Lisa + Cameron | Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens Engagement Photos

We shot Lisa and Cameron's engagement photos at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens in Washington DC. It is one of my favorite engagement sessions of 2018. This incredibly cute couple definitely made my job easier by just being themselves.  We can not wait to photograph this lovely couple!

Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is filled with nature and has beautiful gardens. Hillwood Estate gardens are beautiful year-round. If you are in town, this place is one of the must-see Washington DC sites. 

Pros:

• Plenty of parking spaces.
• It is absolutely gorgeous!
• Friendly and professional staff.

Cons (This one is for DC wedding , engagement and family photographers):

• Requires photography permit.
  
  Lisa and Cameron plan to get married on July 1, 2018 in Baltimore, MD.

Ceresville Mansion Wedding Photos in Frederick md | Stephane + Mario

Stephane and Mario met as young adults and were friends for a while first. They even had a "friend fight" and did not speak to each other for three months. As people say, there is a thin line between love and hate. LOL! Stephane and Mario had great chemistry since the moment they met, everyone around them knew it. They, however, pretended not to notice it for a long timef. 
In December 2017, it will be 10 years since they first met. They could have never imagined it then, but it was the beginning of an amazing journey- They had each met their better half. 
Their relationship is full of love and has proven to be very strong throughout the years. Stephane and Mario have grown up together and supported each other through very tough and challenging times. Together, they also lived some of the most amazing experiences of their lives. They were there for each other's multiple graduations, professional and personal accomplishments, met their families in Peru and Brasil and actually got to experience a World Cup in person! They also had the opportunity to visit Europe- a lifelong dream and the setting for one the most special days in their lives.
On July 11, 2016, Mario proposed in the most magical way! Stephane had no idea- which was very unusual since she is always so on top of everything! After deciding that Paris was not the right place for his special proposal, Mario's heart was set in Venice. Some of the family members who knew of the initial plan, were very confused as Paris came and went and no announcement was made. Stephane got some curious texts (you know who you are lol) and a very funny phone call with her mom- she was all giggly and Stephane had no idea why. Venice was an amazing place. As they were enjoying a gondola ride at sundown, Mario decided he wanted a picture. He asked Stephane to hand the camera to the gondola driver and Stephane said: No way! She was so worried about her friend's professional camera falling in the water that for once, she did not want to take a picture. Mario insisted and handed the camera to the driver. Stephane's sight was laser focused on that camera when all of a sudden, Mario got down to one knee and said- "Stephane, will you marry me? I love you!" Stephane had a smile from ear to ear and of course forgot all about the camera, oops! lol Right away, She said Yes! 
Since then, Stephane and Mario have been working very hard towards building a solid foundation for their future. Driving themselves super crazy at times, obviously. Even then, they are so happy to begin the next chapter of their lives (kids included!) in their new home. 

Stephane and Mario held their gorgeous Friday wedding at Ceresville Mansion in Frederick, Maryland. My lovely second and third shooters and I were so excited for their big day.  After photographing Stephane and Mario’s engagement session at Meadowlark Gardens in Virginia, I knew their wedding would be beautiful. My assistant and I started with our stunning bride Stephane and her bridesmaids in the getting ready suite at Ceresville Mansion in Frederick Maryland. Mario, his groomsmen and our second shooter started across the hall. They were truly meant for each other and we had so much fun photographing their special day. Here are a few of our favorites from their wedding day!

Vendors:

Photographer: Justy Photography

Videography: SOK

Venue: Ceresville Mansion

Dj- Master Productions

Cake- custom cake designs

Officiant- Pastor Ed Choy, Premier Wedding Pastors

Florist- Deicy Sinani Flowers

Saxophone- Espinoza Music Professionals

String duo- Capriccio String Quartet

Photo booth- Say Cheese Rentals, LLC

11 questions you should never ask your wedding photographer

11 questions you should never ask your wedding photographer 

Wedding consultations are one of my favorite parts of my job.  Whether it is in DC or Virginia, I really enjoy discovering new coffee and donut shops (my favorite donut shop is in Alexandria). I love meeting my couples in person and getting to know them better. Most of my clients come well prepared and know what they are looking for. However, there are a few questions I get asked far too often. These are some common questions that most photographers dread hearing during a consultation. 

1. What kind of camera do you use?

This is probably one of the most common questions I receive as a wedding photographer. It is not only my couples, pretty much everyone who hears that I am a professional wedding photographer asks me this question. The problem with it is that it is not the camera that takes the pictures! The type of camera a photographer uses does not determine his or her skills. I have seen so many photographers with top of the line cameras who are not trained well enough to shoot photos in manual mode. We dedicate our lives to becoming the best photographers we can be by going to school, creating our portfolios and spending countless hours critiquing our own work. People should understand that there is a reason you’re not hiring uncle Bob with a DSLR to photograph your wedding day.

