Stacey Vaeth Photography

The Heritage Print

2012-02-08T19:08:00.000-05:00

My favorite custom product for 2012 - our new Heritage print. I was just at the framers, building two pieces for a client, and thought I'd share the process.

Hand printed on watercolor paper, with a hand-decked edge, these pieces are more painting than print. I worked with the always awesome folks at the Framer's Workroom (if you haven't been, these will become your go-to framers once you discover them) to come up with the custom frame style. They do the archival preparation of the piece and floats it over the extra wide mat. They also custom build the wood frame.

Then I cut and place the spacers, which creates a "floating look" that amplifies the focus on the edge detail and print texture.

From there, I clean and lay museum glass (UV protection and non-glare), add the back support and cover, and apply frame hangers to the back.

And voila! My favorite piece. I was in and out feeding the parking meter while doing this over the course of 3 hours, and totally forgot to take a final picture of the piece, not the wrapping :), but below is an image of another clients' final Heritage print.

Come by sometime if you'd like to check it out in person and see if this treatment is a fit for your images.

50 Degree January

2012-01-06T19:28:00.001-05:00

Is it summer out there, or what?!

Ashley and Dennis

2012-01-05T17:00:00.000-05:00

Working with Ashley and Dennis on their engagement session was just perfect. When I asked them what style images they had in mind, or what thoughts they had on the session, they just said "just some pretty pictures. Do what you do." You gotta love a client that gives you free reign. We had a unique shoot in Georgetown, striking a balance between posed and spontaneous, light and serious imagery. When Dennis pulled out this hat, well, who wouldn't be thrilled with that?!
Happy New Year everyone!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T09:57:00.000-05:00

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there....

Merry Christmas to all!
We'll see you in 2012!

The Roundup

2011-12-21T19:49:00.000-05:00

I'm finally here in North Carolina, with my husband's family, preparing for Christmas by shopping, resting and generally hanging out. My mother-in-law is a chef, and my husband and his family is from Colombia, so we're enjoying the most amazing food, as usual. Tamales, shrimp and scallops a la veracruzana, ajiaco.... just the best.

Everyone left for a movie just now, and I finally have a few minutes to reflect on the year. And what a year it has been.

Work has been really rewarding, as usual I have the best clients, but this year I've also had many opportunities to try new styles of work, to practice old techniques, to learn from master photographers, all in the ongoing quest to develop a style all my own. Here are a few favorite images from the last few weeks. I'll keep posting till I catch up on this fall.

Hoping you're having fun getting ready this holiday season, and surrounding yourselves with friends, family and great food.

Little Climbers

2011-12-01T07:37:00.000-05:00

It's been a busy fall! Just starting to catch up on fun posting and sharing of images....can it truly be December already? A few favorites from an earlier fall session with Heather's family. These kids are among the most adventurous I've met!

As we're finishing the session, I turn around, and the boys have climbed into the roots of this amazing fallen tree ...

To give you a sense of how big this tree is, and how adventurous these kids are!

I think here I asked the family to just be themselves, and forget about the camera :)

More soon!

Families at their Authentic Selves

2011-11-17T13:22:00.001-05:00

As I'm preparing for a photoshoot where I am on the other side of the camera, as the subject, I'm beginning to freak out. What do I wear? How should I do my hair? Can I lose five pounds between now and Saturday?

How many times have I heard these questions from clients? Daily.
We're so unfamiliar with how the world perceives us, because we're well, busy living. But a camera turned on you can feel like a spotlight into the unknown.

The way I view my clients, and the way in which I try to capture them is as authentic, real beings. I try to capture the love among them and their families. I hope to freeze a flash of their true spirit in time.

Keeping this in mind, I'll try to give up a little control and trust the experts that I'll be working with this weekend, just as my clients trust in me. Wish me luck!

The rainbow of the fall

2011-11-16T15:39:00.000-05:00

It's not often that I get a chance to do a senior session, but this last week I had an opportunity to work with Ben, on perhaps the most beautiful day of the fall. Good luck in your Senior year, Ben!

Fall!

2011-11-14T16:42:00.000-05:00

Is it really the middle of November? It's been a really fun, really busy fall. Getting some great shots and great giggles...all giving me energy for this spirited season.

we're moving!

2011-11-11T21:09:00.000-05:00

To this great new place in Silver Spring....and our DC friends are not happy about it.

