When I sit for hours going through wedding photos, making them pop, refocusing images, and weeding through the ones that “did not make the cut,” I realize that it truly is a pleasure to be invited to capture these intimate moments.  Often times, I get to see the bride decked before even her father does.  I often get access to places that others cannot go.  I say this not to brag, but again, to point to how much of a privilege it is for me. I often see rather intimate moments between the newly married couple, like this one.  I am not sure how long she had waited for him or he waited for her, but I remember her talking about the wait as she got ready for the ceremony.   Emotions ran high in the room with the women, so much so that two prayers were said!  And when all was said and done, it definitely looked like this moment was worth waiting for and hoping for.  My favorite photograph is the last one I’ve included.  Interestingly enough, this was one of the latter images that I edited, and I thought I was going to have to toss it since it was over-exposed… but the expression was timeless… and thank God for Photoshop!  What was in the background did not matter; it was all about the two becoming one!  It was well worth the wait!  Wait on sisters!  Wait on brothers!  There is still something even better in your tomorrow!

See select images from this wedding below.  As always, if you see something you like, please leave a comment!  <<< And, if you know of someone getting married that needs a photographer, send them a link (or send me a message)!  I hope to hear from you soon! >>>

A few weeks ago, I photographed an amazingly beautiful wedding!  Perhaps, I was a little biased since the wedding colors were three shades of purple – my favorite color! Nonetheless, the bride had been planning this wedding for over a year, and every detail was planned to the “t.”  In addition to all of the typical wedding traditions, they jumped the broom at the end of the ceremony, which is a tradition that dates back to slavery when blacks were not allowed to officially get married.  Thank God for freedom! It is so good to keep traditions like these to remind of how blessed we are, and where we came from.  Enjoy select images from this wedding below.

I also must make a shout-out here!  This was the first wedding that I brought a second photographer to – my brother, Darren Payne!  He not only was able to catch the moments that I was not able to capture, but he captured some of my favorite images from this wedding – Thank you Darren!

By the way, if you see something you like, please leave a comment below!

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!!!