Let me tell you something about my family, we are that family where news spreads like wildfire, whether you want it to or not! In fact I’d say the less you want others to know something the quicker they find out. So imagine my surprise when I see an inquiry in my mailbox from my cousin, Karen, letting me know she was engaged and needed help finding a photographer! I immediately called my sister to tell her the news and then called my Dad and asked what happened to the family news service, why was I just finding out now!
I love my cousin, she is my only girl cousin and I always enjoy hanging out with her! When I think of her I think of her long hair for starters, I would cry when she got a haircut because it was always so long and pretty. Totally jealous over here! I also think of the Princess Diaries and how my sister Michelle and I always thought Karen was a lookalike to Anne Hathaway, so whenever we watched those movies it was Karen in the fairytale in our minds. Now as an adult Karen cracks me up with her witty blog Redskins Letters. I grew up with the Skins as the hometown team but I don’t really watch much football, I do read my cousins letters though and it makes me feel like I’ve watched the game ;)!
I got a chance to meet Zach at my sister’s wedding. I grabbed a seat next to my favorite cousin (sorry Mike and Craig) and caught up with her and got to know Zach a little more! I am so happy for them, they are so in love :)! Have I mentioned I love couples in love ;)! Later that week we met up for their engagement session in Old Town Alexandria. The weather was perfect and we had a beautiful sunset to work with! Karen and Zach were pros in front of the camera, I always coach my clients but I encourage them to go with their feelings and if they want to throw in a kiss or a hug I love it! I usually make them do the cute stuff over again ;).
I can’t wait for their wedding next year, I get to be a guest!!! Part of me wishes I could be there for all the moments and photograph them for her and the other part is happy to not have the stress that goes along with that. I probably will just bring my camera and one lens to take some family pics at the reception. (I’m trying to show respect to the hired photographer but it will be really really hard!!!!) There is one photo that is tradition for us that I have to get, we have photos of us three girls at my wedding, at Michelle’s wedding and I’m excited to complete the set with the same photo at Karen’s wedding! Of course I expect Gram to photobomb us too like she has for the other two photos!!
I’m so excited for these two and I can’t wait for their wedding next year!! Congrats and welcome to the family Zach!
Melissa Arlena is an award winning lifestyle newborn photographer in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia who has earned her Master Photographer Certification from NAPCP in maternity, newborn and family photography. Her natural and simple work has been featured in magazines and online blogs worldwide. She has been named Best Maternity and Newborn Photographer in Richmond and Charlottesville, VA in 2024.