If you guys are still wondering what's in my camera bag, here it is:
2 Nikon Full Frame Camera
1 Canon Full Frame Camera
2 Fuji X Mirrorless Cameras
Prime Lenses: 35mm, 50mm, 56mm, 18-55 mm, 85mm,90mm,135mm, and Lens Baby Control Freak
Zoom and Telephoto Lenses: 24-70mm, 70-200mm, 17-55mm
6 Speedlites
MagMod Flash Diffusers & Light Modifiers
Creative gels
Soft boxes
Umbrellas
SD Cards
Extra batteries and chargers
Probably some Redbull and energy bars
 

2. Is it cheaper if we give you the Flash Drive?

Simple answer : No. 

3. Can we see all of the images you took?

What people may not realize is that you are paying your photographer to do more than just take photos. We also help with the planning, lead guests and family, go through a huge number of photos and edit the selected shots. Culling, or selecting the best photos, can take up to 20 hours for one wedding. This is a crucial step in the process as you don’t want to see the shots where the bride is blinking and the groom has his fly open!

4. Can we get the Raw photos?

The majority of well trained professional photographers will NOT give out RAW photos. Would you ask a painter to give you a blank canvas with their name signed on it? Probably not. Just like you wouldn’t ask a chef for a RAW chicken. It is simply unfinished work. 

5. Are you going to eat at my wedding?

This question was asked to one of our photographer friends. I feel like this one is a really silly question. Most of our weddings require 2 hours of driving and 8-12 hours of shooting so chances are your photographer is going to be hungry. If you don’t think you can fit a vendor meal into your budget, then please let them know so they can bring their own food.

6. Can you give us a discount?

Asking this question right off the bat might make your photographer feel undervalued and he or she may not take you as seriously as their other prospective clients.

7. How many photos will you take?

The problem with this question is that most photographers do not have a set number of photos that they limit themselves to take during a shoot. The number of photos we take depends on a number of different factors, such as the type of event, the flow of the wedding and the location(s). Also, this goes without saying; if you buy a package that comes with two photographers, you will receive more photos than you will with a basic package. 

 8. I saw another photographer’s work online that I like. Can you edit and/or shoot like them?

Every photographer has their own style! It's important that you find a photographer whose personality and style matches with what you are looking for. 

9. Do you give discounts for Sunday weddings?

I know there are some venues and vendors out there that are trying to book every wedding possible and will, therefore, offer discounts for Sunday weddings. However, the photographers at Justy Photography provide the same service for everyone regardless of where and when your wedding takes place. Each client will still be given our undivided effort and attention whether it be a Wednesday afternoon courthouse ceremony or a 12 hour Saturday wedding at the Ritz.

10. “Can you photoshop that out?”

To be honest, probably not. Your wedding photographer is going to have to back up and go through 1,500+ photos and pick the best ones (this takes around 10 hours). In addition to this, they will import them onto her/his hard drive, color correct, crop and enhance them (15-20 hours of work), backup the edited ones, sort them and upload your gallery. Photoshop is an expensive software that takes up a lot of time. One can spend hours photoshopping out something totally minuscule. Imagine doing that for every single photo delivered to you. It will likely cost you a pretty penny to get those manipulated photos.

11. A guest at my wedding is also a photographer. Can they take photos too?

Of course! As long as they are respectful of the other photographer’s space, they are more than welcome. But one important reminder: please don’t let them stand in the aisle during the kiss!

Advice for Brides and Grooms from a Wedding Photographer

Your wedding photos will be some of your most valuable mementos. Here’s some advice from a wedding photographer — that’s me! — with tips and tricks that will make your wedding photos absolutely stunning.

For Brides

Purchase a nice hanger for your wedding dress. 

You’ve invested so much time in choosing your wedding dress, and the last thing you want to do is display it on a plastic or (gasp!) wire hanger. A classic wooden hanger would work best for displaying your dress. You can even get a personalized hanger with your name and the date of your wedding written on it. 

Keep your face powder handy.

I’ve photographed quite a few weddings in Washington, DC, and let me tell you, summers here are unbelievably humid. If you’re having a summer wedding, chances are you’ll start to sweat during your portrait session. And no one likes looking shiny in their photos! Assign one of your bridesmaids with the job of carrying a compact and performing any necessary touchups during your wedding photos.

For Grooms

Don’t forget about the socks!

Tux? Check. 
Cufflinks? Check. 
Socks? Er….

Let’s be honest here — grooms don’t have many options for accessories. Instead of sticking with plain black socks (for the love of all that is good, do NOT wear white socks to your wedding), try donning a pair with a fun color pattern. It’s a great way for you to express your creativity, and you can even coordinate with your groomsmen to make a matching set. One of my favorite wedding photos to take are the groomsmen showing off their fun (and sometimes funny) sock choices!

