Julietta & Casey: A Wedding Full of Surprises at The Osprey in Woodbridge, VA | Wedding Photography

Some weddings are beautiful, some are unforgettable, and some are packed with so many fun surprises that they become a celebration guests will talk about for years! This wedding at The Osprey in Woodbridge, Virginia, was the perfect combination of romance, delicious food, and unexpected moments that made the day truly unique.

As a wedding photographer, I love capturing the little details and spontaneous moments that make every couple’s story different. This wedding delivered plenty of those!

A Celebration Full of Unexpected Moments

From the moment the celebration got underway, it was clear that this wasn't going to be an ordinary wedding. The couple put their own creative spin on the day, treating their guests to a series of fun surprises that made the entire experience feel personal and memorable.

One of the biggest highlights was the Hora Loco, bringing incredible energy to the dance floor! The excitement, laughter, and nonstop dancing created the kind of candid moments that wedding photographers love to capture. These are the images that bring you right back to the feeling of being there.

And just when everyone thought the surprises were over, a frozen yogurt (froyo) food truck arrived! It was a fun and refreshing addition to the festivities, giving guests something unexpected to enjoy and adding another memorable touch to the celebration.

Delicious Food and Halloween Treat Bags

Of course, no great wedding celebration is complete without amazing food. Guests enjoyed a delicious buffet with something for everyone, making it easy to relax, mingle, and enjoy the evening.

The couple also embraced the Halloween spirit with special Halloween treat bags for their guests. This thoughtful detail added a playful seasonal touch and helped make the wedding feel even more distinctive. It's these personal touches that turn a beautiful wedding into an experience that feels completely your own.

Golf 4 Veterans - Clifton, Virginia

It was such an honor to be part of this event. This organization is dedicated to building meaningful relationships among transitioning service members, veterans, and industry professionals and this golf tournament was one of the main fundraisers they host every year and involves dozens of sponsors and participants.

It was a hot and stormy day in Virginia but they had a keg of beer but the club house to help everyone stay hydrated and I even got my own golf cart to roam around the course and take pictures.

Check out their website: https://www.golf4veterans.org

Jillian & Connor - Newburg, Maryland

There was a tornado warning on my way to Amber view vineyard, a winery in Southern Maryland, and I wasn’t quite sure how this way was going to turn out.

But Jillian and Connor were laid-back and nothing could phase them as they were getting ready to celebrate with friends and family.

They made sure it was a night to remember: From the beautiful ceremony to the mountain of crab cakes during cocktail hour and the Hibachi dinner with plenty of Sake shot out of Soaker guns, guests enjoyed every minute of this wedding.

The officiant was the owner of the trading card shop where they met and they celebrated their love for “Magic the gathering” with a party they will always remember.

Anna & Avery - Nokesville, Virginia

Anna & Avery were such a fun couple. The wedding took place at Diamond farm Winery and Brewery, a venue that recently opened and caters to events and weddings.

It was another rainy day but we made the best of it and even got the chance to capture a rainbow on one of the pictures. The ceremony took place next to a beautiful pond and it was a joyous as it was picturesque. Tie dinner/reception was festive and even though everyone joined in the party on the dance floor: Grandma has the best moves.

Hope & Mike - Middleburg, VA

It was a bit of a drive to get to this farm converted into a wedding venue for the day. Middleburg is a stunning part of Virginia with a lush background and a picturesque rural setting but the rain started pouring down right before the ceremony. However, this laid-back couple couldn’t be bothered by it and made the best of it and partied through the night with their friends and family.

It was such a pleasure working with Hope and Mike and I felt so lucky to be chosen to capture every moment of their special day.

Kendall & Anthony - Culpeper, Virginia

It was a long way from home to get too this rural venue in Culpeper, Virginia, But…it did not disappoint. It was a beautiful day and it was quite hot, but I managed to stay hydrated and find enough shade to take a lot of beautiful shots of Kendall and Anthony.

They gave their vows before the ceremony while holding hands on both side of the barn door, they held an unforgettable ceremony with the groom’s mother as the officiant, and they managed to still have enough energy to dance through the night with all the other guests.

Having Mission BBQ as their caterer was also a nice treat for all the vendors and I had a lot of fun even though I was absolutely exhausted on my long drive home

Eva & Modi - Sterling, Virginia

This Egyptian wedding was full of surprises and the energy throughout the night was unmatched. I was there for twelve hours and I had the pleasure the capture a lot of unique pictures.

From the elegant ceremony at the Mclean Baptist Church, to the glamorous pictures on the golf course at the 1757 Golf Club, and all the festive moments during the reception, it was an unforgettable night with a lovely couple.

Easter Egg Hunt Party in the Moyaone Reserve

It was such a fun day in the Moyaone Reserve when all the kids were invited to take part in an unforgettable egg hunt. There were tons of games, delicious food, a cool Easter Bunny to take pictures with, and lots of treasures for the kids to find.

