Five Years of Winkfields | Personal

"they can't understand the magic of your wonderland."

the fox + the hound

They were apartment neighbors, he saw her coming home from work, he tripped down the stairs , she laughed, they met, and when they got engaged they booked me for their wedding.  Ashley and Kyle started as perfect strangers...

... and somehow in the weird merge lanes of life, we became friends -- and I have been able to document some of the most significant experiences of their lives.  When I moved into my first apartment, they invited themselves over for dinner, arrived with gifts, sat on my tiny wobbly chairs, and made me feel like I lived in a palace.  Before I even started dating Caleb, they wanted to meet him.  We had lunch at Chipotle with their new puppy in Kyle's sweatshirt pocket.  They were at my wedding as friends.  And a couple of months later Ashley texted me: "We're having a baby! In June!" and I answered her back: "WHAT! Congratulations! (We're having a baby, too!  Also in June!") She responded back: "WHAT! Congratulations!"  So we were pregnant together, went stroller shopping together, ate Nando's chicken with our feet on the booth together.  We both knew we were having daughters.  We both were wrong.  Their son was due on June 7th, mine was due on June 6.  Their son was born on June 7th (ON HIS DUE DATE. Who does that?), mine was... late.  I photographed Jack entering this and their world.  They came to meet Rowdy at the hospital.  We had the best baby boys together.  When my mama was becoming more ill, they came over with more food (like cilantro-chicken soup and cornbread.)  When my mama passed away, they were at her memorial service.  When she found out I had miscarried Ryan, she sent me this text (she miscarried twice before Jack): "As painful as the loss is, you will now see a slight difference between yourself and other women who haven't lost.  They don't love their children any less; there's just a difference.  It's slight, but it's there.  Your next pregnancy will be different, and your subsequent doctor's appointments will be more apprehensive.  But.  It makes the healthy heartbeat more miraculous.   It makes each uncomfortable kick and wave of nausea that much more 'welcome.'  It makes each 'good appointment' that much more exhilarating. It makes things like 3.5 months of bed-rest *slightly*  more manageable.  It also makes your cry more sporadically over things you wouldn't normally cry over.  It makes you more.  And it makes your relationship with your husband more.  It makes your family more.  It makes those earthly babies more.  It makes life more."  This mother's day Ashley gave me a hand-painted Polish mug (it looks like something my mama would have bought.)  On Jack's first birthday, we were there to eat ribs and mac-and-cheese (and apparently duck...!) and celebrate life.  One more year of life, one more photoshoot, one more day, one more cake, one more laugh, one more time.

Though I'm particularly blessed with close friends, I'm so glad God let me have a few more.

(ps. Ashley: you're up! This world needs another caramel-pudge-cheesecake-child rawr-ing at the shower.  Plus, how cute would Jack look holding his little baby sibling? ;) 



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to book your own i'm kristen one-year or family session,  especially in the maryland/virginia/dc, new york/boston, or oklahoma to dallas areas E-MAIL ME HERE (i'll also be traveling around southern california + the lake tahoe/nevada areas in coming months.)

Enjoy Weddings | Glen Echo with Matt + Amelia

“I want to kiss you again, Tess.”
“Why?”
He chuckled, low under his breath. 

“Why? Because you’re beautiful, and because I want you. And I think you want me too.” 

lara adrian

Amelia was on.  Her witty one-liners and dry comments had everybody amused.  Her toothache-sweet father was feeling very sentimental and wanted to share with his Facebook world.  I think he did it because he knew Amelia would roll her eyes and have something funny to say.  Laughter always distracts (or helps?) when you feel full to the brim with emotion.


They laughed on and on.  They laughed about Cheez-its, Jay-Z, Spanx, pretending to know how to use a steamer and dad (still in the background taking pictures for Facebook.)  They danced (mom pulled out her spicy moves!) They tried not to cry ("DON'T. YOU. DARE. I. SWEEAAAR...")




Soon enough they went to church.  The yellow dresses, colorful heels, fresh flowers and pink smiles were the epitome of summer, of fun.



Dad and Amelia talked about signs on the wall, about not crying, about anything that came to mind.

But it was only a matter of time before that beautiful walk and pass-off occurred.

Only a matter of time before a new character enters the storyline of the day. 

A proud papa, with an air much like a pleased king, grandly and honorably handing his little girl off to another, to her best friend, to her favorite man.

This new character, Matt, married our funny and relaxed Amelia.  He promised life with her.  And she with him.

And all of a sudden the scene is different, there is a new man on her arm in the aisle, a new air in the land!  From sentimental, teary and sweet we have gone to rejoicing, whistles and cheers!


I love Matt and Amelia (like I mentioned in their engagement shoot) for their kind-hearted, playful, not-too-serious, very low maintenance friendship.  She's not a diva and he's not a brat.  They are friends, happy, sarcastic, good times, friends.


(Can I get an "amen!" for her dress?)



I never become bored or weary of shooting at Glen Echo Park.  It has my heart in a way no other venue has ever matched.

