Best of 2011 – Aaron Watson Photography

Whitney & Logan at Mt. Ida Farm: This is one of my all time favorite pictures. Night photography is very challenging, so when we were able to pull off this fairytale setting with the stars surrounding Whitney and Logan in the gazebo at Mt. Ida Farm I was ecstatic. The fountain in the background creating the angel wing on Whitney was the cherry on top! Huge thanks to Blue Ridge Light Forms for stringing the cafe lights in the gazebo as that was essential to capturing the moment .

Sarah & Matt at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards: I chose this picture because of the gorgeous scenery and the natural awe in Sarah and Matt's faces as they look at each other. Pure Love!

Jing and Jeff at Maymont Botanical Gardens: The overall scene of this picture is awesome. I'm a big fan of reflections, so I asked Jing and Jeff to stand close enough to the edge for me to capture their reflection on the water. Their natural emotions completed the magic of the picture.

Afton & Brian on the Skyline Drive (Blue Ridge Mountains): This picture from Afton and Brian's engagement session on skyline drive is poetic to me. I will remember 2011 as one of the rainiest years ever, but despite so much rain the sun seemed to always find a way to shine through if only for a little bit on our couples' most important day!

Courtney & James on Carter's Mountain: I love when I can capture a completely candid moment between a couple. I had Courtney and James sit in the middle of a row of vines at Carters Mountain, and then James started tickling Courtney, which made for a great (and funny) picture.

Jillian & Chad at Montfair Resort Farm: This picture is so romantic with the bridge and the creek running under it, as Jillian and Chad share a private kiss. I think the colors in this picture are amazing, the greens and blues as well as the purple flowers make it enthralling.

Sarah at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards: When we have a nice sunny day I love using the sun to create a halo effect around people. Sarah's dress was absolutely gorgeous and I love the way that the light surrounds it making it glow.

Jillian & Chad at MOntfair Resort Farm: This picture is one of my favorites because I have never seen a couple escape their wedding in a row boat, and I love the idea of letting go a wish lantern at the end of a wedding to bring good luck to the couple.

Alex & Shannon: This is a picture from Alex and Shannon's fall engagement session at Mt. Ida Farm. I chose it for the golden light coming through the trees and making a starburst against Alex and Shannon standing on the stump. I think it has a majestic feel to it because of the colors and the tall trees.

Jillian & Chad at Montfair Resort Farm: Picking 12 favorites from the course of a great year can be very hard, so I asked Kelsey to help me out. Kelsey loved this picture because of the creative framing of Jillian & CHad in the mirror of this old pickup truck. As Kelsey pointed out "It is so different, and very intriguing to look at, you have to look twice to understand what you're seeing." This picture was taken after Jillian and Chad's ceremony, and it definitely represents them as a couple because after they saw the old truck and immediately wanted to hop in the back to get some pictures!

Dan at Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa: This picture makes me laugh. I thought it was great when Dan and his groomsmen decided to take a fishing break on the dock before the ceremony. … ok I may have encouraged this a little.

Anne at King Family Vineyards: As I reflect on wedding photography as a whole from 2011 I noticed a trend towards creating beautiful images with natural light with bright blown out backgrounds. Now as we transition to 2012 I love to look at what inspires me to create a unique look. One of my biggest inspirations from 2011 was an article on the Knot about fairytale weddings, candlelight weddings, and ballerina inspired themes, which inspired this bridal portrait of Anne at King Family Vineyards.