Ron's Blog

Is a wedding planner a good idea?

2012-01-19T03:00:00.000-05:00

Well, that depends on the Wedding Planner. One of my favorites is Myrna Grossman with For All Occasions. I just talked with her and she told me that the average bride spends 12 hours a week working on their wedding. On average, it takes 250 hours to plan a wedding from start to finish. Most people don't have 250 spare hours... not to mention the experience and knowledge to do it right. Here's a shot of Myrna helping Susan prepare for her Pyebaek Ceremony.

When a wedding runs smoothly and on-time, no one notices why. It's my experience that most of the time it's because a professional wedding planner is in the wings taking care of all of the little unforeseen "hiccups" that tends to happen on the wedding day. Your guests notice when things don't go as planned, and again, that's usually when there is no professional planner taking care of things, or "Aunt Sally" (who means well) either can't or just isn't keeping up with the day's events.
Myrna Grossman of For All Occasions, Inc. was the wedding planner at this wedding, and all I can say is.... YES! What a difference she makes. I've worked with Myrna at many events so I know that when she's taking care of the bride, everything will run smoothly. Myrna has a blog with lots of interesting and helpful tips... check it out.

Wedding Tip #18: Hire a professional planner !

Jones Photography has won an award!!

2012-01-09T15:37:00.004-05:00

I am so excited! For the 4th year in a row Jones Photography has won the WeddingWire Bride's Choice Award™. Thanks to all of my clients who supported me last year and were elated with the services received by me!

This means we are in the top 5% of Wedding Pros nationwide! The WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards™ recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. Unlike other awards in which winners are selected by the organization, the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ are determined solely by the reviews from over 1.2 million newlyweds.

Mary and Brian in the City....

2012-01-04T09:00:00.002-05:00

"We received the wedding album and it's outstanding. The layout of the photos is terrific and we liked how some important photos, i.e., the ceremony, the bridal party on the monkey bars, etc. you prepared large images. We especially loved how you used the Mackintosh tartan as a background for the two pages with the family reception pictures just having fun. Furthermore, you exceeded expectations by adding a couple of images that were beautiful photos that we did not select. You're an artist and we truly appreciate it. We had a difficult time selecting the pictures because you're such a fine photographer.

Thanks for the great feedback. It was my pleasure!
I photographed Mary and Brian at Fairfax United Methodist Church in Fairfax City. This is one of the friendliest churches I've ever been to.

One of the things I love about this church is the abundance of natural light. This shot below of Mary was taken in a hallway with lots of windows.

And here's Brian in the guy's holding room.

The service was performed by Rev. Snow.

Flowers were provided by Rick of Rick's Flowers. I've worked with Rick for many years and I highly recommend him.

All weddings have a few bumps along the way. Without a wedding planner, your guests will notice the bumps. With a wedding planner, most likely your guests won't notice the bumps as they will be taken care of behind the scenes by the planner. Myrna, a Certified Wedding Specialist, of For All Occasions was on hand to smooth out those bumps. I highly recommend For All Occasions to both save you money and make sure you get to enjoy your big day. Yes.... if you choose a wedding planner early enough in the process, you can save money (if you have chosen the right planner).
Brian's ancestry is Scottish. Thus the plaid accessories.

Mary and Brian met at Radford University.

Brian and Mary's reception was held at the brand new Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, located in Fairfax City. Their brochure says "A venue with Elegance & Style" and I agree with that statement. It was very nice and I will recommend this venue in the future.

The dance floor was large and inviting. Everyone had a great time.

Did I mention that the venue is right next door to Van Dyck Park. How convenient!

Congratulations Mary and Brian!!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T07:45:00.004-05:00

The start of a new year! 2012 is shaping up to be a very busy year. Many of the popular wedding dates are booking up fast. Most of my business now comes from referrals. I feel honored to have gained the trust of so many of my previous clients. It's not something I take lightly. In 2011 I consistently saw referrals coming to me from past clients. I even booked a client who was referred to me from someone who was not a past client but simply because that person had heard about me from someone else. So "thank you" to whoever has been passing my name around! I don't know who you are, but I appreciate the kind words you have been saying about me to people you meet!

Some of my clients have been kind enough to write testimonials for me. Here's one from Caroline and Kurt:

"Not only did Ron blend in effortlessly with our guests, he took stunning photos when we were not aware that he was even around. Many people have asked if he posed us for our pictures. Other than the formal pictures and the close-ups of our hands and rings, all of our pictures were taken naturally without posing. He simply captured some beautiful moments all throughout the day.

Our wedding happened to be on the one day last January when it snowed about 7 inches, creating a gorgeous landscape of snow-covered fields. Ron captured it all on film, even when a huge glob of snow fell off the roof right onto my head as I was walking out after the ceremony !!

Our album is breathtakingly beautiful and something Kurt and I will treasure all our lives. As promised, Ron sent me all the images on DVD, and posted our pictures on his website (with a protected password) so our guests could enjoy the photos and even order their favorite shots.

I would recommend Ron and his studio to any bride-to-be. His prices are reasonable and worth every penny. In addition, he was very prompt, professional, courteous, and delivered everything promised including gorgeous photos of a very special day. What more could an anxious bride want for her special wedding? "

And here they are enjoying the horse and buggy ride to the reception.

Nik and Christina's Wedding Day....

2011-12-22T11:06:00.009-05:00

This week I photographed Christina & Nik's wedding. Christina wore a Casablanca Couture dress that was stunning.

Flowers were provided by Rick's Flowers. Rick always does a beautiful job with the flowers.

That final look between a father and her daughter is so very touching...

Christina and Nik met at Radford University.

Belmont Country Club was at it's finest on this chilly December day.

Kirk Rubley of Kirkabee Deejays made sure everyone was having a blast on the dance floor!

Congratulations to Nik and Christina!!

Grandchildren at your wedding?

2011-11-23T08:45:00.001-05:00

St. Bernadette's Parish in Springfield was the site of Jin and Mike's ceremony. They saw me in action about a year earlier at another wedding when they stopped me and asked me for my card. It was a beautiful sunny day.

This turned out to be one of their favorite pictures from the day. It's not often that your granddaughter gets to be a big part of your wedding day.

Jin and Mike met at an event by "Events and Adventures". They plan and host events and adventures (thus the name) just for singles. 1 in 5 relationships now begin with an on line dating site, but this company adds a unique and fun twist to that.

The flowers girls were just too cute.

World famous singer Mark Forrest provided the vocals for the ceremony. I've heard him sing before and actually own a few of his CD's. Mark Forrest is an International Irish Tenor. He has captivated audiences from the White House and Carnegie Hall to Cathedrals and Stages Worldwide.

After the ceremony, we headed over to Washington Golf and Country Club for the reception.

Jin and Mike were so much fun to work with.

Golfing is a big part of Jin's life, so she really wanted a shot of her putting in her wedding dress.

We were able to get lots of great shots in front of and around this great venue.

After about 15 minutes outside, we went inside to be introduced.

Mike and Jin's first dance...

Brought everyone to their feet!

Ed Witles, The Elegant DJ, provided the music for evening. I've worked with Ed a number of times and I highly recommend him!!
Here's a shot of Jin's granddaughter singing a song to Jin and Mike.

Mike's mom passed away about a year ago. Mike and Jin wanted to remember her by placing her bouquet of flowers at her headstone. I thought this was a unique and loving way to include her in their special day.

Congratulations Jin and Mike!

A beautiful Fall day...

2011-11-17T05:10:00.004-05:00

"Ron you were great! We've gotten so many compliments on the photos and I was thrilled by how fast you were able to send them to us. Many of our friends who have just gotten married had to wait a month or longer to get their photos. We were extremely happy with how easy you made everything for us. Shannon"
A beautiful Fall day. Sounds like a good day for a wedding. Actually September, October and November are the busiest months for weddings in the D.C area. I always book these three months earlier than any other. The colors, the comfortable weather (usually) and the smell of Autumn in the air....

The ceremony was at The Belvoir Chapel at Fort Belvoir.

David and Shannon met in college while attending Radford University in 2007. Once introduced, they began dating shortly thereafter and throughout the rest of their time in school.

The photo below is totally unposed. The look they are giving each other as they are exiting the church, after being pronounced "Husband and Wife", is one of pure love.

We had so much fun with David & Shannon!

The Officer's Club was at it's finest!

I could tell that David and Shannon's wedding party was a tight knit, fun loving group.

It's people like this that make me love my job!

Yes, we had some fun!

The colors were amazing!

Wedding Coordination was provided by Jadana Donely and her staff of Red Carpet Event Planning. I highly recommend an event planner!!! Your wedding day should be FUN, not stressful. The right event planner will make sure this happens. I've worked with Red Carpet Event Planning a number of times... Highly Recommended!

David and Shannon's first dance was very romantic.

Then the fun started. Clink the glass... the newly married couple kiss! This time it was up close and personal.

Happy Honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico. And Congratulations!!!!

One in Five....

2011-11-13T09:47:00.003-05:00

Here's an interesting factoid..... 1 in 5 relationships now begin with an on line dating site.

