2014: A Year in the Life of Shannon Finney Photography

Shannon Finney Photography's Year in Review

2014 has been a wonderful year - full of happy families, symphony orchestras, rock bands, veterans of the stage and screen, brides and grooms, grooms and grooms, fashion models, fashion designers, and even a few Supreme Court justices. Here are a few of my favorite moments!

Love Meets the Great Outdoors in this Rustic Fall Wedding at River Farm, Alexandria, VA

For Ed and Rod, the beautiful grounds of the historic River Farm property in Alexandria, VA were the perfect choice for their Halloween wedding day. Sited along the banks of the Potomac River, the property is a mix of rolling hills, leafy green trees (including the largest Osage tree in all of North America), and meadows full of switch grasses and bluestem. Ed and Rod chose to incorporate some Halloween whimsy, with their orange ties and vests, and rustic, bespoke floral arrangements (made by their niece) into their wedding day. It was a lovely day for a lovely wedding:)

In the Studio with the New Orchestra of Washington

When the New Orchestra of Washington (NOW) launched its Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the group's first-ever studio recording, the musicians weren't the only ones excited. Fans of this chamber orchestra, now in its second season, have been more than enthusiastic, and why shouldn't they be? NOW is bringing a new generation to classical music, as well as former fans who had grown bored with the tame offerings often heard in classical concert halls. NOW's programming is creative, engaging, and unexpected. The individual virtuosity of the ensemble's players is what makes NOW so nimble and flexible in their performances, breathing new life into orchestral standards, and creating new classics with contemporary composers. The group is hard at work on its first recording at Omega Recording Studios, featuring a chamber version of Gustav Mahler's Symphony Number 4 and Julian Wachner's Chamber Symphony (commissioned by NOW), and here are a few photographic highlights!

Cellist Lauren Weaver 

Producer Geoffrey Silver consults with conductor Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez

Soprano Linda Mabbs gets last-minute instructions from Geoffrey Silver

Grace Cho, pianist and one of the founding members of NOW, making a few tweaks before taping resumes

Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, conductor and founding member of NOW, addresses the players

With his score and stopwatch at the ready, producer Geoffrey Silver begins

Soprano Linda Mabbs' Mahler score, music stand and headphones are ready to go

A Shoe Story: Fun, Funky and Functional Fall Footwear

As the temperatures begin their downward march, it's almost time for those summer sandals to give way to shoes with less strap and more coverage. But colder temps doesn't mean that you can't have fun and flirty footwear looks. Here are a few looks to get you started!

Weekend Fashion Inspiration: Basic Black Isn't So Basic Anymore

Need a little stylish nudge for your Saturday night look? Get in the black, and here are a few looks to get you started!

When Fashion Worlds Collide: Reality TV at New York Fashion Week!

One of the best things about New York Fashion Week is people watching, and some of the most fun people to watch were the stars of reality TV, especially those from my favorite show, "Project Runway"! Here we go:

Brian Trunzo (left) with his cameraman from BravoTV’s “The Singles Project”

Sonja Morgan from BravoTV’s “Real Housewives of New York”

Nigel Barker from  television’s “America’s Next Top Model” and “The Face”

“Project Runway” alumni:  Chris March (Season 4), Michelle Lesniak Franklin (Season 11), Jay McCarroll (Season 1 winner)

Justin LeBlanc Season 12 “Project Runway”

Joshua McKinley Season 9 “Project Runway”

Michael Costello  “Project Runway” designer

Designer and “Project Runway” alum, Christian Siriano

Well-Suited: Forget Casual Friday, Menswear Gets Whimsical at New York Fashion Week

If you're tired of the usual men's Casual Friday ensemble of khakis, button shirt and drab Oxford, then here's a little inspiration from the men of New York Fashion Week!

Hats Off at New York Fashion Week with Shannon the Photo Gal

A wise woman once said that you can never have enough hats, gloves, or shoes, and the women (and men) at New York Fashion Week definitely agree! There have been hats of all shapes and sizes - from modern day hippie to hipster to Annie Hall. So hats off to fashion!

Shannon the Photo Gal: New York Fashion Week Trends: Black and White and ...

Shannon the Photo Gal: New York Fashion Week Trends: Black and White and ...: Fashion, fashion - what's old is new and what's new is brilliant, and what's brilliant right now is black and white. Here are ju...

New York Fashion Week Trends: Black and White and Fab All Over!

Fashion, fashion - what's old is new and what's new is brilliant, and what's brilliant right now is black and white. Here are just a few examples of black and white Fashion Week brilliance!