DC Indie Fashion Week 2016 - Maryland Photographer

A lot was learned in this week long fashion experience in the DC area.  I closed out with the Indie Fashion Week Finale which I found out about the night before.  I am certainly learning my way around the media circuit and how to get into such events.  I can tell you that I have been bitten by the fashion photography bug and I am now headed in the right direction.  I met a handful of business people in the area and any opportunity to network is an opportunity to grow and learn.  I am very optimistic about my future in fashion photography.

Dine Diaspora - Maryland Photographer

I was recently contacted to come on board as a feature photographer for an event known as Dine Diaspora.  It was an interesting event where the three ladies that put on these quarterly events, bring together leaders in the community and they discuss issues to specific to their groups and how to interact and share ideas and ultimately to network and build with each other.  The also bring in a guest chef that specializes in Diaspora type cuisine.  I was very impressed with everything from the table settings to the Chef and his menu presentation and the stories that made up the menu.  These ladies are on to something and I hope they keep it going and grow.

DC Fashion Week 2016 - Maryland Photographer

Being in the DMV for two years has been an eye opening experience in many ways.  One way was to be able to discover the local fashion scene here in the city and it only took two years to find out that DC has a fashion week.  I was fortunate enough to be able to cover three of the events they had starting with the mens fashion show on the first night.  The second event I covered was the emerging designers of the area and eight designers were featured.  The finale night, which was my favorite, showcased a lot of the international designers that live here in the DMV area.  Below are just a few of the images I was able to show on this blog but believe me there were plenty of amazing designs this year!  I can't wait to see what the next season will bring for this DC designers.

The Shade Family - Maryland Photographer

While I was in Alabama a great friend and old boss of mine needed updated photos to document her family and there time in the south.  So while there we had this mini session at a nearby park and got these great shots.  I even got my little Calvin Klein model for the day to give me some interesting faces while we were out.  It was so good to see them and hang out for the few moments we had.

Ghanian Engagement Session - Maryland Photographer

Engagement sessions are all about the love, and this couple was no exception.  I was thrilled to meet them and they were camera ready when they arrived.  The bride had one request for a piano to be in the shoot, however I am new to the area and had to make this work.  I had to call on a friend to set up the location and then we were well on our way.  The wedding is this coming June in Ghana and I know they will have an amazing day and life together as they start their new journey.

Introducing Miss Maria - Maryland Photographer

I had the great pleasure of traveling to Alabama to capture the newborn photos for this little princess.  She was so small and cuddly it was hard for me to put her down and get these few shots.  Her big sister Aurora even got in on a couple even though she wasn't feeling the greatest on this day.  Then to pull out the final photo...a baby that has Texas roots has to represent and that Miss Maria did.  Huge thanks to her mother and father for trusting me to take spend this time with them.

California Bohemian Session - Maryland Photographer

I met Ms. Ivy online and we sent text back and forth for a couple of days and then met up for this session.  We clicked right away and we had an amazing time on our shoot.  Ivy was such a sweet person to work with and we vibed on everything from yoga to tattoos.  She recently just started her own yoga studio and you can find her on IG and YouTube to see her words of inspiration and daily poses. I will definitely look her up when I head back to Cali!

Neborn Portraits w/ Mr. Andrew - Maryland Photographer

BABY ALERT!!!!  11 days old and Andrew was in from of my camera!  He has a special blanket that he loves and without it...he doesn't stay asleep very long.  His mother and I had a time trying to keep him cozy and comfy.  As you can see even swaddled he was wide awake, but as soon as you put the magic blanket on him he would go to sleep.  He was adorable and can't wait to see him in 3 months!

Dance from Within - Maryland Photographer

Whose is a dancer at heart?  ME!!!  I love everything about dance and being able to express yourself.  I always want to photograph dancers and their movement and how they express themselves.  I had the pleasure of meeting Lindey and we had a great time in the photo studio and listened to some great music.  Her strength and love for this art form was great to watch and I wish her the best in her budding career.

