Capitol Vendor Spotlight: Julie Napear Photography

I am THRILLED to be posting my very first “Capitol Vendor Spotlight” on such a kind, energetic, and talented photographer.  I met Julie a few weeks ago via my aimless craigslist posting, trying to find vendors or just ANYone interested in helping me with my blog. I got Julie’s email and I just knew it was going to be the start of a great relationship. She is almost as excited as I am about my blog and it turns out, she is also a fan-freakin-tastic photographer too.  First, let’s showcase some of her skills:

Second, let’s get to know more about Julie, that wonderful woman behind Julie Napear Photography!

Capitol Romance (CR): Why and how did you get into the Wedding Photography Business?

Julie: In the summer of 2005, my boyfriend-now-husband’s brother got married in Jamaica. (I know what you’re thinking — how awesome! But sadly Erik and I had just met two months prior and so I wasn’t invited to join them.) Theirs was a small, family-only ceremony, so when they came back to Virginia they had a reception for friends and extended family. Knowing they didn’t want to spend a lot of money, I offered to shoot the affair as my gift to them. I had never shot a wedding before, but I was pretty good at taking pictures of people and figured I couldn’t do any worse than them having no photographer at all!

Anyway, when I came back with the pictures, everyone was really impressed, and I thought, “hey, maybe I should consider weddings as a way to make some extra income.” So I put some feelers out to friends and family, letting them know I was available (and cheap, because of my lack of experience), and started getting inquiries from friends of theirs. In 2007, I had gotten fed up with my day job and decided to quit, figuring the few weddings I had booked for the year would help float me through until I found another job. But my timing was really good — it was January, which is known in the business as “engagement season”, and I booked enough weddings to realize I already had a full time job lined up!

CR: Why the interest in being featured on a blog that hopes to cater mainly to alternative, unusual, and original DC Area weddings?

Julie: I really do love my job, but like anything, if you get stuck doing the same thing over and over again, it gets old. So I love the idea of people who have different ideas — I am truly inspired by the people that I photograph. I tell my clients to feel free to steal ideas — colors, centerpieces, hairstyles, etc. — from the sample albums that I show them, and seeing what other people come up with kinda makes me want to get married again… or at least just have an awesome photo shoot in a gorgeous wedding gown and my handsome husband in a tux!

CR: Anything exciting or different you are working on in the upcoming months?

Julie: Yes! I am frequently asked about doing boudoir sessions, but most women do not want to do them outdoors where they can be seen in their unmentionables (understandably), and my small in-home studio is a really boring place to get them done. So I’ve teamed up with the historic George Washington Hotel in Winchester (check them out here) and a professional hair and make-up artist to offer a weekend of boudoir sessions in an awesome luxury suite. I still have slots open on Sunday, February 20 if any women out there in Capitol Romance-land are interested! Did I mention there will be wine? ;-)

Local Deals: iGorman Annual Storewide Sale!

Attention couples thinking about getting engaged …. or looking for a last minute valentine’s day gift … anniversary gift … or a “whoops I spent a ton a money on myself again” … gift ….

Whatever the case, iGorman (an AMAZING jewelry store in DC) is having their Annual Store-wide sale NOW through February 14th! Up to 70% off select items. You cannot beat that.  I will be doing an entire post on the amazingness that is iGorman, but for now, check out the shop, the sale, and meet the wonderful people that work there for yourself!

You will not be sorry!

Local Finds: Willow Oak Flower & Herb Garden

After my first day of advertising my blog, I received my very first email. Boy was I excited! I was then even more excited to read about this AWESOME place out in Severn, MD (near BWI) that is a small, family-run farm that is dedicated to gardening, flowers, and cut herbs.  The family-run business strives to offer old-fashioned favorites, and newer, top of the line gardening breeds to offer prospective buyers a wide range of displays

One look at the bios page of their website, and you will know you have found an absolutely amazing place to have your bouquets or centerpieces made. Martin & Maria obviously know how to have a good time, while doing something they not only enjoy, but are very passionate about. Heather is the talented artist behind all the wedding arrangements and is an absolute joy to chat with.

In addition to all the arrangements they offer, they also offer classes! When I read that, I instantly thought of how cool it would be to have a bridal shower out at the farm. In a more nontraditional fashion, guests could take classes, maybe even learn how to make some DIY centerpieces to be used in the wedding!