A Winter wedding in October.....

2011-11-03T08:59:00.003-05:00

"Jones Photography did an amazing job! We were thrilled with the job that was done for our wedding. Things went extremely smoothly and we couldn't be happier with the photos we received. The photos were ALL amazing. The extra touches, such as the video, are what makes Jones Photography the best. Thanks for everything! Christine"

A flat tire? Say it ain't so....

2011-10-25T08:17:00.001-05:00

A note from the bride:

"Now that things have settled down over here, I’ve been wanting to write and tell you how fabulous the photos you took came out! Some of the moments you captured practically bring a tear to my eye. We couldn’t have wished for anything more, especially with all the variety of shots in front of the memorials/monuments. And the main reason we were able to get those images (which now we’ll have forever) was because of your willingness to drive into DC with your own car after the limo showed up with a flat tire. That was such an extraordinary (and generous) thing for you to do – both our families are still talking about that! You were very easy to work and blended well with our group. We won’t hesitate to pass your name along and highly recommend you to our friends and family members in the area. Also, your extremely prompt delivery of the photos was exceptional and we appreciated that very much!

It was initially a scary thing for us to find the “right” photographer, but we did and I’m glad we got you – even with it being on your birthday (I just found this out) – so happy belated birthday!

Thanks so much for all your hard work!

Mary Jean and Matt"

When the limo shows up on your wedding day with a flat tire, it might be reason to be concerned. Mary Jean and Matt had planned on going downtown to capture some fun photos before the ceremony, so we were on a deadline (aren't we always on a deadline?). I suggested we head down to DC in my car while the groomsmen changed the flat (those are normal groomsmen duties.... right?) and they could catch up with us later.

Mary Jean's Dad was even helping out with the flat...

My plan worked out perfectly because we had a chance to get some really cool images of just the two of them before the rest of the crew arrived.

These shots were taken at The Ellipse. It makes for a beautiful backdrop.

And here we are at the Lincoln Memorial. Images like these are so powerful, but not so easy to take since new rules went into effect after 9/11.

Image below is from the backside of the Lincoln Memorial.

Not everyone likes the "jump shot", but at Mary Jean's request, we gave it a try.

This was a fun photo shoot in DC but our time was up and we headed back to get married. Doing the "posed" or "staged" photos before the ceremony is a trend that I've seen increase over the years. The advantage is that you get to spend more time with your guests after the ceremony. The disadvantage is that everyone (including the limo) needs to be ready much earlier. Still, most still opt for doing the photos after the ceremony. I'm good with whatever your choice is.

The ceremony and reception were at Fort Belvoir.

The Fort Belvoir Officer's Club is known for it's fantastic views of the Potomac River. Just make sure that by the time your guests arrive it's not to dark to enjoy the view to it's fullest. The Officer's Club is a great venue for your ceremony and/or reception. I highly recommend it!!

A fun time was had by all!

Congratulations Mary Jean and Matt!!! And thanks for the kind words!!

Random Shot.....

2011-10-16T08:06:00.003-05:00

A beautiful Fall day.

Julia & Jason at the Club....

2011-10-06T08:40:00.003-05:00

I was worried when I woke up on Saturday. It was scheduled to rain all day. After attending my son's soccer game in the rain (artificial turf) I thought for sure the rest of the day would be wet and dark too. I said some prayers and was thinking it would be a "plan B" kind of day. Indoor photos are one of the factors that differentiates a seasoned pro and a newbie. I knew I could make some beautiful images even if we were stuck indoors, but I really love outdoor photos too.

God is good. The weather cleared up just at the right time for for us to capture the outdoor beauty at Fort Belvoir's Officer's Club.

Make-up for Julia was provided by Barbara over at Bridal Artistry DC. I highly recommend this team of seasoned professionals.

The ceremony was at the Belvoir Chapel.

I love this shot of Julia walking down the isle with her dad. They're beaming.

A quick glance during the ceremony.

The wedding party...

And what a party it was.

The Potomac River makes for a beautiful back drop.

Wedding coordination was provided by Susan Smith of Simply Elegant Weddings. Susan and her staff made sure Julia and Jason didn't have to worry (or think) about a thing on their special day. I highly recommend a wedding coordinator, and Susan is one of the best! Here's a shot of Susan and Julia...

The Officer's Club was looking sharp for Julia and Jason's reception.

The cake was provided by The Icing, an organic bakery in Northern Virginia.

I enjoyed watching these two dance together. Poetry in motion.

I love it when almost everyone is on their feet all night dancing to music that just makes you want to jump up and dance. Congratulations to Julia & Jason!!!!

What do Brides and Grooms really think?

2011-09-28T11:05:00.004-05:00

Last night I attended a meeting of the Association of Wedding Professionals at the Rockville Hilton. I've been a member of this association for over 10 years. I've worked with many of the members over the years and really do believe that the membership includes the finest wedding vendors in the Washington Metro area.

At last night's meeting, we had a panel of recently married couples give us their take on the whole wedding process. It was extremely informative, if not unscientific. I'll share some of what I thought were the highlights. Right off the bat, one of grooms said "I planned the office party. How hard could this be?" Followed by saying their number one regret was that they hadn't hired a full service planner to help them from the start! I love the fact that they thought that wedding planners were so significant and they should have utilized more of their services realizing that it would have been worth the cost!

All of the couples agreed that the Knot was cumbersome to use and that Wedding Wire was their go to source for on-line wedding info. Very interesting. They all also regretted not hiring a professional videographer. Some of them had a "friend" video some of their big day, but they weren't impressed with the results.
It was a very interesting evening and lots of fun hearing how these couples felt after the big day had passed.

Sarah and Jay at FUMC and Westfields Marriott...

2011-09-22T18:34:00.009-05:00

What a great day for a wedding. It was cloudy and overcast most of the morning then all of a sudden, right as the ceremony ended, the sun broke through the clouds and made an appearance. The warmth of the sun (not the heat, but the color) are always a plus. This week I photographed Sarah's big day at Fairfax United Methodist Church in Fairfax City. I photographed her sister's wedding back in May, so I really did feel like part of the family. Here are some images of Sarah getting ready.

This next image brings to mind.... "Bond, James Bond". But no, it's Jay, the groom.

Let the ceremony begin...

YES! We're married!!

The reception was at Westfields Marriott . This is a highly recommended venue. One of the best!

A few quick shots out in front.

Below is an image of Sarah & Jay in the lobby of Westfields Marriott. Working our way up to the reception!

The ballroom was beautiful.

Sarah and Jay were ready to party.

And party they did!!!

Thanks for allowing me to capture the memories from your wedding!! Here's to many years of wedded bliss!

Thank You Giovanna & Matt...

2011-09-20T10:37:00.003-05:00

I recently received this great recommendation from Matt (the groom) and just wanted to share.....
"We elected to hire Ron Jones based on a referral from the wedding coordinator at our venue, as well as examples of his work. We initially had not planned on spending as much for our wedding photographer, but we were EXTREMELY glad that we did afterward. Ron arrived on time and ready to work. Our venue experienced a gas leak which required the building to be evacuated just before our ceremony was to begin. Naturally, this caused a great deal of stress and panic, since we were on a fairly strict timeline with all of our participating vendors' services. In the midst of building alarms, fire trucks, and a VERY stressed out bride, Ron continued to be focused on his task without falter.

Ron is a seasoned wedding photographer. He provides confident and clear direction to the finest detail. Our photos speak for themselves, and our friends and family love them. We could not be more impressed with Ron's work or professionalism, and have no complaints whatsoever. Our only regret is not sending him off with a piece of cake on his way out. THANKS RON."

Even though Giovanna & Matt's wedding day was a bit crazy, we still got some beautiful images. One of the things I love about photographing weddings is that you really never know what to expect. Therefore, I have to be ready for anything. Adaptability at a wedding is one of those traits your photographer learns with many years of experience.

Thanks for the kind words. Congratulations Giovanna & Matt!

Holly & Adam at Lansdowne...

2011-09-14T10:27:00.003-05:00

I recently photographed Holly & Adams wedding at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg. I've photographed many weddings and receptions at Lansdowne, but this is the first time I photographed one in the ballroom at the golf club. I didn't even know they had a ballroom at the golf club. And let me say.... the ballroom at the golf club is one of nicer ballrooms I've seen. Lansdowne has always been a first class destination venue and continues to be one. When most people think of "destination weddings" they think of a tropical island, but Washington is a huge destination wedding location these days. Because of this, there are many weddings where I don't meet with the bride & groom before the wedding day. Holly & Adam are an example of this. When people ask me if I do destination weddings.... my reply is "of course, almost every week!" The first step to a Jewish wedding ceremony is the signing of the Katubah.

Today, most couples are perplexed about the Jewish wedding canopy (Chuppah). Where do they get one? How do they make one? What size should it be? Rick of Rick's Flowers provided Holly & Adam's (in addition to their flowers) Chuppah so they didn't have to worry about it. The Chuppa was adorned with flowers matching Holly's. I highly recommend Rick's Flowers!

