Now let me explain the seemingly teenage hysteria. Cake and Pictures is a website — www.Cakeandpictures.com — and we, Ever After Visuals (Mindy and Joriana Belcher), just got accepted to join this highly prestigious site, making us number 8 in the list of Virginia photographers accepted!  Exciting!!!

The explanation is as follows:
“Cake and Pictures is the only website exclusively dedicated to bringing brides and wedding planners a comprehensive selection of just the very best wedding photographers from around the world. We’re highly selective about the photographers we show, and while we list our photographers according to where they live (in 50 cities in the U.S. and several countries around the world), all of our photographers are accustomed to traveling for weddings, and can shoot yours, wherever it might be.”

So, why should you hire us to photograph your wedding?? Because we said so! Lol. Just kidding. But really, Cake and Pictures says we’re good so maybe you should check us out.

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So this morning, when the winners of the International Society of Portrait and Wedding Photographer’s Spring contest were announced there was even more screaming, and happy dancing — Ever After Visuals placed 3 images!  Truly,  I’m amazed at the talented finalists from all over the world who entered amazing images.  Still pinching myself because  I am so honored to have placed among such amazing international talent and the thousands of images that are submitted to each contest.   All three of the images are from Sunee and Spencer’s wedding!  Thank you Sunee and Spencer for letting us be our creative selves at your wedding because you allowed us to create work that we are proud of.

This one placed 7th in the Bridal Party category –

be sure to check out the other winners at http://www.ispwp.com/contests/ispwp-wedding-photography-contest-gallery-spring-2010-bridal-party-portrait

Bridal Party Contest Winner - 7th place

This one placed 11th in the same category –

Bridal Party Contest Winner - 11th place

This image placed 16th in the Movement and Motion category

ISPWP Movement and Motion Contest Winner - 16th place

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We are just in love with WPJA!  Mindy became a member in 2007.  When I met the age requirement of 18,  I applied for membership and was accepted upon my first application.  I cannot express how thrilled both of us are to be a part of this international organization.  Now to add to the joy, both Mindy and myself are outrageously happy to have placed THREE images in the latest WPJA international contest!  For me, this is the first time I’ve won, so I’m thrilled beyond words.

For Mindy, this image placed #19 in the category of: Ring Details

If you know us, you know we love doing cool unique detail shots — such as this image of Marty and Sharon’s rings!

For me (Joriana) this image placed 15th in the category: Groom Getting Ready:

The judges liked Ryan’s “enigmatic expression”

And 16th place in the category: Bride Getting Ready:

We loved Mila’s dress!  You can tell in the image that both her Mom and brother liked it too!

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Here’s why you want to make sure to hire an ISPWP photographer:

“The International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers is an organization of the best wedding photographers in the world. It was created by professional photographers to raise the standards of the wedding photography profession.

We are a resource for wedding clients who know they want to hire the best and the brightest for their wedding. We provide assurance and peace of mind that they are hiring the most respected, most ethical, most professional and most talented wedding photographers in the industry.

There are a lot of new wedding photographers flooding the market, and the number is growing steadily. However, wedding photography is a demanding profession and provides a host of challenges even for experienced photographers. Wedding photography requires adapting quickly to uncontrolled lighting situations, and dealing with unexpected equipment failures in a situation with no second chances.

You have to get it right the first time, every time. You have to be a master of the craft and know your gear so well that you can make adjustments on the fly, without thinking or hesitating. And you have to do it for 8, 10, or 12 hours in close quarters with clients who have put their trust in you to get it right. In this kind of work environment, experience is essential to delivering beautiful images on a consistent basis, week after week.

So how do you know your photographer has enough experience? How do you know they operate their business according to professional business practices?

That’s where the ISPWP comes in.  They  screen and review every member before their application is accepted. When you hire an ISPWP photographer, you can be confident that they have years of experience, they have shot a LOT weddings in a wide variety of situations, and they subscribe to a professional code of conduct. They truly are the best in the world and each one of them has dedicated their professional lives to their craft. In short, we’ve done the searching and screening for you.”

We are truly honored to be part of such a wonderful organization that places such high importance on wedding photographers with experience and talent.

So without further adu . . . here . . . are the winners.  Drum-roll please . . .

#14 in the Bridal Party Portraits category:

#14 in the category of The Decisive Moment:

And #19 in All About the Light:

We couldn’t be more thrilled to have placed three images in the top 20 out of an INTERNATIONAL society!

So . . . which one do YOU like the best?

Be sure and leave us a few comments to let us know!

