DC Event Photographer. Commercial Photographer. Automotive Photographer. Destination Weddings. Armin DeFiesta. » ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

LOHREN & TRENT | POTOMAC ENGAGEMENT SESSION | DC ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

Armin — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 02:04:07 +0000

NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

It’s always a great pleasure to get to know my clients better during an engagement session. That’s the benefit of doing these types of shoots for my wedding clients, giving them the chance to get a sense of how I work before the wedding day arrives. Lohren & Trent invited me and my lighting assistant to their home in Potomac, MD where they had some gorgeous open spaces and horse stables on the property.

I kept the lighting simple using natural light and off-camera flash with a Canon Speedlite shooting through a Lastolite Ezybox. The purpose of the off-camera lighting was to provide fill light when needed, plus some backlight as well.

Equipment List:

DSLR – Canon 5D Mark II

Lenses – Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS | Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L | Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro

Lighting – Canon 580EXII Speedlite | Lastolite Ezybox 15×15 | Impact Light Stand

Radio Transceivers – Pocket Wizard Mini TT1 Radio Transmitter attached to 5D Mark II hotshoe| Pocket Wizard Plus II Transceiver connected to Speedlite

Enjoy the photos!

“LIKE” this post on Facebook and Google below!

2010 WAS A GREAT YEAR | DC PHOTOGRAPHER

Armin — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 21:06:50 +0000

NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

Just thinking about 2010 reminds me how time goes by so fast. With all the challenges, all the wins and losses, I can’t help but feel excited for what 2011 has in store. I know it’s cliche, but that’s probably because it’s true and many can relate to those words. I was browsing through my website homepage photos and decided to make a quick slideshow of some of my favorite photos from 2010, plus a few favorites from the past. I want to thank all my wonderful and amazing clients from this year and years past! C’mon 2011, I’m ready for ya!

Engagement Video | DC Engagement Session Photographer

Armin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:53:42 +0000

NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

Wondering what my lifestyle couple and engagement photo shoots are like? Here’s an oldie but goodie behind-the-scenes video of me photographing Shelby & Brian in Annapolis!

Thanks again to my friend Natalie for coming along and for Huey for video recording the shoot.

Jessica and Ararat | Engagement Photos in Georgetown

Armin — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 01:24:41 +0000

NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

Jessica and Ararat’s wedding will be at a beach resort this weekend in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. I look forward to photographing their wedding and sharing some photos soon afterwards. We had a great time walking around parts of Georgetown. My relaxed and candid style brought out some fun moments from this couple, including a stroll through a gas station where Ararat first told Jess he loved her. And a scene that I set up in which Jess is pulling a reluctant Ararat in her direction. Their expressions are priceless =)

These two were a pleasure to photograph. Jessica’s striking beauty is a clear indication that she’ll no doubt be an amazing and beautiful bride. In the meantime, enjoy some pre-wedding engagement photos that we took in Georgetown.

UPDATE: Click HERE to enjoy some of their Costa Rica destination wedding photos!

Laura and Nick | New York City Engagement Photo Shoot

Armin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:50:55 +0000

NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

In less than a year from now I’ll be photographing Laura & Nick’s wedding at the Sequoia in DC. Both lived in New York City for a few years where Nick proposed to Laura in Central Park. Of course, what better place to start shooting their engagement session. A big thanks to Laura and Nick for their wonderful hospitality and inviting me and Denise to NYC!

It was a gorgeous day in the high 60′s and the City was crowded and full of energy. With Denise wielding the Lastolite Tri-Flash “light stick” like a satellite dish, it wasn’t hard getting the attention of some onlookers, including a group of photographers that had a field day with the couple in the archway under the terrace. One of them commented to Denise, “that’s an interesting lighting setup you got there.” Visit this link to the Tri-Flash Bracket at B&H Photo to see what it’s all about. Simply put, you can attach up to 3 speedlites onto one bracket to give you more light. It’s portable and compact enough to take anywhere. You can attach an umbrella or put it inside a softbox like the Westcott Apollo 28 softbox.

We had a blast capturing some portraits and candids of the happy couple in Central Park and at the Brooklyn Bridge. From Bethesda Terrace to DUMBO Brooklyn, there wasn’t a place you couldn’t get a good photo of these two.

A lot of couples say to me during their consultation, "we're not photogenic." well I don't think Laura & Nick have too much to worry about!

It was a fun moment for them to come back to the same spot that Nick proposed to Laura, just across the water from Bethesda Terrace.

The fountain at the Bethesda Terrace seemed to be where all the action took place. It was crowded with visitors, street performers, and dozens of photographers =)

A wide view of the fountain area of Bethesda Terrace in Central Park.

This was one of my favorite candids from the Bow Bridge.

We took an interesting cab ride to Brooklyn for some more awesome photos. Here'a a view of Manhattan island and the Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn side.

DUMBO (down-under-manhattan-bridge-overpass) park was also crowded with people. So with a little digital massaging, I made them disappear so I can have a pleasant Brooklyn Bridge skyline with my star couple in the forefront.