Indian Engagement Ceremony - Maryland Photographer

Anyone who knows me can tell you that cultural ceremonies are where I feel the most comfortable.  I love learning about and getting to know different dynamics of families and the traditions which they hold dear to them.  I have been to several Indian ceremonies but each one is different depending on the families involved and the religion they follow.  This particular ceremony was an engagement party which involved exchanging of rings and the meeting of the two families.  There were gifts present to the soon to be bride and groom from the family members as well as blessings with money and the giving of sweets.  They were all so welcoming and I can't wait to cover their future wedding.

Editor-In-Chief Session - Maryland Photographer

Recently I was contacted by an amazingly talented women to photograph her Editor-In-Chief portraits for her upcoming magazine launch.  We had one brief conversation and I knew we would be a perfect combo.  Upon arriving at the location and meeting her glam squad things just came together.  Little did I know everything I was going to learn that day nor the connections to come.  God is always on time!

Fashion Blog Session - Maryland Photographer

Fashion, fashion, fashion!!!  This lady has the look as well as the wardrobe to match.  We met on IG and from there I knew we would work well together.  Love Joy Styles writes a blog and puts her own twist on fashion by breaking the rules and creating her own looks with a mix of vintage and new.  It is so much fun working with someone that is so creative and allows you to be creative as well.  Check out her blog here: http://bit.ly/1S0Irv6

Carefree session w/Liz - Maryland Photographer

Light is light and I like practicing my technique on my friends/models.  Ms Liz came out again for a recent session where we had a local makeup artist on deck as the glam squad.  Liz has such a carefree spirit and is just super sweet.  We had a great couple of hours capturing a ton of images and here are a few for you to enjoy!  Please as always, Like and SHARE!  Thanks for your support!  Follow me on IG @catherineraephotography

Climbing the Ranks w/ Jas Boothe - Maryland Photographer

When you look around you see women in the military all the time!  It is not often that you see women that have gone through as much as MAJ Jaspen Boothe and have survived to tell her story.  Jaspen has made it her mission to tell her story and other women vets stories that cannot tell their own.  MAJ Boothe has organized countless resources for veterans across America and continues to do so through her organization Final Salute.  I am glad that she asked me to capture her moments as she pinned on the rank of MAJ in the US Army.  It was a joyous day for her and her family.  Please enjoy, like and SHARE.

NYC Model Series (Aaron Bryant) - Maryland Photographer

Meeting new people is what I love to do.  On a recent trip to NYC to attend a class I had the opportunity to photograph NYC/Miami model Aaron Bryant.  He was a cool guy and we all had an amazing time at the session and capturing some memorable images.  Please enjoy, like and share!  You can also follow me on IG @catherineraephotography.

Miss Zoe's One Year Session - Maryland Photographer

Photographing a first year session can be hit or miss depending on the amount of sleep.  This was the case for Miss Zoe as she was not having a good day but we did get a few images for her parents to have and share with family and friends.  I am appreciative that her parents braved the cold weather to achieve this short session and I look forward to working with them again.

Mills Maternity Session - Maryland Photographer

Excited that this former photography classmate of mine trusted me to take her maternity and family portraits for her third and final child...so she says! LOL!  It was a pleasure having the Mills family in the studio for the afternoon and getting to know her hubby and other two children who are eagerly looking forward to the arrival of their little brother next month!  Congrats Monae!

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Introducing Miss Margo - Maryland Photographer

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There is nothing like having a newborn in the studio in the afternoon!  Miss Margo was no exception and was a pure joy to meet and cuddle with!  She was so sweet with her head full of hair and overall calm disposition.  Her parents and little sister have become a staple in my studio and I can't wait to see more milestones from this family as they continue to grow!

VA Family Portraits - Maryland Photographer

I was excited to be contacted by this blended family to photograph their love for each other.  I recently met them while in school and built a quick respect and friendship with them.  The girls were absolutely adorable and one was camera ready at all times...which makes me very happy as a photographer.  It was a pleasure photographing them on location in Richmond, Virginia and I look forward to many more sessions together.