Well Worth the Wait :: Sneak Peek

May 16, 2011
by Victoria J

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of photographing a wedding in the DC area. The bride’s dress was absolutely show-stopping, her make-up flawless, her accessories meticulously chosen, and she was ready for her moment. As she waited for the artist to apply her makeup, she spoke of how she’d waited for this day to come and how she had many a time in the past been a bridesmaid… but on May 14th, her dream came to pass! Y’all, keep hoping and believing no matter what the situation looks like… it will come to pass!

Here is a sneak peek of this wedding, but the actual post will come in a few weeks. By the way, if you see something you like, please leave a comment!!!

Ms. Payne, M.Ed.

May 12, 2011May 13, 2011
by Victoria J

Today was what I called my graduation ceremony, although the official ceremony will be on Saturday. The reason today was official in my mind is because today I got to walk across the stage and receive a case for my diploma. I was able to hear my entire name called out, and I was able to stop for “official” photographs from the photography company that was contracted out. You know, these are the things I have come to expect in a graduation ceremony. Well, on Saturday, we won’t get all of that pomp and circumstance. My name will not be called, nor will I walk across the stage. I still find this phenomenon interesting to say the least, but I am content to know that I will have two opportunities to wear this $55 robe and cap instead of just one like I did in high school and undergrad.

Interestingly enough, people have asked me if I was going to attend the Saturday ceremony as if it really were optional. Perhaps I am just old school, but I believe that you GO to your graduation, if for no one else than your family and those that helped you get that point. Believe me, whether or not they admit, they WANT to see you walk across that stage and hear your name called, especially mamas.

Soooo… come rain or shine, I will be there on Saturday at my “real graduation” because this is the start of something new! It’s the commencement to my journey into the classroom with some of God’s most precious gifts: children! I don’t yet have any of my own, but I look forward to being able to pour into those of others (in the meantime).

Below, I have included images from my recent “graduation.” I must give photographic credits to my dad and mom. I love y’all! Thanks for always being there for me!!!!! I also wanted to shout out my aunts and cousins that came out and supported me today during this affair! I love y’all too, and each of you has played a critical role in my success today! My brother is coming out on Saturday, so I am giving him a special thanks in advance!

I figured this was the day to look cute because it may rain on Saturday, and if you know anything about natural hair and rain, you’ll know that today was the better picture day!

Pretty in PURPLE!!!

May 5, 2011
by Victoria J

A few weeks ago, I had my last official day at the elementary school. It was marked with surprises, the struggle of 3rd graders trying to keep surprises, tying up a lot of loose ends, a massive rain forest display, ice cream and cake, and plenty of PURPLE!!! I planned earlier that week to wear my Bohemian purple skirt set that Thursday as we prepared for Spring Break. Well, that Thursday morning when I swung around to pick up my classmate, I noticed that she too was decked in a purple dress (interesting coincidence or just great minds thinking alike). Anyway, we enjoyed our last day with our students, and then went home… but not without taking a few photos (since I had my camera on me that afternoon and we looked so springy). Anyway, one of the photos of me was taken by one of my students (not bad… I was actually thinking about hiring him on, if it wasn’t for those child labor laws), and the other was taken by my fellow (student) teacher. See all of the true beauty of the color of royalty in the images below!

After the Rain Comes the Sunshine, the Smiles, and Joy!

May 5, 2011May 5, 2011
by Victoria J

A couple of weeks ago, I photographed a South Carolina wedding of a friend that I grew up with and then reconnected with last summer during a “Down South” road trip. Now before last year, we had not seen each other since we were around 6 or 7, so I was quite elated to see how grown she was, but even more, I was excited to hear that she was getting married.

Her wedding day started out with rain, and I was not near her in the morning, but I could only imagine what was going through her head. At some point, I believe it was supposed to be an outdoor wedding, but they made the executive decision in light of the weather report to set things up indoors. This was the same weekend that tornadoes ravished through North Carolina and other cities in the South, but thankfully, we did not see any of that kind of weather in Columbia. I remember just after the ceremony took place, it was absolutely gorgeous outside! It was not necessarily ideal for photographs with the bright sun, but it was a situation that I could work with. We took all of our wedding party portraits outdoors using the beautiful backdrop of this country club, although I hope that the grounds crew wasn’t too upset after we left one of the putting areas full of holes from sunken-in-heels.

I think I’ve said enough… now let’s get to good stuff: THE PHOTOGRAPHS! Some of my favorite photos below are:

When the ladies prayed for the marriage before the bride left the dressing room.
When the flower girl was taking baby steps down the aisle, and the mistress of ceremonies went to help her hurry along.
When the bride and groom honored their parents during the ceremony by giving each of them a hug.
When the groom asked for a smooch, and the bride gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
When the single men went to “not” try to catch the garter. Why is it that they came to the floor with cups in hand and hands in pockets. Compare their stance the single ladies who came empty-handed and actually put their hands up in the air when the bouquet was tossed.

All that said, I have included select images from this wedding below. If you see something you like, PLEASE do not hesitate to leave a comment!

After the Rain Comes the Sunshine :: SNEAK PEEK

April 26, 2011
by Victoria J

Last week, I photographed a wedding at the Columbia Country Club in Columbia, SC. This was the same weekend that a number of tornadoes tore through the South. Thankfully, we only got a little rain in Columbia, which was followed by beautiful sunshine and a few breezes here and there. I have just started processing through the photos, but here is a sneak peek of what’s to come! I will have an official post with many more photos soon, so please come back!

The Cherry Blossom Festival

April 10, 2011April 10, 2011
by Victoria J

The other day, I went with my little sister (through Big Brothers Big Sisters) to the Cherry Blossom Festival in our nation’s capital. This event is one of those mainstays in DC that folks look forward to attending every year. We chose a decent day to go, though I was surprised by how cold it was that Saturday. Thankfully, I’ve been delivered from worrying about what people think about how I look, so I walked down the pathways with my head completely wrapped in my scarf (and stayed warm). I think the subsequent weekends were filled with rain, so again, we really did pick a great weekend to go and see the blossoms. And I guess you can say it was my first time really attending the festival, although a couple of years ago, my mom and I went at the end of the celebration and saw the remnants of the blossoms on a few trees. All in all, it was a beautiful sight to see pink and white cherry blossoms hanging on trees and being carried by wind.

My PSA: If you ever in town for the festival, I suggest you come and see it! But don’t be like me and forget your hat, earmuffs and gloves! It’s still cold in April in DC!

See select photographs from this trip below, and if you see something you like, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment!

The Beauty of Purity

April 3, 2011April 3, 2011
by Victoria J

Yesterday I attended a friend’s wedding ceremony in Fort Washington, MD. Like most ceremonies, this was a beautiful affair with the lovely white gown, beautiful bridesmaids, adorable flowergirl, stately looking groomsmen and groom, handsome ringbearer, and guests wearing some of their best ensembles. But what set this ceremony apart from the majority of weddings that I have attended was the beauty of their purity. You see, this couple did not exchange their first kiss until the Pastor said, “You may now kiss your bride.” Wow! In our culture of instant gratification, this seems just about impossible for a lot of people, but I guess that’s why they say, “…with man it’s impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” Anyway, I was inspired by this couple and their journey, and I wish them God’s very best as the continue in their newly intertwined lives!

My Lens . My World . My Perspective

Capturing art and beauty in everyday life.

Category: Events