The breaking of the glass ceremony. Mazel tov!!!The grounds of Lansdowne make for some very beautiful images.

Of course a fun, happy, attractive couple always helps too!

The first dance....

Rick did a great job making sure everything came together. The bridal bouquet, the flowers on the tables, the flowers for the cake, everything was stunning.

And where would we be without entertainment for the evening? Dick Dyszel of Sounds Fabulous DJs provided the music and MC'd this event. I've worked with Dick many times and I highly recommend!!

Party time!!

Congratulations Holly & Adam! Thanks for allowing me to capture the memories of your big day.

Megan and Garrett at Church of the Nativity...

2011-09-07T15:51:00.008-05:00

Megan and Garrett have known each other since high school. They attended Lake Braddock (Go Bruins!) together. They graduated from college this year. They dated for five years and have been engaged for 9 months. This week they entered into the sacrament of marriage at Nativity Church in Burke, Va. It was a beautiful ceremony presided by Fr. Bill Korpi.

After the celebration inside, the celebration outside began.

Megan and Garrett are such a fun loving couple. There were no "grumps" allowed at this wedding.

I don't normally suggest that the gals pick up the groom, but one of the gals just shouted out... "Lets pick up Garrett", and within seconds, it was happening. I love it when the wedding party is so full of crazy and fun ideas.

Megan's dress was provided by Ann's Boutique in Burke. She's wearing a Casablanca. It was stunning.

The puzzled look on Megan's face is because while they were supposed to feed each other cake after they cut it, Garrett actually did the "arm-loop-around" thing so that they ate their own piece of cake. It was a funny moment, since Megan wasn't expecting it.

Congratulations to Megan & Garrett!!! Here's wishing you many years of happiness.

I love positive feedback......

2011-09-01T01:00:00.004-05:00

"Ron Jones doesn't just take pictures, he captures priceless moments of joy and celebration. Through his lens and his creative view we can relive every wonderful detail of our daughter's wedding. If you have ever had the thought: Oh, I wish I had remembered to take a picture of that , Ron has already done that and then some !! There are no details left out, but the most singularly amazing thing is you are never aware that there is a photographer in the room !!!! I had no idea that he was even in the church and was a little concerned during the ceremony, but every beautiful moment was photographed!!! I still don't know how he does it ! Ron is a wonderful, kind, creative person. He is very calm and professional, which is very helpful at emotionally charged weddings; he knows how to handle people, how to bring out those smiles !! Our guests, looking at the pictures, have all commented on how he has captured absolute happiness! All of our other vendors know him and his work; they all told us that hiring him for our daughter's wedding was the best decision ever! We cannot thank you enough Ron.
Chris {Christy's Mom}"
Thanks Chris.... it was my pleasure!!
Christy and Greg met over gin and tonics and loud music while out with friends at a bar in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

Greg wooed Christy with his sense of humor and left the bar with her phone number. On their first date, Greg took Christy out for a sushi dinner. Despite facing good-humored flack from friends and family for "meeting at a bar," Christy and Greg continued to date. After 4 1/2 years of long distance dating, they made it official at the Belvoir Chapel at Fort Belvoir.

Here's a shot of Christy's dad walking her down the isle.

And here they are as Husband and Wife.

The reception was held at The Fort Belvoir Officer's Club. This is a great place for receptions with a beautiful view of the Potomac River.

Flowers were provided by Brookhill Event Florals & Design.

Updo was done by Christian over at Tangles Salon in Burke.

Jadana Donely of Red Carpet Event Planning made sure everything ran smoothly. Check out the "black & white" design of the room. It was the nicest I've ever seen the Officer's Club. Check with Jadana to see what she can do for your event.

Cake was provided by The Icing Cakes.

Music was provided by Jake Ritchie of Dream Day DJs. I've worked with Jake many times. I highly recommend him, but only if you want everyone to get their party on.

Congratulations Greg & Christy!! Married January 15th, 2011.

Irene hits Washington and New York....

2011-08-28T11:46:00.003-05:00

As I watch the ongoing news coverage of Tropical Storm / Hurricane Irene, one thing seems to come up over and over in interviews with the people who were forced to evacuate. When asked "what did you grab as you ran out of the house?" the answer is always pretty much the same. "our wedding album". This only reinforces my belief that your wedding album is your first family heirloom. Not a single person said "my DVD of wedding images". Don't get me wrong, having your DVD of images is very important. But the wedding album is what will be viewed and passed down to future generations. So don't skimp when it comes to your album. Make sure you tell the entire story of the day, because in 10 or 20 years (I know, it's hard to think that far out) your memory of the day will start to fade. Your wedding album should bring back those memories for you, so you can relive the entire day. Not just a few, but all of the memories from your big day. Don't underestimate the value of your first family heirloom!

Kim & Brian's Happy Day!

2011-08-22T15:54:00.002-05:00

Here's what Kim wrote: "We received everything so quickly and loved all of the pictures and the beautiful album. The images were clear and the colors were beautiful in every photo. Thank you for capturing all the wonderful moments of our wedding day!"

Kim and Brian were married at Fairfax United Methodist Church in Fairfax City recently. This is one of my favorite churches to photograph weddings at, mainly because the people at this church are so nice. Check out Brian's face at the moment he first spotted Kim, about to walk down the isle.

The reception was at the Hyatt Regency Reston. Before we joined the guests, we walked around the Reston Town Center a bit for some fun shots. One of the places we stopped at was Jackson's Restaurant/Bar. This is where Kim and Brian first met, so it's a special place for them. Here they are getting cozy at the bar.

The Lobby of the Hyatt Regency Reston is spectacular. And the staff really outdid themselves at this event. Everything was perfect. If you're looking for a great reception venue, contact Mary Lesjack at 703-925-8138.

The ballroom was at it's finest.

The food was superb.

The happy couple toasting their new marriage.

The cake was provided by Wanda's Cakes located in Centreville.Professional DJ Services was provided by Mike Blaufeld. He did a great job keeping everyone on their feet and having a good time. I highly recommend him!

Congratulations Kim & Brian!! Thanks for choosing me to capture your wedding day memories. I look forward to seeing you again at Sarah and Jay's wedding in September.

Evergreen Country Club....

2011-07-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

This week I photographed Kelly and Aaron's wedding at Evergreen Country Club in Haymarket, Va. This venue has become one of my favorites for a couple of reasons. First... it's so photogenic. Inside and out! That's not always the case with many venues. Second... Brooke and her staff did a great job making sure everything proceeded exactly as planned. And they were nice about it. It's always good to be surrounded by people who enjoy what they do. Above is the entrance to Evergreen, below is the Historic Manor House.

The reception was held in the fully modern club house. It's large and comfortable.

Kelly was so much fun to photograph. Both she and Aaron were so upbeat and happy. We had a great time taking these photos. I think it shows.

Flowers were provided by Heaven on Earth Wedding Flowers. They were the perfect "pop" of color.

Below is a shot of Kelly and Aaron in front of the Historic Manor House.

Kelly & Aaron met in grade school and they both went to Lake Braddock High School. I would call that rare in this transient area.
The cake was provided by Wanda's Cakes. I've worked with Wanda many times and can only say that not only are her cakes beautiful works of art.... but delicious too!

Congratulations go out to Aaron and Kelly!!! Thanks for allowing me to capture the happiness of your day.

Jones Photography interviewed.....

2011-07-14T07:04:00.004-05:00

Jones Photography was recently interviewed by A Splash of Elegance. To see the interview CLICK HERE.

A Splash of Elegance is a full-service wedding and event management company located in Reston, Virginia. Serving the metro Washington, DC area, A Splash of Elegance specializes in bringing your unique personality into your wedding or special event.

Stop... and take a breath...

2011-07-06T15:53:00.000-05:00

For those of you who are addicted to "the boards"... here's a very funny look at life after the wedding......

Lisa and Timothy at the Warner...

2011-06-14T11:29:00.010-05:00

This week I photographed Lisa & Timothy's wedding at The First Baptist Church of Washington. The reception was held at one of the newest wedding venues in the city.... The Warner Theatre Rooftop. The Warner's special place in the history of Washington began in the 1920s when dozens of grand theaters and movie houses lit up downtown. Built first for vaudeville and silent movies, the Theatre was opened as the Earle Theatre in 1924. It was complemented by a rooftop garden that attracted thousands of visitors per night. Now the rooftop is reserved for special functions and wedding receptions.

Flowers for the event were provided by Sher Opel of Flowers by Sher. I've worked with Sher on previous weddings and am always impressed with her creations.

Makeup and styling was provided by Julie of Style Me Julie.

New York couture designer, Lynn T. Nelson, of Bridal Silhouette, designs for women, children & men creating custom wedding attire and specializing in the reconstruction of vintage wedding gowns, veils and headpieces. Everyone was commenting on Lisa's blusher veil. It was the perfect accent!

Here's a silhouette of Lisa and her dad just before he walked her down the isle. This is a very special moment for between father and daughter.

