Welcome

I never wanted to be the kind of photographer that would just churn and burn - pumping out the same kind of images but inserting different faces. I feel the same way about what I feature here. This blog is my canvas and though I've clearly been tuned out for a bit online I've nonetheless been swimming in a sea of beautiful-ness, documenting and living life so wholeheartedly. Over these past several months my heart has just been bursting with fullness because of all of the people, families and couples that I've had the opportunity to interact with and I feel so blessed that they have trusted me and welcomed me into their homes, their worlds and their hearts. I have oodles to share, all in due time, but wanted to break the ice after all these months with a wedding story of two mid-west girls that made their way to a little bed and breakfast in Delaware and united in a way that isn't possible everywhere. I've never been more proud of my home state than I have been these past 14 months. 

I'm often asked if I do "small" weddings or not. I don't really know the proper answer because in my mind every wedding, not matter how intimate or elaborate, is equally important.

This wedding, while it might be labeled "small", is one that holds such a special place in my heart because it was one of those weddings that was elaborately intimate - full of unique moments that just kept coming.

Lauren and Paul found the Eastern Shore because of a "little" craft brewery down here called Dogfish Head. They brought 50 of their closest friends and family from New York City, worked out every detail themselves (sans the catering by the amazing Leo at Modern Mixture) and had a day in Lewes that unfolded so peacefully, even despite the rain. This family on both sides is amazingly talented from photography to writing to art to music and they incoporated it all in just the right way.

The day was a masterpiece and I was so honored to be able to capture it.

And yes, yes I do do small weddings (I was with them from 9am to midnight).

xo Maria

When my new blog launched earlier this year I *promised* myself I would post once a week with fresh, diverse content - a mix of stories that I've documented - stories of births, stories of families and stories of weddings. I am so proud of myself because for the past five weeks I have held myself to that promise and it feels *so* good. This is even more of a big deal than you know. Winter time is typically my hibernation period (aka netflix marathoning and recovering from a busy wedding season) and not only have I been blogging consistently but I've also photographed three winter weddings, two magical birth stories and a handful of family sessions dureing what has felt like the longest coldest winter Delaware has seen in years.

Tomorrow is the first day of spring (and also my first wedding anniversary <3) but there is no visible sign of it anywhere and with snow still in the forecast it only seems fitting to share this family session/my version of senior portraits from this winter. These three sisters braved it on a snowy winter day for the sake of art and white winter beauty. They are truly inspiring with their individuality, authenticity and sisterly friendship.

Enjoy xo Maria

p.s. I'll officially be taking my winter break over the next two weeks and "hibernating" in the sunshine out West but I look forward to returning with fresh eyes and getting back to it. Talk to you in the springtime!