I feel so luck I live in this community and it was an incredible day celebration this festive holiday with a fun crowd.

Chunhui Li & Zachary at Top of the Town - Arlington, Virginia

Shooting at “Top of the town” in Arlington was an absolute delight. Chunhui and Zachary were so much fun to photograph and everyone at the party made sure it would be a memorable day.

The view was breathtaking, the food was delicious, the bar was loaded…and love was very much in the air!

It wad hard not to dance when the playlist was carefully curated with songs from my generation and my heart melted when they started playing “Heal the world” by Michael Jackson… because god knows it’s all too relevant today.

Robyn and Michael's Wedding - Great Falls, Virginia

I must say that waking up at 4:30 am to drive to a sunrise wedding was a first for me. I walked down our driveway with my headlamp on my forehead while carrying my gear and a big cup of coffee and drove to the Bride’s hotel room. Robyn was the sweetest and kindest bride: She offered me food and coffee before I even started shooting. But we were on a tight schedule because we were trying to arrive at the Great Falls Park by Sunrise.

Great Falls is a must-see park near Washington D.C. and you can choose to see the Falls from the Maryland side or the Virginia side. Though the Maryland side offers a stroll along the C&O canal, It’s much easier and takes less effort to gaze at the falls from the Virginia side. If you do decide to go, make sure you bring your National Park Annual pass or it’s $20 to park.

There was still a lot of snow at the park and I managed to fall on a patch of ice while attempting to shoot the “First look” photos for this couple. I will forever feel sorry that I stole the spotlight and I became the center of attention while I was screaming a lot of profanity. Thankfully, the best man was an EMT and helped me back up and the Bride was attentive to my needs and made sure I was ok.

After finally getting back up and meeting the groom for the first time, I did my best to shoot the ceremony with one hand (and no pain killer).

The ceremony was lovely, the sunrise was magnificent, and the couple was playful. It was an incredible experience and I would be ecstatic if I could shoot another wedding there

Eva & Modhi Engagement Session - Piscataway National Park, Maryland

The Piscataway National Park is dear to my heart since the property I live on is contiguous to this park. It’s a great place to go on a leisurely walk or go fishing with a view ot Mount Vernon across the river.

It’s also a great backdrop for any portrait sessions and it was a delight to capture Eva and Modhi who will be getting married at the end of May.

There was a little bit of snow left form the recent snow storm which added an extra layer to the serene environment that was surrounding us and we captured a lot of great shots alone the way.

Anna and Logan - Family Portraits in the Moyaone Reserve

Being part of a close-knit community is one of the things we cherish most about living in the Moyaone Reserve. We met Anna and Logan even before we moved into our new home, and they welcomed us with open arms.

It’s always such a privilege to be invited to capture families in their moments of joy. Whether I’m photographing familiar faces or meeting new ones for the first time, each session feels like a chance to connect, to slow down, and to share in something beautifully human.

Maleri & Taylor Wedding - Annapolis, Maryland

Fall weddings are truly something special — the crisp air, vibrant colors, and cozy atmosphere make this season the perfect time to say “I do.” Maleri and Taylor’s stunning fall wedding at the prestigious Ivy Neck venue was no exception. Nestled near the river, this beautiful location offered breathtaking scenery and impeccable attention to detail, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance.

The*rustic yet elegant barn served as the perfect backdrop for this stylish celebration. From the rich autumn tones to the warm lighting, every element came together to highlight the love and joy that filled the day.

Capturing Maleri and Taylor’s love story was an absolute blast — from the emotional first kiss to the lively first dance and those memorable late-night shots, every moment was filled with laughter and happiness.

Guests danced the night away, showing off their best moves while celebrating the couple’s union. The energy was contagious, and the sense of togetherness was a beautiful reminder of what makes weddings so meaningful — love, family, and connection.

This Maryland fall barn wedding was more than just an event; it was a night to remember, full of warmth, joy, and moments that will be cherished forever.

Wedding portrait

Wedding Detail

Wedding Dress

Wedding Reflection

Before the Wedding

Ring Security

The Ivy Neck Venue

Here Comes the Bride

Wedding Ceremony

Wedding Guests

Holding Hands

Happy Couple

Wedding Portrait

Party Favors

First Dance

Party Time

Dinner Time

Father & Daughter Dance

Party

Guidepost Montessori Graduation Ceremony - Waldorf, MD

Last year, I started working as a substitute teacher at my daughter’s school and had the chance to meet an incredible group of kids and parents. Naturally, when I was asked if I could be the photgorapher during their graduation ceremony, I said “yes’!

It was incredibly hot and humid outside and I was not quite prepared for this kind of weather, but I managed to capture smiles on their face, pride in their heart, and happiness all around.

It’s a special privilege to capture any milestone, but it’s even more endearing when I had the chance to work with these kids throughout the year.

