Vintage Love – Rebecca + Jeff

Rebecca & Jeff embarked on their new life together earlier this year when they purchased a house in April.  Rebecca, a lover of all things rustic & vintage, has spent the last couple of months sweeping through consignment shops, Craigslist, and her grandparents’ belongings, to put together a classically decorated quaint little house in Bethesda.  The house is truly majestic; I could just have easily shown up as a photographer for Southern Living.  And in this treasured home, under a Chupah that Rebecca built herself, is where two became one.

Rebecca just resonates with a vintage glow in this picture.  I love it!

One last readjustment before she’s set.

The pearls that Rebecca wore, were her great-grandmothers.  They perfectly fit the style of the day.

My wife, Sharyn, inherited a dresser just like the one below from her great-grandmother. This was the first time she’d seen one so similar.

Mrs. Rosen, Rebecca’s mom, was so kind, offering encouragement to more than the bride and groom. She even made me feel supported!  Here, they share a quick moment before it all starts.

During the ‘getting-,ready’ shots I asked Rebecca to jump on the bed for a couple of shots.  She had a little trouble, as her current mattress came up almost to her waist line due to a glitch with the delivery of the bed.  It was well worth it though as this shot turned out to be one of my favorites.

After signing the Ketubah, the Rabbi gathered all for the intimate ceremony.

Rebecca & Jeff could sense the presence of their grandparents as each family placed a tallit, a Jewish prayer shawl, on their shoulder which was used many years ago during the wedding of the grandparents from each side.

I love this moment!  It was a truly emotional ceremony as Jeff’s tone demonstrated a deep and meaningful love.  Here, I caught of glimpse of Rebecca as she turned to her soon to be husband.

The Rabbi, a former University of Michigan professor (Go Blue!), shared moments from his own life and reminded everyone of the significance of marriage.

And the Kiss!

Then time for a little wining and dining! But not before a few shots of the couple.

You have to love the vintage chairs and matching frames! My wife is already planning some redecorating of her own.

To see more of Rebecca & Jeff’s Bethesda Wedding, feel free to CLICK HERE for a slideshow!

Herrington Harbour Wedding: Will + Terri

After moving to Alexandria, VA, just two weeks ago, I began the wedding season at Herrington Harbor in Maryland.  The afternoon began on Terri’s family’s boat, docked alongside the wharf.  Once Terri emerged, we quickly made our way to the ceremony site for a gorgeous wedding on the Harbor.  The ceremony was short and sweet, but the words and emotions were heartfelt.  Will, a fellow attorney, and Terri, a nurse, both have magnetic personalities… and together this couple makes people feel alive.  I wish them both the best as they move out to Arizona to start their lives together.

A high resolution slideshow is now available at http://www.jamesreyesphotography.com/portfolio/featured-wedding

Terri - James,
We really love and will cherish the photos you have posted. You captured our wedding day in the way exact way we intended it to be – fun, casual, and naturally beautiful. Good luck to you in DC. I will check your blog in the future to hopefully see more gorgeous photos of my hometown.
Thank you again,
Terri

Candace + Mike Engagement Session

The updates have been slow these last few weeks.  It’s not that things are slow, on the contrary life has been on the speed track the last few weeks.  I am now T-minus three weeks from the Virginia Bar exam.  On August 8th Sharyn and I will be moving up to Falls Church where we will embark the next chapter in our lives.  Until then updates will be a little sparse but here are a few shots to quench your thirst.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to go on an engagement shoot with Candace + Mike.  Candace is one of the more energetic and loving girls you’ll come across.  She has also taken it upon herself to adopt my parents while we’re not around.

For this shoot we snuck around the woods near their place, in Cumming, GA (yeah that’s an oddball name of a city).  There’s a bit of a hidden gem in their neck of the woods, where a large stream comes across large rock formations that you can walk across. It was quite an adventure finding the location as there was a downpour shortly before the shoot and getting there involved crossing large stretches of mud and crossing another stream.  Sadly, I’m pretty sure Candace’s fancy shoes did not survive the day.

Well here are a few teaser shots from the Engagement photography session.  They are getting married next Summer.  From the looks of the planning process it seems like the wedding will be quite the bash.

An Engagement Shot in the woods with some Sunflare

I always try to incorporate sun flares into at least one of my shots.  In the shot above I scored a halo over Candace’s forehead as she was pulling back from a kiss.
An engagement session couple overlook the water during a long exposure shot

The shot above was taking with a slower shutter speed so that the water flow would come out as a silky effect.
Engagement Session in Cumming, GA (Atlanta)

candace sukotsky - Love it James! Great Work……Cute story it sound so organic and sweet. It was a great day at the waterfall. Fun times…..

stacy - nicley done… love your use of water

Angie - Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting! It means so much coming from you – since your work is so amazing!! I still have so much to learn — but I’m loving it so! The photo with the waterfall is incredible. I understand how to get the water that way, but where you telling the couple, “don’t move a muscle?” :)

Allen - Great engagement photos James, the second one is my favorite – I know the couple loved them all :)
Allen recently posted..Samantha and Blake are Getting Married-My ComLuv Profile

James - @ Angie. Thanks for dropping on by. As for the picture with the rushing water. I was standing on a make shift bridge out of plywood which was not stable in the least. That shot was taken at 1/13 sec at f/ 20. So it was not a terribly long exposure but to help freeze the subjects I fired off the flash. Had I had a tripod and some slightly better positioning I might have tried something closer to a 1/2 second exposure to get an even silkier effect of the rushing water.

Sire - Loved the shot with the flowing water, slowing down the shutter speed really gave it a nice effect.
Sire recently posted..Saving Money So You Can Host Your Own BlogMy ComLuv Profile

Laura - Just started looking at the site. You take some seriously beautiful pictures. I love this shoot a lot because her dress looks totally different in each one. Its very down to earth and beautiful. Love it!

