Violet Evergarden Cosplay Photoshoot

Click, click, click. I was doing what we all do when we scroll through Netflix, looking at the images attached to the show to see if I wanted to *actually* watch any of them. When it comes to TV, I tend to judge a show by its cover.

Violet Evergarden stopped me mid-scroll, which is hard to accomplish. I was immediately drawn in by the wind-swept dress, letters, and artfully drawn light. I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into because I never read the synopsis. The story and the beautiful sun drenched scenes were totally bingeable.

How to have a Successful Fandom Wedding – From a Wedding Planner

Let’s talk Fandom Wedding Planning! I found out about Cristina, who runs Hermosa Wedding and Events, while scouring the internet for anything fandom related. I stumbled upon the Fandom Wedding Fair instagram page, which had a digital trail leading back to Cristina, a California and New York fandom wedding planner.

Cosplay Photography: Blue Valley Vineyard Edition

There’s a great group in the D.C. Metro Area for photographers and cosplayers called D.C. Cosplay Photo Shoots. Every month they host a meetup, at a different location, for photographers and cosplayers to connect. It’s always so much fun!

This year, my New Years’ Resolution was to attend every monthly meeting. So, I kicked off January with a bang. Blue Valley Vineyard was a gorgeous backdrop for all the awesome cosplays that day. The perfect blue sky with white fluffy clouds (add wind for dramatic flair) made for some amazing photos.

Ballenger Farm: A historic house and farm venue for small weddings

Nestled between Purcellville and Leesburg is the coziest little historic farm house you’ve been dreaming about for your intimate wedding: Ballenger Farm.

The property features a gorgeously restored house from the 1700s, two barns, a springhouse, multiple ponds, acres of property for beautiful couples’ portraits, and its very own whomping willow ceremony site.

No kidding, the tree looks exactly like the whomping willow from Harry Potter. The property also has beautiful forests for any bride who wishes to feel like an ethereal elf on her wedding day.

Harry Potter cosplay with a historical costuming twist

I’m always looking to photograph me some cosplay. I met Jennifer (aka @thenext.jeneration on all things social) after putting out a call for help when my cosplay calendar was empty. She delivered with a beautiful Princess Margaret Cosplay from the The Crown during cherry blossom season (swoon).

BUT, that’s not what this is about. This is about Harry Potter, Gryffindor, and Jen’s amazing costuming skills. We met on a chilly fall morning at Manassas National Battlefield Park. I had done some google map stalking and the little house on the property seemed perfect.

Harpers Ferry Engagement Photos: Alyssa and Nick

I met Alyssa and Nick in Harpers Ferry for a really fun engagement shoot. The first thing we did was grab an ice cream cone for them to share. We stopped up at the MARC station, which has a cool old timey vibe, and then headed to the big beautiful church on top of the hill.

After that, we headed over to School House Ridge South, one of my favorite trails, to run around in the fields and play in the old ruins.

These two were so much fun to photograph! I am SUPER excited for their wedding in June at Blackwater Falls State Park.

Katherine and David’s Richmond, Virginia Wedding

Katherine and David have known each other for a long time. They started out as friends first, then boyfriend and guurrrllfriend, and now they are happily married.

The day was full of so much love. I almost cried during their first touch. The photo of David kissing Katherine’s hand before she walks down the aisle is so cute!

Every detail was covered by someone the bride and groom knew personally, which I think added a lot to the whole atmosphere. The best detail (according to me) was seeing where little Katherine had carved her name into church’s pew years ago.

Kalero Vineyard: Virginia Vineyard Wedding Venue

Kalero Vineyard in Purcellville, Virginia is surrounded by beautiful mountains, green pastures, and gorgeous vines. As I made my way down the drive, my head wanted to look in every direction. There’s a cute old farmhouse on the property, an expansive vineyard to wander through, and, of course, the gorgeous barn.

Cosplay Photography: Rockledge Mansion

In an effort to push my introverted self out of my comfort zone, and to get better posing people quickly, I went to a D.C. Cosplay Photo Shoots meeting at Rockledge Mansion in Occoquan, Virginia. It’s a beautiful historical mansion right in downtown Occoquan. If you’re looking for a historical venue to throw a kickass historical costumed themed wedding, check this place out! And then call me to be your photographer.

Top Three Harpers Ferry National Park Hikes (from a local)

My husband and I moved to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia a couple of years. Since then, I have hiked every trail multiple times and different variations. Living near a national park has been so amazing.

Below are my favorite hikes. They aren’t really in any particular order since each trail is so different. Each trail has it’s own benefits and why you are heading out that day can really depend on which one you take.

Without further ado, let’s kick off my top three hikes in Harpers Ferry National Park.