Emi and Kyle - Moraga, CA

Emi and Kyle were surrounded by their charming families who were helping make this celebration a success. From hosting the wedding at the groom's parents home, to setting up the tables with gorgeous centerpieces and decadent cakes, everyone was helping. They all seemed so joyous to see Emi and Kyle tie the knot and the celebration led to a lot of dancing and laughters as the night went on. The food was delicious and people definitely took advantage of the buffet. Smores were brought out at the end of the night for the few guests who were sticking around as the sun was setting. It was an absolutely delightful event that I was so happy to capture

Lassen Volcanic National Park

When I moved to Northern California, one of the few parks I really wanted to visit was “Lassen Volcanic National Park” because it looked majestic, unique, serene and seemed pack with adventures. My quick trip to this immaculate destination ended up definitely being an adventure.

After looking for a campsite online and not finding a single spot available for my travel dates, I assumed everyone had the same idea, and they had all reserved a campsite months in advance. However, I was dead wrong. The campsites were not full, they were just not opened yet. Campgrounds in and around the park only open at the end of June because, to my surprise, the entire park is still covered with snow at this time of the year, and the road going from the south entrance of the park to the North entrance of the park was completely closed except for the small portion leading up to “Sulphur Works”. They had heavy machinery on the road to clear the snow but they had just started the process and they had barely made a dent.

Not knowing this important fact, I ended up booking a small cabin in Mill Creek, a few miles outside of the park, and I was the only person staying there that weekend.

After talking to the rangers, I quickly realized that hiking to the top of Lassen Peak was out of the question on this trip, but I was lucky enough to still be able to do the other hike I had intended to try when I drove up to this park: The Cinder Cone Hike.

On my way to the trailhead, I stopped in Chester (the only town on this 1h30 drive to the other side of the Park) and bought a pair of overpriced snowshoes because I definitely hadn’t come prepared (I later realized that I had also forgotten to bring rain gear on this trip)

It was actually my first time ever wearing snowshoes and when I climbed the steep ascent to the top of the Cinder Cone, it was a slightly frightening experience.

Once I made it to the top, all these hours of driving and the struggle to hike to the top were rewarded with the most amazing view of the crater, beautiful colors, and a breathtaking view of the lava fields blanketed with snow. I was also happy to find out there was a route on the backside with no little, which made the descent much less challenging than I was expecting.

Even though this trail is somewhat short, walking in snow and volcanic sand made this walk a little strenuous, but It was an absolutely mesmerizing experience and I was so happy that I could check this hike off my bucket list.

As I drove back to my little cabin, I stumbled upon a winery (Indian Peak Winery) where I spent some time chatting with the owner/winemaker and enjoyed some of his fabulous wine. The owner was selling cases of his wine at a discount because he was retiring and he was trying to sell his property I had no Idea they had wineries in the region and it was a pleasant way to end the day.

The day after, a snow storm was expected in the region with up to three feet of accumulated sow on the road…. so I left my cabin in a hurry and never looked back.

I do hope that I get the chance to go back to this magical part of California one day.

Note: All the pictures on this post were taken with my Iphone

Alex and Isabel - Berkeley

It was a beautiful ceremony for Alex and Isabel. They were surrounded by their friends and family in the most unique setting and everyone seemed to be enjoying the celebration until the neighbors complained about the noise. I was lucky to capture this memorable day and to be part of another unforgettable wedding.

Family Portraits with my little girls

Spring is here. We have stopped turning the heater on at night, we are enjoying wearing sandals again, and we can go out to the park after a long day of school. My oldest daughter just turned three this month, and it has become increasingly hard to dress her nicely to try and capture a few shots. But after a little bit of bargaining, and a few episodes of Bluey, we managed to go to the park and we had a lot of fun taking these shots.

Bar Camino - Walnut Creek, CA

The Bay Area is a great place to experience all kinds of culinary delights from all around the world, and Walnut Creek is becoming a hotspot for foodies who enjoy a great night out.

Bar Caino, a restaurant with an extensive menu and a unique take on cocktails, is about to open soon and I was lucky enough to not only photograph all the items on their menu, but also had the opportunity to taste a lot of the dishes and they were all fantastic.

I would personally highly recommend their Mushroom Tacos which were bursting with flavor along with their “Old Mexico” (Their take on the “Old Fashioned”) but you can’t go wrhttps://barcamino.comong with any decision you make while sitting at one of the many tables in this quaint venue.

Check out their website

Bar Camino

Birthday in Berkeley, California

This little girl celebrated her first birthday and their parents hired me to capture the celebration in Berkeley. It was a colorful event filled with dozens of relatives and friends who gathered to wish her a happy birthday while eating some delicious Indian food. There was an entertainer for the kids and glitter make-up for the girls, and a beautiful cake that was the centerpiece of the event.