This Saturday is Jessica and Frank's big day! I have been excitedly waiting for their day to come, and now it is almost here! I know if I'm getting giddy, then the soon-to-be newlyweds must be on a totally different level of eagerness, haha. Way back in August, Shawn and I traveled out to Rocks State Park to photograph these two sweetheart's engagement photos. This park is seriously so beautiful. I just fell in love with the waterfall and all of the greenery in the surrounding area. We've shot here once before, and it is just incredible with all of the different looks it offers. I was even more excited to get to know Jess and Frank a little better, because one of my favorite things about engagement sessions is bonding with the couple. Seeing that they brought their adorable pup, Mufasa, with them made adoring these two even easier :P. Shawn and I cannot wait for their wedding on Saturday. It's going to be such a wonderful day, especially now that Spring seems to be here to stay!   ______________________________________________________________________________ ...

So I know I've been talking quite a lot recently about the styled shoot that Marlayna and I did, but that's because I'm really proud of everyone involved and what we were able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. I feel like most planned shoots don't happen within a month and a half (but I could be wrong, haha). We worked tremendously hard, and I fully intend on covering every topic that there is through this blog. I've already started a little bit of the conversation in my blog last week, which made me excited to share every happy, joyous, and heartbreaking moment that we had on this journey. One of the most amazing things happened yesterday: our first shoot - our little photo child - was accepted by Smitten Magazine. As embarrassing as it is to admit, Marlayna and I both cried when we got the email from Audrey, the editor-in-chief. Our entire goal for this shoot was showcasing everyone who dedicated time and their talent to it. After getting just a couple of rejections, we were feeling like failures in the publishing world. But then Smitten happened and our energy, emotions. and belief in love was completely restored! Can I just cuddle this exciting feeling for a little bit :P? Again, I'll cover ever single topic in the series on styled shoots, but just know that this acceptance did not come easy, and the joy of having our work recognized is really freakin' awesome. &...

I am so shocked that the end of the year is already here! Today's blog has been an absolute breeze to write and a dream to pick images for. I've had in mind some of the images that I would use for today's post for quite awhile, but actually going through them brought back so many happy memories of the great people Shawn and I have gotten to meet. Over the past year, I have felt so much growth in engagements sessions; from getting couples to feel comfortable, to putting on the final edits. It's truly been a wonderful year. We have had our share of challenges, but, through facing them head-on, we have been able to completely obliterate any problems (hulk style :P). 2015 was also Shawn's first full year of shooting along side me. I can't speak for him, but I can say it has been the most amazing thing. I love working with my husband, we can pretty much read each other's minds and he helps me calm down in times of high stress. He is my rock and I cannot thank him enough for all the hard-work and dedication he has shown to Britney Clause Photography. There are not enough jellybeans in the world for me to pay him back with <3. Going forward into 2016, I hope to take my engagement sessions to the next level. Shawn and I are constantly learning in order to give every couple we have the best possible...

In September, I met up with Alyssa and Matt on Main Street for their Ellicott City engagement session. It was a perfect fall day with a little bit of summer warmth still lingering in the air. We began the session in a wonderful little garden right next to Patapsco river before strolling up and down the main strip of the city. The colorful shops lining the streets added a great touch to the location. It was pretty much like being in a candy store with all of the pretty backdrop opportunities :P. Shawn and I really enjoyed spending the evening getting to know Alyssa and Matt. They are such a fun loving pair and I don't think there was a moment during their session where they weren't smiling or laughing. We are really, really looking forward to their summer wedding next June at the Billingsley House -- which I'm positive is going on my list of "best venues ever"!   ______________________________________________________________________________ ...

Early morning Baltimore sunrise sessions are some of my absolute favorite! It's so calm and peaceful that you almost forget you are in the middle of the city. Seeing the sun poke through the construction off in the distance gave the city a nice industrial golden look that was the perfect start to a wonderful session. Sarah and Kevin chose Federal Hill Park and the Inner Harbor as the backdrops for their sweet engagement photos. It was such a fun day with these two; even some of the ducks crowding the harbor wanted to get into a few shots :P. Seeing how much love Sarah and Kevin have in their eyes for one another made me that much more excited for their April wedding at the La Fontaine Bleue in Glen Burnie! Ahh - I can't wait!   ______________________________________________________________________________ ...

