Let Them Eat Cake: When Wedding Cake Becomes Child's Play

My Mom always told me not to play with my food, but who could follow that advice when you see such a quirky, kicky fun wedding cake grouping? Joanna and Sean's wedding cakes were a delight, with their bright colors and their Fisher Price-inspired doppelganger cake toppers! DIYva Designs, thanks for the sweet inspiration, and for more great ideas for wedding day and beyond, read DIYva's Sugar and Art Blog:)

Let Them Eat Cake: The Stare Down, Starring Bride Jennifer and Groom Paul

On your typical wedding day, brides and grooms have an enormous mental checklist running through their heads. With all of the stress and planning, it's only natural to want to blow off a little steam, and that's what makes the wedding cake cutting ritual such a high-risk undertaking. Will they or won't they do a full-on cake-smash?? For Jennifer and Paul, they'd make it to the end of the cake cutting, tenderly feeding each other delicate fork fulls of sugary wedding cake. But, then, somehow, it went to a scary place when Paul, with a glimmer in his eye and frosting on his ring finger tip, took aim at our fair bride. Jennifer, though, successfully stared down the frosting-laden digit and a wedding cake tragedy was avoided:)

Where Water and Sky Meet - Charleston, South Carolina

Any time on a boat is a good time, and when a sunset cruise turns into a nighttime journey, it's an opportunity to capture the beauty of water meeting sky, all illuminated by moonlight. Thanks to all at the Carolina Girl of Charleston, SC.

Stars and Stripes by Moonlight, Charleston, SC, July 2013, Photo by Shannon Finney

The Moon will guide us, Charleston, DC, July 2013, Photo by Shannon Finney

Portrait of an Artist: Lyric Soprano and Classical Rockstar Marlissa Hudson

I've learned that when Washington, DC-based organist/pianist Marvin Mills calls you, good things follow. So when my telephone rang, and I heard his voice on the other end, I was curious and excited. And while I can't remember what he said line by line, I do remember the words "classical" and "lust" and I was hooked. Marvin has been collaborating with lyric soprano Marlissa Hudson who is shaking up classical music and making it weak in the knees with her latest project, "Lust." With her lush coloratura voice, Marlissa takes listeners on a sensual sonic ride, making classical music for the "grown and sexy." Below are a couple of my favorite images from a portrait shoot I did with this dynamic duo!

Pianist Marvin Mills and Lyric Soprano Marlissa Hudson, June 26, 2013, Kensington, MD

Lyric Soprano Marlissa Hudson, June 26, 2013, Kensington, MD

A Fathers' Day Photo Gallery

This weekend, it's dad's turn in the spotlight, and here is a gallery of some of my favorite dads (and grandads:) photographed over the past few months. Enjoy!

2013 Capital Pride Parade Highlights Reel

The 2013 Capital Pride Parade filled the streets of Washington, DC with technicolor wonder, as well as Wonder Women, and the most wonderful woman of them all, actress Lynda Carter, who served as the parade's Grand Marshall. Mayoral hopefuls also came out to shake hands, kiss babies, and enjoy this grand event. Here are a few highlights from the parade!

Vantage Point: A Child's Eye View of Baptism

I've covered every rite of passage in the Christian church - weddings, confirmations, First Communions, even funerals - but my favorite rite, by far, is that of baptism, specifically baptism of infants and children. There is the ritual of the baptismal gown - usually a billowy white satin or lace affair that's sometimes accompanied by a coordinating bonnet. And there is the child's reaction to the cold baptismal waters - a reaction that is, at best, mild curiosity, and, at worst, an ear-piercing scream. Usually, though, the high point is their reaction to the baptismal candle. There is something soothing and magical in the glow of the dancing flame, I suspect. 

Firstborn, Photograph by Shannon Finney May 26, 2013 at Historic Christ Church, Alexandria, VA

Waiting His Turn, Photograph by Shannon Finney May 26, 2013 at Historic Christ Church, Alexandria, VA

The Blessing, Photograph by Shannon Finney May 26, 2013 at Historic Christ Church, Alexandria, VA

Make a Wish, Photograph by Shannon Finney May 26, 2013 at Historic Christ Church, Alexandria, VA