I have been friends with the Snyder/Potter family for a couple of years now, and one of the highlights has been having the opportunity to photograph Eden and her sister Grace. This year, instead of heading out to the battlefield or old town, we took a beach trip!! I stayed with them for a week of their two week stay in Rehoboth, Delaware and it was AMAZING!!

Before you begin to check out the awesomeness (hence the title) that this session embodied, you need to watch this video. Although it won’t make ANY sense (although I don’t think it is supposed to)…it WILL make you laugh. And you should know that it totally set the mood for the vacay.

Can’t stand any more of the “double rainbow???” That’s ok. It IS a little weird. And speaking of weird….check out Eden!!!

And to top it off…we even got Grace, Eden’s little sister, in on the fun!! Work it gurl!!!

Ladies…you RAWK!

Terra Dawn
www.terradawn.com
www.terradawnblog.com
terradawnphotography@gmail.com

P.S. Ok…I’m about to get all psycho-babble weird on you. But it’s an honest question!!! Ready for it?….look at the nearest object to you. (For me it’s a table.) What is that object made of? Wood, right? (Stay with me now…). What is wood made of? (Sadly…I had to look this one up.) Apparently cellulose fibers embedded in Lignin (whatever that is). And waht are cellulose fibers made of!!?? Disolving pulp!!! AND WHAT IS DISOLVING PULP MADE OF???!!!!

I CAN’T TAKE IT!!!

WHERE DOES IT STOP!!!!!??? And doesn’t that mean that technically this table is as large as our infinite universe?????

Woah. I totally just lost MYSELF!!

OH MY LORDIE!!!! It’s seems like forever since the workshop happened….and let me tell you, sitting on pins and needles for forever is NOT easy!! I’ve been waiting to post the awesome work of all of the vendors because…..drum roll please…..we’ve been published on Style Me Pretty!!!

<-----My grin can't get any wider!!

So a little about the workshop, huh?

I met Pam from ATrendy Wedding to discuss my general ideas for the shooting portion (which May have involved a cake…some sort of flowers…and a bride but wasn’t developed to much beyond that….0_0 ). After about 10 minutes of her poking and prodding my brain, she came up with the BRILLIANT idea of a “Farmer’s Market” feel!! She said, perhaps a vintage truck with some flowers and fresh fruits and veggies…….

And THEN she started to really tap into my brain!!! She started to see ALL of the different images we could take!!! Amazingly (and I’m still not sure how it all happened), we managed to take EVERY photo we wanted! It was like….like….it just popped out of our brains and onto the camera screen or something (umm…without all the mess, though……)

We found the PERFECT location with the Black Horse Inn, who provided all of the workshop attendees with a comfortable place to listen to me yap on about marketing, SEO and social media in the morning as well as truckloads of enthusiasm for the project!! She was quick to throw in ideas about the horses and where they should be. This project would not have been half as amazing (or fun) without her and her team!! Thank you, Lynn!!!!!!

We had a meeting with the FABULOUS florist Holly Heider Chapple who suggested we do a Strawberry Shortcake theme with pies and strawberry themed floral arrangements to tie in the farmers market. Her father (who happens to OWN a farm) even provided the produce for us!!

Katherine from KPHair and Make-Up showed up and asked “if it would be ok to do three hairstyles?” Did she even NEED to ask??? I will take as many styles as she can give!!! *le sigh*

Ummmm….YEAH!!!!! Seriously!! The enthusiasm was crazy with these vendors!!! Capital Decor donated the use of their tables and barrels and chandeliers (anything we wanted, actually). Blush Bridal in Gainesville, VA donated the use of the dress!! Ummm….can we say amazing?? Abby (the model) and I just about DIED when she tried it on. She kept practicing her spin and sitting pretty moves!

On that note…I want to request a special (and very enthusiastic) round of applause for Abby and Matt…the gorgeous couple who allowed us to photograph them! Abby was full of jokes and laughter and gorgeosity…and Matt (in all of his handsomness) went along for whatever ride 15 photographers and 15 vendors had for him. You guys are AMAZING!!

Abby, herself, is a photographer!! Check out her work!!

Check out more details below in the gallery, and don’t forget to check out Style Me Pretty’s post!!!

Also…I can’t gush enough about all of the wonderful photographers who attended the workshop! You guys are amazing and I can’t wait to see how far you take your passions!!

