Amish Country & Meeting Memaw // Personal

Well…it’s been a long week! I can’t blog about last weekend’s wedding yet, so I thought I’d write all about my trip up to Pennsylvania, and include some iPhone pictures. It was an adventure! I went with Dani and we started out the trip on Thursday afternoon. It took a little while to get to where we were going between a meal break and getting a little turned around, but we finally made it.

Since we were staying with Dani’s relatives, it made the transition pretty easy. It’s funny, because some people get bothered staying at someone else’s house, but it does not phase me in the least. I love meeting new people and staying at actual houses instead of hotels. Growing up, we would travel as a family of 6 so I always counted myself lucky if I even got a bed, let alone my own room. The house Dani and I stayed at was beautiful, and I got a room down in the basement.

It was wonderful. There are no windows and no way for light to come in, so I slept better than I have in a long time. Friday was the wedding day, and we first drove over to Luxe Salon in Lancaster. Yep, Amish country. I was looking for a horse & buggy the whole time, but unfortunately didn’t see any. It is absolutely beautiful there, though. There are fields for miles and miles, only broken up by huge red barns. Such a step back from 2014. Downtown Lancaster - which sounds funny to say! - has a lot of cute little shops. The hair salon was amazing! Orange walls, tons of natural lights, and some of the sweetest staff - it was so fun to be a part of that while the girls were getting ready.

The whole day was a blur, in a very good way. I’ll talk about that more in the wedding blog, but the Yorktowne Hotel was gorgeous, and I may have danced the Wobble a few times. Maybe…

Anyways, the next day was one that was so memorable. We drove to have lunch with Dani’s grandparents (in-law?) at their house. They were the sweetest people. Memaw and Pop-pop. I have found so often that people who are my grandparent’s age truly, genuinely care about you. Who was I? A random stranger that came to visit for a few hours, would leave and probably not see them again, or anytime soon. Yet she took the time to ask me questions about my life and my childhood. She wasn’t rushed to leave to another conversation, or something to watch online, or anything she had going out. “Memaw” showed a real interest in my life, and for that I am grateful. What a legacy to leave to your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

After that sweet visit, we drove back with lighter than usual I-95 traffic, and I’m writing this blog straight from leaving there and going to one of Fox Hole Kingdom’s shows. This time in my life…it’s crazy, but it’s exciting. It’s exhausting, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m so thankful for a quick weekend trip, a beautiful wedding, and looking forward to all that’s coming up this year.

Amish country means lots of barns!

Amish country means lots of barns!

Downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania!

Downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania!

This was our 'before' picture from the wedding

This was our 'before' picture from the wedding

Umm yeah...the hotel had a portrait of George Washington over a giant fireplace. Crazy

Umm yeah...the hotel had a portrait of George Washington over a giant fireplace. Crazy

And...our after picture! Not too shabby, I think

And...our after picture! Not too shabby, I think

Best of 2013 // Hampton Roads Photographer

I have LITERALLY been looking forward to this post the whole year (Parks & Rec, anyone?). With each portrait session and wedding, I've become a stronger, more confident photographer who can deliver better images. I'll be honest - launching my business was terrifying! And really, it still is. I get nervous before each portrait session, and before each wedding, and every time I get a new inquiry...the list goes on. I've realized, though, that I'm not nervous because I'm afraid I can't deliver stunning images. It's because I want to get better each time I click the shutter, and I want each of you to see that progress.

I know I can tell my improvement throughout the year, and I hope you can, too. I'm excited for 2014 and all that it will bring. Have a wonderful New Year and enjoy some of my favorites from 2013!

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Baltimore, Maryland | Newton White Mansion wedding dress photographer
Baltimore, Maryland | Newton White Mansion wedding photographer
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Lesner Inn Virginia Beach wedding photographer
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Maria Grace Photography Maria Grace Photography

Zach & Lindsay's Wedding // Newton White Mansion in Baltimore

Well, this was one for the storybooks! When Dani (White Photography) first asked if I wanted to second shoot for her at a MANSION in Baltimore, Maryland, I think I answered in about 2.3 seconds - absolutely yes! Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Newton White Mansion is one of the prettiest places I have ever visited - it didn't hurt that all of the trees were the most amazing shades of orange, red, yellow, and every color in between! Zach and Lindsay got married on a gorgeous fall day. The weather was absolutely perfect, and they really couldn't have picked a better place.

Besides the place, though, Zach and Lindsay are honestly some of the sweetest people ever. Lindsay was so relaxed before her big day, and it was so obvious that she only cared about having a wonderful time with friends and family and getting married to her favorite man. The wedding itself was one-of-a-kind. I've never seen so many different people from all over the world come in one place to celebrate two special people.  

From a tour of the mansion during cocktail hour to a coffee and fondue bar during the reception, it was so clear that Lindsay and her family had done everything they could to make sure the day was enjoyable for their guests. One of my favorite parts was their getaway on a golf cart, since the mansion is located right on a golf course. 

Zach and Lindsay, congratulations. I know that you two will spend a life of happiness together, and you have so many dear friends and family to help you over the years. Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your special day, and I hope you had an AWESOME honeymoon! 

Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Blue wedding shoes in Baltimore, Maryland
Chanel perfume // Baltimore, Maryland
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Ellis Bridal Wedding Dress
Ellis Bridals wedding dress
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore, Maryland photographer
Baltimore, Maryland photographer
Baltimore, Maryland photographer
Baltimore, Maryland photographer
Baltimore, Maryland photographer
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
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Pink Orchid Florist in Baltimore, Maryland
Pink Orchid Florist in Baltimore, Maryland
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
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Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
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Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
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Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Bride at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Bride at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Bride at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Bride at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Bride at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Wedding at Newton White Mansion in Baltimore, Maryland
Maria Grace Photography Maria Grace Photography