Rebecca & Michael @ Sheraton Towson

So I really like the idea of experimenting with audio slideshows in the blog..... so as soon as I got my new recorder in, I decided to ask Mike if he was ok with me putting the mic on him during the day - of course Mike agreed and it gave me some audio to work with in putting together a slideshow for the day.

Please forgive me, as I'm still pretty new to the audio slideshows (having only done one before) - and I'm new to recording audio as well. - I'm pretty happy with the audio when one person is talking, but I am still learning how to refine audio when there is background noise (as in the first audio clip in this slideshow -- the mother of the bride is telling the bride "Mike is here, and he is happy as ever", but it can be hard to pick up due to the excessive background noise from other people talking) -- I promise, I'll try to get better! I considered taking it out, but I really like what Mike was saying at about the same time! :)

Bear with me as I get better at doing these!! :)

Renee & Greg @ Mountain Branch

Having been married at Mountain Branch myself, I continue to enjoy shooting weddings there, as it provides a sophisticated, yet casual atmosphere for events held there. The same on location event coordinator that ran my wedding day back in 2005 is still there (which I've realized is extremely rare in the event planning world)!

I started out the day by lacing up my shoes and ripping the shoelace apart... so after a quick stop for some well-needed new shoes on the ay, I arrived at Renee's parents house. As I was arriving, an extremely heavy storm came roaring through - but after about 20 mintues of heavy rain, the worst was over, and we were off to Fallston for the ceremony. As you can see from the photos, this couple was surpised by Doves being released right after the ceremony - a nice touch that I rarely see!

On to the reception, we took advantage of being way ahead of schedule which gave us plenty of time to run down to the 12th hole and all over the golf course to take some nice shots of the newly married couple. The weather held for us the rest of the evening, making for a beautiful evening at Mountain Branch! Everything always runs so smooth at Mountain Branch -- I cant wait until my next event there!

Oh and note to self--- never stay on your feet for 7 hours in shoes that you just bought! - Yeah, I wont make that mistake again! :)

AT&T National Coverage

The last time I covered the AT&T National was before our official Blog existed. Back then, the AT&T National Coverage went out on my small e-mail distribution list and was very well received as it is one of those DC events that everyone is interested in, even if you don't follow the typical DC news cycle!

Wednesday began with a pro-am tournament which highlighted Tony Romo playing with Tiger Woods, Jessica Simpson singing the National Anthem, and Redskins players and others celebs playing a round with the pros as well. Note to self: It is called Pro-AM for a reason.... The AM part of that means the they play like me.... and as a photographer.... I don't want to be standing in front of someone that plays like me while they drive a golf ball straight at me
(although they are trying to drive it down the fairway)! Scary--- but luckily, I was not hit! :)

Having shot this course before, but only having shot Golf a handful of times, I was still a bit nervous about the strict PGA Tour rules-- the entire time I couldn't help but pray to God that my finger did not accidentally slip too early and snap in one of the players back-swings -- a very big no-no for us stills.

Luckily for me, my finger kept steady, and my phone did not accidentally go off like it did during Obama's prime time news conference (even though again, it was on vibrate only). However, all of the photographers didn't hold their hands as steady as I - on Sunday, at the 16th green, with Tiger putting for birdie to take the lead, one poor soul a few spots down from me accidentally slipped early during Tiger's swing. Tiger let out a big "SERIOUSLY?" (guess he has been watching Grey's) and the other stills began sending evil stares at the offender. I think I would have messed myself, as that putt could have easily been the difference between 500,000 and 1,000,000 for Tiger (all of which would be donated to his charity anyway). And of course, the photographers ripped into the offender the rest of the evening -- yikes!

