"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make". - Jane Goodall
Adventurer | Improv Comedian | Halloween Addict | Animal Lover | New Mom
It is important to me that my clients and couples feel like they can relate to me. It helps you feel more comfortable on your wedding day and personally I just really enjoy creating new relationships with strangers. With that said I am about to give you way more information about me then you will ever need or want.
I started my photography career in the darkroom at the age of 13. After 1 year of taking photography classes I was invited to have my work displayed in a gallery. Before graduating from High school I had sold images and been in galleries all over NY (where I grew up) and even on a traveling exhibition through Europe. I did end up getting a degree in Photography although I didn’t think I could make a career of it. I paired that with working in Event Management and planning. First Fun Fact: I was in charge of planning Homecoming for the entirety of Towson University and even got to be on stage to introduce the Black Eyed Peas (during their Where is the Love era). Second Fun Fact: I was also the mascot the Towson Tiger for the school. I met my husband my senior year of college I also bought my first car a Jeep Liberty around the same time. I still have them both 23 years later.
My first job out of college was working at Walt Disney World to create the PhotoPass Program. I met other photographers at Disney who introduced me to the world of Wedding Photography and started a new addiction. While there I bounced between building that program and working in event management mostly for musical programming. I dabbled in Stage Management, Managed over 200 volunteers at the Orlando Fringe Festival and found my love for Musical theatre. Not being on stage but really loving to see shows.
Moved back to Maryland and started my own wedding photography business in 2008. My first wedding I charged $1000 for 8 hours of work. As I started to make money I started to travel more and more. The first taste was Vietnam & Cambodia, then a friend mentioned she was going to Carnivale in Brazil so I met her there, managed to talk my way into press passes for the Iditarod in Alaska and was even offered to go up in a helicopter to photograph the race from above.
When I’m not behind the camera… I am with my family including my 1.5 y/o Evangeline Jane . After 20+ years with my partner we decided to try IVF and at 43 years old had our first baby. If you are looking into trying IVF I’m happy to talk your ear off about it.
Prior to having a little one and probably in the next year or so, I have always been a true adventurer. I have been to all 7 continents multiple times (5 times to Antarctica!) I’ve visited all 50 states and will be checking off National parks next.I’ve hiked the Inca Trail, snorkeled with orcas, trekked with gorillas (18 times!), and I’ve polar plunged in both the Arctic and Antarctica.
About 7 years ago I started RW Safaris - leading photography & conservation tours to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. I have to tell, witnessing someone encounter an elephant in the wild for the first time is unforgettable. My wildlife photography work has been featured in magazines, and galleries around the world- including the Kennedy Center here in DC.
The coolest gig I’ve ever had? Being THE Times Square photographer on New Year’s Eve. Mariah Carey meltdown included.
Most Epic place I’ve photographed an Elopement - On Safari in Kenya - A Wedding- 500+ people on the island of Chios in Greece!
Things I Love: Halloween - Improv Comedy (both performing in it and watching it) - Wildlife - Gardening - I’m getting back into concerts since I see them mostly for free by volunteering… Politics (Yes… I am one of those controversial people that loves to talk politics and religion!)
One of my favorite parts of being a photographer is the connections and friendships I’ve made over the years. So many of my couples graduate from be a client to becoming friends.
What is it like working with me ?
I’m a sarcastic goofball, who loves to make people laugh. I am a type A extroverted introvert that knows enough about everything to have a good conversation. I have been told by multiple elopement clients that their favorite part of working with me is riding in the car and taking to me. I can literally talk to anyone about anything; although travel and wildlife are two of my favorite subjects. I tend to remember every single story you tell me but… I forget names…
My specialty is documentary style photography
I love capturing those real moments, emotions, and expression. Even after all these years I still find it exciting getting home and uploading the images from a wedding to see what I captured. Intimate and silly moments are my favorite. There was a bride once that said to me - I want a photographer who captures those throw your head back moments, double chins and all. That is my goal with every wedding and family photoshoot I photograph to capture those real moments, real expressions, real love.