I feel like we should print and frame this picture to remember our days as DC city dwellers.

A Sweet Surprise

2011-10-28T11:45:00.002-04:00

Two years ago this month, I did a mini session with Leslie and Cole. Leslie arranged the shoot with her, then 7 year old boy, as a surprise for her husband.

A few months ago, I received a call from Andre, Leslie's husband, saying "I'm cooking up a surprise, and hoping you can be a part of it." It turns out that Andre and Leslie are pregnant with their second child. Andre wanted to create a day to celebrate Leslie in her maternal beauty, full of hair, makeup, a day off of work, and a maternity photo shoot. I jumped at the chance to be a part of this super fun project. We did the shoot last week, Leslie telling me that she cried when Andre revealed the surprise. Tears of happiness, for sure. She's so lovely, and made the perfect subject for the shoot. Many, many congratulations Leslie, Andre and Cole! I cannot wait to meet your new addition.

Fall Baby Love

2011-10-28T11:36:00.001-04:00

Laura and Phillipe are friends from the yoga studio, Laura being an amazing yoga teacher. About a year ago, they gave birth to their first baby, Dahlia Coco. We spent a sun-drenched morning up in Rock Creek Park to capture the year mark.

aaaawwww. She was SO good all morning, had just HAD ENOUGH!

Better with Daddy.

Phoebe and John

2011-10-27T16:36:00.000-04:00

New Beginnings

2011-10-18T18:06:00.000-04:00

Do you remember the first day you moved into a new house? The rooms are empty of furniture but full of potential, of dreams, visions of joy, family and friends. I loved helping this vision of one of my annual clients come true. We were brainstorming where to shoot the kids this fall, and she suggested their new home. It's new construction, and was nearly ready for them to move in when we did this shoot. Hank and Jude were, as usual, adorably active. Almost as cute as their parents.

More soon....
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Babies

2011-10-18T12:01:00.000-04:00

Infant shoots don't require too much of an introduction. This one, however, was unique. Paige, the two week old baby, slept for the pretty much the entire shoot. Parents, feel free to post in the comments how much your baby slept at their infant session...I assure you, the average is probably 30 minutes. Max.

But no matter how much we moved her around, little Paige was mellow and sleepy. And her big sister, Josephine, well, she must have led the way in mellow kids. She was so patient, and just hung around for the entire session, entertaining herself and occasionally jumping in to give a kiss to little sis.

Paige woke up just long enough to give us this!

It was so fun to spend a glorious fall afternoon in the park with you guys!

Working with Friends

2011-10-12T22:20:00.000-04:00

Working with great friends is such a joy (and a bit of pressure. the pressure is all self-induced, I assure you). The most wonderful part about it is that my tribe is really relaxed around me. They'll joke and play and input their own ideas about a shot, without first thinking about first impressions. Hence this hilarious and beautiful maternity session with my best friends Erin and Adam.

Okay, despite creative ideas, I admit that I was a bit nervous that passerby's would think I was making one of my clients do this!!

They just moved into this great apartment and have a little entry alleyway that reminds me of both great light and walking the gang plank all at once. When I said, "this would be a great place for photographs" I'm not sure that this is what I meant :)

But oh, how hilarious. And how fitting for these two goofy, fun and light people.

Such a cute, urban couple. Erin and I actually met on the street outside of Foggy Bottom Metro seven years ago. She's my best friend now, and I'll be there for the birth of her first child (did you hear that Erin? First...that means there may be more :).

Talk to strangers, people!

Introducing myself to her may the best sentence I have ever uttered....next to "I do".

I totally would never ask any one of my maternity couples to JUMP - but, well, there you go.

Just six weeks to go - OH MY!

Pride

2011-10-11T19:54:00.000-04:00

Pride is a tricky thing for an artist.
There's that little thing called perfectionism, first of all.

Then there's the to-do list a mile long, that always makes one feel slightly incomplete. A bit undone.
Pride never is an emotion that swells to the top of the food chain. It's always chomped on by doubt, ambition, exhaustion, and distraction.

But when I work for a client who can achieve their goals, wipe something major off of their to-do list as a result of my help, well, that does make me feel proud.

