Home for the Holidays!

Merry Christmas!!

I hope this post finds you snuggly and warm and enjoying the ones you love.

For family and friends who couldn't be with us for the holidays, I would like to post some photos to share in merriment, craziness and messiness of our morning....






the audience
my stocking is the biggest, so Santa must love me the most! :) btw, my very talented mother-in-law, Abbie, hand-crafted all of our stockings. They are each works of art!!
Yeti enjoying a bone from his stocking.
Baxter watches as Summer unwraps a gift from him.
A big hug from Summer!!
A lull in the action for Yeti.
Summer gets engrossed in a book during the gift exchange.
Baxter's Christmas dream came true. A basketball from Santa. Wouldn't be nice if kids could always be so easy to please?

Once in a while you receive a gift that blows you away. Baxter hand painted this plate and it brought me to tears. I'll cherish it forever!
A big hug for Bickie!
I love this photo!!
Lucky enjoys a mouse from Santa paws.
Baxter proves that he truly is a crazy monkey!
Silly Summer
Baxter is ready for the slopes.
what a mess!!
The kids got their Nintendo DS! They were a little excited. :)
Our family...
I was about to regift this bag and I found this note that Summer wrote to Baxter and it melted my heart. The true spirit of the season...


We wish you and yours a very safe, happy, and magical holiday!!

xox The Bishops

p.s. Our office will be closed until January 5th!!

A little time out

Dear blog friends,
Sorry for my absence, I took a week off to visit my mom and step-dad in Naples, Florida.
Following my shoulder surgery, I haven't been able to get out and about for fear of slipping on snow and ice and I haven't been able to drive either, so I was going a bit stir crazy. My mom suggested I come down for some sunshine and get my blood flowing again. So that's just what I did. I spent the week floating around in her pool/hot tub, shopping, bird watching and relaxing. It was the best thing possible for my spirits and my shoulder rehab. It just proves that mom knows best!
Oh, and Andy was totally AWESOME while I was away, as Summer got a bug and he was busily finishing up work before the holidays. My hero!!
I hope you are all well and are able to take some time out to enjoy the season!!
xo
Daria
p.s. I've been receiving some very nice emails asking about the tools in my camera bag. I will be happy to write a blog post about that after the holidays.

Without the reminders, it was hard to remember that it is Christmas time. This tree was at the beach on Captiva Island where we ate lunch one day.
We watched the birds on Sanibel Island in the Ding Darling Preserve. I couldn't believe our luck...at one point there were 10 roseate spoonbills hanging out together. I was using my mom's point-n-shoot and I couldn't quite capture the amazingness of it all.

On my last day, my mom took me out to a little preserve where we spotted many alligators and various birds.

Award Winning WPJA Images!!

Yesterday I was surprised and excited to learn that three of my favorite images from this season had placed in the Wedding Photojournalist Association's quarterly contest. The images placed 2nd in the "Bride Getting Ready" category, 7th in the "Reception" category and 17th in the "Emotions" category. Which put me 8th in the overall standings for the third quarter.

The WPJA contests are international and judged by some of the most respected working photojournalists and editors in the field, so it is a true honor to place so well. I also know that competition is subjective, but whether or not I place, I always enjoy entering because it keeps me fresh and on my toes, which is a good thing in the industry.

Most importantly, I am so thankful for our AMAZING clients who trust us to capture their unique and beautiful wedding day stories!!

From Brandi + Marty's wedding...


From Chelsea + Matt's wedding...


From Pam + Tony's wedding...



To learn more about the WPJA and to see all of the award winning images, CLICK HERE!!

Fun with the "P" Family

Between weddings, e-sessions and editorial work, I don't end up with too much extra time during the warmer months for family sessions, but I always love doing them. I simply adore children. They are so beautiful, fun and expressive!! But it's never without a challenge. Perhaps they are tired or grouchy or shy. Sometimes half the battle is getting them to trust me and my gigantic, scary camera. I always come equipped with a sense of humor, lots of patience and lots of film cards and the rewards are plentiful!!

I hope that every family, at some point, invests in a family photo session. To capture your child's personality on film is priceless!!

