Luke's Wings at LIMA

September 24 - Supporting our military and their families: I thought it was going to be a relaxing Thursday evening, and I knew I needed to catch up with some of my projects. Yet when they call came to serve, especially for Luke's Wings, I felt I had to answer the call.

According to their website, Luke’s Wings "provides travel planning services and airplane tickets for the families of wounded warriors currently hospitalized at medical and rehabilitation centers all over the country." A video was set to be filmed about Luke's Wings and the fundraiser for them at the LIMA lounge in DC. I was asked by WUSA Channel 9 news person Angie Goff to come out and take some pictures as part of this video, and I also covered the activities throughout the evening. Also in attendance were some notable DC insiders and socialites such as Miss DC 2008 Kate Marie Grinold, Fletcher Gill, and Mathew Hebert. It turns out that some Redskin Cheerleaders were in attendance too.

As a veteran of the U.S. Army I felt drawn to the Luke's Wings organization. Any organization that helps support our troops like the United Services Organization (USO) is worth supporting.

It could have been a long night, but I felt like I covered enough and had to get home to finish up some of those projects on my plate. It was worth it to come out and to support Luke's Wings. Not long after the event my photographs were featured in the local news portion on WUSA Channel 9. My name and photos were featured right after the latest news about Michael Jackson and Roman Polanski. How exciting.

Photography on The Streets of Clarendon

September 22 - Brian & Katie, a night out on the town: I got to know Brian & Katie through several beach trips at the OBX over the years. I thought they looked great together and still do.

I wanted to find some time to photograph them together, and it turned out that we had an evening open up. We tried to get to a location to have the photographs taken before sunset. We figured Clarendon would be a nice place, especially in this center courtyard kind of area amidst the backdrop of a small shopping center laid out in a semi circle. We did what we could with the fading light and the glow of the street lamps. It was a nice evening and we were famished by the end of the nigt. We had dinner at Baja Fresh. We still had time to go to Whole Foods. As we were about to go back across the street to leave this town, we ran into a student video crew that was practicing some filming, so of course Katie was a good subject for their mock interview. She's a natural.

Eleventh International Couture Collections

September 20 - DC Fashion Week, Embassy of France: I attended and took photographs at the 10th International Couture Collections back in February of this year, and I came back for the 11th collection. Much of the setup of the place was the same as in February and I had a spot in the photographers area again. The lighting inside seemed a bit darker, so it would prove to be more challenging to get good shots. I did what I could. I had my camera stabilized with a tripod and used a vibration reduction (VR) lens and my ISO was punched up high. I set my flash to try and zoom in enough to reach the runway. When the show started, the excitement began and fashion was in the house.

So in Love Just Like on Their Wedding Day

September 20 - Chris & Michelle Married Bliss: At the end of July I photographed the wedding of Chris & Michelle, a fun couple so in love with each other. It's as it should be, but even as I photograph them again in the same clothes as worn on their wedding, they haven't skipped a beat in love. I enjoy being around these two. They're a beautiful couple, and I'll say it again... they're fun!

I was doing a photography project and they were able to help me out with it by being a couple for me to photograph, but I admit it was also another chance to get more pictures taken above those from their wedding day. It was a hectic day as it seems all weddings are. I didn't feel like I got enough shots although they were totally satisfied with the pictures I had taken. Still, I wanted to take more pictures of them and it turned out to be a perfect day to do so. It was like they were on a date and I was just there to capture it. We had a great time and also had lunch in Georgetown outside at the Paper Moon Italian restaurant, and we plan to hang out again soon. Can't wait.

All Fashion, All Day

Saturday, September 19: ALL ACCESS: FASHION continued. This was the third and longest day of the event, yet there was more than enough exciting things going on to retain people's attention. The media buzz was all into Project Runway's co-host and Chief Creative Officer of Liz Claiborne Inc., Tim Gunn being at Tysons Galleria. Having Tim Gunn sharing his expertise and hosting a Fall Fashion show seemed to attract a lot of people to the mall, especially when you can spend a $100 from a participating partner and receive a holiday gift and be photographed with Tim.

There were a series of runway shows in the afternoon by designers such as Nicole Miller, Betsey Johnson, Basler, 7 for All Mankind, and Marciano. Habatat Galleries was also on display with their artwork with Mark Smith in attendance. He also created a shirt for this event which was available for purchase.

It was interesting to have fashion shows running in the center court of a mall, but it made sense for this event. It made everything that much more accessible to the public. Tim Gunn hosted a fashion show and commented on the designs that came out on the runway floor, and you could see crowds of people all around on the three floors of the mall. When it came time for Tim Gunn to have his picture taken, there was a very long line for it, but it seemed worth the wait to have that opportunity and to have a take-home photo keepsake of it. By the end of the day, it was hard to believe that it was over, even though there was so much put into it. The event seemed like a success and people enjoyed it, and it was sure to help revitalize fashion consciousness in the DC area. Hopefully they'll do this event again next year.

Fashion and Trend event at Tysons Galleria

September 18: ALL ACCESS: FASHION - Tysons Galleria in McLean, Virginia is one of the most luxurious shopping malls in the area and it was the venue for ALL ACCESS: FASHION. This three-day event was like getting a taste of New York Fashion Week at Bryant Park, and the public was invited to see it.

On Friday there was a Fall/Winter 09-10 Runway presentation hosted by YouthAIDS Ambassador, model and businesswoman Frederique van der Wal. The event featured top fashion trends of the season by top retailers of Tysons Galleria. I was able to get access to take pictures of the event. I arrived early to the mall and was taking some location and product shots. There were several original artwork mixed media on canvas portraits on display and I met the artist Ana Rose Soevik. The paintings were of Tim Gunn, Frederique van der Wal and Bono. Later on, Frederique signed the portrait of her. The highlight of the evening was the runway presentation which I was able to photograph along with other photographers and a videographer. If all this wasn't enough there was an after-party at Saks Fifth Avenue. Drinks and appetizers were available and the band Tiffany Rogers and the Reason played till closing time. It was an exciting night, and there was more excitement to come on Saturday's all day access event.