Sarah and Jason married October 17th, 2009

Yes I know! I’m way behind on blogging my last 3 weddings. In November I went through a little “help I never want to see another photo again” phase and decided for one month to pursue another love I have, writing. I signed up for the national novel month writing contest and wrote a 50,000 word novel in 30 days, and I won! I can’t say the novel is actually good and in Dec. I’m suppose to be editing it to make it better, but I found that I was in the mood to design albums instead. I only have one more left to design. Not bad compared to last year. I was designing all the way up to April then the weddings started up again.

     I decided today, Christmas eve, while my husband still sleeps to catch up on a little wedding blogging. On October 17th, the rainiest month ever, I was blessed to shoot the wedding of Sarah and Jason. They heard of me through Sharon one of my past brides and I was so glad they decided to book me.

I shot they’re engagement session in Leesburg which is a really nice location. All kinds of colorful buildings, gardens, and architecture to make use of. It threatened to rain the whole time I guess it should have been a sign of things to come.  We had planned to shoot in old town Alexandria on the wedding day but it rained nonstop the whole day. The Mark Center where the guests were all staying and where the reception was held, had a lovely outdoor area to shoot in. Too bad we didn’t get to use it.

Well, we sort of got to use it. It was in the background.

Not exactly what I had in mind though. Despite the weather, I still got some amazing shots that I was happy with and Sarah and Jason seemed very happy as well, and in the end that’s what matters most, that my couples are happy. So here are a couple of my favorites from the day.

The groom, Jason, looking foxy on his wedding day.

And of course, Sarah, the gorgeous bride.

You gotta have your chicks with you on your wedding day!

I’ve always had a thing for beautiful eyes, and Sarah definitely has beautiful eyes.

Never forget to pack an umbrella on your wedding day, just in case. I always have a huge gulf umbrella just in case. I had to buy a tacky rainbow-colored one because guests kept “borrowing” my normal looking umbrellas. No one  wants the rainbow umbrella! LOL 

Finally after months of planning, your standing at the altar. It must feel wonderful to be there together.

Well, so this post doesn’t go on forever, one last image of the couple together. I always wish I had more time. I never feel like I get enough images of the couple together. I only get maybe ten minutes with them after the ceremony once all the family shots are done. I wish more couples would see each other before the ceremony so there would be more time. The few couples that have seen each other before were happy that they did.

Need some inspriation, I know I DO!!!

Check out this video from Doug Gordan’s Blog, if your a photographer your going to think it’s awesome! I wish I could buy all his stuff. Maybe Santa will bring it on his slay for me HINT HINT! Merry Christmas EVERYONE! I hope your enjoying the foot of snow out there!

Need some inspiration. Hopefully this helps! from Doug Gordon Workshops on Vimeo.

Upcoming Bridal Show Jan. 24, 2010

Cassi and Todd married October 10, 2009

So far this was the farthest I’ve traveled for a wedding. I went all the way to Weston, WV. I’d never been on the other side of West Virgina but  it was worth the trip. Lambert’s Winery was a beautiful location for a wedding.

Cassi and Todd met each other when Cassi went to hear Todd’s band play. A friend introduced them and  I guess the rest is history. They are such a happy couple I loved working with them. I also loved that Cassi wore a long veil, I had a lot of photographic fun with it. After seeing these images I hope more brides choose long veils. So check out the shots I’m sure you’ll love them.

Amber and Joe married October 3, 2009

I photographed Amber and Joes wedding on Oct 3, 2009. Their ceremony was held at Hagerstown City Park and their reception was at the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg. The day was beautiful, the only day it didn’t rain on a wedding the whole month of October. Let me tell you, that has been frustrating!  They went with my  four-hour package where all the posed images are photographed after the wedding. It’s also a great package if you don’t like posing and just want photojournalistic coverage. Rick Rohn was the DJ and he did a wonderful job just like he always does. I had a great time at the wedding. Thanks for letting me be apart of it.

Help Crouse Photography raise $250 for NaNoWriMo

This November, the nonprofit Office of Letters and Light will be bringing together the most mighty of endurance novelists for an event that will define our generation forever.

 

I’m speaking, of course, of National Novel Writing Month. It’s a global writing challenge in which participants spend November (and portions of our sanity!) writing a 50,000-word book in just 30 days.