Thomas Jefferson was president and Washington, DC was a village of only a few thousand people when in July 1801 Baptists first met in Washington, D.C. at the US Treasury Building. The church has occupied five buildings on four sites in the District of Columbia, including one on the site of what is now Ford's Theater (where President Lincoln was assassinated). The congregation moved to its current location (16th & O Streets, NW) in 1890, with the first services held in the present sanctuary building on Christmas Day 1955.

Lisa's aunt, Jacqui Strothoff, performed the ceremony.

Lisa's dad provided the transportation.... a 1948 Plymouth. Very cool!

Outside the Warner Theatre we were able to capture some very nice "urban" shots of Lisa & Timothy.

A Wedding Coordinator is so valuable leading up to and on your wedding day. Amanda Smith of White Pumpkin was on hand to take care of all of the behind the scenes "problems" that always crop up on the wedding day. Amanda is one of the best! Here she is instructing Lisa and Timothy just before the cutting of the cake.

Cake and desserts were provided by Northside Social. Yummmm!
The view from the Warner Theatre Rooftop is amazing.

Aaron Platt of Chris Laich Music Services was on hand to provide an evening of funk. I must say, Lisa & Timothy have the exact same taste as I do in music. I always enjoy working with Aaron. What a fun time everyone had!

Congratulations go to Lisa & Timothy! What a beautiful wedding and unique and interesting reception. Thanks for allowing me to capture the day for you.

A good day for a Fantasy!

2011-05-28T23:02:00.011-05:00

Mindi and Philip won our over the top Fantasy Wedding which took place at the Reston Town Center this weekend. They met a little over a year ago at Mindi’s 30th birthday at a bar where she was celebrating with friends. Mindi noticed two Marines in full dress, and given her professional experience in veteran services and support, she proceeded with her usual practice of buying service members a drink. Ever since then they have been inseparable.

Mindi received the royal treatment by Leighia and Jennifer over at Salon Nordine. Below is Mindi showing off her new do and make-up. Flowers were provided by Graceful Flowers by Patricia. Patricia always produces stunning works of art with her floral design!Jones Photography, in conjunction with The Reston Town Center and A Splash of Elegance, presented A Fantasy Wedding 2011 at no charge to Mindi & Philip.
The ceremony took place at The Pavilion at Reston Town Center. Besides the invited guests, many people lined the streets to see this big event. ABC7 News and NBC4 News and the local newspapers also covered the story. Philip is a Marine currently assigned to Camp Le Jeune in North Carolina. Mindi has an appreciation for service members due in part to her father having served a full career in the armed services. Mindi has lived in the DC area for over ten years and works for the federal government. She is also currently pursuing a masters and Ph.D. Philip is scheduled to leave for Afghanistan shortly.

Thank you Philip, for your service to our country!

Mindi's flowers will be preserved by All Seasons Floral Preservation.
The carriage ride along the streets of the town center was provided by Shenandoah Carriages.

Il Fornaio provided the reception for Mindi & Philip. Below is a shot of them being announced for the first time as Mr. & Mrs. to the roar of applause from the guests.

The service and meals at Il Fornaio are incredible.

DJ services were provided by Music Unlimited.

None of this would have happened without the staff at A Splash of Elegance. The entire day went off without a hitch because the A Splash of Elegance team was there to stop or fix any problems that sprang up. I always suggest a coordinator to my clients. Don't rely on a friend or relative to make sure your day runs smoothly. That would be like having a friend or relative with a new shiny camera be responsible for your wedding photos. The biggest thing your friend or relative is lacking... is experience. Being prepared and knowing what to do in all situations is the most valuable asset your wedding professional can have.

Williams-Sonoma provided the party favors. Thank you for "Mixing it up" with us on our Wedding Day........ spatulas. Very cool. And useful.

Congratulations to Mindi & Philip for not only getting married, but also for winning the Fantasy Wedding of their dreams!!!!

Tamar & Richard at Groveton Baptist in Alexandria...

2011-05-25T21:06:00.005-05:00

This week I photographed Tamar & Richard's wedding at Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria. Tamar is a physician with the military just back from a tour in Afghanistan.

Below is the "family shot". Tamar & Richard with Tamar's son and Richard's daughter.

Music and entertainment was provided by Bob Artman of Artman DJs. I think Bob is one of the hardest working DJs I've ever met. He made sure everyone had a great time with lots of examples. I highly recommend Bob!

Congratulations go out to Tamar & Richard!!!

Hannah's Bat Mitzvah - Party at Hidden Creek...

2011-05-21T08:20:00.007-05:00

I recently photographed Hannah's Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Beth Emeth in Herndon. Hannah spent many years studying Jewish history, Jewish traditions, and the Hebrew language to prepare for this very special day.

Bat Mitzvah means daughter of the commandments. When a girl completes her Bat Mitzvah, she is considered an adult in the Jewish community.

Hannah read in Hebrew from the Torah. Torah means "teaching". It is a sacred hand written scroll containing the five books of the Hebrew Bible.

After the service, the celebration continued at Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston. I've worked at Hidden Creek many times over the years, but I've never seen it decorated with such a party atmosphere.

Here's Hannah all decked out in her party dress.

And here are the some of the best DJ/Party Hosts ever!! Contact Brian Bergman for Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Corporate and/or Private Parties. Call him at 301-540-0404. I always enjoy working with Brian, and so do his clients!!

The day is all about Hannah!

The candle lighting ceremony.

Breaking of the bread with Hannah's Grandfathers.

Party time!!

Mazel Tov to Hannah and her family!!

Kathleen & Steve at The Mason Inn

2011-05-02T03:43:00.005-05:00

** Update: I just received this from Steve -
"I thought you did a great job on the wedding day. You made my wife and I feel very comfortable. We are not used to getting our picture taken and don't really like to...but you made us feel very comfortable and the pictures look great!"
And from Kathleen-
"You really were an "invisible" photographer. I did not realize you took 1/2 the pictures you did. You were very good at getting the children to smile and stay in one place for the family photograph. Also, you were very good at making us feel relatively "at ease" in front of the camera. For 2 camera shy people, that is huge!"
Thanks Steve & Kathleen!
I photographed Kathleen & Steve's wedding at St. Bernadette's in Springfield. I love the skylights at the alter area of this church. Here's a shot of Kathleen and her mom just before the ceremony.

Rev. Pollard performed the ceremony.

"The look"

Kathleen's dress was by James Clifford.

After the ceremony, we headed over to the brand new Mason Inn located on the grounds of George Mason University in Fairfax.
Nestled among a natural wooded setting on the south side of George Mason University campus is this Fairfax, Virginia hotel, designed to be a first-class venue. Contact Charlena Marder at 703-865-5705 for booking details.

Only the finest, most modern designs and materials were used in building this state of the art venue. Cedar is used as the main wood throughout the building, as cedar trees already dominate the campus landscape.

With 148 beds and 7 floors, this appears to be the most exciting wedding venue to come to the Northern Virginia area in many years!

Entertainment for the evening was provided by Dick Dyszel of Sounds Fabulous DJ Entertainment. Sounds Fabulous DJ Entertainment is a Full Service company that serves Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Northern Virginia with an exciting new mix of entertainment options. I highly recommend Dick to all of my clients.

Here's a shot of Kathleen & Steve's first dance.

The meals at The Mason Inn are always superb.

A good time was had by all. Thanks Kathleen & Steve for allowing me to be a part of your special day.

Jenny & Blake at Raspberry Plain...

2011-04-10T06:28:00.002-05:00

Here's what Janet (Mother of the Bride) had to say:
The wedding photos are amazing. I get teary eyed every time I look at them. You have captured the joy and love of the day in every photo especially on Jenny and Blake's faces! There was so much happening on wedding day and it was impossible to catch it all, but you have done that for me. Thank you for your precious gift of memories.

Jenny & Blake just got married at Raspberry Plain in Leesburg. This is one of my favorite venues as the view is just beautiful in every direction. This Saturday was a bright, brisk & beautiful day for a wedding.

The Ceremony was held on the North Lawn.

Jenny & Blake met in the 9th grade at a church retreat. Their paths crossed again in 2008 and they started dating in January 2010. They have been together ever since.

One thing a married couple never forgets, even after being married 50 or more years, is their proposal. One evening Blake suggested they take in some sites in D.C. They drove to Vienna and took the metro into D.C. and the whole time he was smiling and insisting that they take lots of pictures. This is not the norm for Blake. They were walking by the monuments taking random pictures and then they ended up at the WWII Memorial, which is Jenny's favorite site. Blake was planning to wait until they got to the Lincoln Memorial to pop the question, but because it had started to rain, he decided not to wait.

As Jenny was trying to take pictures of the memorial and the fountains...Blake was all frantic and insisting that she give him the camera so he could go find someone to take their picture. He found a lady with a random group of girls and had her take a picture of them. Then he went up to ask her to take another one and when Jenny turned around to pose for the picture he was on one knee holding up the box, asking her to marry him. She said yes, he pulled out the ring, and slipped it on her finger!! Above, the barn at Raspberry Plain. Below, the elegance of Raspberry Plain.

