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Justin & Mary Marantz: Walk Through a Wedding

I just arrived home from a week spent visiting family in NJ and, oh yeah, attending Justin & Mary’s Walk Through a Wedding! For those who haven’t heard of them, they are wedding photographers who are also educators in the industry. I started following their blog about four months ago, and when I saw the latest WTAW come along I jumped at the chance to learn from the best.

The first day went through their step-by-step process of how they handle the wedding day, from arriving at the getting-ready location all the way through to the reception, including the lighting setup and camera settings they use. We started out in their home, moved to a church, and ended out the the day on a private island! It was a long day—our particular day started at 9AM and went until after 11PM. The great news is that we got to sleep in the next morning!

The details around their place were just gorgeous. They also put out some accessories so we could try out shooting techniques and lighting angles we had just learned about:




These next photos were shot on the island (check out this photo from J&M’s assistant extraordinaire Julia to see the unbelievable road over) where we spent more time learning and shooting:




As the sun faded, we headed inside for more learning and got to try their simple and oh-so-effective one-light setup for ourselves:

The second day was all about the business side of things, including everything from how they process images and how their branding influences their choices, to how they hold client meetings and the red flags they look for. Mary in particular was SO incredible on this day! She basically put their whole business out there—including the mistakes they made—in an organized and thoughtful way, and she patiently answered a ton of questions. I’m pretty sure I saw her reach down to scoop up her brain after the last hour and settle it back in place just in time for the post-workshop wine party!

I was moved, my thoughts were stretched and challenged, and I know that what I learned in Connecticut will shape my business for a long time to come. I feel a thousand times more confident about moving forward and offering wedding photography to couples. If you’re considering a workshop, this is one that is worth every single cent. I’m so pleased I attended, and I’m glad for the new connections I have with a lovely, fun, and inspiring group of photographers! Justin and Mary, thank you for everything!

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jen - beautiful photos!

Nancy Tate Mitchell - Allison it was such a pleasure to meet you! Your images are stunning! I wish you the best in the future! Remember your WHY!

Eileen Broderick - You got so many beautiful shots! It was such a great experience. I’m glad you learned so much–so did I! Great to meet you–if only briefly. Best of luck!

Christina Dely - Love all the detail shots you took from Day 1! I was so busy being a sponge, I forgot to take mine out! =)

new identity and business cards

After far too much time spent physically and mentally exhausted in front of Photoshop, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not a graphic artist. I have a sense of what looks good, but it’s not what I want to do and fuss with constantly. So I invested in a cohesive brand identity, all decked out in my favorite mustard yellow. The website change-over wasn’t without its blips, which included losing the handful of old blog entries from before. I’m considering it a fresh start though, with a focus particularly on couples: engagements/weddings, bridals, day-after sessions, first-year sessions, and beyond.

Amid the changes, my new business cards arrived in the mail yesterday.  I was so excited to see the package from Moo. I ordered the recycled/matte cards and I am officially in love. They are sturdy and thick, and the printing is spot-on. I know I’ll be ordering from them again. I can’t help but peek at them every so often. I’m easily thrilled and entertained sometimes. But it’s the little things, right?

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cherry blossom wonderland

The first year I lived in DC, John and I visited the cherry blossom trees along the tidal basin. Well, being the savvy DC-area residents we are now (please note the sarcasm dripping from my fingers), we decided to branch out and try another spot that we heard was less busy. After a harrowing trip getting to Georgetown during which the GPS lead us into the thick of DC traffic and I may or may not have lost years of my life, we arrived. We spent an hour touring the art museum, and then bought tickets to get into the garden.

We went on a Wednesday afternoon, and for the most part there wasn’t anyone around. Another couple meandered through, but then they were gone and I was left to take all the photos I wanted. Ahhh, it was dreamy! I wanted to spread out a blanket and live there for the rest of the week.

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jen - love the photos and love that you didn’t have to fight the crowd. the metro is always the worst part of it…

Karen Topper - Beautiful photos! As usual :) We didn’t get out to officially see them this year — seemed to happen so quickly!

Jen+Will ::: Baltimore MD Maternity Photography

I went to high school with Jen and Will, way back — so far back that the Y2K bug was a shiny new joke. Fast forward a decade or so, and they are married and expecting a little boy in October! They are two of the nicest, funniest and most genuine people out there. If there is one thing I’m sure of, it’s that their little boy is already super lucky to have them as parents.

Will and Jen, I was so happy to be able to photograph this happy time for you! I can’t wait to meet Jack. Love to you both, Allison

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Jonathan - Beautiful! Will and Jen, I’m so happy for the two of you :)