Susan Solo – Photographer | Traveler | Adventurer

Category: engagements

  • Leslie & Bill – Engaged!

    I’m going to try to be light on the words and get right to the images, because I’m trying to get this posted asap for Leslie and Bill. I know they’re anxious to see the pictures and I’m so excited to show them! I met Leslie and Bill today at Chrysalis Vineyards for their engagement session. We had so much fun exploring the property and enjoying the perfect fall weather. There were tons of great spots to shoot, with lots of good textures and amazing scenery. The fabulous Tasting Room Manager, Ron, even opened up the barrel room to us as a special treat for our session.

     Okay…onto the pictures of this gorgeous couple! We started out in the barrel room (love this one!):



    And then we headed back outside…you guys look stunning.

    We spent a good amount of time wandering in  and around the vines. So cute:



    Leslie, thanks for letting me (carefully) dangle your ring from these grapes! I love this shot.



    It’s hard to pick an absolute favorite of mine because I love a lot of them, but this one is definitely at the top:

    I hope you guys had as much fun as I did! Thanks for spending the afternoon with me. It was fun getting to know you better, and I am super excited about your wedding in June!

  • Angela & Daemon

    After having to reschedule four different times because of rainy weather, I finally had the chance to meet Angela and Daemon for portraits yesterday! Angela and Daemon just got married last month – congratulations and best wishes to you both! We had a great day and here are just a few of my favorites from our Mr. and Mrs. session:




  • MS Walk – Reston, Virginia

    Today I had the pleasure of hanging out with and photographing for the National Capital Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Reston for their annual MS Walk fundraiser. Unfortunately it was raining the entire time (at least for the four hours that I was there), but fortunately everyone brought their smiles and high spirits in addition to their parkas and umbrellas. I was so touched and amazed to see so many people turn up on such a cold dreary day and with happy faces to boot. Rain covered my lenses all morning which was a bit of a challenge, but I was still able to get a few great shots of the walkers and the course. Just a few photos, including my favorite umbrella of the day, and my favorite victory pose:




    And as a total bonus to the day, this adorable couple approached me to take a we-just-got-engaged photo. He proposed to her after the race! Congratulations and best wishes, you two!

  • Congratulations Jenn and Stephen!

    My very dear friends, Jenn and Stephen, in the Loudoun Times today:

    Here’s the original image, taken last year at Meadowlark Gardens:

  • Flourish: The Engagement Shoot

    So, let’s get back to my stories about the Flourish Workshop. The second day of the workshop was all about lighting and how Angela, Kim and Kitty conduct their photo shoots. In the morning we had the pleasure of working with two couples: Sam and Lizzie, who are engaged, and also Angela and Luke who are already married. Both couples were absolutely wonderful and such good sports! Can you even imagine having 23 cameras aimed at you for several hours?

    We started in an empty space upstairs from Angela’s studio where Kim gave instruction and advice. It was so helpful to me to watch her work. I recognized her doing some of the things that I do, which reassured me that I must be doing at least a few things right! After Kim spent time working with the couples, we attendees got to shoot and direct with the couples. I have to admit, this was slightly intimidating for me – I am totally comfortable working with my own subjects, but I’ve never had to do it in front of so many other photographers, and mega-talented photographers at that! On top of that, I am NOT a morning person. (My fabulously fun roomie, Jaci, and I had stayed up really late the night before, so that didn’t help!) Despite the intimidation factor and my morning fogginess, I learned a lot from observing everyone and listening to what worked for each of them.

    Both couples were so gorgeous and fun to shoot.

    It was actually really chilly outside, but you’d never know it from the photos and the expressions on their faces. Such troopers!




    How great is Lizzie for standing out there in the cold with tons of patience and smiles wearing a dress?!



    Thanks so much Sam, Lizzie, Angela and Luke – you all made this session so much fun! Coming up next: the bridal portrait session.