Beautiful Leather Wedding Albums

We just received two beautiful wedding albums from our album supplier in New York. One is a large 12x12 bride's album and the other an 8x10 parent album. Both set in premium white leather, one with gold page gilding and the other with silver text and page gilding.

8x10 White Leather Parent Album

12x12 White Leather Bride's Album

Gold page gilding and text on bride's album

Thank You For Your Referrals

Mary and I would like to thank you so very much for the many referrals we have received from you, our past clients. We appreciate the trust you place in us by referring a family member or friend to Avonlee Photography. We promise to take the very best of care of those you refer to us, providing them with the most memorable and fun experience possible as we capture their images.

National Lawyers Convention at the Mayflower Hotel

This past November 13-15, we were honored to photograph the annual Lawyers Convention hosted by the Federalist Society at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC. This yearly event consists of a series of panels, debates and receptions with the highlight being a sold out black tie dinner held at the Washington Marriott Marquis on Thursday evening. The keynote speaker at the reception was Supreme Court Justice, Samuel Alito. Here are some images from the convention.

Supreme Court Justice Scalia speaking at the opening of the 2014 National Lawyers Convention
held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC.

Supreme Court Justice Thomas speaking with attendees at the
National Lawyers Convention in Washington DC - Nov 13-15 2014

Federalist Society's Executive Vice President Leonard Leo (left), and President, Eugene B. Meyer (right) with Supreme Court Justices, Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia and Samual Alita

Supreme Court Justice Alito, guest speaker at the 2014 National Lawyers Convention.

Senator Orrin Hatch addressing the 2014 National Lawyers Convention.

Senator Orrin Hatch addressing the 2014 National Lawyers Convention.

Former US Attorney General Michael Mukasey addressing the 2014 National Lawyers Convention

Ashley and Steve's Wedding at Congressional Country Club

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Potomac on a beautiful sunny day in October was the setting for Ashley and Steve's wedding. The reception followed at the wonderful Congressional CC - home of the annual AT&T National PGA Golf tournament. Washington DC based Avonlee Photography was honored to be chosen to record the memories for Ashley and Steve's big day. Here are just a selection of the wonderful images we were able to capture.

Painted wedding portrait of Ashley and Steve taken taken in the afternoon sun
at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland

Painted wedding portrait of Ashley and Steve taken taken amongst the fall colors
at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland

'Wedding Kiss' outside of Our Lady Of Mercy Catholic Church
 in Potomac, Maryland

Painted sepia toned image of Ashley and Steve

Fall Leaves and Colors

Fall portrait taken in Silver Spring Maryland

With just a few weeks from seeing the wonderful fall colors. Now is the time to start thinking about creating a unique family wall portrait. The end of October is the best time for Fall portraits in our area. We will be busy during the last two weeks of October and the first week of November creating great memories for local families. Please call us at 301-946-4656 to reserve your spot.

Fall family portrait.

Quiz Time!

Okay, everybody, it's time to put on your thinking caps and identify the mysterious tree growth in the picture above. I came across this unusual phenomenon on an oak tree branch in Cunningham Falls State Park in Maryland.

I am offering a free Digital portrait session + image for use on all your social media sites to the first person that can identify the name of this growth or the insect that caused it.  Reply with a comment to this post. First correct answers wins. 

Mysterious tree growth - can you name it?

US Navy's first Submarine

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the death of John Philip Holland, inventor of the US Navy's first submarine. Designed and built by the Irish immigrant, the submarine was named USS Holland.

In May of last year we were approached by a client in Denver, Colorado to photograph the name plate of this submarine which is stored at the National Museum of the U. S. Navy at the Navy Yards in Washington, DC. The name plate is all that remains of the USS Holland submarine and our client wanted to create an exact replica of the plate.

US Holland circa 1900 - name plate is visible at stern of craft.

After receiving permission from the National Museum of the Navy, the nameplate was photographed in September. To recreate an exact copy of the name plate, we had to photograph it from many different angles - our client provided the following diagram to assist in the shoot. All of these angles allowed the client to see every part (including holes, scratches, indents and rises) on the plate.

 

Once the images were captured, our client was able to produce a computer 3D model of the plate using image alinement software - see below.

Using the 3D model, a temporary prototype of the plate was created. This prototype was used to create a mold in which the final bronzed replica of the name plate was cast.

Final bronzed replica of the USS Holland name plate.

We are very grateful to our client for allowing us to participate in his endeavor.

Tom Brokaw and Gary Sinies honored at by the Easter Seals

Recently we were chosen by the Easter Seals association to photograph their Advocacy Awards ceremony for the Washington, DC; Maryland, and Virginia areas honoring veteran journalist Tom Brokaw and actor Gary Sinise, for their work helping veterans.

TV anchor man, Tom Brokaw, addressing the Easter Seal Advocacy Awards dinner in Washington DC

Brokaw was honored for his work advocating for our military and veterans through his journalistic endeavors. He gave an impassioned speech about how society is becoming disassociated from our military and we need to get reconnected.

Actor and advocate, Gary Sinise, addressing the Easter Seal Advocacy Awards dinner in Washington DC

 Sinise was honored for his work with veterans through his Gary Sinise Foundation and his co-founded Operations International Children. Sinise quoted Winston Churchill about doing his “bit to help.” He shared how during WWII the elderly would knit socks for the soldiers fighting, as everyone was doing their bit to help. 

Gary Sinise receiving his award from Iraq combat veteran and Congresswoman, Tammy Duckworth (D) Illinois

Our New Mobile Website

After much planning and design we have finally entered the mobile ready world:) With over 60% of web searches now originating on mobile devices, we felt it was time to join the ranks of the mobile friendly:)  To check out our new mobile site please use your smart phone or tablet to view it here and let us know what you think by sending a comment from our Contact Us page on the site. We look forward to hearing from you. Our full website continues to be available for those using desktop computers and those mobile users that require additional information - our mobile site contains a link to the the full website.

Avonlee Photography Mobile Website

Wedding at Marie Gabrielle Restaurant in Dallas, Texas

I recently had the pleasure of photographing Lisa and Chris' wedding at the beautiful Marie Gabrielle Restaurant in Dallas, Texas. The beautiful gardens provided many opportunities for great images and the setting hides the fact that the restaurant is located in the middle of downtown with skyscrapers on either side. I hope you enjoy this selection of images.

 

 

Photo Competition - Winter 2014

New Photo Contest!

Dust off your camera / smart phone and view your holiday photographs. We are looking for your best holiday photograph. The image can be of anything (people, places, things, pets, etc.) as long as the holidays are depicted in some way or other in the photo. The following ideas may help you:

• Festive decorations, trees, lights, etc.
• Kids unwrapping presents
• Mistletoe kiss?
• Mealtime treats, family shots

Deadline for receipt of entries is January 31st at 7:45pm. Please email your images to us at
info@avonleephotography.com

Rules:

1. You may enter up to four images.
2. Please make sure your name and telephone number are with each image that you enter.
3. One winning image will be selected by Avonlee Photography.
4. Winning image will appear in a future Avonlee Photography Newsletter along with a photo credit for the winner.
5. Winner receives a family portrait session plus an 11x14 wall mounted portrait - value $500. See samples of our family portraiture at http://avonleephotography.com/html/families.html
6. Winning prize has a zero cash value and may not be traded in against other products or services.

  *** Deadline for Receipt of entries is January 31st at 7:45pm ***