Sunset...

Catering was provided by Amphora. A trusted name in catering in the D.C. area.

The cake was provided by Amphora Bakery. Highly recommended!

The first dance as husband and wife. Always a special memory.

The Grand Conservatory...

A toast to Jenny & Blake...

Music was provided by Harmony DJ's. Always fun!

Congratulations to Jenny & Blake!!!!

Jessica & Alex at Belmont...

2011-03-24T01:58:00.008-05:00

It was a beautiful day in Ashburn for Jessica & Alex's wedding. It started at the top... with the hair. Aziz & Rosie from Pink Karma Salon & Spa made sure everyone looked their best.

While the guys were playing some pool and getting ready.

Notice the flowers...

Rick of Rick's Flowers outdid himself for Jessica & Alex. I highly recommend Rick to all of my clients.

Alex proposed to Jessica in March 2008 at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Because of Jessica's love for animals, the National Zoo was the place of their very first date on March 13, 2006. Every year on the anniversary of their first date they visit the Zoo in celebration, except for this year. This year they skipped the Zoo on March 13th to get married on their five year anniversary.The ceremony took place on the front lawn of The Belmont Country Club.

Belmont's Manor House, located on the highest point in the area, was once part of the vast land holdings of Lord Fairfax. The Manor Home, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in the 1790's by Ludwell Lee, nephew of Richard Henry Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Rev. Wesley Peyton performed the ceremony. Rev. Peyton provides religious, non-religious, interfaith, and personalized service for couples. I've worked with Rev. Peyton many times and I highly recommend him.

The ballroom was exquisite in black, white & pink. The Belmont did an excellent job, as usual.

Rick's Flowers made sure everything came together nicely.

It was a fun evening. I loved working with Jessica & Alex.

At the reception guests were treated to an incredible flow of treats and fruits ready to be dipped in rich chocolate, provided by Capitol Chocolate Fountains. Always in good taste.

And the music was provided by Kirk of Kirkabee Deejays. Lets just say the house was rockin'.

Congratulations Jessica & Alex!!

Need a fresh coat?

2011-03-11T13:21:00.008-05:00

We've owned our home in Fairfax for more than 20 years. When we first bought our house, wallpaper was the "hot" item of the day. Not so much anymore. But we knew wallpaper removal and a good paint job was something we wouldn't even think of doing ourselves. Even if we were to tackle it ourselves, who has the time for such a major project (2 rooms & a hallway)? We contracted with Russ at Claar Home Improvements and are we glad we did! It would have taken us months to do what he did in one week. And the quality and workmanship he provides is unmatched. Preparation is certainly the key here. Patching holes, sanding, cleaning,priming, etc. is very crucial to the overall outcome and durability of a lasting interior paint job. Russ does both interior and exterior painting and has been doing so for more than 25 years. We highly recommend him!!

Russ mostly does jobs in Northern Virginia, Fredericksburg, Warrenton & Bealeton.
His number is 540-439-1312
Thanks Russ for a great job!

Fort Belvoir Bridal Show.....

2011-02-20T09:59:00.000-05:00

This Saturday, February 26th, I'll be at the Fort Belvoir Bridal Show. Here's a shot of Mariellen and I at the Jones Photography booth from a previous show. I photographed Mariellen and Jon's wedding in September 2004. Since then we have become friends and doing the show with her makes it so much more fun. The show is always a big success. Hundreds of brides planning their wedding all in one spot and lots of wedding vendors ready to help them do it. I hope to see you at the show.
And here are some shots from Mariellen and Jon's wedding. Thanks Mariellen and Jon.
As an added bonus, mention my blog when you see me at the show, I've got a special gift waiting for you!!!!

One of my favs.....

2011-02-11T19:45:00.002-05:00

I just thought I'd share one of my favorite shots taken recently in front of the Fort Belvoir Officer's Club. I positioned her head to be in front of the trees so so the background would be less distracting.

Limosine provided by Regal Limosine.

Positive feedback always welcome :-)

2011-02-02T06:01:00.002-05:00

The following is a review I recently received from Jadana of Red Carpet Event Planning:

"Brides are always looking for that one photographer that they feel will capture their special day in beautiful pictures, and I have to admit Ron Jones of Jones Photography is THAT photographer. I had the pleasure of working with him recently on a client's wedding and his ability to get in & catch a shot of a particular moment is outstanding. He knows how to move around a busy setting without being intrusive. His finished product is AMAZING....photos that you didn't even think he was able to catch show up in his final presentation to his clients & they absolutely LOVE IT! If you TRULY want a PROFESSIONAL to capture your most important images for the most important day of your life...then contact RON JONES of Jones Photography....RIGHT NOW!!! " . Thanks Jadana!

Are you feeling lucky????

2011-01-28T06:33:00.000-05:00

If you are engaged or planning to be engaged and would like an over the top, fantasy wedding... register to win A Fantasy Wedding at the Reston Town Center now.

Engaged couples may register to win the Fantasy Wedding online or at participating stores in Reston Town Center from January 1, 2011 to February 13, 2011. Registration ends Feb. 13th 2011. The lucky couple will be chosen on February 13, 2011 at the ice rink. The wedding will take place in the Reston Town Center Pavilion on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 11:30 a.m.

Here are just a few of the many who are sponsors and/or will be involved:

* Jones Photography will be providing the photography. Affordable, Artistic & Fun!

* Music Unlimited will be providing the music. Energetic dance bands; Hot swing bands; Elegant classical ensembles; Exciting theme and ethnic acts; Cool jazz groups; Astounding soloists; Experienced disc jockeys. All this plus recordings, arrangements and merchandise from James Bazen is waiting for you at Music Unlimited.

* Graceful Flowers by Patricia will be providing the flowers. Patricia, a FDI Certified Wedding Specialist, is a graduate of the Floral Design Institute of Oregon. Patricia is known for the personal service, meticulous attention to detail, and unique floral designs she provides for her clients. Whether designing flowers for your wedding or your corporate event Patricia Collet is certified to do it with advanced skill and style.

* Bridal Silhouette- Lynn T. Nelson will be the Wedding Gown designer. New York couture designer, Lynn T. Nelson, designs for women, children & men creating custom wedding attire and specializing in the reconstruction of vintage wedding gowns, veils and headpieces. Lynn is known for her attention to detail and fine craftsmanship and this is clearly seen in her beautiful gowns, bridesmaid dresses, veils, and wedding accessories. Her gracious and attentive demeanor are the distinctive hallmarks of her services.

* A Splash of Elegance is a full-service wedding and event management company located in Reston, Virginia. Serving the metro Washington, DC area, A Splash of Elegance specializes in bringing your unique personality into your wedding or special event through the creative process of blue sky dialogues.
* Williams-Sanoma Make Williams-Sonoma your source for gourmet foods and professional-quality cookware. Choose small kitchen appliances, cooking utensils and decor that match your cooking and entertaining style.
* Talbots- Discover your new look at Talbots. Shop their selection of women's clothing, swimwear, suits, and accessories with a modern twist.
* Il Fornaio - The reception site. A full-service Italian restaurant offering on and off-site catering, private dining, Italian recipes, bakeries with artisan breads, monthly Festa Regionale regional menus, and a variety of Il Fornaio brand products.
* Reston Town Center - This acclaimed outdoor venue offers more than 50 retail shops, 30 restaurants, a 13-screen Multiplex Cinema and the Hyatt Regency Reston Hotel. And at the Center’s hub, the Pavilion hosts special events, concerts, festivals throughout the year and ice-skating in winter, making this the focal point of the community and Northern Virginia’s “downtown.”

This is exciting! One lucky couple will win an over the top wedding on May 28, 2011 at the Reston Town Center Pavilion. It could be you!

We're giving away a wedding.......

2011-01-01T08:24:00.007-05:00

If you are engaged, planning to be engaged, or know of someone who is engaged and would like an over the top, fantasy wedding...mark your calendar to register to win A Fantasy Wedding at the Reston Town Center beginning on January 1st, 2011. Engaged couples may register to win the fantasy Wedding at participating stores in Reston Town Center January 1 - February 13, 2011. You can also register HERE
The lucky couple will be chosen on February 13, 2011 at the ice rink at 2:00PM. The wedding will take place in the Reston Town Center Pavilion on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 11:30AM.

Jones Photography will be providing the photography for this big event. We have some of the top wedding vendors signed on for this big giveaway! The odds of winning this are determined by the number of entrants, but my guess is that the odds will be very good. Check it out HERE.

And Good Luck!!!

Tina & Brian at Belmont....

2010-12-16T09:47:00.005-05:00

Tina and Brian had the perfect wedding, at the perfect venue, on a perfect day. It all started with the shoes. Tina was showing her wild side a bit with these bright, bold, and beautiful pair of blue eye catchers.

Hair for the gals was provided by Jewels at Hair by Jewels. Jewels is one of the most sought after hairstylists in the DC Metro area. She has styled hair for more than 10 years (yes, experience is important in this business) and has worked with many celebrities and dignitaries.

