Susan Solo – Photographer | Traveler | Adventurer

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A Long-Lost Relative?

In my whole life, I’ve never met or even heard of anyone else with my maiden name, Solo, that wasn’t a relative of mine. Okay, besides Han Solo – I get those jokes all the time. So hearing about the United States Women’s National Soccer Team’s goalie, Hope Solo, raises a few questions.

Has my family hidden something from me? Do I have a secret long-lost relative? Do I have Olympic-calibur athletic potential in my blood despite my uncanny clumsiness and penchant for falling down the stairs? I’m not good at geneology, family trees, lineage and all of that stuff, so I can’t even figure out how we could possibly be related, but with a last name like Solo, we must be right? I’m not actually accusing my family of anything scandalous – they would never hide something like that from me. Although…I did only find out a few years ago that our cat, who I considered “mine” when I was three years old, didn’t run away as I was told. My mom actually gave him to a friend of hers when my baby brother was born (he had severe allergies). My sister spilled the beans on a family road trip. I think that was the only major family secret though (and I think they just forgot over the years that I didn’t know the truth about Alex). But if there is something going on, this cat is out of the bag now, too!

July 30, 2008
Mark & Melanie – Vow Renewal 07.26.08

Yesterday I had the honor of experiencing a really special occasion as Mark and Melanie renewed their vows after twelve years of marriage. The event was held at the breathtaking Breaux Vineyards in Purcellville, Virginia with their closest friends and family in attendance. We were lucky with the weather considering the forecast was iffy – we had just enough time to complete the entire ceremony and a few quick portraits before the skies opened up in a total downpour. Everyone stayed perfectly cozy and dry either under the tent or inside the winery.

Note to friends and family: to be notified when the rest of Mark and Melanie’s photos can be viewed online, click here!

A few details of the winery and event – Laura Ritchie and her team from R&R Catering did an amazing job of making everything look so fabulous (a few of these shots are courtesy of my husband, Chris, who came along as my second-shooter!):

Mark and Melanie’s two boys walked them down the aisle and flanked them during the ceremony.

Another great shot by Chris:

I adore how they looked at each other as they were exchanging vows:

And I can’t get over how gorgeous they all are!

My personal favorite of the day:

A first dance for the second time around:

A fun and fitting gift from their friends:

Mark and Melanie, Chris and I were so happy to share this day with you, and we had a great time. We wish you a lifetime of continued happiness together!

July 27, 2008
Strange Remedy

Do you ever read something on the Internet and wonder if it’s complete bunk that someone put out there without any credence? I did a search on remedies for mosquito bites and found the following advice: peel a banana and use the inside of the banana peel to rub on the bite. Out of desperation because nothing else was working, I actually went to the kitchen, peeled a banana, and rubbed the skin all over my ankles. I felt pretty silly and I thought, someone could be having a laugh at me for following such weird advice. But to my surprise, it actually worked really well. It was slimy, and then very sticky, but it did stop the itch. So if you’re ever suffering from as many bites as I have, have a banana for a snack and then rub that skin all over your bites. Do this in the privacy of your own home or else risk looking like a total nutcase.

July 24, 2008
St. John Trip/Gary & Margie – 7.20.08

Chris and I just got back yesterday from six days in St. John, USVI. We stayed with some of his family in the Virgin Seabreeze Villa on the island for a really fun, relaxing vacation. Okay, fun except for the massive amount of bug bites I ended up getting (the last count was 49 bites). But with a view like this from any one of the decks at the villa, who can complain about a thing?!

As promised, I tackled #33 on my 101 in 1001 list: Go snorkeling (for more than 5 minutes even if I’m terrified). And I was pretty nervous after hearing reports from everyone else that had gone snorkeling the day before that there were tons of fish (I know…that’s the point of snorkeling) at Trunk Bay, and even fish that were a little aggressive and biting. However, they also said there was a beach called Cinnamon Bay that didn’t have much to see in the way of fish, so I figured it would be my best bet for beginner/scaredy-cat snorkeling. I have to say Cinnamon Bay is the most gorgeous beach I’ve ever seen in person and even in pictures. The sand is white and super soft, and the water was so clear it was like a swimming pool. And I’m really glad we went there because it took me some time to get used to the snorkeling equipment. We even ended up seeing some teeny tiny fish, a medium fish (?) and a sting ray! The sting ray creeped me out a little, but Chris was able to get a picture while I made a beeline back to the shore. But I was in the water for about 45 minutes before that so I’m super proud of myself!

And speaking of my 101 in 1001 list, there was another item I completed while on the island, though I had no idea I’d be doing it: #63. Photograph a wedding on my own. Chris’s dad, Gary, and his fiancée, Margie, surprised all of us kids by getting us together for what we thought was going to be a family portrait done on the beach. We all got dressed, piled into the cars and headed to Trunk Bay where we were meeting the photographer that they hired so that I could easily be in the picture. But when we arrived at the beach, the “photographer” turned out to be Anne Marie the minister who announced that it was the perfect day for a wedding. And I turned out to be the real photographer – talk about last-minute notice! We didn’t even know they were engaged. And I didn’t have all of the equipment with me that I’d normally have for shooting a wedding. But I quickly scraped my hair into a ponytail after getting over my shock and was so happy to shoot and get some good pictures for Gary and Margie. The ceremony was simple and beautiful and totally “them.” They couldn’t have picked a better setting.

Anne Marie whipped the bouquet out of a tote bag upon arrival. Before we knew there was a wedding and when I still thought she was the photographer, I have to admit to eyeing her tote bag and wondering how in the world she kept her camera and lenses in there without banging them around!

Anne Marie snapped this one of all of us together, so I guess she did end up being the photographer at least for one shot. From left to right: Chris’s brother Steve, me, Chris, Gary, Margie, Margie’s son-in-law Tony, Margie’s daughter/Tony’s wife Sarah, and Margie’s son Chris. Pardon my sandy, wet capris from running around in the surf trying to get good angles of the ceremony.

Gary and Margie, you totally pulled a fast one on all of us, and I’m sorry for asking so many questions about “the photographer” before I knew there was no photographer! I’m so glad we could be there and I was really honored to photograph this day for you. Thank you for an amazing trip!

July 22, 2008
Shannon & Justin – 7.5.08

I’m short on time this week, so I’m going to do a bit of a post-and-run, but I wanted to show a handful of pictures from a couple of weeks ago. I met North Carolina’s own Amy Martin to photograph Shannon and Justin’s wedding at the Hilton Arlington. The ceremony and the reception both took place there in the Grand Ballroom, which made for a relaxed, easy day since everything was easily accessible. We were really lucky to have a fairly cool day (in the 80s) considering that it was July. Shannon was warm and friendly, even through her anxious jitters, and Justin was cool and easy-going. Both were wonderful to spend time with, and so easy to photograph. I could not take my eyes/lens off of this amazingly gorgeous couple for one moment – they were clearly uber into each other, and so happy to be getting married.

A few details:

If you’ve ever seen What Not To Wear on TLC, you’re familiar with Stacy London’s favorite phrase, “SHUT UP” when someone just looks super amazing, so with that I’d like to show you a few SHUT UP-worthy images of these two:

A really sweet father-daughter dance.

And this picture just cracks me up – these two kiddos happily played GameBoy (Nintendo DS if we’re being specific) for the better part of the reception.

Best wishes and congratulations Shannon and Justin! You were both so amazingly hospitable and fun to be around. I really enjoyed being a part of your day! And Amy, I had a great time working with you! Any time you’re in the area and need a hand, please do give me a shout.

July 15, 2008