However, the coverage was not all peachy for me... I am quite unhappy with one of the photos -- You will see in the blog Tiger teeing off from hole #10 both on Friday and again on Sunday -- you will notice that the shot on Friday is much cleaner -- I was able to be in a prime position which I staked out a good 3-4 holes before Tiger got to 10. -- Seeing as the crowds were much larger on Sunday, I thought I would do the same thing - except this time, about 1 minute before Tiger was ready to tee off on 10, I get thrown out of my spot by one of Congressional's security people telling me they have to keep the stairs clear......... NOT HAPPY --- for some reason, we have been allowed there all week, but that day, this guy wanted to clear me out. - SERIOUSLY (darn... those Grey's references again)! I ran around looking for the head security guy whom I had asked permission from to stake out my spot........ no where to be found and Tiger is stepping up..... Run to another, less desirable spot and snap what I can. - Shot was o.k. but nothing like what I wanted to get had I been in my position I staked out 30 minutes early! Plus the photographer behind Tiger did not help by raising his film 35mm camera mounted on a monopod about 10 feet in the air RIGHT after Tiger hits! -- I cant catch a break! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

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Wednesday July 1st, 2009 - Washington, D.C.- Washington Redskins receiver ANTWAAN RANDLE EL plays a round of golf with Washington Redskins Quarterback Jason Campbell, Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau, and PGA pro Mike Weir at the Congressional Country Club as part of the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am during the AT&T National.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Wednesday July 1st, 2009 - Washington, D.C.- Washington Capitals coach BRUCE BOUDREAU plays a round of golf with Washington Redskins team members Antwaan Randle El and Jason Campbell at the Congressional Country Club as part of the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am during the AT&T National.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)



Wednesday July 1st, 2009 - Washington, D.C.- PGA player KJ CHOI plays a round with Denny Sanford, Catherine Colburn and Harry Martin during the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am round as part of the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Wednesday July 1st, 2009 - Washington, D.C.- TONY ROMO (left) shares a laugh with TIGER WOODS, and his caddy STEVE WILLIAMS during the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am round as part of the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club. Romo and Woods were paired with House Minority Leader John Boehner, and Tom Dundon President and CEO of Drive Financial and Santander Consumer USA.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Wednesday July 1st, 2009 - Washington, D.C.- TONY ROMO tees off during the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am round as part of the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club. Romo played in a foursome that included Tiger Woods, House Minority Leader John Boehner, and Tom Dundon President and CEO of Drive Financial and Santander Consumer USA.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Wednesday July 1st, 2009 - Washington, D.C.- TIGER WOODS shares a laugh with Dallas Cowboys Quarterback TONY ROMO during the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am round as part of the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club. Woods and Romo were paired with House Minority Leader John Boehner, and Tom Dundon President and CEO of Drive Financial and Santander Consumer USA.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Wednesday July 1st, 2009 - Washington, D.C.- JESSICA SIMPSON sings at the opening ceremony for the 2009 AT&T National. Her boyfriend Tony Romo played a round of golf today at the Congressional Country Club with Tiger Woods.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Wednesday July 1st, 2009 - Washington, D.C.- TIGER WOODS and wife ELIN NORDEGREN WOODS attend the opening ceremony for the AT&T National hosted by husband Tiger Woods.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Wednesday July 1st, 2009 - Washington, D.C.- JESSICA SIMPSON sings at the opening ceremony for the 2009 AT&T National. Her boyfriend Tony Romo played a round of golf today at the Congressional Country Club with Tiger Woods.

