So we have a [unspoken] trespassing rule in photography... "It's better [read "easier"] to ask for forgiveness than to go and seek out permission..." this rule pertains to trespassing on people's property in areas like Alexandria, DC, Georgetown, Leesburg, well pretty much anywhere in which private property has WAY more character and 'cool-factor' than public places. This past weekend Erin and I had our engagement shoot for Alison and Dustin in Georgetown (therefor the tip-toe trespassing law holds true). We walked all over town on a near-cloudless Sunday afternoon/evening and found some great little alleys and doorsteps to intrude on (even a classic VW Beatle to use as a prop). I'm looking forward to their wedding that Erin and I are shooting in May, it sounds like it will be a blast! Check out Erin's post too! Here are some of my favorites from the day:

...more trespassing, unfortunately the gate had some pretty fresh paint on it...

...had to wait at those stairs for like 5 minutes waiting for people to stop getting in our shot...

...Alison grabbed a camera and chased after the celebrity [Dustin] outside Papa-Razi

...threw in some off-camera flash for a little fill as the Sun was dipping behind the buildings...

This past Thursday, I got a chance to hang out with quite a few other photogs, and we had a blast. Armin set the whole thing up, and we had Kenny Kim from Chicago, as well as Paul Price (of PSquared Photographic), Peter Bang, and Troy Woods (of ClarkBailey Company) all hanging around Reston Town Center. Also Laura of Soiree Events and Jaime and Stuart of E2 Events came too!. Jaime and Stuart got married about a year ago, but we had them pose for a "engagement shoot" anyway.

The fountains at Reston Town Center

Laura posing with ALL of our Boda bags...take THAT Shootsac people! LOL...

A SUPERWIDE angle shot (14mm) of Kenny shooting Laura

Jaime and Stuart were fun to work with and were definitely not shy of the camera...make that cameras...

Kenny asked a passerby if we could borrow his dog...it was a cute one!

Surprisingly even with all the buildings, we were able to get some really fantastic lighting...

Someone (I think Peter) made a joke about shooting inside the UPS Truck...Jaime took him seriously...

Paul "PSquared" Price and Armin Defiesta shooting back...

Later at dinner, I got in trouble for taking pictures at this restaurant...

I usually don't detract from reality too much in photoshop, but decided to play a bit...

I think jumping shots are going to just start showing up more frequently in my blog...Armin's ninja shot really set the bar high though...

So we knew this going into it, but Armin and I were shooting a lifestyle portrait session with Maggie and Mike yesterday, and about halfway through Mike popped the question. Maggie was so surprised when he dropped down to one knee, and was laughing when a guy in a car passing by shouted out "Don't do it, just say no!" as Maggie raised her fist and shook it at the guy retorting "You're ruining the moment!" Enjoy the photos!

Postprocessed for Armin...tried to be 'moody'

Maggie wanted a shot of her rather shiny shoes

Wait for it...wait for it...

Maggie laughing at the guy who drove by shouting "Don't do it, just say no!"

Showing off the new bling

It takes two to tango

Notice the sign says Church St...