What It Means to See Your Name on a Billboard in Washington, DC

What The Knot’s DC Billboard Campaign Means for Wedding Photographers

The Knot’s DC billboard campaign wasn’t just an advertising placement. In fact, it was a recognition of the creative community that makes Washington DC weddings extraordinary. Alongside my name, you’ll find Ida Rose Events, Isis Floral, and Riggs DC — partners who bring intention and artistry to every single event they touch.

This is the kind of collaboration that elevates everything. The planners who design with purpose. The florists who push color in bold, beautiful ways. The venues who trust us with their couples. Because of this, being recognized with them — not just alongside them, but because of the work we’ve done together — means more than any solo spotlight ever could.

The Trip to DC: Standing in Front of It All

Last week, I was in Washington, DC with a content creator by my side — because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you document the milestones, not just the clients’.

We visited all three locations: Union Station, Penn Quarter, and Navy Yard. Camera in hand, obviously. More than a little emotional, honestly. That’s why I wanted to do it this way — not just scroll past a notification, but actually stand in front of it.

Washington DC holds a particular place in my career. It’s a city of grandeur and grit — monuments and candlelit restaurants, rooftop cocktail hours and quiet ceremony moments tucked inside century-old buildings. The light there has a quality I love to shoot in. More than that, the couples I’ve photographed there have trusted me with some of the most meaningful days of their lives. See some of my favorite DC weddings here.

The Billboard Scavenger Hunt: 24 Hours in Washington, DC

I had exactly 24 hours. And I hit the ground running the moment I landed at DCA.

My friend Kevan of Smitten Content — a long-time creative collaborator — met me to document what we were already calling our “billboard scavenger hunt.” Because of course we were going to make it an event.

We found the first one almost immediately, and it came with an audience. People stopped. A few looked up, then looked at us, then looked back up. It was equal parts hilarious and surreal, and I loved every second of it.

Then, as we boarded the metro at Union Station, we spotted another one in the hallway. Just tucked there, glowing. That’s when I knew we were in for something special.

I had been told to expect a big one at Metro Center. But knowing something is coming and actually seeing it are two very different things. As soon as we came up the escalator, there it was — massive, unmissable, right at eye level with the entire station. I stood there longer than was probably normal. Then Kevan said, “hey, let’s go up a level.” So we did. And that’s when my jaw actually hit the floor. Side by side. Even bigger. The kind of moment where you forget to breathe for a second. I snapped a bunch of frames with my G2 because the light was good!

Finally, we metro-ed over to Navy Yard and found the large corner billboards right outside of Nationals Stadium. Side by side again, and huge against the open sky. By that point, the emotion of the whole day had fully caught up with me. It was a whirlwind — joyful and overwhelming and impossible to fully put into words, even now.

Why This Win Belongs to More Than Just Me

More than that — this isn’t mine alone.

If you’ve been a client, this is yours too. You stood in front of my camera. You said yes to film, to connection, to images that will outlive every trend. Beyond that, you trusted me with your story, and I carry that forward into every new couple I meet.

And if you’re a fellow creative in this industry — the planners, the florists, the beauty teams, the venues who give us something breathtaking to photograph — you’re woven into this too. You inspire me. You push me. That’s why I believe so deeply in this community. Not as a marketing talking point, but as a lived truth I encounter at every wedding I photograph.

The Image I’ll Carry Most

Yes, this was an iconic moment for me. And I’m so excited to share those big wins. But the image burned into my memory? It’s not one I photographed.

It’s a little face in the back seat of the car, eyes wide, so very proud. That’s what building something with heart looks like. That’s what saying yes to creative risks looks like — pouring everything into your craft and trusting it matters. In the end, that’s what it looks like when it all comes back to you.

I’m beyond grateful. For the couples who’ve trusted me. For the community who raises the bar. For Wedding Pro and The Knot for this extraordinary recognition. And for a son who reminded me, without even knowing it, why it’s all worth it.

Enjoy!

 

Contax G2 • Kodak Portra 400 

Photographer: Renee Hollingshead

Film Lab: Olilous

Content Creator: Smitten Content

Are you planning a Washington DC wedding and looking for a film photographer who will pour everything into your day? I’d love to connect → 

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