Katie and Matt completed my trio of weddings at the beginning of September, and it was one of the most beautiful weddings I've had the pleasure of photographing. Their wedding took place at the breath-taking Mt. Washington Mill-Dye House, which is a complete dream. My jaw dropped as soon as I stepped through the door's of the Dye House. Unique architecture, exposed brick, string lights creating a fairytale like glow over dinner and dancing; it's a space that doesn't need many additions to be perfect, but the small details that Katie and Matt did have played wonderfully with the overall atmosphere of the Dye House. In order to maximize time on their wedding day, I met with Katie and Matt at Fort McHenry a week before their wedding to take their bridal portraits. It was a new experience for me, and I think I may be in love with bridal portraits now. Katie and Matt were able to choose a location that had plenty of variety from bright green trees, to spectacular waterfront. They weren't limited to what their wedding venue had to offer and it allowed them a lot more time at the wedding to enjoy the amazing party. Shawn and I really enjoyed working with Katie, Matt, and their daughter, Larkin. Not only are they calm and down-to-Earth, but they are incredibly sweet. I look forward to any chance I get to work with these three again :).   ______________________________________________________________________________ The fabulous vendors that made this...

Shawn and I finished August with April and Corey's Alice in Wonderland inspired wedding at Liriodendron Mansion. It was a breathtaking day, and most of the decor for the day was made by April, which was even more amazing. On top of the Wonderland details there was a huge surprise for their guests during the ceremony when a live hawk flew in and delivered their wedding rings! I had been looking forward to their wedding day since I met these two last Fall for their engagement session, and I knew then that they are the perfect pair. Getting to read their engagement story just solidified that thought even more "Corey knows I have a love for animals. One day he took me to the Maryland zoo in Baltimore and surprised me by telling me that we were going on a behind the scenes tour of the penguin exhibit! We were able to go in the penguin exhibit and be surrounded by dozens of curious penguins. The zoo keeper giving us the tour asked if we wanted a picture, which we definitely did! So when we got together to take the photo Corey got down on one knee and proposed. Of course I said YES!!! Even the penguins were excited for us; both Corey and I got little nibbles on the leg from our penguin audience!" How adorable! April and Corey are two of the sweetest people with the biggest hearts. I loved getting to know them and...

I met with Sara and Charlie last Tuesday for their initial consultation. From that first meeting, I felt like I had known them for years. Both Shawn and I were unbelievably excited for their wedding. Not long after their meeting, we set up their engagement session for that Thursday at Chapman State Park. I had looked up some photo's online and I was blown away at how perfect it was. A tree lined driveway, fields, and the gorgeous mansion -  it was a dream! The two days that it took until their session felt like a lifetime, haha! During their meeting, Charlie mentioned that the spot that he proposed to Sara at was the same spot that he fell in love with her, and that their relationship just played in slow motion for him while he was proposing (how cute is that?!). I can honestly say that certain parts of their session played very much like a romantic movie with how they lit up in each other's arms. Sara and Charlie were constantly giggling, smiling, and exchanging sweet kisses while overlooking this beautiful piece of land. They are adorable together; with their dog, Hazel, the cuteness is totally on a different level! I'm starting my countdown early for their wedding in September 2016 :P!   :P Look at those eyes! Such a beautiful dog! ...

A beautiful couple with beautiful doggies in a beautiful location; could there be anything better? Rocks State Park is such a great location on its own, but whenever I get to shoot in a place that is special to a couple, that location becomes even more amazing! We started off this wonderful engagement session with a visit to this really cool waterfall. Since it was such a great day out, there were loads of swimmers all around the waterfall, but Cal and Emily did not let that affect their model posing. I could almost forget the people around us, except for all the splashing, haha! As Shawn stayed back to hang on to the pups by the waterfall, Emily, Cal, and I traveled up the river and really explored more of the area. I just cannot say enough about this location. It was so green and bright - the perfect indication that Spring is here to stay! Our next stop was to the King and Queen Chairs where the dogs were let loose to have fun! This area was gorgeous, and had a spectacular view of the park below us. As long as no one thought of how far up we were, or looked over the edge of the rock cliff, we were totally fine! The three dogs - Sarge, Harvey, and Pickles - acted as my assistants in getting Emily and Cal to burst with laughter. At one point, Emily and Cal were off being cute and as I...

