Old Hollywood Anniversary Session at the Gaylord Hotel – National Harbor

~ Sarah & Omar | Styled Shoot | Sweetheart ~

The Gaylord Hotel & Convention Center | National Harbor, Maryland | July 16, 2022

I put this project together after I had a dream one night about Marilyn Monroe. It was so great to see it come to life at the Gaylord Hotel in National Harbor, MD. The plan was originally to do this shoot in June…. But, unfortunately, COVID hit our house the DAY OF and I had to reschedule. Luckily, everyone understood and was still available for the later date.

I teamed up with SincerelyME Beauty to create a very “Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend” look. And it was so fun to work with them. Sarah and Omar are such a sweet couple and they are celebrating 9 years of marriage and the beautiful family they built together. I knew Sarah would channel Marilyn perfectly when I asked her about participating in this project. Omar was cracking jokes the entire time and making us all laugh!

This project was really special to me. This was an art project, so it’s going to be a little different. I told myself that no matter what, I would do at least one “art project” per year since starting full time, so I wouldn’t get burnt out. I am also compiling a list of preferred vendors, and this is a great way to build vendor relationships and I can refer my brides and boudoir clients to them too. Also, if you want to have underlying theme for your engagement session – DO IT!

I grew up watching Old Hollywood movies and TV shows. Marilyn Monroe was someone I looked up to when it came to grace and confidence growing up. And as an adult she is even more of a badass to me. My mom and I would watch Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 7 Year Itch, and Some Like It Hot all the time and sing the songs in the kitchen. I had a dream where I was in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes with Marilyn Monroe. And I woke up and felt inspired. I wanted to do a shoot that was strictly just fun and artsy. I wanted to honor the time period as much as possible – including most of them being in Black & White. There are some modern twists, but mostly we kept it 1960s over here.