You know it's going to be a unique wedding day when the first event for guests started promptly at 7AM in front of the US Capitol with a quick run around the National Mall. What was even more impressive was the twenty people who showed up for it- one runner came straight off a flight from Hong Kong.

The ceremony and reception at Mt. Vernon brought together family from all over the world and kicked off with karaoke during cocktail hour, definitely the first time I'd seen that. Combine that with a wedding cake made of cupcakes and a room that seemed at times to be overflowing with love and affection for Karen and Jeff and you had all the elements for a memorable day.

I met Laura and Jayme back in March when we shot some engagement photos at the Tidal Basin as the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. I remember it being a cold, rainy day, and that they kept smiling at each, whether prompted to or not, for the entire two hours we were there.

Flash forward to a beautiful, late summer day at Ski Liberty that also started with a bit of rain, then cleared up as the sun broke through the clouds just as the processional began. The rest of the day was filled with dancing in the ski lodge, gazing at the stars from the deck and lots of joy and laughter.

I don't usually talk about my photojournalism work here, but the way I shoot weddings and the way I work on news stories comes from the same place: a sincere desire to tell a good story. With that, I'm very pleased to announce the release of What Matters, a new photography book that includes my photo essay on water pollution in China.




The book has its own web site (http://www.whatmattersonline.com) and features some other great photographers and original writing by experts in the various fields. I wrote a little more about the book on my other blog.

I photographed Gen and Pete in Baltimore after their engagement back in February 2008. We had a fun time walking around the harbor and I knew their wedding in Grand Bahama Island would be a good time. The days were beautiful and warm and the sun set over the waterfront reception as their guests danced and celebrated. I'm just starting to edit this wedding but wanted to post a few that I liked.

In my book, having a wedding near the water is a hard combination to beat and the Eastern Shore has quickly become one of my preferred spots to photograph. Siobhan & Jeff live in Los Angeles but most of their family is from this area. Their reception was right on the water at Celebrations at the Bay and the guests dined, danced and mingled as the sun went down on a warm summer night. By the end of the night, we were treated to some live music as Jeff and some his groomsmen were in an a capella group in college and put on a amazing performance.