{ going back in time }
10/15+16/11 engagement session } janis + brianJanis is the sister of Jess, Salty Sweet Studio co-founder. Janis + Brian became engaged on August 24th, 2011. Since Jered (the other half of Salty Sweet Studio) had taken photos at Janis + Brian’s proposal (all Brian’s idea), it only made sense for Jered to take their engagement photos — with the posing/styling help of Jess, of course!
Janis, being the extremely detailed-oriented, planning + organizing woman she is, made an intense 2-day itinerary (October 15th-16th, 2011) for the engagement shoot, including a 2-day prep (October 13th-14th, 2011) of packing, mani/pedi, and outfit picking.
Salty Sweet Studio loves making these shoots personal. We encourage each couple to pick out items that would not only be great props for the photos, but have great meanings behind them and their relationship.
The first location was originally in Bluemont, VA where we thought it would be apple picking, but since it was October, it was actually pumpkin picking. That did not really mean much to Janis + Brian’s story. Also, that location was about 90 minutes outside of DC which did not make well for efficiency.
Location 1 became Malcolm X aka Meridian Hill Park in Northwest DC which was a short drive from Janis + Brian’s condo. The scenery was beautiful: historical stone work, plenty of greenery, flowers, fountains and waterfalls. For the props, Janis + Brian brought the engagement ring + box (of course eco-friendly by Brilliant Earth), a picnic blanket, pillows, basket, wine + glasses, CD’s from their favorite bands + headphones, and a stack full of books (the ones pictures are The Sheriff of Yrnameer + The Great Gatsby).
Location 2 was the 930 Club, a live music venue. Janis + Brian share the love for music. They have gone to many different concerts all over the world. Most of the shows though, have been in their hometown, just a metro ride away at the 930 Club. Their outfit change fit the scene and their props were many different 930 Club concert tickets. The triptic features Janis + Brian’s well known jumping poses. We could hear a band doing sound check as we did these fun photos!
Location 3 was their Chinatown condo’s rooftop during sunset. Janis + Brian bundled up and their props were these beautiful map pillows (made by an Australian designer) — one of Boston, where Brian grew up and one of DC, where Janis + Brian met and currently call home.
The next day, we headed to Location 4 which was H Street NE corridor. H Street is full of restaurants, shops and venues where Janis + Brian enjoyed each other, one of them being the Rock & Roll Hotel, where they’ve seen concerts, of course. The prop for this location were coffee and tea from Sidamo — it was cold, so they needed to keep warm!
Location 5 was the Chinatown Arch. Janis + Brian reside in a condo in Chinatown. Their first date was in Chinatown in a restaurant called La Tasca. They dressed up in red and blue to commemorate our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. Can you spot the American flag in Brian’s back pocket? This location means so much to them because it is where they began and now call home together.
Words cannot express how thrilled we are for Janis + Brian. We were there for the proposal, engagement photos, the wedding planning process and of course coming full circle by Jess being the Maid of Honor and Jered + Kevin being their wedding photographers and Jay + Frie being their wedding videographers on behalf of Salty Sweet Studio. We are extremely happy and excited to see Janis + Brian begin their lives as husband + wife.
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08/24/11 the proposal } janis + brian
Stay tuned, their engagement photos will be up soon. For now, enjoy the beautiful story of Brian proposing to Janis, written by Janis herself.
This video was taken by a kind stranger with Kevin’s Flip Video.
“You know I’ve dreamed about you for 20 odd years before I saw you”
Janis was at Café Bonaparte with her friend Cynthia. Janis noticethat Cynthia was anxious and distracted during their dinner, but because Cynthia was moving to New York that week, had just switched jobs and because DC was just hit with a surprise earthquake the day before, Janis assumed Cynthia was overwhelmed with her own personal matters.
After a curt “excuse me” from Cynthia, she quickly got up from dinner and walked away. Cynthia came back and was nervous, she said she left her work stuff at the last store they went to. Janis assumed she would stay seated at dinner while Cynthia got her belongings, but Cynthia asked Janis to go to the store with her. Janis thought it was odd, but Janis accompanied Cynthia out of the restaurant. As they walked outside of Café Bonaparte, someone yelled out “JANIS!” It was Brian.
It was a beautiful evening in the middle of a busy Wisconsin Ave and P streets NW in DC. Outside of Café Bonaparte, Brian had already prepped the “scene” with background music played by Janis’ sister, Jessica and her fellow bandmates, Jay and Kevin. Brian also sidewalk-chalked “Will you Marry Me, Janis” and delivered a touching and humble speech before getting down on one knee to propose.
The band, who drove to DC from Richmond that afternoon, played a cover of “Slow Show” by the National, Freelance Whales ’ Generator 2nd Floor and closed their set with Arcade Fire’s Wake Up. These were songs by Janis and Brian’s favorite bands. On top of the perfect setting, Jessica’s boyfriend Jered was there and took photographs of the proposal. A random stranger kindly offered to videotape the proposal as well. People in the streets were clapping and a DC MetroBus operator honked his horn and waved. Café Bonaparte patrons watched through the windows, smiling and nodding.
Thanks to Jess, Cynthia, Jered, kind stranger and the band for helping to create a very special, memorable and intimate experience for Janis and Brian.(via jayrockasaurus)
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We don’t actually talk to each other when we all hang out. @jessicarm @vnaryom @jayrockasaurus (Taken with instagram)
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