Sierra + Demond | Wedding Shots

The weather was breathtakingly beautiful last Saturday.  It was the picturesque sort of day every bride dreams of.  At 4pm the wedding bells began to ring loud and clear at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church in Atlanta as Sierra walked down the aisle.  The ceremony was both traditional and personal as grandmothers from both sides lead us in prayer and read scripture.  Soon after all was said and down we hustled out of the building for some pictures with the wedding party then ran across town to join the reception at 595 North Event Venue & Lounge.  The Venue had a club like atmosphere which made for a very eventful reception.  Even grandma broke out on the dance floor with her cane and all.  But let me not hold you up.  Look through the photos and enjoy.  I hope the tail end of your honeymoon is wrapping up with a bang, Sierra & Demond.  May your life be full of many joys and wonders.

Oh and please do comment and let me know which photos you like best.

stacy - Stunning couple, beautiful photos….what more could you wish for.

Demond Nash - James, thank you for your professionalism and the amazing job that you have done in preserving the most amazing day of our lives. To be honest, Sierra and I was nervous about taking a chance on the new guy but its quite obvious that we were lucky to enough to be truly blessed by a rising star! Your work is amazing and we would recommend you to anyone who demands the best! Gratitude Sir!!!!

Demond & Sierra Nash
Atlanta, GA

James - Thanks Demond. Your compliments mean a lot. I can’t wait to show you the rest of the pictures.

Kat James - This wedding album is my favorite. The poses, photo effects and finishing are all flawless! These are gorgeous and I look forward to being apart of the James Reyes Photography wedding portfolio and client family starting this September at my wedding! Thanks for providing a sophisticated site where my fiance, wedding planner and I can delight in your work ;)

Laura - I love the group shots on the steps with both sides of the wedding party. And the first couple ones of Demond in front of the windows.

Sierra + Demond Teaser

Just finished my first pass through Sierra and Demond’s wedding photos. They had an absolutely fantastic wedding over the weekend! Here are a few teaser shots for everyone. I’ll post up more later in the week. If I get enough interest through comments on the blog I’ll even make a slide show of the day for you all to enjoy.

Christine - Wow. These are gorgeous pictures! You’ve really captured some great moments. I can’t wait to see the rest.

stacy - these are beautiful!! look forward to the rest

Karen Milord - Congrats again Sierra :) Great pics. Looking very stylish and beautiful as usual. Strange, but I actually know your wedding photographer. Small world :)

Shade - Love the pics can’t wait to see the rest a lot of time you dont get to see the many pics you are photographed in… I was a bridesmaid had a blast.. Love Mr and Mrs Nash…

James - Thanks for the compliments on the photos everyone. I’m hoping to get some additional photos up in the next few days. If you were at the wedding you can join the facebook group (www.facebook.com/jamesreyesphotography) and I’ll try to tag you in the photos so that you are notified when they are up.

Antionette - These photos are soo beautiful. I know I’m Sierra’s mom and may be a tinsy tinsy biased but these pictures capture their love, can’t wait to see them all…I’m getting my tissues ready.

Tiffany + John

Yesterday I had the absolute honor of photographing Tiffany & John’s wedding which was held at about an hour and a half south of Atlanta in Pine Mountain, GA.  We had been worried about rain during the ceremony all day but thankfully we had what turned out to be a very romantic sprinkling of rain during the wedding.   Here is a sneak preview of the photos from their wedding.  Oh and let me know what you think by leaving a comment below.

Bridget - James, I’m Tiffany’s sister and was one of her matrons of honor. These pictures are sooo pretty!! I’m looking forward to viewing the rest of them. You’ve done a wonderful job of capturing their day.

Tiffany - James, it was such a pleasure working with you. The pictures look amazing, and I’m extremely excited to see the rest. Great work! Thanks for capturing our day.

Tiffany

James - Tiffany – Thanks! It was a total blast shooting your wedding. I think the slight rain really turned out to add a great atmosphere to the wedding ceremony. Thank God it did not turn into a downpour. Enjoy the rest of your honeymoon in Maui (I’m jealous as John has told me about some of the great experiences you guys have had out there). Looking forward to showing you the rest of the pictures when you get back!

Bridget – Thanks for the comment and compliment!

Sara - These are beautiful! I love the shot of the bride standing in the doorway!

Erica - James, the portraits are remarkable! You truly captured several memorable moments between Tiffany and John. I can’t wait to see the entire album!

Erica

Stacey - James,

I love the photos!! I think you did a great job of capturing Tiff and John’s personalities!

Laura - Great pictures! I love that there’s also some pictures of just the flowers and mantel piece. And the rings too! Beautiful coloring.

Valerie + Eric

Last weekend I had the pleasure of heading down to Savannah to photograph the wedding of Valerie and Eric.  We had a blast when we first got into town as we roamed the streets of the Historic district for a fantastic engagement session style shot.  The wedding was held at Wormsloe Historic Site, which had, a breathtaking mile long avenue sheltered by live oaks and Spanish moss.  The ceremony was a small and intimate gathering.  I had such an awesome time hanging out with you guys, thank you! Congratulations!

Valerie - Hi James! The pictures are beautiful! You captured the setting perfectly. We had a wonderful time with you. Thank you – we can’t wait to frame some of our favorites and hang them on the wall. You were so much fun to work with. We will recommend you to anyone getting married. Thanks again!

Laura - What a nice beautiful natural setting! Beautiful scenery and a nice little ceremony. I expected them to go off to a little cottage in the woods after the wedding :)

F a c e b o o k