Early last month, I had the opportunity to attend the open house event celebrating the new studio space of one of my favorite photographers, Joylyn Hannahs!!

Joylyn has a great new space right in Leesburg, located at 214 South King Street.  The event was a great opportunity to not only make some new friends and see the space (which is super cute), but Joylyn had a makeup artist on hand to make all the ladies feel super glamorous for their head shots.  Check out the shot she took of me:

There were also some very yummy treats on hand as well!  The space was complete with some cool features showcasing Joylyn’s work and a great spot to meet with potential couples:

I even managed to snag a photo of Joylyn on the other side of the camera:

Check out Joylyn’s website and blog for more amazing samples of her work.  Congratulations Joylyn on the new studio!

*~~*~~*Felicia*~~*~~*

::Disclaimer!  The photos in this post are purely inspirational and not from events that Wish Special Events has planned or coordinated.  We can re-create what you see below for your event but these are not a part of our portfolio::

I am in love.   And given my proven love of all things ’80s, it’s no surprise that the object of my affection arrived into this world in 1982.   Ladies, and gentlemen, I introduce you to… the Holga Camera.

Up until a few weeks ago, holga was nothing more than a strange name that I would expect to hear in a chant at a college football game with some sort of barbaric team mascot.   “Hol-ga… hol-ga… hol-ga!”  But then it happened…. I found this Holga photo on Blink Photography’s wedding blog:

(Pause for swoon.)  A vintage looking photograph…taken earlier this summer!  Love it!

First things first:  What is a Holga?   It is a minimal and inexpensive camera using medium format 120 film. It contains only the bare necessities for photo mechanisms and although it looks like a Fisher Price toy I might have once owned, it’s photos provide a stipped-down perspective that’s far more beautiful and unique than any children’s toy.  Although it debuted in 1982, I love that the photos look like vintage photos from a far earlier decade, due to the simple camera mechanics.

Since I am not a photographer or Holga expert, I reached out to local DC photographer Sarah Hodzic at Blink Photography who has an affinity – and quite a talent – for her Holga (as evidenced by the above photo).  I love love LOVE her work..Holga or otherwise.   You can read more about her Holga relationship here and here.   Here are a few examples of her Holga work:

Here’s another double-exposure from local DC holga artist Erin Antognoli at Halo Photo:

And a few more to get lost in….   This abstract version of the National Cathedral is from Juxtaexposed.com:

Here’s a triple exposure shot from JB Smith Photography:

These shots are  from an entire wedding shot in Holga by Leo Patrone Photography:

And one last one from Mary McHenry Photography.  Swoonworthy, no?

So…. are you as in love with the Holga as I am?   Interested in some Holga shots for your wedding….or maybe an e-session?   “Hol-ga…hol-ga… hol-ga! ”