Ruth just finished her first semester at Yale and was asked to write an article for the Times of London about being an Irish student in the Ivy League. The paper asked for a photo that was fun and showcased some of Yale’s architecture. So Ruth contacted me and we set off to do a few headshots in the freezing cold. The wind was literally blowing right through my Northface jacket, but Ruth totally didn’t let it show on her face(we lasted 10 minutes in the cold and called it a day). We plan on doing a big headshot shoot in the Spring when we can actually enjoy being outside! The first picture is my favorite and you can see how strong the wind was blowing.

I’m celebrating Hanukkah with the family tonight, so today it’s all preparation. I sent out my holiday cards with Abraham, one of my 3 house rabbits, on the cover for this year(check it out below). Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and I’ll be back Monday. Happy Hanukkah!

So last week you saw Mercedes and Matt’s Day After Session. So today you get to see Mercedes getting ready. I love getting ready time. Because all my packages include unlimited wedding day coverage, it means I’m there for it all. Getting ready, either together or separate, is the time when all the emotions are building. Everyone’s a little jittery and super excited. It’s dawning on the couple “This is really happening!”.

With a very long train, we needed all the bridesmaids to chip in to help get Mercedes into her dress. Lots of fabric to hold!

So after using the amazing Hotel Monaco staircase for a bijillion photos, we headed all over the hotel. The marble in this hotel is just everywhere. I love how marble looks in black and white photos- and so does Mercedes! She asked me to do a majority of their photos in black and white. And who am I to say no? I love black and white photos. They are so classic.

So I’m personally in love with Hotel Monaco in DC. I first saw it when I was editing pictures in my senior internship. I had to know where those pictures were taken, now!! As soon as I found out, I was determined to have part of my wedding at Hotel Monaco so Natalie and I got ready there and took couples portraits there. I’m just smitten with the architecture.

When Mercedes and Matt said they were interested in day-after wedding pictures, I practically begged to do them at Hotel Monaco. Mercedes had shown me all these pictures she loved from other weddings, and they had one thing all in common. Grand staircases. If you don’t know, Hotel Monaco literally has the most breath taking staircase ever. It’s hotness.

And that’s just the stairs! More pictures from around the hotel on Friday