Check out some of their amazing photographers from the workshop!!
Mike Lesnick
Leo Druker
Pamela Soper
Erum Rizvi Photography
Lisa Burgess
Jenny Lewis
Paraag Patel
Laurie Minor
Traci Brooks
Rachel Plowman

Terra Dawn
www.terradawn.com
www.terradawnblog.com
terradawnphotography@gmail.com

Vendors:
Event Designer and Planner: Pam from ATrendyWedding
Styling and Flowers: Holly Heider Chapple from Holly Chapple Flowers
Produce and Market Products: Albert Heider of Heider’s Farm Market
Event Location: The Black Horse Inn
Dress: Blush Bridal http://www.blushbridalboutique.com
Groom’s Outfit: J. Crew
Jewelery: Rachelle from Dominion Jewelers
Hair and Make-Up: Katherine from KPHair and Make-up
Rentals: Capital Decor
Cake: Kendall’s Cakes
Catering: Occasions Catering
Chair Details: Etsy Vendor “Lilmissi”
Paper Inspiration: Valerie Metrejean from Southern Fete

Things I LURVE from left to right:

1. Books – Yeah…biggest book worm in the history of photographer book worms. Favs, you ask?
“Pride and Prejudice”, “Peter Pan”, “Good Omens” and “Harry Potter”. Ecclectic….I know. Awesome? YES.

2. Eric Joyner’s Art – Particularly his “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots” Series. And check out his coffee table book “Robots and Donuts”! It’s EPIC!

3. Anthropologie – Pretty, fluffy, springy, vintagy amazingosity!!!!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!! (Did I mention mine is right next to the Paper Source!!!??? Seriously bad news for my credit card.)

4. The Wii – I’m kind of addicted to Mario Kart, Guitar Hero, Lego’s anything…..

5. The Decembrists – “Legionnaire’s Lament” is my favorite song EVER. P.S. They are kind of amazing live.

6. Italy – Particularly Florence….but it’s all kind of amazing. Weddings anyone?? I would LOVE to go back. I’ll scratch your back you scratch mine perhaps? Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

7. Ferrero Rocher – Ummm….does this NEED any explanation?????

8. Target – They have all the pretty colors.

9. Iron and Wine – For the days you want to do absolutely NOTHING….put these guys on your ipod. Also, if your looking for a good 1st dance, try “Love and Some Verses”. Excelente, my friends.

10. Diana Camera – Toy cameras are amazing!! Check out Lomography.com to get inspired and even get your own!

11. Janan Chandler – THIS, folksies, is my sister’s genius work!! Her fish series is personally my favorite…but you might have your own.

12. LISA FRANK – Better than Barbie. For all you ladies (and slightly feminine gents out there) Lisa Frank is THE definition of rainbows, unicorns and glitter. My sticker collection was QUITE extensive as a child.

13. REAL Mayonnaise – I don’t care HOW healthy they say Miracle Whip is…..that junk’s gross. Gimme the good stuff….with French Fries!!!

14. Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog – Well…actually….Jim Henson and anybody/thing really. The man was magic.

15. Chiante – Yeah…you go to Italy and drink two bottles in one day then tell me how good YOU think it is!!

16. Falcore from A NeverEnding Story – I LOVE the movie….disliked the book (kinda boring actually…). My favorite scenes are any one’s involving ear scratching or Falcore’s tongue.

There you have it!! What would be on YOUR list??

Terra Dawn
www.terradawn.com
www.terradawnblog.com
terradawnphotography@gmail.com

Kari and Ross met me in the evening for an amazing e-session in Eastern Market in downtown DC!! It was a fabulous combination of Farmer’s Market, cute bikes, dramatic alley ways and the cutest couple ever. I can’t WAIT for Kari and Ross to tie the knot at a Shanendoah Vineyard this year!!! Eeeeeeeee!!!!!! Not to mention we have a few new surprises being unveiled from Terra Dawn Photography!!

Check out their e-session amazing-osity below, and don’t forget to leave them your luuuurve!!!!!
>

Terra Dawn
www.terradawn.com
www.terradawnblog.com
terradawnphotography@gmail.com

I was SO flattered when Anne from ATrendy wedding asked me to come out and hang with her at her most recent wedding. Although I wasn’t the primary photographer for the event, I had the privilege of photographing some amazing detail shots from a drool-worthy reception at Smokey Glen Farms!