I met up with the "P" family on a very overcast day this fall. The best color and light were at the railroad tracks that I spied near their place. So that is where we went! They were great sports, even when the kids' hands were black with dirt. That is what soap is for, right? :)

Enjoy!!

Katie + Nathan's Wedding at Stowe Mountain Lodge

Ceremony + Reception + Catering: Stowe Mountain Lodge
Hair + Make-up: Salon Salon
Flowers: Floral Artistry
Cake: Vermont Sweet Tooth in Stowe 802.253.3903
DJ: Soundrock

Andy and I had a little role reversal for Katie + Nathan's wedding. I got to play second shooter for him, so he met up with Katie at Salon Salon for the getting ready photos and I got to document Nathan and his guys.

After the initial surprise of Nathan greeting me in his boxers, I really enjoyed documenting the guys getting ready. Nathan made it easy for me because he is so completely silly. :)

A touching moment with Katie and her mom.
Katie + Nathan opted for a first look and I've never witnessed a more dramatic reaction from a groom. It was so sweet!

Next, the happy couple and the two of us jumped into getaway golfcarts and headed up to the top of the course for some photos with sweeping views of Mt. Mansfield.



Here is the beauty of having two shooters...Andy's perspective...
and mine...
a fun moment...



I love this...
playing with light and shadows...
Details, details...
Katie gets a quick touch-up from her sister Holly.
A kiss from dad.
sooo dapper!
Future pro!!
Katie and her dad.
Nathan and his now father-in-law embrace.
The ceremony was beautiful...
...and funny too.

The newly weds!!
The happy guests.
We took the wedding party up the hill for a few minutes of photos before the sun set. They were so much fun!
It was lucky nobody twisted an ankle here!
Could the flower girl possibly be any cuter?!
A few more delish details...
Magic light for the first dance.
Andy captured the reception festivities and things got a little crazy!
So much fun!!


K+N: Your love for one another and passion for life is so beautiful! We loved your families and guests and were so lucky to be your photographers!! Can't wait to see you in January! xox

Katie + Andy's Wedding at Basin Harbor

Catering + Cake + Ceremony + Reception Venue: Basin Harbor Club
Reception Tent: Vermont Tent
Make-up + hair: Make-up Artist Guild
Flowers: Giraf’s Flowers in Shelburne
Musical Entertainment: the cocktail hour-Tammy Fletcher
the reception-The Phil Abair Band
the after party-the Rhythm Rockets
Horsedrawn Service: Pat Palmer from Thornapple Farm

Katie was so calm during the getting ready process.
The little flowergirl was too cute for words. I love this moment as she has her nails painted.
And how adorable is the little ring bearer?
Andy adjusts his tie.
someday...
The next two photos are so cool because they were completely unscripted, yet happened at almost the exact same time.

almost ready...
Katie receives a little help with her shoes.
A horsedrawn trolley picked up Katie and company from their getting-ready location and dropped them off by the ceremony.
Andy and his mom walk down the aisle.
so adorable!
Katie and her dad.
Katie's parents are some of the world's nicest people.
I love this view that my Andy took of the ceremony.
true love!!
husband and wife!!
The wedding party were so cooperative and fun to work with.
how funny is this one?
the dashing guys!
The details were delightful!
Our photo session with Katie + Andy was so fun + relaxed because they planned for a longer cocktail hour. I love what we captured!





My fav!!
Bustling the dress was a team effort.
Girafs and Basin Harbor did an AMAZING job with the decorating and details!!
The first dance.
Katie's dad, Bob, gave the most fun and heartfelt toasts ever. He had a lot of guest participation which was fun to photograph.

The reception was insanely fun! These people really know how to enjoy life!!
It cracks me up that Katie is unaware of this insane dance move happening right next to her.A second later I caught these lovebirds kissing.
I LOVE THIS PHOTO!! Go Barb! :)
R.C. was one of the most fun wedding guests ever!
More cowbell!!

This might look like the end of the evening, but they had an outrageous after-party until the wee hours. What a spectacular day!!


Katie + Andy: It was an honor + pleasure being a part of your amazing celebration. You are so blessed with such wonderful family and friends and we know that you are going to have so much love and support in your life together!! You are very special to us!!
xox