I say climb, Amelia says "How high?"

I saw "Do you mind sitting on the bench?" they say "We actually want to swing."

But let me break these last two pictures down for you: The ran to the swing set because they wanted to swing.  This helps describe them to you readers.  When I say they are easy, fun-loving people, I am not exaggerating because I have nothing to say about them.  I don't blame most friends for not being comfortable doing anything in their dress - I fully understand.  But Amelia ran around in her sandals, walked through the woods, climbed on tables, pumped hard on the swings, played on the carousal.  And Matt led the way.  That attitude and 20 minutes of pictures perfectly describe them.  To a tee.

With windblown hair and hearts full of joy, they loved watching their guests enjoy the famous ride.

These are relatives of Matt and Amelia, ooooooobviously.

I just love all the faces. So fully happy.

We had more fun before the reception started then most receptions ever have! But guests were met at the party pavilion with maraca's, cracker jack, and tickets to ride! How fun. 

The lively group lit-up when Matt and Amelia were welcomed.  It was not a polite, regal tap-tap of their hands.  This was homecoming football game kind of energy.

Dancing on the sun:

Laughter continued through the evening with toasts from Dad (no Facebook either ;) I was very proud of him!)  Amelia and her dad have a friendship that reminds me of me and my dad.  They are close and "get" each other, but it's not a frilly foo-foo relationship ;) I love it.

After the funny best man toast, my favorite part of this wedding occurred.  The maids of honor presented the new couple with a gift.

Before the wedding (during the bridal shower, I believe) the girls collected photographs, letters, fabric squares and craft supplies from guests of this wedding.  They went ahead and handmade a quilt for them.

Amelia was blown away, and the quilt was phenomenal.  They left the quilt out with more fabric and markers for guests to add to it in case they hadn't already.  Isn't that a wonderful and kind idea?! Bridesmaids for the win!

The rest of the evening was spent enjoy the partyrockers in the house ta-night ;)  Boy did everyone have fun.

And that's a wrap for just another PERFECT Glen Echo wedding, with a couple of my dreams!

Congratulations, guys!

The August Rundown {Personal, Photography + Anything Else}

"People are seldom too busy to stop and tell you how busy they are."
unkown

This summer has been one of my sweetest, happiest + fullest of my existence.
One of those summers where you love waking up in the morning,
where each week is filled with activities better then the week before.
A summer where you work hard, play often, travel just enough, chill at home barely enough,
eat way too much, and learn more about why life is just so precious.

I have much to say, much to tell you with words and show you with pictures.
On the eve of my 22nd birthday, here is a little look into my summer weeks work-wise.
(okay. maybe a few of these happened months ago. ssh.)
How I love my job :D

| portrait + engagement shoots |
jay + eva's wonderful and rainy clifton, va engagement shootroslynn's maternity session at a lush nature reserve in belfast, northern ireland
brandon + naomi's loveable and dreamy engagement shoot in downtown frederick
| weddings + maew-wij |
nick + whitney's sweet and lovely wedding in st. michaels at the oaksmatt + amelia's hysterical and carefree wedding at glen echo parkangel + lindsay's party-times graffiti-ful wedding at the oak room brandon + naomi's adorable and giggly wedding at bald eagle state parkgeoff + kelly's preppy "winter in the summer" wedding at the george washington hotel
| personal news |

the update on my last few days of calling my dear apartment home. and where i'm headed next ;)

Evan + Betsy {Glen Echo Wedding}

"so i just lay back and laugh at the sun'cause i'm in shoo-shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo-shoo sugar town."nancy sinatra | sugar townIt was a breezy, but not even slightly chilly sunny day.
And after getting stuck in a VERY creepy parking garage
(turns out I had somehow mananged to park myself in the Valet Parkers garage.
Oops!)
I was ready to see sweet Betsy on her wedding day.
I had only met Betsy once before her wedding,
but I was smitten with her taste from the get-go.
Especially her + Evan's desire to have a "fun, different and authentic wedding.
We want to to feel real to us as individuals and as a couple."
Sold. Signed, sealed, delivered... I'm yours ;)
When I got to the hotel I discovered a very nervous Betsy.
Still so sweet.
But oh-so-nervous.
"I'm not scared about my marriage!
Or my future!
Nothing could be better then marrying Evan.
It's just all this that makes me nervous!"
she said, as she pointed at her dress, hair and hotel room.
Her mom reminisced with her about her childhood,
trying to take Betsy's mind off her nerves.
"Look! You can see your summer camp right down there!"
They made sure she had some saltines and water for the stomach,
TV and magazines for the eyes,
and band-aids for those dang heels ;)
I wanted to give Betsy a little breathing room,
so I headed down a few doors to check on the boys.
Just a minute or so after I got to the groomsmen,
someone yelled "Hey! Evan! It's for you!
It's Betsy.""Hello?
Hey... oh?
Right now?
If you want to! Yes. Sure.
Right now."
Betsy wanted to see him right now.
The original plan was to do a First Look at Glen Echo.
But she needed her comfort and rock.
And she needed it now.
The poor girl was visibly emotional.
Not sad or bothered.
Very confident, very sweet... just dying to see her man.
So with a few final touches...
... as well as tears and "you look beautiful!"'s from dad...
... Betsy was ready to roll.
I asked her if she wanted me to find somewhere to go in the hotel with better light,
or more character then the elevator entrance of the tenth floor.
"No, that's okay!  This is us, I guess. And this will just be the story of how it happened!
On our wedding day, I saw him in the hotel hallway!
Because I just couldn't wait!"
He: Wow.  You are a bride.
Her: I KNOW! Can you believe it?
Her: But it's the same.
I'm a bride.
And you're a groom.
But it's the same.
We're normal, right?
He: Yes, we're normal. We're just the same.
Her: Well, I feel a LOT better! I don't know if this helped you, but I feel SO much better.
Apparently seeing her made the stoic-surgeon-Evan much MORE nervous,
but it was the hugest sigh of relief for Betsy.
Since we had the first look out of the way, there was some time to kill at Glen Echo.
Which was probably good.
Betsy got to sit in a cool, air-conditioned room and talk with her family.
And be photographed by me.
Because she is ridiculously attractive.
"You know what?" she laughed.
"This is all a bit ridiculous!
You go through months of planning,
and working on this event... and then it comes...
and you can't even go to the bathroom by yourself!"
Betsy had a giddy little moment of "gaining perspective" and her mom cracked up.
"You are one of us!"
It was rather cute.

