better.." Just the silence of the golden sun smiling down on us.. and the smiles between us... as I looked through the lens she seemed to morph into a young lady before me... not her mannerisms, not her words, not how she acted.. it was in my daughters eyes..looking back me (mom) as though I knew she was all grown up....It was all right there in her eyes! I swallowed hard and repeated what she has heard me mutter on many a photoshoot..."beautiful.." but this time it was directed at her and it was coming from me and she could tell it was different..

Life flies by really fast and sometimes I have to have to remind myself to stop, look, listen and feel those around me... Thanks N. for letting me work magic with your beautiful smile (complete with newly straightened teeth..), flawless pecan skin, cheerful disposition, understated charm and those awesome, perfect, almond-shaped eyes... I love you sweetie!



I love the way the sun caught itself in my lens..

The R. Family

She keeps it all together! With a kind and gentle spirit, I did not find out until way later that she once took photography classes! What an honor to be chosen to take these photos for the R family. Although the weather kept us on our re-scheduling toes (life happens) for many weeks She was determined not to have the boat chart off course because "We" wanted to make this happen.

" I promise if we wait for the weather you will be happier.. if we go today, you won't be able to get in the grass...it rained all day yesterday and the ground is soaked." I said.

I'm sure she was thinking that she was not going to be rolling on the ground, but she conceded to my best advise.. the sun was shining at that moment we were on the phone but the forecast had called for rain.. before long the sky opened up and the rain just poured...

Life happens.. and somehow it is always hard to predict.. but one thing is sure.. this family is not only beautiful but the kids, mom and dad are solid as a rock... they love each other and it shows. The kids were great... little A. even learned very quickly how to pop her leg, as I showed her mom she stood there and took mental notes.. she got it and she never stopped. It was quite cute, I'd look through the lens and Little A. would be off to the side with her hands on her hips and her leg popped. Way too cute!..

And as per usual with these family shoots, I always make time for mom and dad together, alone and it's always refreshing to see when mom and dad cuddle close the sparks that fly all around and then that smile comes across their faces that acknowledges they know I did it on purpose. (smile)...

The R. Family... thanks for allowing me to do my thing with you... never once did you complain and that is always nice..

Rhese and Donna - Wedding

Is it time to party yet?

That's where they met... A Party! Donna at Howard University and Rhese at Georgetown University but on that night.. just a party.. Do you think it went through their minds at the time? This could be my soul mate? Could we be together forever, loving through the good, the bad, the bliss, the blessings and all the rest that comes with this journey we all call life?

Probably not...but I know they danced!!

That was many moons ago, as many of their friends and family describe it, but one thing is so very clear to me... Rhese and Donna are well balanced... they don't have to say much, at this point, they can just look at each other and know what the other is thinking... he can just look at her and make her laugh and then they both laughing because her laugh is contagious and so is their LOVE!

Many times during the day I could see the joy, pride and excitement gushing from Rhese. Donna would look softly into his eyes and he demeanour would instantly mellow...don't get me wrong, he was still bursting at the seams but a smile would emerge... he would bend down and kiss her and she would kiss him back...

Rhese was ready to dance!!! Is it time to party yet? Both arms extended in the air...
When they opened those doors to the room announcing them as Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, I could feel their joy and excitement... The whole room erupted in cheers...They were married and you could not tell them anything...

Rhese, Donna... thank you so much for allowing Eric and I to be apart of your beautiful day... From the first day we met I was sure that this was going to be a special day for the two of you and one for us as well... Your family and friends embraced us and made us feel like we were family. May you and Rhese find all of the joy, love and peace this world can afford you...

Click here to see Rhese and Donna's slideshow!

Our New Website

O.K.... without further a do.. We hereby unveil our brand new website that We have been editing for what seems like months. It has been a true labor of love and We are so proud to present to some and re-expose to others our true vision for "a little bit of whimsy" and our future ... It looks a lot like the other site but much bigger and with the focus being on Weddings...

Yes we will still shoot other sessions but our focus is the wedding market.. Know anyone getting married? Send them a link.. belong to a social group in the area please feel free to pass it along to everyone in your mail box...

We will still be posting to the blog more frequently so don't forget to bookmark it as well....

so here goes..

www.alittlebitofwhimsy.com

If you don't see it right away keep checking back and once again... thanks for looking and sharing..

ps. some of the slideshows will be down until uploaded again to the new server.. bear with us!

David and Beverly - married

They met over the phone and carried on with hushed whispers for a while. She playing hard to get and he, hearing the soft voice, playful tone but graceful strength, wanted more. She could tell but chose to carry on with the phone conversations for a while.
At some point they agreed that they needed and wanted to meet... that was four years ago and although they have been so much a part of each others lives for the years they understood that something was missing.

David told me "It just did not make sense anymore not to carry it to the next step"

They stepped alright... right into each others arms and with grandeur, class, whimsy, tease anticipation and lots of thought.

After much hesitation I spoke to Beverly one day about the timing of the day...
"It's going to be dark after the wedding and although I'll do alter shots.. I'd rather have my eye teeth pulled! Would you consider (I proceeded with my request) seeing David before the wedding for a "The First Look"... I'll set up the location and you two can see each other before the wedding and complete your formals as the sun is setting... After the ceremony my can take your time with your guests"
"It's a perfect idea" she uttered..
"I was trying to find a way to see him and spend some private time together before the ceremony but for the life of me could not figure out how to make it happen....Ah wow! It's just perfect"...

And so it was... Just like out of a fairy tale.... Eric shot David at the famous Gaylord Hotel and ushered David over to the house where he waited for Beverly. On my cue Beverly came sashaying down her red brick walkway, flanked by her handsome sons. They essentially gave their mother to David... I could not have asked for a more perfect couple to launch what I hope to be common place for many more brides to come.

Introducing "The First Look" featured in their slideshow!!

For the sake of surprise, Beverly walked down the aisle to the song in the slideshow with her utterly fabulous hat (that David had not yet seen)... keeping it fresh!!... Oh! and YES, he did sing to her!

Age, beauty and confidence

Baby ____ is well on her (I'll call her a her just because I can...not because I know).. you see Kim and Victor have 3 beautiful boys already so I'm personally wishing for a Girl for them...

Of course Kim and Victor are well pleased to have a healthy, happy child no matter what the gender and are so settled with whatever they are blessed with, the automatic question from family and friends just gets a slight smile in response. I took pictures of them years ago when they were "with" child number two or three and made shower invitations for their party.. they, thereafter, moved to Florida and then back again and low and behold she stumbled on my website and e-mailed me with excitement that my photography business had taken off...

Kim is a natural, a self-proclaimed perfectionist, a hard worker, a mother and a wife. She is so comfortable in her skin and with the God given natural form that is giving new life that she even tried a few "Demi Moore" poses for her portfolio. I must say.. they are outlandishly beautiful, tasteful and fierce!! Want to see them? you'll have to ask Kim for her code... ha, ha, ha....

But here are a few!!

It's just me and you!

We welcome with love the oh so precious Baby S! Look how adorable she is with her tiny lips, tiny nose and precious eyes. Her mom and I tried and tried to get her to sleep.. wouldn't you know, it took Dad to calm her down and fall asleep.

"Hey little one.. it's just me and you!" and she was out....

Guys congratulations on your little bundle of joy.. I'm so happy that I had the pleasure of capturing some of your little one's first photos..