One of the areas in which I've been working this year has been in corporate branding. I've done all the photography for Metrocurean.com, mirasadesign.com, American Association of University Women, and many more awesome clients. The most recent was Allan Woods Flowers. We are still building their portfolio of images, but just a second ago I flipped to their website, just to see their progress, and voila! found a gorgeous new site, featuring their amazing arrangements and enveloping, fragrant shop featured full frame. To see my photography accurately depict their artistry...ah. It's the feeling of great satisfaction.

And to have my photography support the liveliehood of an amazing team of professionals supporting our local neigborhood, even better.

But the best of all is shooting a room full of gorgeous flower arrangements. Can you say delicious?

Now if someone could just help me get my new website done.
Sheesh.

Andrea and Kyle

2011-10-11T12:33:00.000-04:00

What a busy fall! But the leaves are beginning to turn and that fall light is so gorgeous that it just keeps me inspired the whole season long. From shoots with my awesome corporate clients, including Allan Woods Flowers and the American Association of University Women, to mini sessions with little ones and weddings with older ones, the diversity of work is keeping me on my toes. I'm loving every second of it.

Kyle and Andrea came to me for an engagement session, and were so amazing to work with. They're super easy going with each other, and were dedicated to this session enough to get up EARLY. Andrea had her makeup and hair done before our 8am shoot and they arrived at the Lincoln Memorial gorgeous and ready to go. The early start totally paid off, as we got gorgeous light, cool temps, and virtually no tourists. Enjoy!

The very spot Kyle proposed to Andrea. At least they think. Turns out he slightly mis-timed their surprise trip to the Lincoln, where he intended to propose. By the time they got down there it was pretty dark and he was reconsidering the safety of his decision :) It all turned out well though - as he still got down on one knee and she said yes!

Wowee. Got to love that early morning fall light.

Many congratulations you two! It was a joy to work with you!

What we throw away....

2011-09-15T18:28:00.000-04:00

I know my clients would like to think that I don't toss a single image from their session. Each and every moment is truly precious. But when it comes to making a decision for printing, we all suffer from paralysis through analysis. I haven't had a consistent headshot in years, because my Dad keeps taking pictures of me, but I can't decide which truly represents my personality.

So the question becomes, not, do I delete this:

Because, of course, yes. But do I delete this?

Because, while Anthony's look might seem mid-thought to me, it may personify his true personality to his Mom and Dad. There's this picture of my husband, hanging permanently as an 11x14 on my in-love's wall. It's black and white. Juan's tongue is slightly out between his tight lips. He's got a gleam in his eyes and a small ball in his hands. He looks like he's up to something both super fun and no good at all. The image speaks volumes about who he was as a three year old. It represents both the trials and the joy that he has brought to his family for 35 years.

The true essence of a person is what I try to capture in a photograph. A work that will stand the test of time. Something that hangs on the wall of house after house, year after year, and always speaks: "that's my (son) (my brother) (me) (my lover)."

So, in this age of digital photography. What do we throw away? What do we keep? Let me know how you make this decision, in the comments.

A few favorites from Dina and Mark's session....

more soon, from the land of the busy and blessed....svg

Jason and Stina

2011-09-09T20:02:00.000-04:00

About a year ago, I get this email through my online website form, from a Jason, asking about my wedding packages. After a few back and forth email's, we sent up a meeting downtown to discuss their wedding. I show up a few early, and in walks one of my former yoga students. It takes me a second to put two and two together, when his girlfriend, Stina, also a former student, joins him. They sit down and say "we thought it would be a fun surprise not to tell you!"

Needless to say, so much fun to work for folks that you respect so much, and who are so vibrant at heart.

Their lovely wedding brought Stina's family in from Sweden, and united many friends from California and around the country. Meadowlark Garden, in Virginia, one of my favorite family portrait locations, provided the perfect backdrop for this heartfelt ceremony.

The gorgeous bride:

I love this shot of the "first look" among Jason and Stina. It's as if they can't believe that the day is finally here!

During the ceremony, Stina choked up (as did I). During the toasts, her father said "This is true love and commitment, for us Swedes don't often cry. "

The ceremony was so pitch perfect. A misty haze settled over the gorgeous landscape. The bride and groom had picked very heartfelt and unique music to set the mood for the ceremony, then walked down the aisle together, in typical Swedish fashion.

During the ceremony, a gong was hit every few minutes, which resonated throughout the gardens and really deepened the emotion of the vows. Come to find out that the gong was not theirs, nor did anyone know where it came from! How perfectly serendipitous.

The witnesses!

The Bridal Party!