 

Roxanne of Crouse Photography will be among the participating authors this year. In addition to my writerly duties, I’m raising money to help the Office of Letters and Light continue to put on free creative writing programs for kids and adults in classrooms, communities, and libraries around the world. So please visit my page at Crouse Photography’s National Novel Writing Month sponorship page! and help raise money for this great cause.

 

Every dollar I raise will keep my spirits high as I write my way towards the realization of my creative goals. More importantly, your contribution will help National Novel Writing Month and its Young Writers Program create a more engaged and inspiring world.

 

Thank you so much for your support of my writing!

Something not photography related

Well, as everyone knows I love photography, but I also have other loves. I was a music major in college and all through high school I loved to write short stories and poetry and was a member of the literary guild. I’ve always loved singing, writing, and art. My dad wanted me to be an accountant . Poor dad I feel sorry for him. At least I did manage to find a way to make a living at one of my loves.

I decided since I didn’t have any weddings in November that I would try and write that novel I always wanted to write. I joined the national novel writing month and today was the first day. I made it to my goal of 1666 words. I have to make it to 50,000 by Nov 30 midnight. Here is the web address if you want to give it a try yourself http://www.nanowrimo.org/ . I would have written more today but I do still have a photography business to run and it took me three hours just to do the 1666. I don’t know if that’s good or not. Maybe I’m trying to hard.

I think my story is going to be pretty cool.  It’s going to have star-crossed lovers, vampires, supernatural stuff, gypsies, and gangs from New York in it. How do all these things relate? Well maybe some day you’ll get to read my novel and you’ll find out.  

I’m excited, which is why I’m writing about it, and I hope everyone will  help cheer me on. The site takes donations for their young writers program so if you can’t write yourself then donate and help someone else reach their dream of being a novelist some day.

Might be my new favorite drink!

Lady Godiva Chocolate Martini

This wonderful chocolate martini is well worth the investment in the fine ingredients. What a wondefully sinful way to excite a martini glass! Ingredients 2 ounces of Godiva Dark Chocolate liqueur 2 ounces of Creme de Cacao 1 ounce of half-and-half 2 ounces of freezing Goldenbarr Chocolate vodka 1 tablespoon of shaved white chocolate 2 well chilled, classy looking martini glasses The mix Combine the Godiva Chocolate liqueur, Creme de Cacao, and Goldenbarr Chocolate vodka into a cocktail shaker half full of cracked ice. Shake for one full minute. Add the half-and-half to the shaker and gently swirl (circular motion). Strain your fine chocolate creation into your martini glasses. Top each martini with shaved chocolate. You’ll be in chocolate heaven.

Amanda and David Married Sept 19, 2009 Gorillas and all!

Amanda and David are a really fun couple. Not to many rehearsal dinners have a gorilla as a guest! To bad he wasn’t at the wedding . These two have been together FOREVER! They met in kindergarten and were friends all this time. They each dated different people (although I do recall David saying he had a secret crush on Amanda). It’s  almost like a movie plot! One day they finally started dating each other and I guess magic happened.

Their ceremony and reception were both at the Clarion in Shepherdstown WV. Amanda got her dress at Formalities Bridal and David got his tux at Classic Tuxedos. The cakes were made at Sweet Tooth Bakery and Greg from GS Productions provided the nights entertainment. It was a wonderful night and so much fun to work with a couple so much in love. I still have my pet fish from the reception. Fishy is happy and healthy!

Jennifer and Brandon married at their home Sept. 6, 2009

Jennifer and Brandon were married on Sept 6, 2009 at their home in Summit Point, WV. They had a tropical theme and an obvious love for the color blue. They seemed very happy and very well suited for each other. They wrote their own vows which I always like. It adds a touch of personality to the ceremony.

Wedding dress getting ready

Jennifer’s dress looked beautiful against the blue wall

Bride and her bridesmaids getting ready

holding hands during ceremony

What a beautiful moment during the ceremony.

Wedding dress getting ready

Bride and her bridesmaids getting ready

holding hands during ceremony

reading vows during ceremony

first kiss

close up of wedding couple

close up of hands and wedding rings

santa claus at the wedding of a friend

first dance

I have to wonder how many weddings Santa Claus attends each year. This was the first time he was present at a wedding I shot. The man looks so much like Santa Claus that he carries a santa hat with him everywhere he goes and lets children sit on his knee and tell him what they want for christmas. They just run up to him everywhere and ask if he is Santa. How cute.  I think maybe he is.