Share My Life

August 11, 2011
by Victoria J

Two weeks ago, I was blessed with the opportunity of capturing a beautiful Delaware couple’s nuptials. I don’t know if it’s the romantic girl in me or what, but every wedding makes me believe more and more in the sanctity and beauty of marriage. At this wedding in particular, the love that the couple shared was undeniable. Of my favorite moments, I loved the time when the groom went to the microphone after the toasts had been made and shared his tender words of love with his wife. It was one of those unscripted, but powerful moments that you look at and realize that this bond is real! Another highlight was when the couple danced their first dance to KEM’s “Share My Life.” The audience was singing and grooving along with the couple, and Mr. Baker was singing along and incorporating his own hand gestures…. And then, what about the colors? Purple… Need I say more? The details of this wedding were emaculate, exquisite, classy, and then some. From the two dresses to the matching heels, this bride was definitely show stopping! Well, don’t take my word for it, check out the images below! Also, if you are still waiting for “love” to find you, don’t lose heart… in due time, it will come and it will be right on time!

Oh and if you see something you like, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!!!! You can see a video slideshow here.

Watch a Video Slideshow from this Wedding

Share My Life :: Sneak Peek

August 1, 2011August 1, 2011
by Victoria J

Well, you may remember meeting this couple last summer in my “You Saved Me…” engagement portrait post. Well, on Saturday, they made it official! They tied the knot in a beautiful, classy and studded event! See a sneak peek of the wedding photos below! And stay tuned for more! As always, if you see something you like, feel free to leave a comment!

HELP!!!

July 26, 2011July 26, 2011
by Victoria J

I was listening to the news today, and I caught one of the stories on the famine in Africa. My heart was crushed as I thought about this utter level of devastation. As I watched the story, I was actually preparing dinner with plenty of nutritional elements and choice. I ate alone and I had plenty to share, but it was as if I could not just reach through the screen and share with the children who obviously needed it. In reality, I couldn’t just reach through the screen… but I wanted to. Then I wanted to hop in my car, and run up a grocery bill and then drive it down to those in need. This too I was unable to do. So I did as Brian suggested, and I visited one of the non-profit organizations and gave that way and just hoped that it would actually meet those that need it most! Previously, I have not posted anyone else’s photos on my blog site (save for those I’ve commissioned to be taken), but I must share these with you all with the hope that they will inspire you too to give. I intentionally chose photos that were not the most devastating because I don’t want anyone to feel like there is nothing they can do… but please do consider giving! An NBC list of organizations that are helping with this African Effort is available here.

Little Boy — Aden Salaad, 2, looks up at his mother as she bathes him in a tub at a Doctors Without Borders hospital, where Aden is receiving treatment for malnutrition, in Dagahaley Camp, outside Dadaab, Kenya, on Monday, July 11. (Rebecca Blackwell / AP)

Starving Cow — Duba Dagane watches over her cow who no longer produce milk, in Lagbogal, Kenya, on July 6. (Sayyid Azim / AP)

Here are some key organizations that are providing aid in the region.

UNICEF
UNICEF, the UN’s children’s organization, and its partners need more money to aid children in the Horn of Africa in the coming months. Immediate measures include child immunization campaigns and water and sanitation services to ward off disease.Text FOOD to UNICEF (864233) to donate $10, enough to feed a child for 10 days or provide 321 sachets of nutrient powder to boost infant survival and development, the aid group says.
International Committee of the Red Cross
Red Cross has launched the East Africa Drought Appeal 2011 to provide emergency relief, including food, water and health assistance.

Make donations online at www.redcross.org.au or by calling 1-800-811-700.
Doctors Without Borders
In Dadaab, Kenya, Doctors Without Borders says it is treating more than 2,400 children in its ambulatory therapeutic feeding program and 130 children in its inpatient therapeutic feeding center. An additional 5,047 children with moderate acute malnutrition are enrolled in a supplementary feeding program. There are now around 10,000 people in the organization’s feeding program in the Dadaab camp.

Donate here or by calling 1-888-392-0392.
Save the Children
Save the Children has launched an effort in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia to feed underweight children, provide medical treatment and get clean water to remote communities. Click here for ways to give.
The World Food Programme
The World Food Programme said it is reaching 1.5 million people in Somalia now, and is scaling up to reach 2.2 million more in the previously inaccessible south of the country. It says airlifts to Mogadishu will start within a few days to bring in special nutritious foods for malnourished children.

Donate $10 by texting the word AID to 27722 or make a donation online
World Vision
World Vision says it has been fighting hunger in the Horn of Africa for years and will continue to provide food, clean water, agricultural support, health care and other vital assistance to children and families. Donate online.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43841708/ns/nightly_news/

Bringing the Heat… And Bringing the Water!

July 25, 2011
by Victoria J

This past weekend, I had the chance to gain new respect for the Williams sisters (Serena and Venus)! My cousin Whitney Jones is an up-and-coming tennis player who played in the Citi Open this weekend in College Park, MD. As she was playing so close to me, I was able to see her play for the first time (definitely impressive). Well, anyone that was in the DC area this weekend knew well that Saturday was NOT the day to be outside; at some point this weekend it was 109 degrees. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the heat, but I also love shade and protection. Y’all, there was no shade to be found at this tennis match! As a matter of fact, when the tennis players sat down to rest a moment and drink water, the “ball kids” brought umbrellas and held them over their heads. The seats were so hot that you needed to put something on the seat to protect yourself from burns (I’m really not being dramatic). As odd as it may sound, I never imagined that this is the kind of weather that the Williams sisters play in from time to time! Again, I had a new found respect for their talent in light of this experience… I was even motivated to call a long time friend and former tennis player to share my new found understanding.

Anyway, aside from the heat and needing to stay hydrated, the game was pretty interesting and easy to follow… and my cousin won!!!! Go JONES!!!! Select photos below!

Simply Loved, Simply Beautiful

July 25, 2011
by Victoria J

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of photographing a Pennsylvania wedding. You may remember the engagement portraits with this couple (View the Ready for Service Post). Anyway, words cannot express how beautiful every exchange was, so allow me show you. I have included images below, as well as a link to view a VIDEO RECAP of this wedding. By the way, if you see something you like, please leave a comment!!!!

View Slideshow Here

Welcome to New York!

July 23, 2011
by Victoria J

The first time I went to New York City was back in 2003 with my college roommate, and she can attest that the Big Apple was not my cup of tea! I actually felt like I was in another country, even though at the time I had never been out of this country. Needless to say, these eight years later, I have more of an appreciation for the city. So when a friend of mine was recently in town, we planned a trip to this city that never sleeps, and she too felt like a foreigner her first night there. We stayed in the Manhattan area for our entire stay, and we ventured to Central Park, Times Square, this mall somewhere near the Trump Towers. Anyway, one of the highlights for me was when we saw these models doing a photo shoot in the middle of Central Park. Sadly, I was one of those nosy bystanders that stopped to watch all of the action! See photos from my trip below.

Simply Loved, Simply Beautiful :: Sneak Peek

July 5, 2011
by Victoria J

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of photographing a friend in a beautiful Pennsylvania wedding that went from the chapel to the park to the TD Bank to the Reception Hall. You may remember this couple from my engagement portrait post, called “Ready for Service.” Anyway, see a sneak peek of their wedding photos below. Besides the jumping the broom shots, some of my favorite images were of the groom and his best men swatting gnats and the ATM image. Again see images below… and… if you see something you like, please leave a comment at the bottom!