I ask you…in all seriousness, people…what better way is there to spend the fourth of July weekend than with BBQ, an awesome DJ, an AMAZING cake, a country barn and an amazing dance hall?

Um….easy. Seriously? You can’t answer this question?? WHAT are you doing on my blog????

Answer: ADD A BRIDE AND GROOM!!!

Hayley and Rob were married on an absolutely amazing day with absolutely AMAZING friends. Anne Kelley from ATrendy Wedding helped pull together some of the most adorable details I have ever had the opportunity to photograph.

The day started off with a cocktail hour with shrimp and chicken (and of course a bit of wine and beer) centered around games like horseshoes and miniature golf with finger foods in vintage paper boats and a band!!!

Ahem….beer and horseshoe’s is always a fun combination, dontcha think?

Guests could enjoy their appetizers at colorful barrel tables and picnic tables topped with country styled fabrics and wild flowers. HOW FREAKIN’ CUTE AND DOABLE IS THAT?????

Yes….my friends. An adorable cocktail hour can be yours to have for just a one time payment of $19.95!!!! (Ok…probably a bit more than THAT. After all…it was an open bar and the guests weren’t drinkin’ two buck chuck.).

I don’t know if you’ve figured this out about me yet….but I have a VERY serious condition called “Shiny Object Syndrome” or S.O.S. for short. I think I spent at least 20 minutes photographing the little mason jars hanging from the trees. The colors were so pretty!! And the light!!! And the ribbon!!!

LOVE.

Wanna know what kinda kirked me out even MORE??? THERE WERE SOME MASON JARS HANGING ON THE BACK PATIO TOO!!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!!

(I think I may need to start packing the smelling salts when I photograph for ATrendy Wedding. 0_0)

Considering that an appetizer is only there to “wet yer whistle”, it wasn’t too surprising when guests started making their way to the reception area. After all….they’d been smelling THiS

ALL afternoon. TORTURE, I TELL YOU!!!! Nom, nom, nom……

From the cocktail hour, guests pulled their seating assignments off the vintage shutters leaning up against the barn and made their way into the jaw-dropping barn for the reception.

It was fun to watch them enter, though. They would take about one step inside before their eyes would bug out. The decor was SOMUCHFUN!!!!

After everyone was seated, the couple (Rob and Hayley, in case you have forgotten their names in all of this excitement) were announced and went straight into their first dance…….

(You know it has to happen at least once a post…….ready??)

AWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!

After everyone scarfed down on some of the best BBQ EVER (and I’m a Texas gal….so that’s saying a lot…..), IT WAS TIME FOR DESSERT!!! And lemme tell ya, these guys know how to do dessert!!

Why don’t you vave some cake!!!??

(Kendall’s cakes…btw….is kind of sort of AMAZING. We worked with them at the Terra Dawn Workshop in June as well!! *waves madly and Kendall*)

Wait…not a huge fan of cake and looking for something a little less traditional? (Or you just have the largest sweet tooth ever known to man….) Why not try…..

SOME PIE!! (hahahaha…..I’m a poet and didn’t know it.)

Oh but there’s more!!!!!

Looking for something to wash all of this yummy sticky sweet amazing-ness down?

How about….a root beer float? Oh yes…..that’s right. Anne from ATrendy Wedding set up the cutest little root beer float station (although you COULD go with coke if you wanted). It was called “Love Floats”.

GAH!!!!!!!

How can you people take all of this cuteness??

Well..I’m going to throw in a little bit more. B/c you know, that no day of photography with mua is complete without some amazing shots of the bride and groom. Anne had the getaway car pulled around to the back of the barn for some shots. (This later proved to be all-too-convenient for the groomsmen….naughty naughty groomsmen……)

Although we interrupted the guys during their decorating for the getaway car, you better believe they got right back into it when the couple left….

Face/Palm

The rest of the evening commenced with much joy and merriment (and dancing to Michael Jackson….)

And the final question of the day? WHAT is a requirement on any 4th of July weekend wedding?

C’mon….seriously? Kind of an obvious one here…..