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Best,

Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Order Prints | Ever After Portraits |

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“Hello. I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I visited your website just now and thought okay, let me take a peek at a few pics of the portfolio…I found myself watching each and every slide..from beginning to end…found myself with teary eyes a few times and then smiling other times..It was amazing and I didn’t want to let the day pass without letting you know how remarkable your work is and your ability to really capture moments..I loved it!”

Thanks, Lori! We’ve never met you, but we really appreciate you taking time to let us know that you love our work.. . .

Notes like these make us feel so incredibly special. This is another shout-out to all our wedding and portrait photography fans out there. We appreciate the support and loyalty so so much.  Thank you all for turning this ordinary day into an extraordinary one!

: D

Best,

Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Order Prints | Ever After Portraits |

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Joriana and I are thrilled to let you know that we received a Bride’s Choice award.  This award recognizes the top 5 percent of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service and professionalism.

The Bride’s Choice Awards™ are determined exclusively by recent newlyweds (brides and grooms) through extensive surveys and reviews, which means your past clients have spoken on our behalf and selected you to receive this honor.

Best,

Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Order Prints | Ever After Portraits |

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“My name is Sarah. I am a new photographer and new to VA. I have been searching through local photographers websites and feel the need to compliment you. After watching your wedding slideshow, I had tears streaming down my face. Your photographs were so moving, so intimate, so beautifully composed that I was completely drawn into complete stranger’s stories.

My hope is that someday, my photos will produce that same reaction in others. I know that this may seem like an unusual email but I was truly impressed with your art. It is what I would like to learn how to create. Thank you!”

No, Sarah, thank YOU for letting us know that you like our work — we never tire of hearing it!

Best,

Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Order Prints | Ever After Portraits |

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The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA). WPJA is an elite organization accepting less than 5% of the photographers who apply. Their members represent the most discriminating talent around the world technically, creatively and visually. Qualified members hold industry-leading standards, skills and business integrity and are set apart in the industry for their candid, documentary and distinctly artistic vision.

That she got invited is awesome, but that she is 19 is well…one of my proudest moments as a mother! Congratulations, Joriana, on this wonderful achievement!

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I’m totally thrilled to be invited to join their ranks — I couldn’t help but have a mental picture of Sally Fields accepting her Oscar and saying “You like me. You really like me.” That’s how I feel…;>}

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WPJA is the Wedding Photojournalist Association and in their words is an “organization composed of photojournalists and wedding photographers from around the world.  What sets our members part in the industry is their candid, documentary approach – a distinctly artistic vision toward wedding photography.”    In Virginia, I’m one of only 45 photographers in WPJA.

I’m honored to be a member,  honored to have an image place in the Emotion category, but I feel even more honored that David and Danielle chose  Ever After Images  to document the emotions of their wedding day.

Be sure to check out the winners at http://www.wpja.com/index.htm

Here is the winning image –

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From Jonathan and Leslie:

They are breathtaking, funny, beautiful, and just perfectly done. We couldn’t be happier. There are alot of photos we are going to buy.  I mean ALOT! …My friend loves your work so much I could almost guarantee you will be photographing her wedding…

Terrific job on everything and thanks for bearing with all the stress of the day and the weather. Turns out the little sickness I had was pnuemonia. Oh well. that took a bit to clear up but despite that you got great photos.

You surpassed our expectations!  We loved the way you worked and my bridesmaids mentioned how comfortable and relaxed they felt. Everyone was able to be themselves and it shows in our photos and thats what we wanted. Natural pictures. Your rates are good. I think you have put yourself perfectly where it’s competitive yet not too steep. I like the names of your packages very cute. Flexibility! you all must have been born with it flowing through your blood. If we wanted or had ideas you listened and that goes with responsiveness. You all are very fun and professional. I love that you have unique ideas for capturing moments we forgot about. Looking through photos I was laughing and having a great time. Even my friends said that they liked the pictures online and the way you set up our sneak peak. I think one of my friends said she watched it at least 10 times a day. She was humming the song out in service. I have never heard her hum before.  I  think everything was beautifully done and you all really did capture our once upon a time…

Thank you a thousand times!  Keep up that awesome work! I will recommend you both to everyone I can!

Much love,

Leslie and Jonathan

From David and Danielle:

Hello Mindy and Joriana,

Thank you so much for the amazing job that you both did last week.  We were truly Blessed to have a picture day and even more blessed to have the PERFECT photographers. The slide show is FANTASTIC!!!!  Everybody who sees it remarks at how wonderful the photographs are and they always say  your photographers are really great!!  We have already referred you all to a couple of people so do not be surprised if you here from some of our lovely guests and friends.  We can’t wait to see the rest of the images!!!!  Thanks again and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!
Always
David

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