Hi, I'm Raphael

My name is Raphael. I have always been a creative, from a very young age my curiosity led me to discovering many hobbies. I was particularly awed by engineering and aircraft. This led me to pursuing a career in aerospace engineering. However, my curiosity and creativity were never limited to numbers and design. There is art in engineering that most don't appreciate or understand.

That love of art manifested itself through a camera lens for me. I always had a deep love of storytelling, acting, and making people laugh. My journey began with a simple smartphone camera and my best friend Yakob. Together we created skits, short films and vlogs as a way to destress and pass time. This love of cinematography quickly transitioned into still frames, or photography that felt like film. I eventually saved up enough money as a broke college student to buy my very first camera, and while photography was new to me, my love for storytelling and capturing emotion was not. A different avenue, a different medium of creative thought and expression was discovered and I loved it.

Soon I captured family and friends in their most special and intimate moments. From proposals to weddings, my eye and my lens have delivered that classic, moody, film, vintage look to happy couples everywhere. This film look has taken me to places I would never have imagined, from Alaska to New York, love has been preserved in many still frames of pure, raw emotion. And that's what I strive to deliver, to every couple I work with.

I still remember the moment I knew this was more than a hobby. I was photographing a proposal in Old Town Alexandria during Christmas time, and after the yes we just walked through the streets together. The lights were strung up, it was chilly enough to see your breath, and the photos we captured looked like they came straight out of a holiday film. That's when it clicked for me, this is what I am meant to be doing.

How I show up on your wedding day

I am a quiet and calm person by nature, but I get so energized when a couple starts telling me how they picture their day. Before every wedding we sit down together and talk about the decor, the details, the shots that matter most to you and the overall vibe you want. On the day itself I will direct and pose you whenever you want guidance, crack a joke to help you relax, and step back when a moment doesn't need me.

My faith plays a massive role in how I operate and how I treat my clients. I aim to reflect the love of Christ in my conduct, my presence, and my work. My faith is a big part of who I am, you can expect to feel calm, at peace and confident that I will take great care of you and your special day!

Destination weddings, from Virginia to anywhere

I am based in Northern Virginia and photograph weddings across DC, Maryland and Richmond, but your special day doesn't have to be close to home for me to be part of it. Whether it's a vineyard a few states away or a beach overseas, I would love to be there for all of it, from the quiet moments before the ceremony to the last dance. If you are planning a destination wedding, reach out and we will work through the details together.