Personal "SNAPPENINGS"

...behind the "Lens"

Handmade Valentine’s Day Cards 2012

February 14, 2012 By Erin Snapp

YES, we Hand Make Our Valentine’s Day Cards!!! A Valentine’s Day Tradition since first married.
We even have a box dedicated to our beloved hand-made Valentines!

It’s a moment that we cherish together, it lets us feel “young at heart”, it lets us take time for a “breathing moment together”,
and it reminds us that sometimes life’s little moments will be the ones you will cherish the most when looking back.

With that being said, I’d like to leave you with one of my favorite “Winnie-the-Pooh” quotes…
“and Pooh said to Piglet…
“Life is so much Friendlier with Two”
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
(We’d LOVE to hear your GUESS at which Snapp made which Valentine at the end of the Blog)

NEW YEARS EVE | MOMENTS TO REMEMBER | 2011

December 31, 2011 By Erin Snapp

December 31, 2011 My Facebook status read:

“We are about to say good-bye to Twenty-Eleven
What’s your 2011 Moment to Remember?”

So many responses of moments…
babies born, degrees achieved, rock star moments witnessed, deployments, proud parent moments, and soon to be babies on the way.
We also had clients/friends share the moment they will remember most as being their Shoot or Wedding with US!!!
This is the one that makes us take a deep breath and say….YES, this is Why our job is SOOOOO much more than just a job!

This brought us to take today and simply reflect on this Chapter in our Life we called “Twenty-Eleven”
Our day of reflection has been filled with the things we love doing on our personal time:
Going for Country Car Rides, Listening to New music, Talking the day away, all while drinking Starbucks.
This gave us chance to reflect on the many Moments of 2011 that Touched our Hearts….

I will start by sharing our most personal favorite moment of Twenty-Eleven to remember….
The vision of the BOSTON Skyline aboard a Ferry Boat on our 16th Wedding Anniversary
and walking in the ocean with the seals along Cape Cod MA is our Favorite Twenty-Eleven Moment to Remember!

More Twenty-Eleven Moments to Remember….

The client’s gasps of joy and tears in their eyes because of the images of art we created looking back at them.
The times with friends at places we love like Skyline Drive, Dino-Land, Chick-Fil-A, Starbucks, and our cherished
Evenings on the Observation Deck with Wine and Dear Friends Singing their Hearts out.
The Parents who have always stood by us and believed in us.
The many smiles friends have brought to our faces, like when a dear friend makes a surprise appearance upon our doorstep.
The Live Music we enjoyed Waterfront. Music that inspires us to believe: that you have to “swim” no matter what life brings

The Ghost Stories told till the wee hours as we await a new arrival.

The New Life we held in our arms

The Family on the Farm who made us feel at home.

The Dance we danced in the Rain.

The October Snow and the friends we shared it with, making their dream come true.

The 22 Foot Inflatable Slide I went down hand in hand with bride & groom.

The Bellies to Babies.

The Rat Rod in the Rain.

The Celebration of One Year for the smallest survivor.

The many days I have felt pretty because of one special artist.

The smile on a bride’s face as her love of horses shines through when she rides down in her very own horse and carriage.

The feeling we had in our hearts when a rock star’s stage changed from a crowd of screaming fans to a crowd of family and friends the day he said I do.

The picture from Budapest as our Snapp-Shot Sharpie stone shines from afar.

The stories of Strength captured within our images.

The youngest of models handing me a sharpie stone she had signed her own love on after a shoot.

The first ride back on the bikes.

The force of a train going by as we worked track side.

The feeling we had when we were given the title of babies first shoot.

The neighbors who are always there for us in time of need.

The most beautiful place two hours could take you from home.

The many nights we simply….came home.

Years are the Chapters in our Lives….
Chapter Twenty-Eleven, we gained some friends, lost some friends, smiled, cried, celebrated life,
celebrated 16 years of marriage, captured stories of real life and loved every moment of it.