The Belmont Country Club has a great pool room where the guys can hang out and chill before the big event.

Bridal Tip #14: Luck has nothing to do with the final results if you choose the right wedding vendors. Choose your vendors based on experience and quality of work. If you do this, you can then trust them to do the job they were hired to do. Then you can enjoy the day without micro-managing every little detail.

Tina and Brian were engaged on December 22nd, 2009. Did you know that Christmas and Valentines Day are the most popular times for popping the big question? More than 30% of engagements occur at Christmas!

Tina's bright, bold, and beautiful pair of blue shoes also said "I DO" on the bottom. How cool is that? Yes, that's Tina in the antique tub at Belmont. This day was all about FUN!

Makeup was provided by Amie Decker at Amie Decker Beauty. Beauty is her business and Makeup is her tool. She was awarded the “Bride’s Choice Award” from WeddingWire.com in 2009 and 2010 and she has been chosen by COVERGIRL to be an expert professional makeup artist for special events.

Above is Jewel helping Tina on with her veil.

The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Wesley Peyton. He's performed over 4000 weddings. Did I mention how important I think experience is in the wedding business? If you want everything to run smoothly on your wedding day, keep this in mind.

Below, a fun shot with the guys.

These shoes were important to Tina, so they were important to me.
Bright, bold, and beautiful!

It was a bit chilly, but not to worry. Usually the adrenalin keeps us all pretty warm.

Love...

Belmont makes for such a great backdrop.

The glow of the evening sunset was perfect.

Congratulations to Tina and Brian! Thanks for allowing me to capture the memories of your wedding day.

Need a good contractor?

2010-12-09T17:56:00.004-05:00

If you're looking for a contractor who is licensed, bonded and insured, based in Fairfax, Virginia, and has built their company one client at a time, using referrals to obtain additional business.... look no further. Ron Parady of Silver Fleet Construction makes sure all work is performed by experienced tradesmen, uses licensed plumbers, electricians, heating and air conditioning technicians, etc., uses workers who are fully documented and carry full insurance coverage including workmen’s compensation and liability coverage, and always meets and/or exceeds building code requirements. I've used Silver Fleet Construction a number of times for my home remodeling and renovation needs. They are fast, efficient, reasonably priced, and get the job done right. Plus, Ron is a nice guy!

We had Silver Fleet out today to do some plumbing work. In previous jobs, we've had them install a new exterior door, a new hot water heater and work on our gas heating system. Always impressed with their service. Highly recommended!!!!
Their phone number is 703.272.3085

Bridal Artistry....

2010-11-23T10:21:00.001-05:00

I was recently called in to photograph the Bridal Artistry team. They needed some new head shots and a group photo for their website and promotional items. They provide on-site Makeup for the Bride & Bridal Party. Check out their website for details and before/after examples. I've worked with Bridal Artistry many times over the years, and can say that contracting the right makeup professional for your wedding will produce more natural photographic results.
I highly recommend them!

Photographing this group of professionals was so much fun. My thanks to the Bridal Artistry team for calling me in to do this for them.

Alan Berg, VP of The Knot.......

2010-11-17T13:08:00.004-05:00

Most likely, if I mention "the knot" you instantly know what I'm talking about. The Knot is the internet's most-trafficked one-stop wedding planning solution. Since it was founded, in 1996, it has grown exponentially.

Last night, at the American DJ Association's meeting, wedding vendors from around the area met to listen to a very informative presentation by The Knot Vice President Alan Berg.

The meeting was held at the Hilton Garden Inn - Fairfax. A great place for weddings/receptions/meetings.Thanks, Alan, for such great information on helping us grow our business and providing a better customer experience.

Claire & Mike....

2010-11-08T09:00:00.006-05:00

I recently photographed Claire & Mike's wedding at the Grand Atrium, at Tysons Corner. This venue is designed and built just for weddings and events. This is probably why they are so efficient at doing what they do.

Above is a shot of the gals making a toast just before the ceremony. Below is the actual ceremony taking place on what will later become the dance floor. Claire & Mike met online at LiveJournal, a virtual community where internet users can keep a blog, journal or diary.

I met Claire by posting a comment on her blog. She had post something about checking out wedding vendors, and I commented that she should keep in mind "you get what you pay for". That prompted her to schedule an appointment to see me, which in turn led her to reserve my services. Here's some of the comments Claire sent me: "Thanks for everything! Everyone loved the photos..., and my dad was especially impressed with your ability to be professional but also nice and personable :)" Thanks Claire for the kind words.

Above is a shot of part of the dining area at The Grand Atrium. Below are Tabitha and Sheena from Embellished Affairs, a full service event and wedding planning consulting company. They made sure everything went smoothly and were a pleasure to work with. As it says on their website, "The secret in hosting a great event is letting someone else do the work for you." So very true!!Congratulations Claire & Mike!

Belmont Country Club.......

2010-10-28T08:02:00.003-05:00

I just received this from the MOB (Mother of The Bride):

"The Albums were so elegant. As we went through page for page it was truly like being back to August 28th and what a wonderful day . We couldn't have captured it without Ron Jones
our photographer. He is simply amazing and takes pride in his
work. Photography is his passion and is shows."

Thanks for such kind words. It's so very nice to receive positive feedback from my clients.

I'm posting this on October 28th, 2010. Candice & Mike's wedding was on August 28th, 2010. As a full time photographer, I was able to deliver a custom designed, hand made album to this family, in less than two months. I hear so many horror stories from clients whose friend's wedding albums took 8 to 18 months to be completed. That won't happen here!!

Candice & Mike's wedding was at Belmont Country Club. Boasting two centuries of rich history, The Manor House at Belmont Country Club offers a stunning view of the original plantation.

Rick at Rick's Flowers is well known for his artistic style and reasonable prices. He did another fine job at this event. I always enjoy working with Rick.

Adjacent to the restored 1799 Manor House at Belmont, the modern clubhouse is situated at the highest point of the property, with sweeping views in every direction, including the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. Belmont, which means “beautiful mountain” in French, is aptly named.

This is the perfect place for an outdoor ceremony.

The Shenandoah Carriage Company provided transportation for the bridal couple... and lots of photo opportunities.

Party time in the Grand Ballroom, which provides extraordinary dining — with seating for up to 260 people with a dance floor.

Congratulations to Candice & Mike!!!

The Mason Inn....

2010-10-27T15:43:00.015-05:00

Back in March of this year I was given a "hard hat" tour of the brand new Mason Inn while it was still under construction. My tour guide was Event Planner/Catering Sales Manger, Keith Jagdhuber. Nestled among a natural wooded setting on the south side of George Mason University campus is this Fairfax, Virginia hotel, designed to be a first-class venue. Below is Keith helping to make sure the site construction was proceeding as planned.

Although it was hard to envision what this exciting new venue would look like, it was clear it was not going to be like any other in the area. Only the finest, most modern designs and materials were being used. Cedar is used as the main wood throughout the building, as cedar trees already dominate the campus landscape.
Last night I was fortunate enough to have dinner at The Mason Inn in connection with my membership in the Association of Wedding Professionals. From an initial welcome in the handsomely appointed lobby to a much-needed break in the comfortably sophisticated Mason Lounge, each guest is greeted with impeccable service.

The Mason Inn bar, The Well, serves a broad selection of affordable wines by the glass, fine spirits and a contemporary menu of small food plates, daily 4pm-midnight.Visitors are immersed in a setting that reflects the integrity, professionalism, and spirit of the university around them.

With 148 beds and 7 floors, this appears to be the most exciting wedding venue to come to the Northern Virginia area in many years!

Flowers were provided by Kathleen Hoxie of Blooming Spaces. I've worked with Kathleen many times. I'm always impressed with her work.

Pumpkin soup followed up by fillet, crab meat, asparagus and mashed potatoes. Perfectly cooked, beautifully displayed, and delicious!The dessert was one of the best cheesecakes I've ever tasted.Here's a shot of Keith Jagdhuber, our host last night. He's the person to contact to reserve your wedding or event at The Mason Inn. 703-993-5115.

I'm excited about the many weddings and events I look forward to photographing at this great venue. Thanks Keith for being such a great host last night!

Katie & Szymon at St. Bernadette's...

2010-10-12T10:45:00.002-05:00

One of the first weddings I photographed, over 16 years ago, was at St. Bernadette's Catholic Church in Springfield. This church has become a beautiful place to photograph weddings. The lighting on the altar is nice and bright. Something that is rare at many of the churches at which I photograph. One thing that stood out about this church in the past, and has been a source of many wisecracks, was the bright orange carpet in the sanctuary. It must have been installed in the late 1960's or early 1970's (during the psychedelic period). I'm sure it seemed like a good idea at the time. Everyone is so happy now that it has been replaced with a very neutral gray/blue carpet.

Weddings are such a happy event in one's life. I love to capture these happy moments for my clients. Katie & Szymon were no exception to this rule.

Check out these Fall colors. Beautiful!

The reception was at the Fort Belvoir Officer's Club. Always a great view of the Potomac, great service & great food. The DJ was John Koslin of JK Music Productions. He's an expert at making sure the guests have a good time.