What is a wedding day like ?
My goal with every wedding is to create breathtaking images while making sure you get to enjoy your day to the fullest. I have worked timelines so that my couples always get at least 25-30 minutes of their cocktail hour without a first look. I am also probably one of the fasted family photographers I am. The number one compliant I have heard from couples before booking is that they were in a wedding where it took forever to take photos. My family portraits max 10 minutes. My goal is to move quickly and efficiently throughout your day to make sure you have the most amazing gallery but also get to completely enjoy your wedding day!
Everything Below is purely for SEO Rankings- You can feel free to read away if you would like!
What do you get when you hire Love & Adventure Photography ?
You get a photographer who:
Has over 15 Years of Wedding Photography Experience
Was ranked as a Top 3 Wedding Photojournalists in the World in 2021.
Loves wildlife and has literally traveled the entire world photographing endangered species.
Has a Bachelor’s Degree in Photography from Towson University
Has worked as an Event Manager at Walt Disney World ( So I know how to run events)
Only shoots Real Weddings. No Styled Shoots. Everything you see is real.
Knows how to pose people for their body types
Can complete a list of family photos in 15 minutes or less
Has Photographed over 500 Weddings on 4 Continents (Including Antarctica & Africa)
Runs a Green Company. We try our best to use sustainable materials. Reduce Waste and Reuse as much as possible.
Supports the LGBTQI+ community 🏳️🌈
Respects and honors all religions and races.
Is Obsessed with Halloween and loves creative couples that feed the left side of my brain!
What we love most about being a wedding photographer…
Your wedding is a reflection of who you are and the people you cherish the most in the world joining you to celebrate..
It never goes exactly how you expected it to go! After months or even years of planning and saving up for your dream day, its over in the blink of an eye.!
Trust me, when I got married I couldn’t believe how fast it all went by ! I’d forgotten SO much about the day. Now the photos are all we have left of that amazing day – and especially after my mom passed away just a year after we got married it was those moments and those last photos I have with her that I cherish the most.
That’s why your photography is so important. And that’s why people invest so much into their wedding photography.
Wedding photos are memories. Photographs can bring back a memory or emotion that you may have forgotten.We’re not into oldschool posing or faking moments. Our goal is to capture your day authentically and organically -Its our goal not just to capture gorgeous photos, but to make your wedding photography an incredible experience. We believe that your love story deserves an hand-crafted, one of a kind approach.
We look for those real moments, real emotions to capture natural, candid wedding photographs. We’ll step in to tweak where you need a little guidance or help, but we do our best as wedding photographers to make sure you feel comfortable and can forget the cameras as much as possible. Our style is more about getting you interacting with each other, rather than a lot of really formal posing .Because we care deeply about making real connections with our couples, we take only a limited number of weddings per year. We are excited to meet you and to capture your story!
FINDING A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN WASHINGTON DC
Finding a Washington DC Wedding Photographer is easy. Choosing a wedding photographer is HARD. With so many wedding photographers, it can get overwhelming. Just because a photographer is based in Washington DC, isn’t a guarantee they’re the right fit for your wedding. Having a photographer whose work you LOVE is crazy important – And so is actually LIKING being around them! After all, you’re going to be spending most of your wedding day with your wedding photographer… Its probably important they’re fun to be with!
WE LOVE DESTINATION WEDDINGS
Planning something totally unique or off the grid?
Catamaran Elopement through the islands of Greece?
Fairytale ceremony in Iceland?
A mountaintop wedding in Colorado or Utah?
We’re in LOVE with unique and intimate weddings!
We’re adventurers, explorers and artists at heart.
Even though we are based in Washington DC I am a bit of a travel expert and well versed in Destination Weddings and Elopements. I have photographed International Weddings, Elopements, and Engagement sessions in Antarctica, Greece, Kenya, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, Iceland, Canada, Aruba, and the Bahamas. I have photographed Weddings, Elopements, and Engagements in the following states; Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
So where will your adventure be ?