As we close this yearly chapter…we leave you with this traditional moment.
An image we share quietly together no matter how cold we like to hike to this spot and capture……“The Last-Light of Twenty-Eleven”

As we look forward to chapter Twenty-Twelve we vision…
New clients who will also turn into new Friends, Good Health, Happiness, New Music, Many Journeys together ….
and of course we look forward to growing as Photographic Artists!
We’d like to leave you with music lyrics from one of our favorite bands we listened to today,
“Red Wanting Blue” song “Love Remains” off their new album “From The Vanishing Point”
“Don’t give up
You can keep up, keep on moving
Chasing the Sound of the Sun somewhere going down”

‘TIS THE SEASON | THE SNAPP’S CHRISTMAS | 2011

December 30, 2011 By Erin Snapp

‘Tis the Season to be HAPPY!
Happy IS….
- A Christmas Eve service in a barn with the parents
- A Christmas Eve tradition we have done for 16 years now of Baking Cookies and watching our favorite Christmas Movie “National Lampoons Christmas Vacation”
- A Christmas Morning Sunrise with an Old Fashion Breakfast
- A New Christmas Morning Tradition of watching The Smurfs Christmas Carol Cartoon (sooooo much fun, took me back to my childhood love of the little Blue Guys)
- Opening our gifts
- Baking my Famous Mac n’ Cheese
- Going Home to our Parents for a Cozy Christmas (Even included some awesome Family Guy gifts)
-Then of course my day after Christmas December 26 Birthday!!! (what girl wouldn’t love a little blue box?)

We hope you & yours also had a very Happy Christmas!!!

SNAPP DUO | FALL PORTRAITS | SKYLINE DRIVE

October 21, 2011 By Erin Snapp

So as many of you know, Skyline Drive is one of our most cherished places in the world.
It’s not only where Corey proposed to me, but it’s also a place we enjoy several times a month just “getting away”
I like to call it our “Breathing Space”
Today we grabbed a cup of Starbucks, Popped some Augustana in the CD player and enjoyed the most amazing Fall Colors!
Of course we would not be the Snapps without taking a few posed shots of us among the brilliant colored leaves.
Hope you guys enjoy a little personal insight to “us”
Of course the last photo….we too are normal and love the Hold Out the Camera / Get the Fun shot

OUR ANNIVERSARY | 16 YEARS | BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS TRIP

September 18, 2011 By Erin Snapp

SEPTEMBER 16, 1995 WE SAID “I DO”
Most couples celebrate the 5th, 15th, 20th, etc….the Snapps celebrate the 16th as the Special One!!
You ask why??
Well, you see the number 16 is very special to us.
We met on the 16th, got engaged on the 16th, and then later were married on the 16th.
Our promise, to celebrate the 16th in a very special way…no work just all play.
Play we did!

Boston is a place we’ve always wanted to go. As silly as it sounds, I dreamed about riding a boat into the Skyline of Boston. My little dream came true.
I’d like you to pay close attention to my “I’m on a boat to Boston” face…I was like a little girl at Christmas, can’t even explain how excited I was!
We were blessed with amazing weather, an amazing boat ride, an amazing day in Boston….then to follow amazing moments throughout New England.
We went to the Aquarium which is where our very first date was…at an aquarium. I even touched a shark!
We gathered rocks and shells, which is something we simply adore.

We also got FRESH New England Clam Chowder at the Cape Cod Fishing Wharf, and as we sat there eating a bowl of heaven we were surprised by a SEAL!!!
I literally jumped of the bench to take a picture of this little guy….wow so cool.
Next adventure, ummmm walking with the Seals in the Ocean. Feet from the Seals that were swimming along side of us….the most amazing feeling in the world.

Each night we relaxed at the small town of Nantasket at the Nantasket Beach Resort. Such a perfect place and treated SO well there. The town was the sweetest town in the world, almost like we went back in time a bit. Can’t wait to visit there again!

We also visited Providence Rhode Island, and Mystic Connecticut….home of the Famous “Mystic Pizza” movie
It truly was a Perfectly Perfect Trip we will always cherish

Now, let me just simply let you “Re-Live” our trip through our eyes……enjoy

JUNKFOOD | 1st Annual Elephant Stomp | Benefiting The Gloria Harris Cancer Fund

July 8, 2011 By Erin Snapp

One Week ago today we took part in an event that was close to our heart… “The 1st Annual Elephant Stomp – Benefiting Gloria Harris Cancer Fund”
Many of you may be asking why was this event so important to us and who is Gloria Harris?

Ok let me tell you a bit about Mrs. Gloria Harris……
Mother of one of our DEAREST FRIENDS who is like FAMILY to us, Bart Harris “Singer For the band JunkFood”
Gloria left this world after battling Cancer for many years. The Benefit took place on her birthday, a night full of awesome music dedicated to her.
We were lucky enough to have met Gloria a few times….wow, always full of happiness! So proud of her family, always ready to support Bart’s band by buying up all the JunkFood cds she could fit in her arms.
She also LOVED our photography work! Of course it featured her much loved son Bart many times as a band and also as Family Portraits.
She commented and commented to us as to how much she loved the Family Shoot we did with him.
I’m so glad our work touched her heart.