Music provided by One Nite Stand, who performs every Monday night at Madams Organ, in my home neighborhood of Adams Morgan.

Post Ceremony, on the grounds...

The relief - we did it! photo

Pre-ceremony, mid-day sun

Post-ceremony, dusk....

The ever gorgeous Meadowlark Gardens

Many congratulations Jason and Stina! What an honor to work with you both.
Have an amazing honeymoon!
more soon,
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Stephanie and Aaron

2011-09-07T12:30:00.001-04:00

This weekend I had the joy of traveling to shoot the wedding of Stephanie and Aaron.
Stephanie is a triplet, and last year I photographed her sister and brother-in-law's gorgeous wedding.

This past winter, I photographed their Times Square engagement session, in which we did a famous reenactment. Together we created an awesome guest book from that session, and a large wall art print of the famous photograph. That print is an instant family heirloom that I'm sure their kids and kids kids will love.

So, when they asked me to do their wedding in Long Island, I jumped at the opportunity. Assisted by the fantastic Cary Barker, of Christine Barker Photography, we drove up on Friday, and shot this daytime wedding on Saturday.

The bride and her sister.

The wedding was on the Long Island Sound, and the tropical Crescent Beach Club.

The mother of the bride. There were lots of tears of joy at this wedding.

I love the Navy Sword Arch, to close the ceremony. The bride and groom have to kiss to gain passage through each cross of the swords.

And after the last passage, the Navy man taps the bride on the backside, and shouts "Welcome to the Navy!"

This bridal party was 90% the same people as were in Chris and Alexis' wedding. It's enviable that their group of friends are so tight. With each wedding, they're growing closer in friendship and love.

Aaron and Steph choreographed a great dance for their first song....I'm told that Aaron really stepped it up in rehearsals and got into the dance, but by my account, they both stole the show.

So many more images to share, but this one has to be included. Guess who caught the garter? Stephanie and Alexis' triplet brother. Guess who caught the bouquet? His long-time girlfriend. Perhaps another blog post for this family in the fall of 2012? Just sayin....:)

Aaron and Steph, you two are the best. The bonding of not only yourselves and your families, but also the strengthening of your tight-knit group of friends is just inspirational to witness. I hope you've rested up from your marathon wedding week and are enjoying these first days as newleyweds.

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Thank Heavens it's Almost Monday

2011-08-21T23:08:00.000-04:00

It's the eve of the Kutch Kutch reunion.
Kutch Kutch MMXI, to be exact.

Kutch kutch in Hindi translates somewhere along the lines of "chatter". Total slang, and completely accurate. It's nearly phonetic, kutch kutch, kutching, the sound of girls clicking tongues, getting deep into the nuances of relationships, dissecting the small details that make up the big experiences that coalesce into the years that make up our lives.

For over 25 years, I have been kutch kutching with my two best girl friends. We were given the name "kutch kutch girls" in 1993 by my best friends' mom. An honor, really.

Every year, come heavy workloads, credit card debt, deaths in the family, moving houses, no matter what, we do a kk reunion. We pay for each others flights. We rearrange our schedules. We defend the week (or 4 days, 6 days, 8 days) like a mama bear of her cubs. Eight years ago, the three of us decided that if we didn't make it a non-negotiable commitment, then our relationship would continually be pushed off until life was more convenient. Or worse, we'd see each other without the third of our essential triangle. And for the eight years since, we've met at in Montpelier, VT, at one of the kutches homes. Sadly, but albeit unrepentently, we kick her husband out for the week. And we kutch. We heal. We dig deep. We feed our souls a juice of love, perspective, community and strength (and we visit an astrologer - actually, she now visits us - just for good measure). And that juice lasts just about one year to the day. And that next year, the kk reunion comes just in time.

This year, it's a bad time. We're selling our home (one bedroom coop in Adams Morgan, anyone?), business is crazy, my husband has a new job, I have many out of state weddings coming up. So I'll bring my laptop and work remotely. I'll do what I have to do to be next to these ladies, to drink in their strength and give them some of my energy.

Last night I had a dream that I was packing for the KK reunion. And I don't think ever in my life have I been EXCITED in a dream. But I was Psyched. Like I had won the lottery. And then I woke up and felt like I really had won the lottery, because, after all, my dream came true.

Samara turns four!