Congratulations Katie & Szymon!!!

Joe & Korrie in Washington...

2010-10-04T00:48:00.003-05:00

I just received this glowing endorsement from Korrie and wanted to share:

"Ron is very nice and was great to work with! He even let our "paparazzi" take a few pictures after he posed us. He took amazing pictures and was never pushy. He has a wide range of package options which are very reasonable. I would highly recommend him to all of my friends and use him again for my professional photo needs."

Thanks Korrie & Joe for the kind words. I photographed their wedding at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Arlington. The weather was perfect with a comfortable temperature, slight breeze and some clouds in the sky just to make it interesting.

Korrie's nail polish matched the Bridesmaids dresses.

Joe's cuff links were his grandfather's. The details help to make the day.

These two were just so cute, I wanted to include them in my blog post.The "you may kiss the bride" kiss above, and the
"Yay, we're married" kiss as they exit below.

Washington is such a beautiful backdrop for photos. I really do love this city.

Hair and Make-Up was provided by the very talented Trish at My Mobile Salon.Myrna Grossman of For All Occasions (wedding planning and more) put this all together for Joe & Korrie. Myrna had her team make sure every little detail was perfect. The reception was at Top of the Town, overlooking the best view of the city.

Above is the sweetheart table with the breathtaking view behind.

And here's a night view of our Nation's Capitol from Top of The Town.
Congratulations to Joe & Korrie!!

Jeff & Erika at Hilton Garden Inn - Fairfax

2010-09-27T08:52:00.009-05:00

This week I photographed Erika & Jeff's wedding at the Hilton Garden Inn Fairfax. I've photographed at this venue many times over the years and always enjoy it. Catherine Calvin and her staff always do whatever is necessary to make sure the bride & groom have the best wedding memories possible.

Above is Erika during a bit of down time and below is the ceremony out in the garden with the beautiful fountain. Erika's dress was a Val Stefani Couture. It was stunning. The dress was provided by White Swan Bridal in Vienna.

The groom's cake was in the shape of an hp laptop. Very appropriate for Jeff (since he works at hp).

Cakes were provided by Fluffy Thoughts Cakes. Nice!!!!The Food & Beverage Director at Hilton Garden Inn is Luis Farach. Luis and his staff did a wonderful job keeping everyone well fed & full of spirits. Great job!!Music was provided by Harmany DJs. Owned and operated by the highly acclaimed "DJ Mark" Harman. Mark has over 17 years of experience in all different types of parties and events. Great job Mark!!
Congratulations Erika & Jeff!

A first for me....

2010-08-17T07:21:00.005-05:00

Last night I attend a Demolition Derby. This is the first time I've ever been to one of these, and I must say it was loads of fun. The sounds of metal against metal. The smell of burning rubber. The sight of engine parts and bumpers flying off of the cars. The roar of the engines and the crowd as the cars would ram each other. It was all very exciting. The last car able to move gets a cash prize and a trophy.

Thanks Rob & Tamika for suggesting we all make a visit to the Prince William County Fair to see this "Only in America" type of event.

Michelle & Tim...

2010-08-16T05:32:00.003-05:00

I just received this from Tim & Michele and thought I'd share:
"Ron was great. He was organized, professional and allowed us to stay on the schedule that we gave him. Actually, we were ahead of schedule. All of the pictures that he took were fantastic. The album was unbelievably good. I would give him an 11 out of 10. I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants to have lasting memories"
Thanks for the positive feedback Tim & Michele. I photographed their wedding at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria. It was a bright sunny day. One of the reasons I love photographing weddings so much is that they are such happy events. Michelle and Tim's was no exception to this "happy event" rule.

Bethany Lutheran Church was a great church to photograph in. Rev. Andrew Jagow was a delight to work with. He was also very funny, which is always nice.

Husband and wife...

Havin' some fun...

The wedding party....

Michelle & Tim, a toast to your future. Congratulations!

Adele & Chris are married......

2010-08-07T16:37:00.021-05:00

I recently had the pleasure of photographing Adele & Chris' wedding at St. John Catholic Church in Mclean. It was a hot but beautiful day.

Check out this look Adele & Chris gave each other just as the ceremony was starting.

Father Scalia performed a beautiful ceremony.

The gown was a Sophie Tolli provided by Blush Bridal Boutique located in Gainesville, Virginia.

The flowers were provided by Sonya Frederick over at Flowers & Plants Etc. in Mclean. They are a family owned and operated flower shop, and have been since 1976.

The flowers added just the right amount of color to the scene. Nice job Sonya!

The reception was at the Washington Golf & Country Club, established in 1894 and located in Arlington.

Here are Adele & Chris entering the ballroom for the first time. This is such an exciting time.

Master of Ceremonies was Ed Witles. He's known as The Elegant DJ, and I now know why. He was not only unobtrusive, but played exactly the right music at exactly the right time. You may not have thought much about this, but there is an art to doing this "just right". Ed is a master at his art. I guess that's why he was voted one of Washington D.C.'s best Wedding DJs. I would have to agree with this.Adele is originally from Trinidad. Pilar & I have vacationed in Trinidad/Tobago and have many fond memories..... but I digress. Part of the entertainment for the evening was a professional steel band. Steel Sensation, based out of New York, has to be the best steel band I've ever heard.

Party time.....

Congratulations to Adele & Chris. Thanks for allowing me to capture such important memories for you.

A new venue in town!!!

2010-08-05T12:08:00.006-05:00

This week I visited the newest & most modern venue in the Washington DC area. The Westin Dulles.

I enjoyed lunch at Padella (shown below), their exclusive all day restaurant and lounge featuring fresh Italian fare and sustainable local produce.

But the surprise bonus at The Westin, is that it's the perfect venue for fresh air, outdoor, wedding ceremonies. Overlooking the serene duck pond and picturesque stone bridge, this is unique for this area.

The ballrooms are fresh, crisp, and modern. With a seating capacity of up to 600 people, this allows you to choose the perfect venue for your reception.

The on-staff lighting director can transform your party to match your color scheme.
Their sophisticated décor & distinctive furnishings are part of what makes this venue so unique.

The Westin's expert culinary staff will work with you to create a delicious cutting-edge menu especially for your reception.A perfect place for your guests to stay after they party late into the evening.

The 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® Gym features state-of-the-art gym equipment and an indoor pool.

I'm looking forward to working with Nancy Vanesko. She's the Director of Catering over at The Westin. Give her a call (571-485-4317) to discuss having your ceremony at the water's edge & reception in a stylish and comfortable retreat where you can truly relax and have fun.

A before and after.......

2010-07-17T07:54:00.008-05:00

This week I had the honor of photographing Sarah & John. They were married at St. Ignatius Church in Urbana, Md. This church was built in the 1800's. Just to contrast the old with the new, here's a shot of one of the guests taking video of the wedding with his new iPhone 4. After the ceremony, as they were exiting the church, Sarah and John pulled the bell rope to announce to the world they were married.

Then we returned to the alter for some "formal" photos.

Below is a shot of Sarah and John in the grassy area of the parking lot of Holy Spirit School in Annandale. This is where the reception was held. Notice the cars all along the horizon line. This shot would look so much better if those cars weren't there, wouldn't it?
I thought so....

The flowers were provided by Andrea Gagnon of LynnVale Studios in Gainsville, VA.

And here's a shot of Andrea arranging the flowers along the base of the cake.

Congratulations to Sarah & John!!!!! Married July 10th, 2010.

Jon & Mary at The Fort Belvoir Golf Club....

2010-06-01T09:00:00.004-05:00

I recently photographed Jonathan & Mary's wedding at Fort Belvoir. Here's a shot of Mary getting ready at the Officer's Club. Mary by the window. Love the natural lighting.

In front of the Officer's Club, just before we headed over to the Golf Club.
The ceremony was performed by Rev. John Hoffmann. I love working with Rev. Hoffmann. If you're looking for a celebrant, he performs both military and civilian ceremonies.

Jon and Mary were so happy. You could just see the love radiating from them.

The Fort Belvoir Golf Club was a nice venue with beautiful landscaping. We got lots of great shots outside after the ceremony.

Jon & Mary were having way too much fun!!!!!!!

As the sun started to set, we were able to get some romantic sunset shots...

Did I mention that Jon is a Marine? After the wedding Jon whisked Mary off to Camp Lejeune, NC to begin her life as a third generation military wife.

Congratulations Jon & Mary!

Rolling Thunder

2010-05-30T10:15:00.002-05:00

Happy Memorial Day!

Today, as is family tradition, we headed down to Patriot Harley for "Rolling Thunder". It's so cool to watch. I've owned a couple of motorcycles in years past, and maybe will again someday.
As always, it was packed.
This guy's probably an attorney
Check out the pooch in the trunk!
I'll bet this lady is a grandmother.
Thanks to all of those who gave up their lives so that we may have freedom!

A Panel of Experts.....

