Puppy photographs from Virginia

With the holidays coming near, no doubt a lot of people will be picking up new puppies, and that, of course, means a ton of puppy pictures will be clogging e-mail from coast to coast.

Count me among those people.

Meet Bear:


Kristen and I got him as an early Christmas gift from my parents over Thanksgiving. He's a chocolate lab. The name fits since he looked kind of bear-ish in the first photos we saw, and he has a bit of a ferocious streak when he's playing hard. Plus, it's a name he'll grow into, too; his father weighs 100 pounds. All in all, he's a good little fella.

One thing about him, though, is he's hard to photograph. Composing an image involving a critter that wiggles this much and this randomly really is challenging, and it's not like I haven't dealt with moving subjects before -- wedding dance floors can get pretty crazy! So, I'm challenging myself to capture the moments that describe Bear as he is in puppyhood. That way when he's nearly the size of a real bear we can look back at how goofy he was as a tot.

For those of you also wrangling with a little fur ball, don't be afraid to grab your camera and roll on the floor with him (or her). You'll be glad you did.

Here are some of the shots I've pulled off so far. Hopefully the images get better as I get up to his speed!


He still hasn't learned to walk down the stairs, but he's hop down a few with some encouragement from Kristen.


It's a love bite. ... Promise.


This is pretty much the only time he REALLY listens.


This is a new thing he's doing. He gnaws on the bowl hoping morsels will magically appear.


Nap time. ... And Kristen, by the way, is utterly smitten.


So admit it, he's freakin' adorable.


I'm sure we'll be busy over the holidays keeping up with Bear. We'll keep y'all posted in the coming months as he grows and (hopefully) matures.

Have a wonderful, safe holiday, and a prosperous New Year.

Warmest Regards,
Dan (& Kristen & Bear)

Wedding Photography in Hampton Roads with Marissa & Brock

When planning a wedding, please remember to think of the seasons. I was nervous when Marissa and Brock decided to have an outdoor wedding around Hampton Roads in Cape Charles, Virginia...in October. But, the weather the two of them had was nothing short of spectacular. It was warm, sunny with just a touch of wind. It was if God touched these two with a killer wedding present, perfect weather.

Then they had to go and spoil the day by having one of best ceremonies and reception parties I've been to. Just unbelievable guests on the dance floor...and by the bar. Everything took place at the Bay Creek Resort, and both Dan and I were impressed with the accommodations and smoothly things ran. They have it all there.

Now what is so difficult about these two are how photogenic they are. These are only my shots. Dan shot with me, and he has his own faves. Just too much going on! We were honored to be there Marissa and Brock. The love you share is amazing, and we were so happy to be there!


Marissa looking truly elegant...
Before...
After...

This was NOT staged. Ask Brock. He just did it. Yeah baby! Loving it.
GQ all the way
Hard to beat this sunset on your wedding day!

The two of them took a trip on a boat after the reception. The boat is named for Brock's grandmother, and Marissa got to meet two of the uncles and later had a dance.

Wedding photojournalism at its finest and funnest

What a blast we had with these two! I knew the ever-effusive Mr. and Mrs. Wade were my kind of folk when I did their engagement shoot back in August. It was pouring rain when we were supposed to start the shoot in Great Falls State Park. Were they bummed? Hardly, we just shifted the venue to the Museum of Natural History to get some face (fossil, really) time with one of Pam's passions: dinosaurs.

The wedding was no different. They were relaxed and oh-so-fun. Both of them are seasoned performers -- they met in the a capella scene in college -- so camera shyness was never a threat.

Some of their extremely talented friends performed during ceremony at the gorgeous St. Aloysius church, and the reception at the Meridian House was stunning. Very classy.

It's hard picking favorites from such a beautiful wedding, but here's a quick take of a few that struck my fancy.

Congratulations guys!
- Dan


Yep, that's Pam's mom and dad in the background there.


The Meridian House had this snazzy courtyard area. Couldn't resist it.


That mirror is a family heirloom.


Nerves of steel on this fella.




Funny thing is, the baby Jesus in that stained glass at the top looks like he has a beard.








I didn't catch this guy's last name, but I'm pretty sure his first name is Stud.