(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Wednesday July 1st, 2009 - Washington, D.C.- TIGER WOODS along with two members of the Wounded Warrior Project participate in the ceremonial first shot of the AT&T National during the opening ceremony for the tournament held at Congressional Country Club.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Wednesday July 1st, 2009 - Washington, D.C.- A Member of the 101st Airborne Parachute Demonstration Team parachute onto Congressional Country Club's first hole during the opening ceremony of the AT&T National hosted by Tiger Woods
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Wednesday July 1st, 2009 - Washington, D.C.- TONY ROMO and JESSICA SIMPSON pose for a photo with TIGER WOODS after the opening ceremony for the 2009 AT&T National. Romo had just finished a round of golf with Woods at the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Wednesday July 1st, 2009 - Washington, D.C.- TONY ROMO and JESSICA SIMPSON during the opening ceremony for the 2009 AT&T National. Romo had just finished a round of golf with Tiger Woods at the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Friday July 3rd, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - TIGER WOODS tees off on hole #10 during the 2nd round of the AT&T National held at Congressional Country Club. At the time of reporting, Woods is tied for first at 9 under par.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Friday July 3rd, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - ELIN NORDEGREN WOODS tees off of hole #11 during the 2nd round of the AT&T National held at Congressional Country Club. At the time of reporting, Woods is tied for first at 9 under par.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Friday July 3rd, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - LUCAS GLOVER Tees off on #13 during the 2nd round of the AT&T National held at Congressional Country Club. At the time of reporting, Glover was tied for 4th at 6 under par
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Friday July 3rd, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - TIGER WOODS putts in front of the gallery on the 14th hole during the 2nd round of the AT&T National held at Congressional Country Club. At the time of reporting, Woods is tied for first at 9 under par.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Friday July 3rd, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - ROBERT ALLENBY gets out of the rough on the 16th hole during the 2nd round of the AT&T National held at Congressional Country Club. At the time of reporting, Allenby was not on track to make the cut at three over par in 101st.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Friday July 3rd, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - STUART APPLEBY on the 16th hole during the 2nd round of the AT&T National held at Congressional Country Club. At the time of reporting, Appleby was tied for 8th at 4 under par.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Friday July 3rd, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - VIJAY SINGH tees off on hole #18 during the 2nd round of the AT&T National held at Congressional Country Club. At the time of reporting, Singh was tied for 15th at 2 under par.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Friday July 3rd, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - ANTHONY KIM tees off on the 3rd hole during the 2nd round of the AT&T National held at Congressional Country Club. At the time of reporting, Kim was tied for 2nd at 9 under par thru 5 holes.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Sunday July 5th, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - The trophy for the AT&T National PGA event sits outside of the first hole at Congressional Country Club.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Sunday July 5th, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - TIGER WOODS ties his shoes on the first hole in the final round of play at the AT&T National Held at Congressional Country Club.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Sunday July 5th, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - TIGER WOODS reacts to a bad shot during the final round of play at the AT&T National Held at Congressional Country Club.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Sunday July 5th, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - RYUJI IMADA speaks with LUCAS GLOVER on the first hole during the final round of play at the AT&T National held at Congressional Country Club.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Sunday July 5th, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - JIM FURYK on the first hole during the final round of play at the AT&T National held at Congressional Country Club.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Sunday July 5th, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland -TIGER WOODS during the final round of play at the AT&T National Held at Congressional Country Club. Woods took home his 68th career PGA Tour victory at Congressional Country Club finishing 13 under par.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Sunday July 5th, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland -TIGER WOODS and caddy STEVE WILLIAMS during the final round of play at the AT&T National Held at Congressional Country Club. Woods took home his 68th career PGA Tour victory at Congressional Country Club finishing 13 under par.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Sunday July 5th, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland -TIGER WOODS eyes up a putt during the final round of play at the AT&T National Held at Congressional Country Club. Woods took home his 68th career PGA Tour victory at Congressional Country Club finishing 13 under par.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Sunday July 5th, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland - TIGER WOODS tees off on hole 10 during the final round of play at the AT&T National Held at Congressional Country Club.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Sunday July 5th, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland -TIGER WOODS celebrates his 68th career PGA Tour victory on the 18th green at Congressional Country Club after winning the AT&T National at 13 under par.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Sunday July 5th, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland -TIGER WOODS celebrates his 68th career PGA Tour victory on the 18th green at Congressional Country Club after winning the AT&T National at 13 under par.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)

Sunday July 5th, 2009 - Bethesda, Maryland -TIGER WOODS celebrates his 68th career PGA Tour victory on the 18th green at Congressional Country Club after winning the AT&T National at 13 under par.
(Credit Image: © James Berglie/ZUMA Press)