I loved this vantage point of the Manhattan Bridge, had to stop and compose a shot!

We walked up onto the Brooklyn Bridge which was packed with pedestrians, but we managed to find a spot where I could compose a shot encompassing some of the bridge's architecture.

VIEW THESE AND A FEW MORE OF MY FAVORITES IN THE SLIDESHOW BELOW:

Rendezvous On The Metro | DC Engagement Photographer

Armin — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 11:30:27 +0000

NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

This is Part II of Bizzy & Michael’s DC engagement photo session – check out Part I! We had the chance to meet in DC where the couple works and decided a Metrorail station would be our rendezvous point for this photo shoot. It’s always nice to walk away with some fun shots inside a Metro tunnel!

0003 0012 DC Metro ©Armin DeFiesta DC Metro 4 ©Armin DeFiesta

Bizzy & Michael | DC Engagement Photographer

Armin — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:40:51 +0000

NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

Bizzy & Michael have an awesome wedding planned this year and I’m honored to be their photographer for their big day. We met in DC over the weekend for their pre-wedding photo shoot, a.k.a. Engagement Session. We braved the DC crowds at the peak of the Cherry Blossoms to capture some special moments.

Check out the slideshow set to music, then enjoy some medium-rez still favorites from the flash gallery below.

View some still photo favorites from the engagement shoot.

Click on the shopping cart to see the entire proofing gallery.

bizzy_michael_06 bizzy_michael_09 bizzy_michael_16 bizzy_michael_20 bizzy_michael_21 bizzy_michael_35 bizzy_michael_40 bizzy_michael_46 bizzy_michael_54 bizzy_michael_62 bizzy_michael_63 bizzy_michael_65 bizzy_michael_67 bizzy_michael_68 bizzy_michael_69 bizzy_michael_74 bizzy_michael_75 bizzy_michael_76 bizzy_michael_77 bizzy_michael_78 bizzy_michael_79 bizzy_michael_81 bizzy_michael_82 bizzy_michael_83 bizzy_michael_85 bizzy_michael_86

DC ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER | BEHIND THE SCENES OF AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Armin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:15:42 +0000

NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

My clients are looking forward to their weddings this year, but they are excited about their engagement photo sessions as well! These are fun and relaxed photo shoots that help the couple get comfortable with being photographed and for us to get to know one another better. Most shoots are only an hour or so, but it’s time well spent.

I usually recommend couples to wear comfortable clothing in solid colors. Just be themselves while I provide some direction, but mostly just setting them up for a shot or a moment is all I need. Every couple is nervous before the photo shoot, but after about 10 minutes they realize how fun and easy it really is. I like to keep them moving and smiling, makes for some great photos they can enjoy for a long, long time.

I created a video last year to give couples a sense of how these are done and what to expect. My friend Natalie joined me just for fun and shot along side of me. Enjoy it!

Some of my clients purchase Signature Guest Books for their guests to sign at the reception. But there’s more than signing going on because each book is custom designed with space for writing anything they want. Clients can enjoy reading what their family, friends, and guests wrote after the wedding day is over.

: Clients love the engagement session. What they love even more is how Armin design’s the Signature Guest Book using their engagement photos. It’s a HUGE hit with the wedding guests at the reception. Your Guest Book includes some of the best images from your engagement photo shoot. Cleverly designed spaces in the book allow guests to write kind notes and wishes for you to enjoy reading for years to come.

2010 BRIDE’S CHOICE AWARD™ | DC WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Armin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:38:22 +0000

NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

I’m excited to share some great news about my recognition by my awesome clients and WeddingWire. Thanks to all my clients for making this happen!

Here is the announcement from WeddingWire…

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, just announced that Armin DeFiesta has been selected to receive the 2010 Bride’s Choice Award™ for photography.

The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ recognizes and celebrates excellence in quality and service within the wedding industry, as determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 500,000 newlyweds.

The ARMIN | photographer brand is among the top five percent of all vendors in the WeddingWire community, which includes over 100,000 wedding professionals across the US and Canada. Awards were given to winners across 19 different service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers.

“We are excited to recognize and honor the success of the top wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “The annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program has given us the unique opportunity to highlight the best wedding professionals in each region as reviewed by brides and grooms who have utilized their services in the past year.”

We are happy to announce that ARMIN is among the very best photographers within the WeddingWire Network, which includes WeddingWire and Martha Stewart Weddings. I would like to thank our past newlyweds for nominating me for the 2010 Bride’s Choice Awards™.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables engaged couples to search, compare and book over 100,000 reviewed wedding vendors nationwide, from wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. In addition, WeddingWire has partnered with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) to provide its network of local vendors and online wedding-planning tools in the Weddings section of www.MarthaStewartWeddings.com. For additional information, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

RECOMMENDED GEAR

Armin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:31:01 +0000

NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

As a photographer I am always willing to help other photographers. I get a lot of questions about what gear I use or would recommend. One way to help answer these questions is to provide a Recommended Gear section to help others get started in choosing the right equipment whether a hobbyist or professional. I hope you find my Amazon store helpful!