Hi, friends!

About Alisandra Photography

Hey friends! My name is Ali, and welcome to my blog!

I am a Wedding Photographer based in Richmond, Virginia. I try to keep this baby as up to date as I can with recent shoots, personal thoughts, and the random, fun little things life brings. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to visit. I really appreciate it. Please make yourself at home and enjoy your time here!

Questions or Comments? ali@alisandraphoto.com

A Giveaway for Isaac

April 20th, 2012

My friend Isaac Earlenbaugh is 17 years old. When he was 8, he was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. This disease degenerates his muscles over time, and there is no cure. He is in a wheelchair full time and needs nearly 100% physical assistance. However, we have a unique opportunity to make Isaac’s independence and passions become more of a reality for him!

Isaac has recently been entered in a competition to win a wheelchair accessible van that he would be capable of driving!! With this van, Isaac would be able to do SO much on his own! But this will not happen unless we have the support of hundreds of people.

To encourage you, I’m going to do a giveaway for y’all!

Here are the details. FIRST:

1. Go to this link: http://www.nmeda.com/mobility-awareness-month/heroes/virginia/virginia-beach/865/isaac-earlenbaugh
2. Watch Isaac’s video, then take 5 seconds to vote on it! *** ON YOUR FIRST VOTE, USE PROMOTIONAL CODE: 946 *** This will get 5 extra votes added!!

NOW, do ONE of the following:

1. Go to FACEBOOK and LIKE Alisandra Photography. Leave this as your status [Tag Alisandra Photography, otherwise I won't know you're in the running!]: I VOTED FOR ISAAC with Alisandra Photography.
2. Tweet something with this hash tag: #ivotedforisaac, and mention @alisandraphoto

Here is what one random person can win: A POTTERY BARN FRAME!!!

Thank you so much for helping Isaac!!

Martha + Richard | UVA Colonnade Club Wedding

April 17th, 2012

In every room, on every mantle, there was an array of flowers. Mature colors. Deep pinks and whites with a variety of greens… The venue begs for this look – a mature, elegant one. The Colonnade Club is part of Thomas Jefferson’s little side project of building an institution of higher education we know as the University of Virginia. And it too has an air of maturity and elegance. Saturday was my first time meeting Martha. Her relationship with Richard can also be described the same way. Mature – they’ve been together for 12 years. “Finally,” said the officiant as they arrived at the altar. And elegant. They related to each other in a way that is so gentle and true.

The afternoon started quietly as my second shooter and I began shooting the details. Martha arrived, dressed, and headed out to the church. After the ceremony, we came back to the Club for cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres. The evening was simple. No DJ, no dancing, no cake cutting [although there were cakes... about 1000 of them.]. They took out the fuss and only left the important things. Martha and Richard value quality time with their friends and family and that made for a beautiful and meaningful evening. Enjoy these shots from the day!

This little one said “Hi!” to every one. Love this shot of you, Martha. SO sweet. [Thanks to Jessica for this landscape - isn't Charlottesville pretty?!]

The vertical shot on the right is from Jessica, my second shooter for the day. I LOVE this shot.

Thank you, Starr Hill. You make beer look so good.

I think this is the tastiest assortment of images that has been posted on my blog…

Ending with this image. Law school grads are hilarious. Thanks for a great night, y’all!

Venue: The Colonnade Club |  Florist: Hedge Fine Blooms |  Cakes: HotCakes |  Hair + Makeup: Moxie
Catering[YUM!]: The Catering Outfit |  Dress: Lazaro from Hannalores Bridal Salon

Marriage Monday | Zac Brown Band

April 16th, 2012

I grew up listing to a lot of music. My mom was a classical guitar major who loved everything from Andres Segovia to Peter, Paul & Mary. My dad was “friends” with everyone. He could rock to the Rolling Stones and sway to the soulful sounds of Al Green. The first concert I can remember going to was Reba McEntire, and I was hooked. Live shows sprinkled my summers, probably around 5 each summer, and more as I got older.

When I met Chad, I think he had only gone to one concert. The Gaither Vocal Band. I knew not everyone was as “into” music as I was, but because it was such a huge part of my life, I started giving Chad CDs. Burning them to his computer, telling him about so and so’s manager, or his or her guitar player…

I got emotional the other day because I felt like Chad teaches me so much [he is SO smart!] and I was struggling to think of things that I was able to teach him. He reminded me how much he’s learned about music. Chad’s iPod is filled with a ton of my favorites, and we have plans to go to three concerts this summer! One of which was the other night… Zac Brown Band!

