Greg Gibson Photography – Washington, DC’s Top Rated Wedding Photojournalist »

My oldest son Zach graduation from high school last week. They even gave him his diploma! In August he will be taking off for the art school at Virginia Commonwealth University. As much as I have tried to talk him out of it, he still thinks he wants to be a photographer!

[caption id="attachment_1973" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Those that know Zach will notice two things - 1) He cut his hair really short and 2) being a true comedian he is wearing a fake moustache."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1972" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="A mere 780 graduates file into the Patriot Center at George Mason University."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1970" align="aligncenter" width="649" caption="The students had fun annoying the administrators by sneaking in beach balls to bat around."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1974" align="aligncenter" width="603" caption="Maybe not such a good idea to actually catch one."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1971" align="aligncenter" width="602" caption="Tossing the caps - of course Zach forgot to remove his tassel and he tossed that too!"][/caption]

Erika & Aaron
May 16, 2009
Veramar Vineyard
Berryville, Va
Second Shooter – Andy Harnick

Erika and Aaron got married on May 16 at Veramar Vineyard in Berryville, one of my favorite outdoor wedding venues in Northern Virginia.

As has been typical in the Washington area this spring, the weather teased us all week with periods of beautiful sunny skies sandwiched between torrential downpours.

I woke up on the 16th to overcast skies and light showers, bummed at the prospect that it might rain on this gorgeous vineyard wedding I had SO been looking forward to. Sometimes things just seem work themselves out and you get an occasional break right when you really need it.

Shortly before noon the rain stopped and the sun tried valiantly to peek through the overcast sky. While the clouds  occasionally looked ominous, Erika and Aaron were able to have their wedding outside surrounded by the lush bright green backdrop of the grape vines and a moody, dramatic sky.

With precision timing mother nature finally lost her patience and let loose with heavy rain as were finishing our outdoor  portrait session. The patter of the rain on the roof created a cozy and intimate reception inside the winery. Here are a few favorites:

[caption id="attachment_1892" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Aaron getting ready at the hotel in Winchester."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1893" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Winery details."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1894" align="aligncenter" width="602" caption="Erika's dress had a lot of detail highlighted in the window where it was hung."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1900" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Erika and her dad share a quiet moment before walking down the aisle."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1901" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Erika and her dad walked down the aisle under ominous but still beautiful skies."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1911" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Second shooter Andy Harnick did a great job complementing what I was doing by taking very different angles above and below."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1918" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Andy made this really nice image of Erika's family looking on during first dance."][/caption]

My production manager, Kurstin Roe, is a finalist to win a free trip to Italy to attend a workshop with photographers Jose Villa and Gene Higa.

Please go to the workshop blog and vote for his video. It’s video #4, “Schiz what?”.

http://josevilla.bigfolioblog.com/

Thanks! He could use a vacation.

Marian & Aaron
May 23, 2009
Ceremony – Emmanuel Lutheren Church, Vienna, Va.
Reception – Glenview Mansion – Rockville, Md.
Second Shooters – Charlie Archambault, Richard Ellis

We had a great time with Marian and Aaron. Their wedding was the day after the wonderful Philadelphia wedding from the preceding blog post and that same beautiful light followed us down the highway to DC.

My old friend Richard Ellis, came along and helped Charlie Archambault and I with this wedding. Richard is a former news photographer and Getty Images executive. He has relocated to Charleston, SC and intends to pursue wedding photography there. Charleston is a great place to photograph weddings!

Marian and Aaron were fantastic to work with. They were fun, playful and most of all passionate about each other. Special thanks to Marian’s mom Susan for for all her help with the details and scheduling. I really appreciated Susan’s trust because I know she thoroughly researched photographers before booking me! It’s always flattering to be chosen when you know a client has done their homework.

Here are a few of my favorite images from the wedding:

[caption id="attachment_1842" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Marian and her brother are very close and I was glad to catch a tender moment between them."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1843" align="aligncenter" width="602" caption="Marian's high school portrait in front of her beautiful wedding dress."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1844" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Marian's mom Susan helps with the dress. The beautiful arched window gave us unbelievable light to work with."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1845" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Flower girl and RingBearer."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1846" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="This is one of my favorite images of the year. It's already on my website."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1849" align="aligncenter" width="602" caption="Richard took the balcony position for the processional and made some nice images."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1850" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Hugs for both sides of the family."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1851" align="aligncenter" width="809" caption="I always love these little stolen glances between couples during the ceremony."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1852" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Full concentration during vows."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1853" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Loved the eye contact between Marian and Aaron just before the kiss in this image by Charlie."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1855" align="aligncenter" width="602" caption="It's easy to get your eyes crossed in the midst of a large family portrait!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1857" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Having fun on the big lawn in front of Glenview Mansion."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1859" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="You can't miss with a gorgeous bride, great light and a beautiful blue sky."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1860" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Charlie's version of my previous image. What a gorgeous day for a wedding."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1862" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Marian and her dad did a fun, fast swing dance for their Father Daughter dance."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1863" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Marian's dad enjoying a dance with her friends just after the father-daughter."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1864" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="This was one of the most lavish, if not downright decadent dessert tables I've ever seen."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1865" align="aligncenter" width="900" caption="Marian's friends performed a special dance for her."][/caption]