SPARKLERS!!!!!! SHINY OBJECTS!!!!!! GAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

They ran out of the reception hall between rows of their friends and family holding sparklers. Sooo….the wedding day ended with a bang. (Literally…..the fireworks attached to the bumper of the Ford were REALLY loud as they drove off….).

Congratulations Hayley and Rob!!!

Terra Dawn
www.terradawn.com
www.terradawnblog.com
terradawnphotography@gmail.com

Official Event Photographer: Rebekah J. Murray
Reception Venue: Smokey Glen Farms
Planner: ATrendy Wedding
Cake: Kendall’s Cakes
Florist: Greenworks
Lighting/Decor: Perkins Productions
Transportation: Chariots for Hire
DJ: Andy Walker (A family friend…but AMAZING and super fun!)
Blue Grass Band during Cocktails: Orrin Star

Hayley and Rob were married on July 3rd, 2010 at Smokey Glen Farms in Gaithersburg, MD.

I thought you might want a taste of the mouth watering BBQ-y, dessert-y, amazing-ness to come!!

0v0
Terra Dawn
www.terradawn.com
www.terradawnblog.com
terradawnphotography@gmail.com

Planner: Anne Kelley from ATrendy Wedding
Location: Smokey Glen Farms
Band: Orinn Star
Cake: Kendall’s Cakes
Lighting/Decor: Perkin’s Productions
Flowers: Greenworks Florist

Alicia and Myron met me early in the morning at The National Harbor in Maryland to begin their e-session. Now, I’ve never photographed here…..BUT I WOULD TOTALLY DO IT AGAIN!!!!!

You kind of get everything!! Beaches….buildings…..boardwalks…..LOVED IT!! And the couple made it just that much more fun!!! (How about that shoe shot….hm Myron? ).

Congratulations to these two!! I know their destination wedding is going to be amazing!!!

Terra Dawn
www.terradawn.com
www.terradawnblog.com
terradawnphotography@gmail.com

Quick look at Melanie and Scott’s rehearsal dinner at Jack’s Boathouse in Georgetown!!! You can expect some seriously cute details to come from their wedding post!!

Terra Dawn
www.terradawn.com
www.terradawnblog.com
terradawnphotography@gmail.com

Location: Jack’s Boathouse
Catering: Bienvenu Catering – Email Keith Johnson at KeithJohnsonWDC@aol.com
Flowers: A Little Shop of Flowers

Q: What do you get when you cross 7 brides and 6 brides to be????

Give up???

No?? Ok…..I’ll wait….

………….

Right….no more thinking time for you. I’ve got stuff to get done and you are totally taking up my time….

A: A photographer who needs a crap ton of red bull !!!!!!

I know, I know….lame joke. All of that thinking and it was a totally lame answer. So TRUE though!!! I had the privilege of photographing Corrie and Jenny’s wedding at the Waterford last week. They were old High School friends, so THAT made it even better!!!

Here’s a sneaky peaky….

And now, my friends…..editing (and my client friends) await!!!

(I totally felt like Zorro just then and wanted to sweep my cape behind me as I left the room.)

0v0 <----- And I totally figured out how to make an owl emoticon!!!!!
Terra Dawn
www.terradawn.com
www.terradawnblog.com
terradawnphotography@gmail.com

This is SO exciting!! I’m honored to be working with some of the industries TOP wedding vendors to put together a workshop the likes of which will BLOW YOUR MIND!!

Check out this itinerary and the vendors involved!!

Morning Itinerary :
Classroom time on Editing, Branding, Re-Branding, Developing a Portfolio, Marketing and Advertising, SEO and Web Presence, and Social Media

Lunch and Snacks Provided by RedTruck Bakery

Afternoon Itinerary:
Photographing our Bride and Groom, Abby and Matt
Photographing Still-Life Reception Details
Photographing the Black Horse Inn for a competition they are hosting.

Optional: Portfolio Review and Dinner (Dinner NOT provided)

This all takes place at the Black Horse Inn in Warrenton, VA. With the support and time from vendors like Dominion Jewelers, Pam from A Trendy Wedding, the RedTruck Bakery and more…this workshop will, without a doubt, be one of the best things you can do for your business this year.

To Purchase Tickets, click the above image, or the link below:
http://terradawnworkshops.eventbrite.com

Terra Dawn
www.terradawn.com
www.terradawnblog.com
terradawnphotography@gmail.com