2010-05-26T09:48:00.006-05:00

On Tuesday I attended a meeting of The Association of Wedding Professionals (AWP) at one of my favorite venues to work at... Harbour View in Woodbridge. Here's a view of the harbour...And here's a view of Harbour View from the docks. Covered outdoor weddings right at the dock is something this venue offers that few others can.
As we checked in, we were greeted by AWP Membership Chairperson Myrna Grossman of For All Occasions Wedding Planning and AWP Treasurer Ingrid Gregory of The Holiday Inn Georgetown.

Flowers were provided by Shelley's Floral Enterprise. Shelly's flowers are grown locally and organically. Again, few can offer this.
Catering was provided by Robert Torres of Better Events Catering located in Chantilly. Their reputation is built on their creative approach, fresh ingredients, fine cuisine, talented culinary skills, personalized service, and their special attention to detail.

The meeting was a panel of Wedding Industry Professionals gathered to share expert advice within their field in regards to the wedding industry. I had been asked weeks ago to be on the panel of experts, and was nervous but looking forward to it.

Below is Gillian de Souza of Caribbean Caterers.

And here I am listening to some expert information by Betsy Jones of The Sheraton National.

And here I am telling it like it is.....

And from left to right is James Bazen of Music Unlimited, Patricia Collet of Graceful Flowers by Patricia , Victoria Wagner of A Splash of Elegance, and myself.

The facilitator of the event was Dana Franklin of All About Honeymoons.

The reason I'm mentioning all of these people and listing their websites is so you can see the people I highly recommend. All of these people truly are experts in the wedding industry and I feel honored to be considered an expert amoung them.

Juan & Stephanie at Foxchase Manor...

2010-05-24T11:09:00.001-05:00

Juan & Stephanie both attended Fairfax High School and although they knew of each other, they never really crossed paths. It wasn't until after college that they stumbled into each other's lives. Stephanie was invited to a barbeque Juan was hosting. At first, he was busy grilling so they didn't get much of a chance to talk. That changed as the night progressed and everyone was fed. They finally got the chance to chat and ended up hitting it off. They were even playing footsies by the end of the night!
Their first official date was to a Nationals game.

Juan proposed to Stephanie on Mount Soledad, the highest point in San Diego which overlooks the entire city. Juan got down on bended knee and proposed. Stephanie, of course, said yes!
Below is a shot of Juan as he gets his first sight of Stephanie walking down the isle.

Juan & Stephanie were married at Fairfax United Methodist Church by Rev. Jason Snow. Below is a shot of their first kiss.

Below is a shot of Juan & Stephanie with Wedding Planner Gretchen Wade of Dragonfly Events.
I always recommend a Wedding Planner. Gretchen is all about creating a one of a kind, boutique-style wedding. Whether yours is a small, intimate gathering or a grand gala event, Dragonfly will help you pick the details and options that best suit your style. After all... design is all in the details!
Highly Recommended!!

The reception was at Foxchase Manor. I've worked at this venue a number of times and am always impressed.

Cupcakes are the in thing!

And check out these labels on the wine bottles. Here's a shot of the front of Foxchase Manor.

Congratulations to Juan & Stephanie!! Married May 8th, 2010.

Bill & Rachel have tied the knott...

2010-05-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

Bill & Rachel attended Oak Hill Elementary School together back in the late 80's. While it would be amazing to think that perhaps they met way back when (probably in the form of Bill throwing rocks at Rachel), they didn't officially meet until 2005 while they were out with their respective friends watching a band play at a local club, Ned Devine's in Herndon. Bill & Rachel got married at Fairfax United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Fairfax. I always enjoy photographing at this very friendly church.

Above is a shot of Rachel in one of the hallways at FUMC.

The flowers were provided by Rick at The Flower Gallery of Chantilly. He's one of the most sought after designer florists in the area... for good reason. Contact Rick directly at 703-378-4007 if you're looking for reasonably priced elegance at your wedding.

Above... some of the gals just having fun.

Below... Rev. Snow performing the ceremony. As always, church wedding coordinator Phyllis Fadely and her crew did a great job making sure everything ran smoothly.

Then we headed over to The Reston Town Center and took a few fun shots....

The reception was at The Hyatt Regency Reston. They are always a first class operation. The staff is always on top of things making sure everything is the best it can be. Check with Anil Bareck if you're looking for a place to host your reception. The flowers made the reception, and the cake, all so very colorful. They also tied all of the colors from the day together.

The Sweetheart Table

The cake was provided by Emily over at Happy Eatery. Nice!!

Congratulations Rachel & Bill! Enjoy your Honeymoon in Belize.

Jones Photography is pleased to announce.......

2010-05-10T20:39:00.005-05:00

I'm pleased to announce that Jones Photography has been named The Official Photographer for the American Disc Jockey Association - DC Chapter (ADJA-DC).

The Purpose and ongoing Mission of the American Disc Jockey Association is to produce educational content, to promote networking and to provide support for their members.
Their intention is to provide the highest quality service to their clients and to perform in a manner most appropriate as professional disc jockey entertainers.
America's Finest Group of Entertainers, the ADJA-DC encourages the highest in business ethics and performance standards.

When it's time to look for a DJ... check them out!

The Belmont ....

2010-04-14T11:40:00.002-05:00

This week I photographed Tracey & Steve's wedding at Leesburg United Methodist Church. I've photographed at this church before and once again found it to be a pleasure.

Everyone was commenting on how nice the flowers were. No surprise that Holly Heider Chapple Flowers (HHCF) were responsible for all of the compliments. Below is a shot of part of the HHCF Team arriving to set up. I've worked with Holly many times and her clients always have the same reaction.... Beautiful!!
What a nice touch to have a small bouquet of flowers at the table as guests arrive at the church.Here are Tracey and the gals.
The Leesburg United Methodist Church is very photogenic. Even more important... the Pastor and staff are very accommodating to the bridal couple and their vendors.

Rev. Jim Wishmyer performing the service.

The happy couple and the recessional.

Steve & Tracey were in Chicago for a weekend of fun with friends when Steve proposed. Steve took Tracey out after an evening of dinner and drinks. They started across the Chicago River when he stopped her about halfway across to "look at the view." Next thing she knew, he was on one knee. Tracey says "I started crying and laughing at the same time".

Here we are in front of The Belmont Country Club. 1933 Rolls Royce provided by Regal Limousine.
Tracey's dress is a Romona Keveza purchased at Hannelore's Bridal Boutique in Alexandria. Ask for Kimberly for the best service in town.

The Belmont Country Club in Ashburn has the best of both worlds. The Manor House, built in the 1790's, adds history to the elegant banquet facility. Highly Recommended!

I thought this was a very nice thing for Tracey & Steve to do:

"In lieu of traditional wedding favours, we have made a donation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in honor of our guests" .

More of The Belmont....

The music for the evening was provided by Retrospect Band. I've worked with Larry Elliott and his band many times. Always a good time.... always great music!

The cake was provided by Rocio Diaz of A Piece of Cake, located in Ashburn.

Video was provided by Video Express Productions. Always a pleasure to work with.

Cherry Blossom Time.

2010-04-09T10:31:00.000-05:00

We headed downtown last week for some sunrise images of the cherry blossoms. It's nice to be out and about before the normal mass of people even wake up. It was a glorious site. A number of people have asked me to offer some of my Washington DC images for sale..... so if you're interested in seeing more CLICK HERE.

As I've said many times.... Washington D.C. is a beautiful city!

Paul & Claudia....

2010-04-02T16:26:00.003-05:00

I recently photographed Paul & Claudia's wedding at Universalist National Memorial Church in NW Washington.

I just received these kind words from Claudia:

"The photos are absolutely amazing, and the album captured the story of our wedding perfectly! It was more than I ever imagined I would have expected. Ron is amazing, both as a photographer during the wedding and in providing the end product. BEAUTIFUL photos that we will cherish forever. Thank you!!!!!"

Claudia and Paul met in Afghanistan. Being closely tied through work, Claudia and Paul's friendship developed into romance...

Paul proposed to Claudia in Bankgok, Thailand. These two must have some serious frequent flyer miles!

Here's a shot of Claudia arriving, via limo, at the church.

Wedding planning and coordination was provided by Teresa at The Grande Affair. Always a pleasure to work with her team.
Some getting ready shots.
Here's a shot of Paul as he first lays eyes on Claudia, as she's walked down the isle by her father.
I'm not sure if that's the look of excitement or fear, but whatever it is, I love this shot.

It's a beautiful church, but very dark inside. Luckily (actually, luck has nothing to do with it) I was prepared with the proper equipment.

The exchange of vows and rings.

It's great when the bride & groom actually look at each other once in a while on their wedding day. It makes for some very cool photos.

The happy couple.
The guys.

Having some fun!!

Peruvian dancers performed for the guests.

Ahhh... the first dance.

The reception was at St. Francis Hall, next to the Franciscan Monastery on Quincy St, NE, DC.

The cake was provided by Amphora Catering.
The DJ's were provided by Bobby G's DJ's. Always fun to work with Bobby G's .

Congratulations to Paul & Claudia!!!!!!