Photographs by Mary Jane »

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School ~ Louisa, VA

Thursday, August 23, 2012 Posted in Personal

In what now feels like another lifetime, I was once a third grade teacher in a very rural area of Virginia that most people have never heard mentioned ~ Louisa County. Teaching at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School was my first career after graduating from college and while my time there only lasted a short while, I still have fond memories of my students, now college age themselves. In the shape of former coworkers, parents of former students, and scrapbook buddies, I also have more connections and friends in Louisa from my three years there than I’ve managed to make in five years in the DC area. I don’t see my Louisa friends often, but they still feel like family.

One year ago today, for me and many of my friends, our lives were “flipped, turned upside down” as Will Smith would explain it. My grandmother, to whom I was very close, passed away, and while I was in the car with my father making the trip to Philadelphia, PA, a magnitude 5.8 Earthquake rocked the rural county of Louisa, VA. In case you’re not from the area, an Earthquake of this size was unimaginable for us. As a result, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School was destroyed. This summer on the 4th of July, I went to Louisa to visit a friend, and I took some time to see the site where TJES once stood. There were a lot of things that I never particularly liked about that building – it was old, it was moldy, it flooded repeatedly, it wasn’t designed to be an elementary school, I could go on… Yet I’m choking up. I have a lump in my throat. The tears are about to flow. I suppose it’s time to let the pictures do the talking.

This sign is all that remains of what we once knew as TJES. The rest will just look like any other construction site to many of you, but make sure you scroll all the way to the end.

The last 5th grade class of TJES. This rock warms the entire site up.

1 comment

Bridal Shower ~ Dan & Lisa! {Washington, DC Event Photographer}

Tuesday, July 17, 2012 Posted in Events

Last month, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing a Bridal Shower! “Pleasure” and “Bridal Shower” are not generally two phrases that I would pair together in a sentence; especially as someone who has attended more than I can count. C’mon, ladies, you all know the drill. We get together to “ooh and ahh” over kitchen gadgets and bath towels. Those are not exactly life’s little pleasures!

As you will see, this shower was unique! From the extremely beautiful details to the hilarious games, it was a joy to shoot, and it was coed!

Ruby, thank you for allowing me to be a part of Dan and Lisa’s special day with your family! Dan and Lisa, you have a special bond that anyone can see and you know how to have a great time! Congratulations on your engagement and best wishes for a beautiful day on August 4, 2012!

Meet ~ Dan & Lisa!

5 comments

Engaged ~ Charlene & Mike! {Richmond, VA Engagement Photographer}

Sunday, July 15, 2012 Posted in Engagements

I have a unique perspective while writing about the engagement of Charlene and Michael (aka Mike), as Michael is my brother. Back in 2007-2008, I suggested that Michael join MeetUp.com. He was reluctant at first, especially because all of the events that he could find were in Richmond, VA while he was living in Spotsylvania, VA. However, he eventually joined, along with his friend and soon-to-be-roommate Dave. One night, while at a MeetUp event at Popkin Tavern in Richmond, VA, Michael met Charlene. Apparently there were sparks and this quickly evolved into a romance.

One day in April 2011, I received a text message from my cousin, Carly, congratulating me on gaining a Sister-In-Law. I had no idea what she was talking about, so I logged into Facebook to discover that Michael and Charlene had announced their engagement. Immediately, I called Michael at work, and stated my case as to why he should have told me first. He laughed and said, “April Fools!” Ahh, yes, it was indeed April 1, 2011! For the rest of the day, I continued to enjoy the foolish congratulatory comments left on Michael and Charlene’s Facebook pages and I did not bother to let Carly in on the joke until late that night.

Earlier this year, Michael called me and asked me to check my e-mail. He had sent me a few photos of engagement rings and wanted my opinion. I felt honored that he was asking me to be involved! I asked when he was going to pop the question and he stated, “April Fools Day, of course.” Haha! This was going to be epic. April 1, 2012, once again, Michael and Charlene changed their Facebook statuses to “Engaged.” Their friends wrote comments like “Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me…” and “Let me know if you’re still engaged tomorrow.” It was an amusing day and full of productivity for all of us, I’m certain.

Congratulations, Michael and Charlene! They will be tying the knot on June 1, 2013.

16 comments

Linda PaolinoJuly 16, 2012 - 2:31 am

Very cool. Your photographs turned out really nice.

Mary Jane TurnleyJuly 16, 2012 - 8:14 am

WOW, the pictures are great! I felt like I could just pick that ring up right out of the photograph, it was like 3D, so tempting. Your page here turned out so nice Janie, very beautiful! Mike and Charlene are made for each other, they make a great couple and you captured the LOVE they share in your photographs. I am so glad I was there to get in your way, I mean share the excitement! Lucky me to be gaining such a wonderful daughter in law in Charlene, we all love her! Awesome job Janie!

Candy HowardJuly 16, 2012 - 9:42 am

What a great story! Love her ring!

LizJuly 16, 2012 - 10:51 am

Beautiful! Great job!

rochelleJuly 16, 2012 - 12:34 pm

such an awesome engagement ring! and such sweet pictures of your brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law. such a great opportunity to be a part of their wedding journey.

donnaJuly 16, 2012 - 12:46 pm

Great photos~ I love the shots of the ring. And what a gorgeous ring!!!!
Super cute story of their engagement too.

Thereasa GwinnJuly 16, 2012 - 4:13 pm

What a funny story! I love that engagement ring!

ruizJuly 16, 2012 - 8:00 pm

Nice ring! they are so happy.

CaroljeanJuly 17, 2012 - 12:54 am

Very pretty and natural! Love!

Loretta O'NeillJuly 23, 2012 - 7:47 pm

Janie,

These pictures of Mike and Charlene are GORGEOUS!!! You are so talented!!

Mary Jane MooneyJuly 23, 2012 - 9:45 pm

Thank you so much Aunt Loretta!

CharleneJuly 26, 2012 - 7:27 am

Thank you so much, Janie!!! The photos are fabulous! Love them:)

Therese HillJuly 26, 2012 - 4:54 pm

Janie,
Phenominal! You continue to grow in what I beleive will become your new profession. You have always done your best in everything you have pursued in your life. Photography is your heart and soul. There is only greatness in your future.
Love,
Aunt Therese

Mary Jane MooneyJuly 26, 2012 - 4:59 pm

You’re welcome, Charlene! I’m glad you like them! Can’t wait for your wedding!!!

Mary Jane MooneyJuly 26, 2012 - 4:59 pm

*Blushing* Thank you, Aunt Therese! That means a lot to me! Love you too!

Uncle TomAugust 1, 2012 - 9:18 am

Janie, The photo’s are wonderful. You do fantastic work. Mike and Charlene look soooo happy together. I wish them well.

Engaged ~ AJ & Karly! {Front Royal, VA Engagement Photographer}

Monday, June 11, 2012 Posted in Engagements

On Memorial Day weekend, I had the pleasure of second shooting a gorgeous engagement session for Dave Myles Photography

AJ and Karly were such a friendly and fun couple to shoot! Karly is a natural model and aren’t they just stunning!?

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Meet ~ Karina! {Front Royal, VA Portrait Photographer}

Monday, June 4, 2012 Posted in Portraits

Karina, aka KK, and I were acquaintances in college as we hung out with the same circle of friends. It was not until we reconnected via Facebook that we got to know each other. KK is also a photographer and after hours of chatting on Facebook, we decided to get together for a weekend and share techniques in person. We spent a weekend in the Shenandoah Valley of VA and had a blast shooting portraits and head shots of each other! Meet Karina!