2016 was an interesting year, but for those who love looking at photos and reading mini-stories, I can think of no better way than to create a 2016 in Photos post for you to enjoy. There are plenty of more photos I’d love to post but these are the photos from this year that mean a lot to me.
From going to Iceland twice, Ethiopia and South Africa, and photographing a bunch of amazing couples’ special days this year was incredible. I couldn’t mention 2016 without recognizing it’s the year I Proposed to my girlfriend Sara (Watch the Video here!) and I couldn’t be more happy to marry her in 2017.
I’m so thankful for the couples and clients who let me document their special days. When I edit shoots, I’m constantly reminded of how lucky I am and it gets me all sappy (aww!).
I also launched a podcast for small business owners and those hoping to leave their 9-5 jobs. It’s called The Bearded Tog and you can take a listen here
Anyway, on to the photos!
I started off 2016 with a wonderful trip to Iceland (my 2nd) with fantastic friends where we explored Kirkjufell, the Golden Circle, and even saw the Northern Lights! See photos from our trip
Then I hungout with Carrie & Corey at their Lewes Beach Engagement Session
after that, I came back to DC to photograph 5 engagement sessions at the Cherry Blossoms in DC. Tony & Nikki were the first!
Julie & Mehmet had some magical light at their cherry blossom engagement session
two days later, I photographed Jason and Rebecca at the cherry blossoms and the Capitol
The next day, the weather went from sort of warm to FREEZING. Luckily, Amy and Justin toughed it out at their cherry blossom engagement session and we got one of my FAVORITE photos at the Jefferson memorial!
But then, as if it was any clue, the next day would be rainy. Matt and Allie didn’t cancel though, and were down with anything! So we played in the rain and had the Jefferson Memorial engagement session of a lifetime!
A few weeks later, I enjoyed a wonderful spring day and the BIGGEST MILKSHAKE of my life with Scott and Amanda in downtown Annapolis.
And just a few hours east, I made Brenton and Lindsay go in the ocean during their Cape Henlopen Engagement session. It was a bit chilly, but fun!
In the next few days, my friend and amazing photographer/Director of Photography Dan Newman came down and we exchanged portraits of each other. It was awesome!
Then it was time for the first wedding of the year! It was a local one, only 2 hours or so from Washington DC at The Market At Grelen with Courtney and Dave! It was spectacular and the light could not have been better!
After that, I went and shot a wonderful wedding at The Inn at Vint Hill with Justin & Mary. It was fantastic!
Then it was time for Scott & Mandy’s wedding at Overhills Mansion. The colors we’re gorgeous and the dancing was on point!
Literally the next day, I got to hang with Jenny & Billy at their Glenview Mansion wedding. I LOVE this photo and her dress!
One week later, I basically cried almost as much as Joey did when he married Rachel at their wedding at Farmstead Golf & Country Club in New Jersey.
Then I came back home to Washington DC and a few days later headed to where I was born in Lewes Delaware for Theresa & Ricky’s fun outdoor wedding! Any time there’s ice cream involved, I’m in!
Then the next week, it was time for my first Wyndridge Farm Wedding with Matt & Allie. Their day was so perfect and they even asked me for a wedding photo with a DRONE! So fun!
Two weeks later (June was busy!), I flew to Wisconsin to hang with some really good friends: Paul & Caroline. Caroline is Swedish and her dad made her a custom crown to wear on her wedding at Lake Lawn Resort.
The next day, I flew home to Washington DC, did my laundry and packed my bags for my first trip to Africa. The first leg: Ethiopia with the amazing Three Roots International. It was a life-changing trip! Check out some of my favorite photos here:
After working in Ethiopia, I flew to South Africa to work with Paradigm Shift. Paradigm Shift teaches business to entrepreneurs in the townships and I got to help tell some of their amazing stories!
A week or so later, I came back to the US. Again, the next day I left to photograph the RNC and DNC for a fun client who’s images I can’t share. But when I returned from Philadelphia, I got to hang out with Stacey & Benji for their engagement session at the National Mall.
The next day, I’d head down to Delaware to photograph Wade & Meghan in Meghan’s parents backyard. Their backyard conveniently is FILLED with sunflowers! Their sunflower engagement session was fantastic.
The next weekend, I enjoyed hanging with the wonderful Marc & MJ at their Hillwood Museum Engagement session.