Marriage Monday | Guest Blogger Brett Baker

April 9th, 2012

Brett is one of those girls you describe as awesome, and you mean it. I met her at a wedding when I ran into her husband, a fellow JMU grad. The two of them live in Charlottesville and invited Chad and I to visit Portico when we were moving there! So we did. And when I put out a cry for a gym buddy, Brett agreed to get up with me at 6:30a.m. for a gym date. [Who does that?!] Anyway, as I got to know her, over the standard out of breath conversations on the treadmill, I learned how passionate and honest she is about her life, her husband, her struggles and her celebrations. She is a true light for the Lord, and when I was thinking of who to ask to guest blog, I knew I wanted her to write something for Marriage Mondays.

Before I hand it over to Brett, I want you to add her blog to your Google Reader right now. Do it. I mean, if writing were a spiritual gift, Brett would have it. She makes you feel like you could reach into her blog posts and hug her… then take her out to coffee because you’ve been there too. Without any more of my ramblings, here is a marriage monday post just for you, with love from Brett.

© 2012 Marcy May Photography

1. Who are you? Brett Baker! I love to blog part time. I work full time for an educational group travel company as an account manager.

2. How did you and your husband meet? Nathaniel and I met at JMU through the a capella community. He came up to me and introduced himself, and I told him my name was “Brett. Like the guy’s name, like Brett Favre.” And the rest, as they say, is history. :)

***

My husband and I generally don’t go grocery shopping together. I’m decisive. He’s….well, he’s not.  I will have checked off my whole grocery list and loaded things into the car while N. is still trying to decide between beef or chicken kebabs. It’s no one’s fault. We’re just wired differently. He can meditate on a decision for days. I have the attention span of a puppy.

There are some things that we simply can’t do together.

Grocery shopping is one, yard work is another. Registering online for baby items is yet another– recent discovery. He wants to research….extensively. I want to read the first few reviews and say ”yay” or “nay,” and that’s that.

If there was one thing that I wish people had told me (and trust me—folks told me A LOT that I wish they hadn’t), it’d probably be

Not everything about you two is going to be-or supposed to be-compatible.

Or

It’s OK if you don’t like every single thing about your spouse.

But most importantly,

This whole marriage thing isn’t meant to be perfect.

We put a lot of emphasis on perfect compatibility these days. We’re picky. Maybe too picky.

I was reading a book recently where the main character said to his gal, ”I like literally everything about you.” And that’s how their romance began. I was sitting on my sofa eating salt and vinegar chips when I read this. I shook a greasy finger at the page and yelled, ”That’s a LIE!”

Now, I love a lot of things about my man: the scar on his lip, how his mouth hangs open when he’s thinking about something, and how he can’t help but hum or sing a song 89% of the day. But there are a few things about my man that I can’t stand, and that’s OK; how he’ll leave his laundry in the dryer until kingdom come is just one. He would tell you that he hates how I leave my crap around the house, and that’s just fine.

If we go into marriage expecting every little part of our lives to click, then we’re bound to be disappointed. It took me probably a year into my marriage to realize that it’s OK if we don’t want to be together every second of every day. I thought I was doing something wrong-being mean or unlovable. Nope-that’s just what happens when two humans enter into a holy relationship.

And that’s OK.

Easter Suddenly

April 6th, 2012

Where in the world did this week go? For real. One day I’m figuring out what to write for MARRIAGE MONDAY, and the next, I realize that it’s already Friday!

A few fun things happened this week, so how about an update!

1. I started researching designers for future rebranding. My goal is to launch a new website late this year, or early 2013. The quest to find a designer has been interesting, and something I’ll surely be sharing with you in the future.

2. I worked at VCU’s Child Care Center this week taking their school portraits. OH how I wish I could share some of these squishy little faces with you. Due to the fact that they are so cute, you’d probably be too tempted to come and take one for yourself, I’ve been asked not to share them online. Anyway, I think I’ve been totally drained due to this job. Friday came fast, but at just the right time. Kiddos wore me out!

3. It’s EASTER! My mom and Chad’s family are all coming to US for Easter Sunday. This is the first holiday that we’re all spending together, and I’m excited about that. But I’m also excited about the Honey Baked Ham and fruit salad.

    4. The Azaleas are in full bloom, which means, The Masters have started. This might be one of my favorite golf tournaments. It’s spring, it’s traditional, it’s southern, and all of the caddy’s wear these white jump suits that make you giggle. Plus I get an urge to drink nothing by Arnold Palmers. [Half Tea/Half Lemonade.]

      5. March Madness has ended. Thank you, college basketball, for giving me my husband back.

      And 6. I hope to see you back here on Monday for a really special Marriage Monday!

      Jacqueline | Richmond Virginia Portraits

      March 29th, 2012

      The girls I met at CDIA are such an encouragement. I don’t know how to appropriately express my love for them, how much I love their work, and how much I want to keep them in my pocket so that we can share jokes, photography stuff, and, because we’re girls, clothes. We’re so different in our styles, but I have such a deep appreciation and love for their work!