Now let’s talk about the Event…..
“The Elephant Stomp”
The music: A glimpse of JunkFood that is not seen often, acoustic, dressed to impress, and songs that are rarely and many never heard.
Many covers of songs Gloria loved, as well as touching originals written by Bart as his heart misses his Mom so very much.
Pink Buckets full of Prizes, Pink Tee Shirts, Pink Ties, Pink, Pink, Pink…..with a big Elephant Stomp on each.
Pink, the known Cancer awareness color
Elephant, Gloria loved Elephants
She’d love the Name…as it truly represents her way of “Stomping Out Cancer”

The OutCome……..
Many Tears were shed as Bart Sang his heart out, Many Hugs were shared, Many hearts were heavy and happy all at the same time,
And the beauty of it all is that over $10,000 was raised!!!!
Mrs. Gloria Harris…….. “She’d be Proud Bart”
We Love You Bart….Let’s do it all again Next Year

Thanks a “Latte” | SNAPP-SHOT PHOTOGRAPHY | THANKED WITH STARBUCKS & RED BULL

June 24, 2011 By Erin Snapp

‘Twas a typical Friday Afternoon,
Out to the mail box to fetch the mail in the mid month of June;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a box full of our favorites from two we hold dear!!

“theBox”
To: Snapp-Shot Photography
From: the Jones’s
“Inside theBox”
Not one, but two Starbucks Gift Cards, an entire case of Redbull, and two very awesome thank you cards!!!

Now this truly made us take a step back….the thing is we try our best to get to know all of our couples, but knowing that they also pick up on things we love, things we make our special treats, and things that help Corey to feel better….now that’s an “amazing feeling”

Three years ago we met Stephanie and Andrew Jones…since then we have Photographed their Engagement, Photographed the day they said I DO, Photographed Family Events, and one of our favorite things above all is simply meeting up with them to share a cup of Starbucks…..we are now proud to say we will also be Photographing Stephs growing belly….yes they are expecting their first child

We LOVE you both, not sure what we did to deserve this amazing gift out of nowhere…but we truly truly truly “thank you”!!!!

FAREWELL TO a “BAND / but Never to a FRIEND”

January 24, 2011 By Erin Snapp

This past Saturday was bittersweet for us, as we said good-bye to band that have touched our heart throughout these past four-five years of our life.

2006 ERIN & EBP

2011 ERIN & EBP

August of 2006 9:30 Club Washington, DC we would go out to listen and photograph a bit of new music recommended by a good friend of ours.
This new music….a band by the name of “Everyone But Pete”
We 100% Fell In Love with their Sound!!!!

Here are just a FEW of the MANY live shots we captured throughout the years.

December 2, 2006 we worked with the guys on their Press Promo Photos.
Never did we imagine that day that those four guys would turn into four of our dearest friends.
Twin Brothers Jim and Brian Fanale, Chris Lane, and Cal Stamp are four of the most caring, most giving and most talented guys we’ve ever met.

EBP 2006

Throughout these past four years we have not only watched them grow as artists, but also watched them grow within their individual lives.
We have been there for them throughout their changes, as they have for us throughout our changes.
For instance…just one of our changes was when Corey had his accident, EBP of course was right there to donate their time and funds to Corey’s benefit Show

When Corey was strong enough to receive visitors,
Cal and Amber sat beside in our home with Corey and I during his accident and that is a moment we will always cherish no matter where we are in our lives.
They were there to deliver not only funds to help us get through, but also an awesome gift

Of course after Corey was strong enough to venture back out to shows…Everyone But Pete was his very first show back

Corey's First Show Back on his Feet with EBP

We tried to attend and document almost every show for the guys,
We photographed everything from press shots, live shots, birthdays, Halloween,to even FUN down time with the guys at their house while we made fools out of ourselves ROCK’N out to GUITAR HERO.

The guys were always about having FUN….like Halloween dressing up like Old Women.

EBP Halloween 2007

Erin Squeez'n Lane's Halloween Boobies

ERIN & AMBER ROCK'N HALLOWEEN 2007

There were also CD Releases that we were so proud to be a part of.
We will never forget the overwhelmed look on the guys faces as they saw the gift we presented them with at their CD Release!

A GIFT FROM THE SNAPPS

THE GIFT FROM US TO EBP

As the band members changed, the band also changed.
Andrew Van Horn came aboard, the band’s name was changed from “Everyone But Pete”
Of course we continued to work with Everyone But Pete and Loved Every Minute of it!
One memory we will never forget is the On Location Shoot in the middle of Crazy-Ville…yes this place was dangerous…but so very cool for a shoot!!

