Hay Adams Hotel Washington, DC Wedding Day Portrait in an American Gothic style in front of iconic wallpaper
A special request from the bride to execute an American Gothic portrait in front of the iconic wallpaper inside the Hay Adams.
In the darkest moment of early 2021, Angie contacted me with a promising inquiry, revealing hints of understanding event photography well beyond the everyday person. After a fantastic initial consult, we moved forward, video conferenced, booked, and planned for the day.
The Hay Adams Hotel is an iconic Washington, DC landmark, on Black Lives Matter Plaza, and within shouting distance of the White House. Shame it took me until nearly the end of the wedding day to digest the foreshadowing of the venue.
But on the wedding day, the location couldn't escape the dramatic sheet of ice that an ice storm dropped on DC that day. So the bride and groom (there was no wedding party) and I were restricted to indoor locations within the hotel and a DC Metro station a block away.
The couple lives in Detroit, and live very busy lives, even in the midst of the pandemic, so our opportunities to connect were limited. As a result, I spent much of the wedding day learning about them, and just before the dinner began, the massive, accidental and Kismet-like reveal occurred: the groom is a political phenomenon, having worked in the Obama administration, as well as a critical figure in the Biden/Harris transition.
AND - I was hired because Vice President Kamala Harris' photographer suggested that the groom look at the WPJA website to find the right photographer. It all congealed from there.
Washington DC Wedding Venue Photo from Hay-Adams of The bride receiving the final makeup swipes in the Presidential suite
The bride receiving the final makeup swipes in the Presidential suite of the Hay Adams Hotel.
Hay Adams Hotel Washington DC Wedding Image of the couple taking shelter from the ice storm by retreating to the Lafayette Room
Moments after the first look, the couple took shelter from the ice storm by retreating to the Lafayette Room of the Hay Adams Hotel. It was shot using the famous diamond shape mirrors in the room.
Benedictine Monastery of Washington DC St. Anselm's Abbey Wedding image of The bride adjusting her custom made hat
The bride adjusting her custom made hat moments before the ceremony.
St. Anselm's Abbey of Washington, DC Wedding Ceremony Photo of The mother of the bride during her reading
The mother of the bride during her reading portion at St. Anselms's School.
St. Anselm's Abbey Wedding Photo showing Elation after the couple's ceremony
Elation after the couple's ceremony recessional.
The Hay Adams Hotel, Washington, DC Wedding Venue Image of The emotional bride drying tears during her best friend's speech
The emotional bride drying tears during her best friend's speech at the Hay Adams Hotel.
Hay Adams, DC Wedding Venue Photo of The groom addressing his family and friends with a toast prior to dinner
A toast inside the Hay Adams moments before the salad course was served.
The groom addresses his family and friends prior to dinner.
Farragut North Metro Station, Washington, DC Wedding Couple Portrait while Ducking underground to escape the ice storm
Ducking underground to escape the ice storm for a few isolated moments, this portrait was taken inside Farragut North Metro station.
