Washington, D.C. Pre-Wedding Session 4-10-08

[SuzyView]

The B&G are children of good friends and they were a joy to work with. So much happened yesterday, that I may have to do several posts to get it all in.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/sbastian/IMG_0913PortraitWillow.jpg
#1 In front of the Basin with willows behind cherry blossoms. I saturated a little, but the 5D 24-70 did not disappoint, even when the fog was just lifting.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/sbastian/IMG_1041Piller.jpg
#2 On the steps of the Jefferson Memorial, where a guard came over and asked for my permit, due to my load of gear. I told him I do shoot commercial, but this was not one of these events, I called already and the people said I did not need a permit if it was pro bono work, which it was. Scared the couple, I think, but I told the guard, I was sure I did not need a $50 permit. He said that was fine.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/sbastian/IMG_1109RuthieFries.jpg
#3 I know the background is blown, but I had to get this shot and the manager at 5 Guys in Dumfries said she will definitely put these on the net for the 5 Guys site. It was the first time they ever had a real B&G eat there in full dress. The burgers were great, too. :)

More to come.

[DwightMcCann]

Suzy, I'm trying to diet!!! Oh, yes, the images, love the one with her in front of the Jefferson ... I remember spending some pretty cold mornings there during the Cherry Blossom Festivals!

[SuzyView]

Thanks for looking, Dwight! This year the blossoms were beautiful. This couple really wanted to take advantage of it all and the weather has been so cold. So, yesterday was the first warm (over 75) in a long time. Today it's humid and hot, so we picked well. The Jefferson in the shade is wonderful. In the sun, the highlights are blown every time. We lucked out and the fries were great. That was a large, we ate most of them.

[johnstoy]

Great location shots... (I'd also have to skip the snack)...

Your on site location needs to be thoroughly exploited for all its worth... No need to be bashful about your local resources... Use them to your heart's content...

I lived in Chantilly, VA and thereafter, Laurel, MD for a while, and never got enough of your area...

I seriously doubt anyone will get tired of seeing pics from your home town.

Cheers.

[Maureen Souza]

Love the cherry blossoms, Suzie!! the 2nd shot is my favorite:)

[DwightMcCann]

Thanks for looking, Dwight! This year the blossoms were beautiful. This couple really wanted to take advantage of it all and the weather has been so cold. So, yesterday was the first warm (over 75) in a long time. Today it's humid and hot, so we picked well. The Jefferson in the shade is wonderful. In the sun, the highlights are blown every time. We lucked out and the fries were great. That was a large, we ate most of them.
I grew up in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area: Leesburg, Virginia; Bethesda, Maryland; and stationed at Bowling AFB while serving at the Pentagon when there was light machine gun fire in downtown Washington, D.C. that you never hear about anymore. My Dad worked at NIH for many years. So, I know the weather pretty well. Things have changed a lot since my time before the beltway or Dulles existed! :-)

[SuzyView]

Yes, it's hard to get in and out of DC these days. I usually take the bus from VA and it's an hour door to door to the Washington Monument. So, I live "close" to most here. But I love the museums and the monuments and I am always amazed that people who have lived here for a long time don't go into DC because it's "too hard" because the public transportation is reliable. I'm from NYC and walked all over. Here it's too hard to do that. But the downtown area has changed a lot.

[johnstoy]

It's funny you mentioned NYC, cause I grew up there... (I think Dwight did too)...

DC is sort of like visiting the museum's in NYC... Always a lot of fun.

[SuzyView]

I go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art whenever I can. We went at Christmas time. I've walked all over Manhattan and was familiar with everything once upon a time. Now I can't walk down the street without wanting to call a cab.

[JimAskew]

Suzie,

These are just super. I really like the second one...it is very dramatic! You have captured the emotion of the couple perfectly in the first photo :)

One small suggestion...on #2 clone out the person at the top of the stairs on the left.

[SuzyView]

I know. I didn't see that when I processed. I think I put up the wrong one, actually. Let me look at them all.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/sbastian/IMG_1036RuthieonSteps.jpg
#4 She looks like a princess

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/sbastian/IMG_1026JeffersonSide.jpg
#5 This is just behind the pillers.

[johnstoy]

Wow... These two most recent ones are excellent... Great job.

RE Manhattan: My older brother and family live near the museums, I guess I should visit more often.

[JimAskew]

Suzie,

These last two are great! I can't wait to join you tomorrow to photograph this lovely couple :-)

[SuzyView]

Thanks, everyone! The bride just came to pick up the 3 pictures I still had for her. She is taking the JPEGs to Costco and picking out the rest. I don't have time to process more than the 20 I did today. She is excited. I told her to go ahead and use the files I gave her. The are 800 dpi for 4x6. Should be fine for 8x10's. If not, I can print them here for her. I don't mind. She just didn't want to take my time. I'm cleaning and that's taking up all my time today, which is why I wasn't on much. Still doing laundry. 1 more load to go.

And Jim, that 5D sensor is quite different from any digital camera I've ever seen. I think it's as close to my EOS 3, which is why I like it so much.

[JimAskew]

I'm off to the park with the grandkids and 5D w/100MM mounted...looking for some great portriats :)

[SuzyView]

Have fun, Jim! It's a good day if you hurry.

[Kathy H]

Very nice work Suzie, I love the one of the bride on the steps!

[SuzyView]

Thanks. Her dress got so dirty, though. I felt bad.

[SuzyView]

Which one is better?

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/sbastian/IMG_1236_Bridesmaids.jpg
#1 with background

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c379/sbastian/IMG_1240_BrideBridesmaids.jpg
#2 close up with flash
I'll clean that left side sensor issue right now.:(

[JimAskew]

I vote for the photo with the Temple in the background :-) Both are great shots :)

[SuzyView]

They were so beautiful. It was hard not to get a good one.

[Kathy H]

I vote for the one with the temple also.

The close up is very cute but the girl on the far left side of the photo seems to maybe be in mid blink.

[SuzyView]

She was in mid-blink all the time. So, I have to pick the one that is best. I love both of them, so I think I will give them both. I'm assembling the 4x6 proof now. I think I will have 40 for the after wedding shots and 25 for the pre-wedding DC ones and Jim will have a bunch for the reception and after wedding as well.

Thanks. I can't make these judgments sometimes. Good to get others' advice.