2011-08-11T10:34:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite things about family photography is being witness to kids growing up. I first worked with Samara and her mom in 2009, and have since done four sessions with her. I've blogged about this before, but it never ceases to amaze me to watch these babies become kids with opinions and developing personalities.

I asked Sam's mom to stand with her in front of her, and hold onto her fingers, like she did for a session we did in 2009, and 2010, and blogged about here. Once she did, the tears came quickly, as she had a flash back to those moments, remembering just how tiny her little girl had been, and how fast she is growing up.

It's What You're Willing to Carry With You

2011-08-09T10:55:00.000-04:00

I get two questions a lot:
1. What camera should I buy to take good pictures?
2. You mean to tell me you don't bring your camera on vacation?!

In answer to number one, it's not about the camera. Not to say that a high quality camera and lens selection aren't important. Of course they are. But the fundamentals of photography are housed in the ever expanding instincts and knowledge of the photographer. Buying the $7,979.99 bike that Lance Armstrong rode to win the Tour de France may make riding a little easier, but I ain't winning the Tour on it. One of my photography teachers here in DC, Zaid Hamid, at the time used just a 50mm lens and a camera about three iterations older than mine. And mine was the least sophisticated of everyone's. And he could still shoot circles around all of us.

The best camera is the one you're willing to carry with you. The heavy Nikon D3 with a 400mm lens ain't gonna take very good pictures on my vacation because it's sitting in the closet at home. Shlepping a monster like that through the airport as my carry-on and treating it with the love and attention of a newborn baby is not my idea of kicking off a relaxing week away.

Which brings me to question number two. There are instances when I bring my camera body and a few select lenses on vacation. Back in a 2010 trip to Europe, I brought my camera body, an 85mm 1.8 lens for portraits and street scenes, and a 14 - 24mm 2.8 lens for landscapes. I thought about what types of images I wanted to take from that trip, and packed the bag accordingly.

But sometimes, I just want to sit on a beach chair and read from my Kindle. I don't want to think about getting up at 5am for the best light, or missing dinner for the perfect twilight shot. So on these types of vacations, the only camera I am willing to bring with me is my iPhone. Which I did on last weeks' trip to Antigua, West Indies.

Where, ironically, it was 15 degrees cooler than here in DC.

more soon,
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Cara and Joe

2011-07-18T12:01:00.004-04:00

I first met Cara and Joe last year, to discuss wedding coverage for their July 2011 date. Immediately I could see the love between the two of them, and their relaxed joy in discussing their big day.

So when I walked into Cara's suite at the ever spectacular Hotel Monaco DC on Saturday morning, and found her relaxed, gorgeous and ready to go, I wasn't the least bit surprised. She showed me the gorgeous vintage earrings that Joe had gifted her that morning. He also found a pitch-perfect hair piece, made by an artist on Etsy who re-purposes broaches. I love how he could match her dress so perfectly, without even having seen it.

A QUICK trip to the Lincoln before the ceremony. We got stuck in serious Constitution traffic so had about 5 minutes to grab some shots down on the mall. Luckily, Joe and Cara are gorgeous, so it wasn't too hard. I did this little vintage treatment to compliment the timelessness of her dress and his suit.

The gorgeous ceremony. Such a beautiful space at the Hotel Monaco! I love how they've situated all of the chairs and bridal party to create a circle around the couple.

In my opinion, this recessional picture is in the top three favorites that I've ever taken:

The following were taken after the ceremony was over...they were so relaxed and excited to have the rest of the night to celebrate!

I showed this image and a few others to Cara and Joe as we were walking back to their reception, and she said "is that us??!! it looks like a magazine!" which indeed, they do look like they just stepped out of.

The ceremony area, converted for the reception...

Their sweet first dance. They had the best songs EVER for their first dance, as well as the parent dances. Joe's really into music, so Cara also had a "music poster" made for him for their wedding that features the date, location and their names, all in rock style font and layout.

An outrageously fun reception followed the big event and capped off a perfect day.

Many, many congratulations Joe and Cara! Have a wonderful time on your honeymoon!

The amazing vendor team:
Ceremony and Reception: Hotel Monaco, DC
Second Photographer: the fabulous Christine, of Christine Barker Photography
Florist: Yellow Door Floral
Cake: Heidelberg Bakery
DJ: David Grimm
Dress: Priscilla of Boston
Officiant: Rev. Jeff Maszal, Wedding Ceremonies by Jeff