Tuesday, April 28, 2015

New Blog!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Hello, Lovely!

As one of my 2014-year goals, I wanted to update my blog.  I did.  I made some tweaks.  I also started to make the transition to Wordpress instead of blogger to increase my SEO.

Wellll, I'm making the transition!  So, this blog will remain at the blogspot address.  The new blog will take over the http://www.TheHauteSauce.com address.  So, all quiet on the blogging front for a week or two while I learn the new platform!

If you're reading this after June 2015, hop on over to http://www.TheHauteSauce.com to get the latest and greatest from Jalapeño Photography.  And you can always email me at info@jalapenophotography.com

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Sneak peek | Evergreen Country Club Wedding Photography

Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Hello, Lovely!

Wow… life ebbs and flows, and I’m definitely entering a busy-busy time again!  We just started replacing the **49** windows in our house.  Yikes!  It means that nearly every wall in our house is being opened up.

But it’s looking so beautiful!

Then, I have 4 weddings in the next three weeks.  I have a break for most of the summer, and then *BAM!* *KAPOW!*  Wedding season hits! 

I am so excited!  Some awesome locations and awesome people on the agenda!

In the meantime, I’m editing-editing-editing!  I should be finished with this beautiful wedding this week!




Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Northern Virginia Wedding Photographer

Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Hello, Lovely!

This weekend I start the craziness beautifulness that is wedding season.  I was lucky enough to meet these two lovebirds and discuss their 2016 wedding last weekend- wow exciting!

… and as they packed up, they let me know the ring is a combination of the bride’s family’s diamonds, the groom’s family diamonds and a special diamond picked out by the groom.  All without the knowledge of the bride!

Le swoon.



Tuesday, April 14, 2015

What to Wear: Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland Photographer

Tuesday, April 14, 2015


Hello, Lovely!

More often than any other question, I’m asked “what should I wear?”  Now, chica, I love me some clothes!  Without a doubt, I could walk into my closet and pick out what I would wear, so let me give you some advice to give you the same confidence!

First rule:  Wear something that makes you feel amazing!  

I don’t care if it breaks all the other rules… when you feel good, you look good!



For my engagement session with Marcella Treybig Photography (right), we went with a red, white and blue palette.  With my session with Terra Dawn Photography (left), we went with a mustard, brown and blue palette.
Red, white and blue: Renzo (slim fit, wide plaid shirt from Express—his favorite company; favorite jeans) Eddie (ASOS midi-length dress in navy and J. Crew (one of my favorites) striped pumps)
Brown-mustard-blue: Renzo (slim fit, white shirt from Express, brown tweed vest from J. Crew, favorite jeans) Eddie (high-low mustard dress from Express, Jessica Simpson nude pumps)

Second rule: Coordinate without being matchy-matchy.  

In the 90s, we all wore jeans and white tops, ran around barefoot, chased by our black lab... on the beach.  Hey, it still works!  But, you also have the opportunity to showcase you and your style.  Think stripes, plaids, florals, tweeds, and consider including multiple textures in your image. One person in florals and the other in stripes for instance.

Think of three colors you like together and in your home or your wedding colors, and find clothes of different textures and pattens in that color palette.  When in doubt, refer to rule one!

Cassie of Primitive and Proper does color and layers of patterns better than just about anyone I know.

Mustard, blue and brown (left) | Red, white and blue (right)
Great minds think alike!

Third Rule: The don’t s.
Stay away from big chunks of black or white. Both are horrible to photograph.  The lighting needs to be juuuuust right or you’ll just wearing black blob (think: my black leggings will look like I'm wearing a floor-length tube skirt).  Or, your white shirt will be the brightest thing in the image, and your faces will play second fiddle.  Sooo, no white button downs or black leggings.  (See also rule one.)
Avoid tight patterns.  Tight plaid, seersucker, etc. will look a little psychedelic online and in print. 

See this suit? Depending on the screen or printer, the pattern will be wavy like a topographic map.  Don't see it, move your head up and down paying special attention to the material around the grooms left shoulder blade, and it will look like the pattern is moving.





Rule four: Remember the details.

Details make you look polished in a photo and make you walk into out photo shoot feeling like… hmm, I’m looking good today!  Remember to match your hair tie with your hair color, think about your socks and jewelry.  Also, think about oomphing your look.  Maybe with killer earrings, spot on socks, or bowtie.

Sneak peek of my shoot with Citizen Frederick.


Finally, rule five: Wear what you feel good in.


Layering patterns, following all the don’t s, etc. won’t mean anything if you don’t feel like a million bucks.  If you want to break “the rules” that’s fine by me.  I will make it work the best way I can.  


Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Fresh Flowers | #SomeOfMyFavoriteThings

Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Hello, Lovely!

Recently, I’ve been working on a number of super exciting projects—I can’t wait to share!!  I was recently featured in a **big** publication there is a flower garden in the works, and I’ve been invited to speak at my first, national conference.  Hole. Lee. Smokes.

I just wanted to check in and let you know that I’m still plugging away.  Still editing like a banshee.  <<-- Do banshees edit? 

In the meantime, I have quick photo of #SomeOfMyFavoriteThings.  I’m a horrible cook and have an uncanny ability to kill any plant by simply being in its proximity.  I’m trying to improve on that. 

Some of my favorite things are fresh flowers.  I would love to bring back my yard by filling it with beautiful flowers.  Sure, these are store-bought, but in a few years, I’d love to meet you for coffee with a brown paper-wrapped bouquet of fresh flowers.


Until then, enjoy these:)


Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Life is a Highway | Northern Virginia Wedding Photographer

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Hello, Lovelies!

Wow!  Wowzaaa… these last couple of weeks have been crazy.  Crazy!  One of the biggest accomplishments, if I can call it that, is I accepted an offer on our Reston house.  Man, I love that house!

Okay, more on that amazing house soon.  Today, I have another test drive.  These two lovebirds finally realized something clicked on a long road trip… with Katie’s boyfriend.  That’s right, folks.  When you’re stuck in a car for hours, you can either look across the center console, stare a little too long, smile, and karaoke-style bust out the road tunes… or stare blankly out the windshield and glumly think to yourself, “when is this going to be over.”

I love road trips with my husband.  Even when I’m mad, I’ll clench my jaw, maybe shed a tear.  My husband might also be mad and give the stink eye to every passerby… but within minutes, he turns on the heated seats because he knows I’m always cold… turns on the wedding station on Pandora to make me smile… a reaches across to hold my hand.  I melt, and he pulls my hand to his lips.


Life is a journey.  Enjoy the ride.



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