If you are looking for the most creative wedding portraits along with the images of the most beautiful moments between you and the ones you love then Love and Adventure Photography is for you. We strive to create unique images for our Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and worldwide couples. With over 15 years photographing weddings in the DMV I am constantly striving to create photos that don’t look like every other wedding. I create images that are personal to my couples. Our wedding images focus on their personality, relationship, and love.
My Washington DC weddings draw brides and grooms from all over the world not just the DMV area. I am prepared to meet with local clients in person, but I am also happy to set up virtual meetings with clients that live elsewhere. Whether we talk via Skype, Facetime, email, or a simple phone call, I am here to provide you with as much information possible about your Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, or Destination Wedding.
I will also provide you with other wedding information in the DMV area. Whether you are looking for more top of the line vendors, the perfect location for your elopement, or even some fun activities for your guests to do while in the Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia area. I will also help create a wedding day timeline for your wedding day, decide how many hours of coverage you need, and write your family formal list so you will know who we will be grouping together for family formals.
Africa Elopements and Wedding Photography
If you are interested in getting married in Eastern or Southern Africa; Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, or Uganda I not only will photograph your wedding but I can book your entire trip. I also run a Wildlife Travel Company in Africa bringing groups of people on tours of the above countries twice a year. I have been traveling to Africa twice a year for the past five years and I bring my clients on tour with extremely qualified guides. My clients experience the best wildlife and landscapes in each country while staying in luxury safe accommodations. You can learn more about my tours by visiting my travel companies’ site: Ricker’s Wildlife Safaris.
Wedding Photographer for Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and West Virginia & International Destinations
Serving Baltimore, Washington DC, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, Stafford, Price William, Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas, Richmond, Shenadoah National Park Frederick, Columbia, Germantown, Silver Spring, Ellicott City, Frederick, Glen Burnie, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bethesda, Dundalk, Bowie, Towson, Severn, Wheaton, North Bethesda, Bel Air, Potomac, Odenton, Catonsville, Hagerstown, Annapolis, Clinton, Severna Park, Randallstown, Olney, Owings Mills, Pikesville, College Park, Eldersburg, Pasadena, Reisterstown, Laurel, Middle River, Clarksburg, North Potomac, Arnold, Landover, Elkridge, Cockeysville, Cumberland, Arbutus, Westminster, Hyattsville, Oxon Hill, Takoma Park, Beltsville, Damascus, Havre de Grace, Urbana, Cambridge, Forestville, Accokeek, Timonium, Linthicum, Lanham, Lexington Park, Brandywine, Jessup, Mount Airy, La Plata, White Marsh, Monrovia, Frostburg, Fallston, Edgemere, Landsdowne, Taneytown, Thurmont, Savage, Bowleys Quarters, Hampstead, Walkersville, Berlin, Chestertown, Deale, Chester, Manchester, Chestertown, Naval Academy, Chesapeake Beach, District Heights, Ocean City, Capitol Heights, National Harbor, Leonardtown, Boonsboro, Sykesville, Riva, Kingsville Denton, Princess Anne, Huntingtown, Delmar, Emmitsburg, Golden Beach, Jarresttville, Chevy Chase, Price Frederick, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Dunkirk, University park, Solomons, Mountain Lake Park, Owings, Adamstown, Derwood, Point of Rocks, Lusby, New Market, Crownsville, Charlestown, New Windsor, Potomac Heights, Buckeystown, Algonquin, Morningside, St. Michaels, Calvert Beach, Willards, Funkstown, Mount Vernon, Queen Anne, Tilghman Island, Union Bridge, Upper Marlboro, Port Deposit, Kent Narrows, Assategue Island, Darlington, St. Leonard, Tall Timbers, Cordova, Chevy Chase, Glen Echo, Rosemont, Quantico, Tolchester, Deal Island, Smith Island, National Harbor, Burkittsville, Rock Point.