10 Happy Things for June (and a Sale!)
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HAPPY JUNE!
Okay, so I know June is almost half way over, but better late than never.
Happy pride! Happy solstice! Happy 21 year wedding anniversary to Dan! And Happy 17th birthday to my favorite (and only) son (wow, the years do fly).
What about everyone else - any fun summer plans?
10 HAPPY THINGS
As always, this list is pretty random, but hopefully something on it will bring you joy!
1. Inside the Homes of the Vintage-Obsessed Modern Showgirls Keeping Las Vegas Kitsch Alive.
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2. Currently Reading (I have so many thoughts). Watching. Listening (our immediate family just got back from two days at Railbird in KY and now I can't stop listening).
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3. The best guide to summer with kids in DC
Also, the best getaways an easy drive away from DC.
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4. Wow, there's so much great advice in Liz Gurten's article on why she's glad it took 2 months for her to see her wedding photos. This should be required reading for all brides and grooms. Actually, for everyone else too.
"When answering the question of how we want this day captured, you can feel the role social media plays. The societal pressure isn’t just to plan a beautiful wedding. It’s to perform one."
. . . .
"[T]he camera doesn’t just preserve the memory. It edits it. Slowly, over time, our recollection drifts from how we experienced an event to how the camera saw us experiencing it. The view from inside is replaced by the view from across the room.
By the time I sat down with John in April and saw the first photos from the weekend, my first-person memory had already had two months to harden. I knew the butterflies and the feel of Glenn’s clammy hand as we walked into the rehearsal. I knew the awe in the room when Mark finished a magic trick. I knew the taste of popcorn shrimp and champagne shortly after our ceremony. I knew the completeness of looking out at every face I love. I knew the energy of the dance floor before I ever saw a picture of it. The photos layered on top of a memory that was already mine. They became evidence of an experience I owned, rather than the experience itself."
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5. Are these really the best 100 novels of all time? I'm not so sure. But maybe I should finally read Middlemarch.
Also, I'm loving this reading list of translated summer literature. And NY Times' best summer beach reads (gift link).
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6. Has anyone ever tried sweet and salty frozen grapes? I'm curious.
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7. Wow, these prom photos. Also, I loved Dina Litovsky's description of how hard it is to candid teenagers.
"Students would spot my camera from across the room, and by the time I could compose a shot, they were already composed and smiling for the camera . . . When I did manage [to capture candids] the seniors would look puzzled and, in some cases, less than amused. It was tricky to reconcile that making psychologically layered photos of the prom that exposed teenage vulnerability and awkwardness was exactly what unsettled the students used to controlling their own visual narrative."
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8. How fun is foodguessr?
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9. After picking Freya up for college in CT the two of us spent a few nights at the Weekapaug Inn (love this hotel) before driving to MA to pick up Parker from college. The hotel offers free morning yoga classes (such a fun perk!) and one of their instructors gave me the best tip - if you're feeling stressed cross your arms over each other and tuck your thumbs into your armpits (like a big self hug) and then count 30 breaths. Whatever the problem - you'll feel better.
Also, not so humble mom brag - I'm super proud of Freya for interning here this summer and advocating for causes she feels strongly about.
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10. This poem is going viral, as it should.
COUPLES & FAMILIES - SALE!
June is booked solid, but late July and early August are wide open and
ALL SESSIONS BETWEEN JULY 15 AND AUGUST 15 ARE $150 OFF!!
For info on my family rates, click here.
And for info on my couples rates, click here.
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FOR WEDDINGS, I'M BOOKING 2026 & 2027
If you're thinking of eloping or planning a mirco-wedding, please get in touch - I have lots of advice/suggestions!
Also, if you're interested in wedding venues/locations, here are some of my favorites.
RECENT REVIEWS
As cliched as it sounds, reviews mean the world to small businesses like mine - so THANK YOU again to everyone who wrote one!!
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Darcy photographed our elopement and absolutely blew us away with her talent, kindness, attention to detail and professionalism. She brought such a lightheartedness to our day and made us feel comfortable and relaxed in our photos. We can’t recommend her enough! We have beautiful memories that we will cherish forever. - Courtney
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TLDR: Darcy is a phenomenally talented photographer and is worth every penny you invest in her services. I was given no incentive to post this glowing review, I am just that obsessed with her work - she isn't just another photographer, she's a true artist.
While Darcy does gorgeous posed photos as well, her talent shines its absolute brightest when it comes to candid photos - especially with kids! We originally hired Darcy for our engagement photos in early 2022 and were so blown away that we have only had her for photos since then. She has photographed three generations of women in my family, photographed my wedding, my baby, and now my toddler, and every single time the photos are better than I could have dreamed. We don't even live in the area anymore and we've traveled back 2 hours to take pictures with her, she's that good. My toddler was wild and crazy at our recent shoot and you would never know from how she captured all the playful, joyful, and beautiful moments in between the moments of chasing him down and carrying him away from the lake like a rolled-up carpet. Seriously, Darcy is uniquely gifted at candid photography - candids can feel scary but if you entrust her as your photographer, you will end up with unreal photographs that are so much more interesting and gorgeous than what you'd get with the average family or wedding photographer. (Would have included more of the amazing pics of my kiddo but didn't want his whole face online!). Darcy is the real deal. - Kate
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We had Darcy take our family photos 5 years ago and when I realized it had been that long, without hesitation, I contacted Darcy again. Darcy is an awesome photographer that knows how to make everyone feel comfortable and keeps it light and fun. The result is beautiful photos! Highly recommend Darcy. - Courtney
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Want to see more reviews? Please click these links for google and zola testimonials.
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
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Darcy Troutman Photography is a Northern VA/Washington DC/Maryland documentary-style family photographer, who believes in capturing real moments. Interested in learning more? Please click here to sign up for my newsletter or schedule a session.