Plan a fun activity with your groomsmen.

Grooms usually take far less time to prepare for their wedding than their brides. Sometimes this works out great for scheduling — the photographer takes the preparation photos, captures a couple of portraits, and then heads to the wedding venue to get the detail photos before the ceremony and reception. Other times, the photographer is left twiddling their thumbs. Try including a fun impromptu activity, like a poker game or a light soccer match with your groomsmen. This will add variety for your photos, and ease the stress of a hectic day.

For Both

Prepare everything you need for detail photos in a box for your photographer. 

That includes the wedding rings, shoes, invitations, and RSVP cards. 

Brides, please add to this box your bouquet and any jewelry you’re planning to wear. Grooms, if you’re planning to wear a tie or a watch, include that in the box as well. Make a note for your photographer of any significant items — like the something old, something new, and something borrowed (she’ll probably figure out which item is blue herself!).

Keep your getting ready room clean! 

Nothing can ruin beautiful preparation photos like empty plastic water bottles on the dresser, or clothes tossed all around the floor. Preparation can get hectic, so at the very least make sure the parts of the room where the bride is getting ready — her makeup table, the full-length mirror, the windows — are kept free of clutter. Same for the groom — work with your photographer to designate a part of the room where the photos will be taken (usually close to the window) and keep that area clean.

Cindy + Mackenzie | Engagement in Georgetown

Cindy and Mackenzie love everything October! It’s their favorite month, and so an October engagement session featuring Octoberfest beers was just the right fit for this incredibly sweet couple.

We met at Georgetown Waterfront Park in DC to shoot their engagement photos. The afternoon lighting was absolutely divine — it was soft and warm during the golden hour, and later on in the photoshoot we saw an incredibly colorful sunset over the Potomac River.

Georgetown is one of my favorite places for photo sessions. The Waterfront Park is filled with nature and has gorgeous views of the river, with the Kennedy Center, the Key Bridge, and the Rosslyn skyline in the background. Walk a block north and you’re in the old Georgetown industrial neighborhoods. I loved shooting against the brick walls and finding cute little nooks and crannies in this historic street for photos. There was even a haunted house — of course we had to stop for a picture!

Cindy and Mackenzie plan to get married on October 13, 2018 at beach wedding in Bolivar, Colombia.

The haunted house! I loved how Cindy and Mackenzie were always trying to make each other laugh, silly faces and all.

Lauren + Ryan | Engagement at Union Station and Ronald Reagan Airport

Eylul Gungor

ATHENS IS WHERE OUR STORY BEGINS…. 

Lauren and Ryan met in September 2007 while attending the one and only Ohio University in Athens. Exactly where did they meet? As surprising as it may seem, Lauren and Ryan met in class. 

On a Friday afternoon, Lauren and Ryan were both attending their sociology class. On this particular day, students in the class were going to have a debate. Lauren and Ryan only observed, but, unbeknownst to each other, both felt strongly about what was being said. Lauren, being the introvert she is, remained quiet in her seat about her reaction to the debate. Ryan, on the other hand, being outspoken and the extrovert he is, raised his hand, stood up in the lecture hall, and volunteered a piece of his mind. It was enough to make Lauren notice, so she turned around from her nerdy second-row seat (Ryan sat in the back row of the lecture hall, of course) to see who this person was. And what did Lauren see? She saw someone with moppy red hair, skater shoes, gym shorts, and a hoodie… but about as short in stature as Lauren herself. Who WAS this guy? Lauren had to find out. 

Class finally ended, and Lauren hung back a little so she would pass ways with this interesting (and loud…) red-headed guy. It was at this point Lauren and Ryan met, and struck up a conversation about what they just saw in class. They ended up carrying the conversation all of the way back to OU’s Front Four dorms, where they both lived. 

Is this the part where Ryan asked for Lauren’s number, or vice versa? Actually, no. Lauren and Ryan didn’t talk or see each other again... until a few months later. 

THE FIRST WEEKEND BACK AFTER WINTER BREAK 

Lauren agreed to go with her roommates to a party on Palmer. Lauren was nervous, thinking she wouldn’t know anyone at the party, but you don’t pass up a party on Palmer! Seconds after walking into the second-floor apartment, Lauren was relieved and excited because she recognized the first person she saw. It was none other than Ryan Nagle – that red-headed guy with something to say from her sociology class. Lauren and Ryan’s excitement to see each other rekindled on the spot. They talked, laughed, and danced all night. The rest is part of history, as they started dating steadily shortly after that. 

BOBCAT AND CLEVELAND LOVE
Ryan and Lauren dated all through college, and life on campus was nothing short of a blast. Being both from Cleveland, Ryan and Lauren had a ball spending time away from school too. They would take trips to Ryan’s lake house in Willard, or to Lauren’s house on the east side. The thing they loved doing the most though while away from school was going to Cedar Point to ride their favorite roller coaster, the Millennium Force.

