Northern virginia wedding photographer | meet dee

Hello Gorgeous!

this is me; Dee and one of the lead photographers at Darling Photographers. It has been a hot second since I blogged and it was about time. I always think the website does a pretty good job at sharing a bit about who I am... but nothing like a blog written by me to get to know me better.

These photos are so me. I am always smiling or laughing; life is too short to not smile friends. Most of my favorite quotes are all over my website and read them all the time to remind me how sweet life is.

One of the questions most couples ask is why weddings? Why not? I have been a photographer for about 17 years - yes - been a long time. I have done every genre of photography from corporate, portraits, babies, bellies, fashion, commercial, food, weddings, and everything in between. I had a studio for awhile and weddings just made me happy.

I wish you could see all the images that come to my head including the emotions of all the weddings I have done. Picture this - A beautiful bride in her bridal suite getting ready for her big day. All is new to her, her beautiful gown which she picked with her loved ones and is just perfect for the perfect day, the perfect location, and most importantly the perfect guy. She's asking herself if he is as nervous, excited, or calm, or full of all these new emotions as she is... and he is.. and she just wants to see him see her as a bride and see the look on his face. The ceremony starts and she knows this is it.. this is the time and that special moment she walks down that aisle, and have him see her as a bride. As she walk down the aisle she is holding on tight to her dad and when their eyes meet; she even forgets there are guests looking at her - just for a second it is her and him in that room - yes it is always magical...

this and many more reasons is why I love weddings most....

I also get asked what equipment I use at weddings. I don't think the equipment makes a huge difference in the way I capture my wedding stories, but here it is.

Camera bodies:

I owned 4 bodies

1 Canon EOS - 1D X

2 Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

1 Canon EOS R [ Mirrorless system ]

Camera Lenses:

2 Canon EF 24-70mm F/2.8L II USM

1 Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II USM

2 Canon EF 50mm F/1.2L USM

2 Canon EF 85mm F/1.2L II USM

2 Canon EF 100mm F/2.8L USM

1 Canon EF 24mm F/1.4L II USM

1 Canon EF 35mm F/ 1.4L II USM

1 Canon EF 16-35mm F/2.8L II USM

Flashes [ I am an expert in artificial light ] I am notorious for being able to light up entire buildings

6 Speedlites 600 EX II - RT

2 Speedlite Transmitters ST - E3 - RT

6 Compact Battery Pack CP-E4N

2 Godox PB820 External Flash power battery pack for Canon

Manfrotto 1004BAC 144-inch Air Cushioned Aluminum Master Light Stand with 4 sections and 3 risers - 3 pack

1. Manfrotto Pro 4 Section Aluminum Video Monopod,

6 Flash Bracket E-Type Multi-functional 4 1/4 inch Tall including Umbrella reflector holder

5 Lastolite LL LA2423 TriFlash Shoe Lock Tilt Head black

6 3 Triple cold shoe mount

5 Swivel Triple hot shoe adapter umbrella holder bracket

3 Aluminum Alloy Handhel Rig Support Rod Flash Light speedlite

1 Adjustable Padded Compartment Rollerbag for photo lighting equipment

50 SanDisk Extreme PRO 64GB Compact Flash Memory Cards

50 SanDisk Extreme PRO 64GB SD Flash Memory Cards

this is not the full list but this gives you an idea of what's in my bag. It also lets you know we use top of the line Canon equipment and are ready for anything on your wedding day.

A few Fun Facts about me

01 I was born in El Salvador and raised in the US [ Hablo Español ;) ]

02 I am one of 12 siblings [ which is why I'm such a sociable soul! ]

03 I've won the WeddingWire Couple's Choice Award 7 years in a row

04 Me and my [ huge!] family well most of us.. about 300+ of us live in the Washington D.C. area now.

05 I cry at every single wedding I shoot - true story! I really can't help it.

Next... one of my favorite people in the world... Juli