Amber Wilkie Photography » Wedding and Portrait Photographer - Arlington, VA and Washington, DC

03.06.12

Your marriage isn’t special

I was talking with a bunch of wedding photographers recently (we hang out in packs, yes) about this post I’ve been meaning to write but wasn’t sure it would be well-received.  They encouraged me to go for it (because they want to see my business go down in flames?) so here I am.  You’re going to have to hang with me for a paragraph or two – don’t leave on “your marriage isn’t special” – let me get to why on earth I would say this to engaged people.

[A note before I go: I want to say that I don’t consider “marriage” a very different thing than “exclusive for-life commitment.”  I know some people either don’t want to or are prevented from legally marrying.  But love is still the same.]

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03.02.12

My surprise birthday party (or, my husband is ridiculously awesome)

My husband is not a planner.  When we go out, I pick the restaurant.  If I don’t have a wedding on a Saturday night, I’m the one who decides if it’s bowling or art gallery or movie or skeeball.  I planned the entirety of our Italy trip.  In the four-odd years we’ve been together, I have seen him put together a handful of house parties and one birthday party – four years ago on my last birthday (yep, I’m a leap day baby!).  So imagine the extent of my surprise, believing we were going to fancy dinner, when I came out of the elevator to find tons of friends and my PARENTS and BROTHER yelling “surprise” at me.  (All photos are compliments the wonderful Marcella Treybig.)

My mom and stepdad (blurry, behind her).

This is the “I can’t believe you pulled this off” look for George.

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SerenaMarch 9, 2012 - 11:50 am

Happy Belated Birthday, Amber! I’ve never had a surprise party either. Looks so much fun! :D

Marcella TreybigMarch 25, 2012 - 10:27 pm

OH HOW COOL! I didn’t know you posted these (ya I was out of town) George makes an AWESOME brew! good stuff. You were my first leap year bday.

02.28.12

Anju & Brian | Frederick, MD engagement

Anju told me at their consult that she photographs well and she wasn’t kidding!  These two showed me around “the creek” in Frederick.  It’s such a cute town.  Very excited to see these guys again for their May wedding.  Until then, a few from their engagement session.

creative engagement photography in washington, dc

Frederick has all these bridges along the cute creek and the light under them is so so so so good.

washington dc engagement session

I was completely bowled over by Anju’s infectious laugh.  Could they be any cuter?

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bryanFebruary 28, 2012 - 8:44 pm

love the monk shot. fun stuff!

Nikki BezelFebruary 28, 2012 - 9:03 pm

Stunning session Amber. I love how they are so engaged with you and you camera, there’s obviously a great connection there. Have fun a their wedding it looks like it will be a great one.

MaxFebruary 28, 2012 - 9:25 pm

Wow they seem to be super relaxed! Congrats on the great pics!

ShyannFebruary 28, 2012 - 9:27 pm

Great session! That last shot is adorable :)

LeoFebruary 28, 2012 - 11:10 pm

Terrific work, Amber! Love how comfortable and relaxed they are, which translates to happy and intimate photos of them. So awesome :)

graymaskFebruary 29, 2012 - 1:21 am

What fun session, you capture their true essence. Very well done, I like the entire set.

JohnFebruary 29, 2012 - 4:49 am

The first shot is awesome! The shadow of the tree on the wall.. sweet! Cute moments caught through the whole set. :)

john pFebruary 29, 2012 - 10:53 am

I love the casual approach and the colors. She has that crazy cool smile that makes you want to just stare. Fantastic!

MercedesFebruary 29, 2012 - 2:33 pm

Amber, these are so pretty! I love the locations you chose and how comfortable they look in front of your camera.

Paul Von RieterMarch 1, 2012 - 4:32 pm

Awesome images. I love how happy and fun they look. they must have been a bunch of fun to work with.

St Louis Wedding BandMarch 8, 2012 - 11:56 pm

Beautiful!

SerenaMarch 9, 2012 - 11:52 am

Awesome location/photos – I love how relaxed they look. Oh – and she is adorable (she has the cutest smile/laugh!).

Brett SymesMarch 9, 2012 - 12:17 pm

love these shots, fantastic use of location

SarahMarch 13, 2012 - 4:55 pm

Super cute session Amber! I especially love the third down on the right where it looks like she’s squeezing him so tight :)

Photographer cambridgeMarch 14, 2012 - 3:59 pm

I love the shadows in the first ones and those bog red girders lower down! great stuff!