A few days later, I flew to Iceland for my third time. This time, I circled the entire country, a route called the Ring Road. Unlike my previous times in Iceland, I got to go with Sara who I would propose to! You can read our engagement story here.
Sara, two friends of ours, and I flew back from Iceland on a Friday. That Saturday after, I’d punch jetlag in the face and shoot a wedding that had me starting at 8AM with the amazing Marc & MJ again! It was a super hot August day in Alexandria, but a wonderful wedding in Old Town Alexandria nonetheless.
The following Thursday, I got to hang out with Thomas & Chelsea for their engagement session in Georgetown that was actually a surprise!
That following Saturday, I hung out with Anna & Andrew at their Morrison House Wedding. It was my first wedding with a kilt!
A few weeks later, while summer was still doing it’s job, baking me at weddings, I shot Stacey & Benji’s wedding at the Inn at Marriott and Rappahannock Cellars. It was gorgeous!
The next week, I went to Delaware to hang with Carrie & Corey at their wedding in Dewey Beach.
Later that week though, it was back to Washington DC to hang with Kevin & Daniella. Their wedding is in January! Can’t wait!
That next weekend, I shot Chris & Emily’s lovely Delaware wedding.
The following week, I photographed Jimmy & Mallory’s engagement session at the Capitol.
Then, the weather turned kind of terrible (rainy and cold) but there are still a few great engagement spots in DC even in bad weather. So Kyle & Mary stuck it out for their Library of Congress engagement session.
October is always full of weddings. This is the second year I’ve shot 6! It’s a pleasure and so fun. These two we’re so fun to hang with at their Westin Alexandria Wedding.
Then I photographed a wedding that had a groomsman with an eye-patch at Fort Belvoir.
Then I headed down to Virginia for an engagement session at Carter Mountain Orchard with Aaron & Arianna. The light was AWESOME.
Continuing with good light, I went to Delaware and shot my first Heritage Shores Wedding with Chelsea & AJ. They were up for anything photo wise and it made their day all the more special.
Back in DC, I would photograph these two for some wonderful wedding portraits at the National Mall.
A few days later, I headed to Tuckahoe State Park for Brad & Anna’s engagement session. We even climbed on a little dam and it was pretty slick!
Fall on the East coast is notorious for it’s beauty, and Scott & Amanda’s wedding in the end of October was the epiphone of Fall. Their Woodend Sanctuary Wedding is one for the books.
The next day, totally different from Fall, I photographed Tim & Jessica’s wedding in Old Town Alexandria. Their wedding was on a BOAT! So cool!
The next week, I got to celebrate 20 years of God’s faithfulness with my church National Community Church. It was a blast!
Later that week, the shoots kept coming! I worked with Deb & Ben at Oatlands Historic Gardens. The Fall light was perfect, just like them!
The next day, I went back for Chris & Melissa’s Old Town Alexandria waterfront engagement session. They’re so laid back and fun!
The next week, Kevin & Zoe braved the cold in their nice clothes for an engagement session at the Lincoln Memorial.
It was November, a month to rest and breathe. But that didn’t stop me from coming up to Philadelphia to hang with Bryan, Amanda, and Emily!
But in December, it was back to shooting! This time with the wonderful Colin & Jillian in Chicago. Their downtown Chicago engagement was so sweet and fun.
Two days later, I’d get to shoot Colin & Jillian’s wedding at Lacuna Artist Lofts in Chicago. It had an amazing rooftop view!
Two weeks later, I was back in DC and shot some fun photo booth images for a Christmas party that raises money for good causes. Santa and Mrs.Claus were even there!
After a week in Oklahoma with Sara for the holidays, I came back to DC to photograph Anthony & Dara’s New Year’s Eve wedding! It was a party with amazingly fun and generous people. It was the perfect way to end 2016!
What a year! Thank you to our clients for making this year the best year ever! Sara and I are so grateful to tell your stories and support your causes. We love you and can’t wait to see what happens in 2017!
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Adam is local to Washington, DC and is currently booking 2017 Sessions.
Adam Mason frequently travels for wedding, event, and non-profit portrait sessions and has clients from coastal Maui to Iceland. To find out details regarding his upcoming travel dates to a city near you or to book a custom travel session, please contact for more information. You can also subscribe to Adam’s podcast The Bearded Tog on iTunes!
