Author archives: Emily Plank

Happy Anniversary!

May 2016 marks two very special anniversaries for me – May 2010 is when I captured my very first session and May 2011 is when two of my best friends got married. Caitlin was my college roommate my sophomore year, sorority sister and she is still one of my closest friends – she watched my interest in photography grow and turn into the passion that it is today. Tim and Caitlin began dating in 2007 and I got to watch as their love and friendship grow – for as long as I have known them they have always been together. Caitlin got engaged to Tim in 2010 and they chose me to photograph their engagement – they really didn’t give me a choice.

I had to borrow my mother’s DSLR camera and we spent about 6 long hours shooting – this is something I now can accomplish in about 60 minutes. There was a lot of trial and error that day but when it was all said and done I was really happy with what I captured – I look at those images from time to time to see how far I have come. The beginning of May marked 6 years since my very first session and this past Saturday, May 21st, marked Tim and Caitlin’s 5 year wedding anniversary. On Friday, the day before their anniversary we shot what you see below (this is just a ‘small’ preview) to celebrate, if possible they look even more in love. We laughed, danced in the park, walked along riverside, and dodged the rain – I felt so honored to capture this for them and this time we got to include their fur baby Alli. Love you both!!

Eloping at the National Botanical GardensJa’Qualane + Duan

How I stumbled upon two people eloping at the National Botanical Gardens

Two weekends ago I took a spur of the moment trip to Washington DC with a good friend of mine – on the first day of our trip we decided to do some things on our own and explore parts of the city. While my friend met up with some of her old college friends I set out to explore the Mall and Capitol Hill. My first stop was the National Gallery where I wandered around for over an hour, inspired by the likes of Monet, Manet, Pollack and Jasper Johns – next I found myself wandering towards the Capitol building with the goal to go to the Library of Congress (which is one of my favorite places). On my way I noticed the National Botanical Gardens – I’ve only been to DC once before when I was 11 years old – the gardens were something I don’t remember, so I decided to stop in.

Upon entering the most amazing green house I have ever been in I look to my left and see two girls taking a selfie then I look to my right and I notice a young couple kissing. I walk up to what I assumed was a friend taking pictures with a cell phone – I asked her ‘Did they just get married?’ and with a big smile she responded ‘Yes! They eloped!’ I quickly introduced myself, told them I was a photographer, handed them my card and asked if they wanted a few portraits done to remember the day by – what you see below is what I captured. I loved this – I think it might have been my favorite moment of the trip! I was so blessed to have met these two and capture these moments for them it brought me so much joy!

UA-51452428-1