I stopped by Jules Maes Saloon in Georgetown while waiting for Robin to get out of band practice and came across these two goofballs at the bar, making my job a lot easier. One of these ran in the Stranger the week I was gone. Anyone have the issue?

There was a party going on downstairs at the Alibi Room when I swung by to shoot. I don't believe either of these ladies was the birthday girl, but they were dancing like it. The first one ran in this week's issue.

Robin and I dropped off 12 rolls of film at Pandalab yesterday after stuffing our face with Bamboo Garden's faux chicken balls. It was a struggle to speak English after a week plus of speaking, dreaming and TV watching in Spanish. My generous parents gave us 7 nights at their Cozumel time share as a wedding gift and we spent our days applying liberal amounts of sunscreen and nights downing dobles from the Chac Mool themed bar. A few days weren't spent on our rears - stories I'll save for when the images are posted. Seattle welcomed us back with rain and snow. What happened to March going out like a lamb?

Just a link before I go, a lesson to be learned. Photoshopping twice the speed of sound, it's easy to get burned.

I'm taking a little trip and won't be able to post for the next week or so. While I'm gone you should have a look at the Photojojo Newsletter archives. Photojojo sends emails twice a week with fun tricks, projects and tidbits for photo lovers.

I'll have a handful of new photos for you when I return and maybe an announcement if all goes as planned.

I need to start taking notes when I shoot the Club Directory because I can never seem to remember anyone's name. I do remember the lady's below, patronizing the Beacon Pub last Saturday, but we share the same one so that was easy. She works for a local hip-hop label and was wearing a large pendant with the label name (which I of course can't remember) engraved in cursive made by the bartender's father. Full of laughs. Gotta love a Jennifer!

This guy wasn't as shifty as he looks. He told me he used to model back in the day. Very sweet man, drinking virgin cocktails while getting over laryngitis.

The nut bar!

As the case was last week, I don't know which image was chosen to run. You can see for yourself in the print edition of The Stranger. The Club Directory is located at the end of the Music section.

Here are those images I was referring to on Monday. Doesn't she kind of look like the front-woman of the band? If only!

I wish I could remember the band's name, they were so much fun. They had a good range of cheese free music too.

I highly recommend getting out of town for your wedding, even if it's just a couple hours away from home. There is something about having everyone in the same place for the entire evening that allows you and your guests to let go and enjoy yourselves. It truly maximizes your time together and keeps the party going as late as possible. You're less likely to have someone leave early to relieve the babysitter or meet other friends out after the reception.

Here are some of my favorite Washington wedding venues that also provide guest lodging:

Wallace Falls Lodge, Orcas Hotel, Mountain Springs Lodge, Willows Lodge, Manresa Castle, Lake Quinalt Lodge, Guemes Island Resort, Doe Bay, Skamania Lodge and the venue from my previous post, the Outlook Inn.

Alison and Eric were married at the Outlook Inn on Orcas Island. Most of our planning was done over the phone since they live in Virginia but I could tell we were going to hit it off. These two were so focused on having the best night of their lives.

Fortunately, the February weather cooperated.

I covet these shoes and the ability to walk in them.

These were taken on a small cliff behind the church. For this shot I set up my Norman A400B and shot through a small white umbrella, camera right. If you increase the shutter of your exposure by 2-3 steps you can pull in some intense colors during sunset.

and sometimes it's nice to let the light speak for itself.

Alison's mother, doing an interpretation of her daughter's Hungry Like the Wolf karaoke performance from the night before. This woman is incredible!

This little girl wore her tiara all night. I have some photos of her dancing in front of the band where she looks like their lead singer.

They made ME feel young!

For me this image is representative of each of their personalities.

Alison & Eric, thank you for letting me into your family for the weekend. I hope you have long, loving, fun-filled life together!

Location: Outlook Inn, Orcas Island

Flowers and Wedding Planning: Leslie Ginnes of Patina Floral & Planning

Catering: The New Leaf Cafe

The below image of Andy & Ingo Pixel placed in the Departures category of the WPJA 2007 Q4 wedding photography contest!

Big congratulations go out to Eric & Brooke Lagstein of Be Creative Photography in New Jersey. Both of them placed multiple times in various categories, with Eric placing second overall! If their names sound familiar it may be because you've seen the the beautiful images they took at my sister's wedding last year.

Eric clued me into the WPJA (Wedding Photojournalist Association) during our initial phone consultation and I applied for membership immediately. It has pointed a handful of great clients my way. The WPJA website contains invaluable advice for both couples and photographers on the many variables of photographing weddings and hiring a wedding photographer.

While you are surfing be sure to check out WedPix.com, their online wedding photography magazine.

I'm not sure which of the below three images from my night at the Dubliner was chosen since I've yet to pick up this week's Stranger. I hope it was the nice lady in the first. I didn't catch her name but I think I'll be calling her Helga from here forward.

Me, taken by Robin during hour two of three spent waiting for the ferry to Anacortes.

I can never resist photographing these chairs.

Passing time with a little OG.

One of our guides.

Oh my darling we're meadowing now, oh love is bold in the cricketing fields

And a sly part of night gets down to get up, oh bright light sing me a song, on and on.

Oh my love this is our town, where gray clouds wander over heaven and ground.

Oh, my love it's difficult times, mistakes I've made escape like birds from a line, on and on.

Oh, thinking of heaven, oh thinking it's night

Oh, thinking of heaven, oh maybe next time, next life down the road.

With whatever's left I'm over shadows, the bright flowers behind your billboards

And Oh, crystal thing inside me sing, bow into hours and repeat everything, on and on.

Oh, thinking of heaven, oh thinking it's night

Oh thinking of heaven, oh maybe next time, next life down the road.