Even though Jennifer and Brock are getting married next May, it hasn't stopped me from counting down the day until I get to photograph these two again. They are seriously the sweetest couple and had no issues being close and cuddly for their session. They just naturally went in to it; laughing, and giving kisses, they even walk down the street adorably! Capturing their happiness and giggle inducing love is why I cherish my job so much. This day was also extra special because it was Brock's birthday. I think that the universe knew it was his birthday/engagement session day and that all helped make the morning just amazing. The sunrise was pink and orange, the temperature had a refreshing chill to it, and the rain that was called for was no where to be found - it was like a weather gift from the gods :P. I am beyond excited to share these images, so I'm going to get on with the presenting!   ...

Over the summer, I met up with Laura and Mike to shoot their engagement photos at Clipper Mill in Baltimore. I knew from my first meeting with these two that I was going to love them, and I was not wrong. Laura is so caring and kind, always asking how you are doing - even when it's her day! I really got to know Laura through our near-constant communication via email. She was so pleasant to work with and always so calm. As I plan my own wedding, being that relaxed is something I DREAM of having :P. I always try to look at my clients as friends since it makes it so easy to slip into shooting, and also it gives me an excuse for being so happy for them, hahah! Laura makes it easy to look at her as a friend. I'll even admit, a few times during Mike and Laura's wedding, I found myself tearing up because I was just so excited for them (as did watching their wedding video from Eric Stishan). They really are a perfect match; Laura is considerate and selfless, Mike is easy-going and generous. The number of friends and family there for the big day was a huge indicator that they are very deserving of everlasting love and joy. During the toasts, the best man gave an heartfelt speech about the two of them that I think left everyone with red, teary eyes. Luckily, I was hidden behind my camera so no...

A few weeks ago I traveled up to Mount Airy for Jessica and Thomas's wedding! I was super excited and had been looking forward to it since the day I met with them way back in May (before I even knew if I passed their interview process :P). The day started at a salon on the main street of the town, where the girls were getting even more beautified than they were naturally. Jessica was mostly calm, except for occasionally showing her excitement with a huge smile and a laugh with her girls. I don't know how she got through the day without being stressed out at all! It certainly helped that the day ran incredibly smoothly, since both Jessica and Thomas had everything timed and organized perfectly. Before the ceremony, Jessica and Thomas did a first look that was accompanied by the wedding party and most of their family. It was and incredible build-up, with people were cheering and laughing and shouting when Jess was near, Thomas was turning around, when the big reveal finally happened. Just typing it makes me giddy all over again! During the ceremony, the sun created a gorgeous pink and orange sky, and there was plenty of laughter, as well as emotional readings from both the bride and groom's mothers. It was only the ceremony, and the day already felt like it couldn't get any better. But there was still the night-time photo session! After some wonderful buffet selections (quesadillas, meatballs, and 7...

In April, my friend Alexis (who some may remember) asked me about photographing her and her girlfriend, Lili. Unfortunately, we were all extra busy in April and May, but luckily in June we all were able to get together at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. Quiet Waters has to be one of my favorite spots, since it's so pretty and there are ALWAYS lots of places to shoot at; it seems like new places pop up each time :P. No matter how many times I photograph there, the people I am with always give the area a different kind of energy, which is my favorite part of the photo-taking. Lili and Alexis are so goofy, and filled with so much happiness and love. Even though this was just the second time I was meeting Lili (the first being at Leah and Glenn's wedding), I felt like we had been friends for such a long time - it was a wonderful time and I'm looking forward to sharing their images! :D   So perfect, right? Oh my goodness! :D ...