Ben Hallissy Photography

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  • Liz and Chris | Brick Chapel Wedding at St Mary’s City

    Liz and Chris | Brick Chapel Wedding at St Mary’s City

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    Last weekend, Liz and Chris got married in the historic Chapel of 1667 in St. Mary’s City, then hosted a smashing reception down the road at the Inn at Brome Howard.   The chapel is an incredibly unique place to be married (more about its history here) and it was filled to the brim with friends and family on Saturday.  Live music was supplied by the Pax Rats, who despite performing at just one wedding before this, absolutely rocked it (note the sheer quantity of dancing photos)!  Here is the story of their day – enjoy!

     

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  • Meagan and Dan | Calvert County Engagement Photography

    Meagan and Dan | Calvert County Engagement Photography

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    This beautiful and nearly deserted beach, near Meagan’s home in Lusby, holds special meaning.  Dan proposed on this beach over Christmas break, while supposedly hunting for shark teeth (back story to follow).  Despite being “camera shy,” these two are incredibly kind, and they exude happiness and love – both in person and on camera.  I had a wonderful time making these photographs with you guys.  I hope you enjoy them!

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  • Jones Point Park Engagement Session | Erich and Gayle

    Jones Point Park Engagement Session | Erich and Gayle

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    Ok, raise your hand if you knew there was an awesome park under the western edge Woodrow Wilson Bridge.  If you’re from Alexandria, you don’t count…  Anyone else?

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  • Kristen and Erik | St. Mary’s County Wedding Photography

    Kristen and Erik | St. Mary’s County Wedding Photography

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    I met Kristen 5 years ago in Monterey CA, and Erik a couple of years ago in Maryland through completely unrelated activities.   When I figured out they were dating I was surprised at the connection, but it made a lot of sense.  When they asked me to photograph their wedding at Mary’s Hope on Church Cove, I was honored.  You guys are clearly made for each other and planned one heck of a wedding.  Here are a few (ok fine, a bunch) of my favorites from the day…  Hope you enjoy!

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    Their yellow lab Mic, a critical part of Kristen and Eric’s engagement session, wasn’t invited to the wedding (cruel, I know).  But he definitely helped Kristen get ready and made a cameo appearance in the wedding photos…

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  • Colleen and Justin | A Brome Howard Inn Wedding

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    Colleen (a native southern Marylander) and Justin (a not-so-native but still awesome texan) were married last weekend at a relaxed, nautical-themed wedding on the banks of the St. Mary’s river.  The beautiful Brome Howard Inn, perched high on a bank above the river provided the historic (1840!) backdrop for friends and family to celebrate these two newlyweds.  Here are a few of my favorites!

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  • Michelle and Brandon | Sotterley Plantation Engagement Photos

    Favorite photos from a spring engagement session at the gorgeous grounds of Sotterley Plantation.  The poppies were blooming and wow, poppies and photography just go together well.  Congrats Michelle and Brandon – can’t wait until October!  Such a good month to get married 🙂  -BH

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  • Lindsey and Ben | Colonial Williamsburg Engagement Photography

    Lindsey and Ben are two old friends from the church that I grew up in, so I was thrilled to get to catch up with them while exploring the gardens of Colonial Williamsburg.  Lindsey’s family owns and runs a wonderful nursery, so her role was also horticulturist for the day.  Oh and we grabbed a few photos along the way :).  Really looking forward to their wedding in November!  Enjoy!

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  • Colleen and Justin | Historic St. Mary’s City Engagement Photography

    This past weekend I had the opportunity to go outside and enjoy one of the last few days of fall color with Colleen and Justin.   St. Mary’s City is just perfect for engagement photos, and the fall color (and their matching plaid shirts!) made it even more so.  Congratulations guys!  Looking forward to your spring wedding at the Inn at Brome Howard!

    Hope you all enjoy the photos!

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  • Megan and Stuart | Mariner’s Museum Wedding Photography

    Megan and Stuart | Mariner’s Museum Wedding Photography


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    I’ve known Megan for longer than I can remember, which seems a bit contradictory, but it’s true.  Megan and her family have been good friends for the whole of my life, and I was honored to be asked to photograph her wedding early this November.  The day was wonderful – start to finish.  We had gloriously overcast skies (yes, that IS a good thing if you’re a photographer), great fall color, and more awesome family and friends than should ever be allowed into one room at a time.  OK, so the football games of interest (UVa – Stuart, and VT – Megan) didn’t go as well as planned 🙂  but otherwise it was a really happy day.

    If you haven’t yet seen their Charlottesville engagement photos, you can see those right here.

    Congratulations Megan and Stuart!  Thanks again for inviting me to be a part of your day.  Best wishes in the days/months/years ahead.  On to the photos…

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  • Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival | Photography of Bryce Canyon at Dawn, Dusk, and Beyond

    Despite a bit of a delay, this is the third installment of photos from our trip out west!  Following up on prior posts: (1) The American West, and (2) How to Light an Arch, here are some shots from Bryce Canyon National Park.  Bryce is a relatively small park, you can drive down and back in an afternoon, and most of the big sight-seeing destinations are a short walk from the parking lot.  What Bryce (at more than 8000 feet altitude) offers though, is a respite from the heat of Arches and the desert, and (because of the altitude and remote location) some of the most beautiful night skies around.  So awesome, in fact, that they have a yearly astronomy festival and our visit coincided with this year’s event!  I’d highly recommend visiting during the festival if you get the chance!

    For starters, here’s a mug shot  🙂

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