 And before we knew it, it was time for the ceremony,
at my favoritefavorite Glen Echo Park.
(Did I mention Glen Echo is my favorite?)
Here's a theory I have about shooting at this park:
If you get married at Glen Echo, you just have to be a fun couple.
Or at least interesting.
With fun friends and family, to boot.
Because what boring, lame, persnickety couple gets married at a 1920's theme park?

Where artists still create, dances are still held and children still play?None. No lame couples get married at Glen Echo.
At least that's my theory... and so far I'm 5 for 5?

And look! This couple was so nice!
As their guests walked up, they were offered a refreshing glass of water or lemonade.
Glen Echo Couple for the win!
The ceremony was at THE most perfect time of day.
Combined with the colors, murmur of the lively guests and the sweet emotion,
it really was perfection.
Aaaaaaaw ;)
After Betsy's nerves left... they were GONE.
And replaced with smile after smile after smile.
A little shout-out to my favorite company Apple ;) Ow ow!
Part of keeping their wedding "authentic" was having seven guests share a wish for the new couple.
Some were serious, some were funny,
but all were heartfelt and personal.
(love all the groomsmen's faces in that ^ one ;) haha it was a very sweet wish.)

Eh, they're alright ;)

By the way, isn't their huppah fantastic?
But... marriage time!
Vows!
Rings!
Kisses!
And wa-la!
They're married.
She her funny, confident comforter,
and he to his spontaneous, compassionate adventurer.
Forever.
The guests kicked back at the beautiful cocktail hour.
The details were all killer.
(This is what every drink in Heaven tastes like... I think.)
Happy happy wife.
Wonderful wonderful drink.
I ADORED that they had lots of kids in and at their wedding.
I've always wanted to do the same,
and these little people were just SUCH a hoot!
Evan and Betsy first met in college.
They were friends.
That was about it.
I mean, don't get me wrong... they were good friends!
Great friends, even!
But not in "that" sort of way.
Betsy's maid of honor explained it well:
"He was the kind of friend you confide in,
trust everything with,
and the kind of friend if you ever let yourself admit it
might be more then just a friend."
It took them both a while to admit it, I guess.
They were the kind of friends that made a pact with each other
"If we aren't married by _____ age, we'll marry each other."
But all of a sudden everything changed.
Evan realized there was more to this beautiful girl.
"I love that you really think."
He loved how she enjoyed cooking and chilling on the beach,but could also rough it on trips all over the world and make it fun.
She was compassionate and truly dear to him.
Betsy realized just was wonderful Evan was with people,
how he made them feel comfortable and instantly like a friend.
She loved his loyalty and confidence,
humor and smarts.
And before you know it,
Evan was in an OldTime Photobooth proposing to his best friend,
Betsy.
One thing I loved about them as a couple was how they really "stuck to their guns."
Their wedding was exactly what they wanted it to be.
So very fun.
So very special.
So very "them."




And that is how they are with each other.
There is definitley a sense of "take me as I am,
all my faults and failures,
strengths and accomplishments.
We're in this together and I love you for you."

(Haha this made me laugh. Starts young... ;)

The maid of honor gave on of the best toasts I've ever heard.
The room was in tears.
The best man gave one of the funniest toasts I've ever heard.
The room was roaring.
And they all celebrated.
Celebrated where they had come from,
celebrated this very moment of this very day,
and celebrated what was to come for Evan and Betsy.

I'd toast to that, too ;)
Congratulations newlyweds!
Enjoy living in sunny CA and tell it "hello!" for me!