      Jacqueline one of these ladies. She is a wedding photographer based in DC, getting ready to make a huge move with her husband across country in a few months. I had the huge honor of shooting her wedding [it was one of the most beautiful weddings I've been to; Style Me Pretty picked it up!], and when it came time for her to update her portraits on her website, we decided to swap sessions. We used Richmond as our backdrop, including Can Can, a little french cafe in Carytown. Be sure you check out her work. Not only her wedding portfolio, but also her travel and lifestyle work. Girl’s got skills.

      *Just as a note, some of these are edited with VSCO Film Presets. I’m still playing around with them, but let me know what you think!*

      I was so inspired by this Anthropologie skirt! Such great movement.

      Had me at hello…

      Sneak Peek | Jacqueline

      March 28th, 2012

      We walked toward the woods to finish our last bit of shots in the golden light. At the sight and sound of them, we looked at each other and giggled, “The Hunger Games!” And then I shot this. And then I died. I can’t wait to show more of this fun tomorrow!

      Marriage Monday | Love vs In Love

      March 26th, 2012

      What we call ‘being in love’ is a glorious state, and, in several ways, good for us! It helps to make us generous and courageous, it opens our eyes not only to the beauty of the beloved but to all beauty…

      Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing. There are many things below it, but there are also things above it. You cannot make it the basis of a whole life. It is noble feeling, but it is still a feeling.

      Now no feeling can be relied on to last in its full intensity, or even to last at all! Knowledge can last, principles can last, habits can last, but feelings come and go. And in fact, whatever people say, the state called, “being in love,” usually does not last.

      If the old fairy-tale ending, “They lived happily ever after,” is taken to mean, “They felt for the next fifty years exactly as they felt the day before they were married,” then it says what probably never was not ever would be true, and would be highly undesirable if it were. Who could bear to live in that excitement for even five years? What would become of your work, your appetite, your sleep, your friendships?

      But, of course, ceasing to be “in love” need not mean ceasing to love.

      Love in this second sense–love  as distinct from “being in love”–is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by the grace which both partners ask, and receive, from God. They can have this love for each other even at those moments when they do not like each other; as you love yourself even when you do not like yourself…

      “Being in love” first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep the promise. It is on this love the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it.

      Haley + Michael | Historic Williamsburg Virginia Wedding

      March 22nd, 2012

      Post Soundtrack: Emmanuel Moire, Mon Essentiel

      I swear. Haley and Michael were planning this wedding with me in mind. The location, the church, the reception venue, the history, the Indian food, the real emotion…a dream wedding. The day took place with the backdrop of William & Mary and historic Williamsburg. Everything was soaked in history. Haley wore her grandmother’s and mother’s gown. When her dad walked into the room, he choked up as he said, “Last time I saw that dress was 27 years ago.”  Draped around her neck were the pearls her grandfather in law brought back from World War II. They wed in a brightly lit, stone floor church. During their ceremony, the emotion got to me, and I wiped tears from my eyes. Haley and Michael’s love is serious, y’all. They are a comfortable couple. Genuine. Caring. All of this was confirmed during the reception when during open speeches, guest after guest got up to tell the rest how much their friendship meant to them. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed shooting this wedding. Thanks, Kristen, for tagging along and second shooting with me!

      Watching as her granddaughter puts on the gown she wore in 1956…

      I’ve always secretly wanted to do a bridesmaid’s photo like this. I’ve never seen the movie, but I think the cover is hysterical. Thanks for suggesting this, girls!

      Checking out the bling…

      Because I can’t get over how gorgeous Haley is…

      How fun is this little guest survey? They had a sketch book so you could doddle a photo of yourself and sign your name, too!

      Church: Williamsburg Presbyterian Church |  Reception: Williamsburg Community Building |  Catering: Nawab Indian Cuisine |  Flowers: Rooms Blooms and More
      Hair: European Beauty Concepts |  Dress: Grandmother’s, 1956  |  Bridesmaids: David’s Bridal

      Tiffany | Northern Virginia Maternity

      March 20th, 2012

      “I’m not surprised,” she said as she explained that we would have to postpone our shoot because of a breeched baby and a herniated disc. “Dramatic things tend to happen around our big life events.” Despite the odds, we got our shoot in only 4 days before little Mackayla was born.

      Tiffany is an old friend from middle school. 6th grade! We lived down the street from one another, and I’d frequently go visit Tiffany and her pet bunny. Thanks to Facebook, we reconnected, and there I was shooting her maternity photos! This past Saturday made these photos “old news” when baby girl made her way into the world. But here they are – excited to go back and shoot little miss Mackayla in a few weeks!

      LOVE the little bows. This nursery is SO little surfer girl.

      Best dressed mom award.

      Of course the pups…

       

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