EBP 2007

The Following Shoot would now be with new name Citizen…much safer place and much different vibe

Citizen 2009

Last but not least, I would like to mention another friend who is dear to our heart…Amber-therese Foster.
Amber not only managed and help create this amazing band, she was their friend, their family, and watched out for them.
Amber is so special to many people, as she is one in a million. She gives her heart, her time, and most of all her forever friendship.

ERIN & AMBER

Sadly Citizen would only last about a year…..they would say good-bye to us all at Clarendon Grill in Arlington VA Jan. 22, 2011.
This is a moment in time I will never forget.
I stood in this crowded room that was full of loyal fans, friends, and family….so many loved ones in one room, so much love for EBP in one room.
All of of brought to tears by 4 guys who stood on stage before us singing their hearts out for the final time.

Holding the hand of my dear friend as we cried thinking about every cherished moment we have spent with these guys.
They of course shared the same respect for us, as they graciously thanked us, which yet again brought us to tears.
So you see it was a bittersweet evening for us, happy as always to hear them and spend time with them…but yet so very sad to say good-bye to a band we have loved so very much.
The thing is, this band known as EBP/Citizen may be gone….but our friendship with these five guys will always remain.

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

JAN. 22, 2011 FAREWELL SHOW

Farewell to a Band..but NEVER to a Friend

“Music has a way of bringing us all together for a lifetime”
The band may come to an end, but the music and friendship will live forever.
Music and our Images combined has created some of the most special bonds we could ever imagine.
Not just a one time photo, not just a one time song, but a lifetime friendship.
I truly believe when we are all old, gray, looking over our bifocals…we will still be sitting together listening to music, photographing music and sharing this special friendship.
We just might be the old people sitting in the back of the room watching the crazy kids upfront making their own memories….the same memories we made many years before.
Yes..that is what I see, it will always live.

And so I end this blog with Lyrics that Corey and I read each and every day as they hang hand written by Jim Fanale in the foyer of our home.
“I don’t know where you Go
RunAway to something New
Heaven Guide you Always on your Road”

((To view ALL Photos from the night go to: FAREWELL SHOW WITH EBP/CITIZEN 1-22-2011))

Fire Up the Double-Ovens!

November 26, 2010 By Erin Snapp

Thanksgiving 2010 at our house….yes that’s right, I said “our house”
Since we moved in last year we have not once used our double ovens….
that is until now

Everything was perfect, we had Cocktail Hour, Had fun Snappers with prizes inside on the table, an awesome dinner full of Mac n Cheese, Turkey, Stuffing, Broccoli Casserole, Wine, and Pie.
Most important we totally enjoyed our time with the family. Who knows, it might just become a Snapp-Tradition.
Thanks SO much to our amazing family who brought food, wine, and lots of hugs..couldn’t have done it without you.
We love you all

Baby Brody, the little Blessing

November 16, 2010 By Erin Snapp

Many of you may remember the belly shots we did with our dear friend Mandi a couple of months ago…

Well, shortly after she and hubby Jamie were blessed with a baby Brody.
So excited, So overjoyed, BUT moments later the little guy was rushed away…not even giving them a chance to hold him.
He was lifeless for about 12 minutes…leading up to a a rough struggle ahead.
The doctors brought life back to him and there after being flown to UVA he had blood transfusions, and all other kinds of treatments.
Poor little guy was a “fighter” for sure!!!!
Prayers were started immediately, I asked everyone to pray for him..strangers who didn’t even know Mandi and Jamie were praying for little Brody.
Mandi and Jamie updated us daily on his progress….I will never forget Mandi’s voice, trying to be so strong…but yet so traumatized all at the same time.
Days went by….but…
Sure enough our prayers were answered and his strength pulled little Brody through!!!

He is now HOME with his family and we were honored to be asked as one of his VERY FIRST visitors!!!
I could feel my eyes filling up with tears of joy at the first look at Brody.
Walked in to see Mandi holding this beautiful baby boy! So healthy, So strong, and So full of personality already.
I loves using his little hands to grasp the bottle, fingers, and is sometimes a little squirmer…all things a healthy baby should be!

It truly was one of the amazing things that has hit my heart in the longest time…you can see from the smile on my face, I truly felt this calm and joy take over as I held him.

We are so happy for Mandi and Jamie! We LOVE them Dearly.
Photographing their wedding, Photographing her belly, Dinners Shared with them, Visits Shared with them, and now to meet their newest little guy…well needless to say they are cherished friends.
May they cherish these first photos always.

WOW….A MIRACLE RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES, SUCH AN AMAZING FEELING TO HOLD THIS LITTLE GUY AND LOOK INTO THOSE EYES!

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