FAST FORWARD TO SENIOR YEAR
Every Bobcat has to grow up sometime, and it’s not easy for all of them. Graduation was approaching quickly in spring 2011, and Ryan and Lauren knew life was going to take them different ways. Lauren accepted a full time marketing and events planning position in Washington DC, and Ryan moved back to Cleveland, working full time and finishing his college education. Lauren and Ryan continued to date long distance, visiting back and forth between Cleveland and DC. Eventually though, they decided to call it quits to put their young professional lives first. Lauren dove head first into her growing career, and Ryan made his biggest life decision yet – to follow his dream (and in his big brother’s footsteps) and to move to Las Vegas. 

IF YOU LOVE SOMETHING, LET IT GO… 

Between 2013 and 2014, big things happened for both Ryan and Lauren. Shortly after moving to Las Vegas, Ryan accepted a full time position with one of Elon Musk’s prodigy companies, SolarCity. Lauren, back in DC, continued to travel and stay fully enthralled with her east coast, big-city career. Where do many young professionals like to kick back though? That’s right… Las Vegas. By the end of 2013, Lauren found herself traveling to Las Vegas for one reason or another. More times than not, she agreed to meet up with Ryan… for old time’s sake, right? 

IF IT COMES BACK TO YOU IT’S YOURS

What started out as “old friends” having fun in Vegas turned into much more. Ryan and Lauren both realized, in those few for-fun visits, their feelings for each other hadn’t gone anywhere. If anything, reuniting after all of the distance and all of those years had sparked something special. Ryan and Lauren fell back in love, and after all of that time… fell hard. It didn’t take long for Ryan and Lauren to begin visiting each other back and forth. This time, visits were between DC and they were also between Las Vegas… where everything (re) started. 

A BIG LEAP
By the end of 2014, it was clear to Ryan that he and Lauren needed to be together. Goodbyes in airports and time apart was becoming harder and harder. After careful consideration (and a lot of courage) Ryan took steps to request and accept a transfer opportunity within SolarCity to the Washington DC area. By the beginning of the New Year, Ryan was on a one-way flight from Las Vegas to DC. 

AT HOME AND TOGETHER
Ryan and Lauren moved to Pentagon City, just outside of downtown DC, at the end of February 2015. They finally got to do everything young domestic couples got to do – from building IKEA furniture (which Lauren is better at) and painting walls (which Ryan is better at) in their first place, to drinking coffee together and making breakfast on Saturday mornings, and to weekend trips in New York City. Ryan and Lauren were smitten with their new setup. 

THE BIG QUESTION

In August 2016, Ryan and Lauren met up with some of their closest family and friends to return to one of their favorite home places: Cedar Point. Walking down the fairway to Millennium Force, Lauren couldn’t help but notice how tightly Ryan was holding her hand all of a sudden. With loud music all around them as they passed the other rides, Lauren even started dancing and Ryan wouldn’t let go! It seemed so odd until they got in front of the Millennium, when Ryan got down on one knee and asked Lauren to be his wife. Lauren said yes, with some of the people she and Ryan love the most cheering them on and ready to celebrate! 

Since then, the wedding planning has begun (if anything, it’s in full swing!). Ryan and Lauren are going to marry in Las Vegas, the city that (ironically) brought their love back together. 

We can’t wait to celebrate. Let the countdown begin! 

A beautiful engagement session at Lincoln memorial and Capitol Hill Building

A beautiful engagement session at Lincoln memorial and Capitol Hill at night

This was an incredibly fun DC engagement photo session at sunset and night. We really enjoyed creating beautiful memories and capturing gorgeous fall colors in Washington DC

Elegant and timeless engagement photography photographed by Justy Photography (Eylul Gungor)
 // Wedding and Portrait Photographer Washington DC

Engagement photos at night by Capitol Building Washington DC

Washington DC Monuments - Fall Engagement Photos by Lincoln Memorial

Engagement photos by the Monument Washington DC

Engagement photos at night Washington DC

Engagement photos by the Monument Washington DC

Engagement photos - Monuments Washington DC

Washington DC Monuments - Engagement photos

Washington DC Monuments - Fall Engagement Photos with a dog

Washington DC Monuments - Engagement photos by Lincoln Memorial

Washington DC Monuments - Fall Engagement Photos

Washington DC Monuments - Fall Engagement Photos

Washington DC Monuments - Fall Engagement Photos

Washington DC Monuments - Engagement photos by Lincoln Memorial

Washington DC Monuments - Fall Engagement Photos

Washington DC Monuments - Engagement photos by Lincoln Memorial

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Engagement photos at night by Capitol Building Washington DC

Engagement photos at night by Capitol Building Washington DC