Meet your Photographer- Kathleen Ricker
“To move, to breathe, to fly, to float, To gain all while you give, To roam the roads of lands remote, To travel is to live.” - Hans Christian Andersen
The Photographer
I have been a photographer since I was 14 years old and haven’t put my camera down since. I fell in love with the peace and beauty of creating black and white images in the darkroom. There was just something so intimate about watching your images appear on a piece of paper in a room only lit by red lights. I loved photography so much I decided to get a degree in Photography.
Over the past 12 years my photography career has taken me on so many adventures but ultimately it fell in to the world of weddings and elopements. There is just something about creating something for someone that has so much meaning to it. I give people tangible memories that bring you back that moment. They give you back people you’ve lost, and remind you of the people you love. As a wedding photographer I give my couples a beautiful mix of documentary style photography (Capturing those moments) and truly stunning portraits. I use the environment around us to capture the two of you and make it a piece of art that you will want to hang on your wall forever.
It’s important to me to share a connection with each of my couples, I will be there to hold your hand if you need it during the entire wedding/elopement process. It is important for me to build a strong level of trust with the two of you and your families so that you know I can take the vision you’ve dream of for that perfect wedding day and give it all back to you with my special creative twist. I help each couple on day one with designing a wedding timeline, this way on the day of we will keep to the schedule and make sure you actually get to enjoy your day. We will start our adventure together with an engagement session. This experience together is how I will learn more about you and your story; and it’s how you will become more comfortable with me. This of course leads to epic wedding images which you and your family will treasure forever.
The Person
I am a true adventurer, addicted to National Parks, wildlife, and traveling. My adventurous side has brought me to over 50 countries, all 7 continents, and 46 states. I have hiked the Inca trail, snorkeled with orca whales, trekked with gorillas, have polar plunged in both the north and south poles, and spent more hours on safari in Africa than I can count. I have stories upon stories of my adventures and I am always happy to share them all you have to do is ask ! I also give really great honeymoon and travel advice, or I can even take you along with me! Twice a year I bring groups of people to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda for their first adventure to Africa. There is nothing better then watching a person’s face as they see a wild elephant for the first time.
Get to know me better….
Originally from NY. I am the oldest of 4 kids. I moved out of New York at 18 and came to Maryland. I’ve been here ever since with the exception of living in Orlando Florida for 5 years. Where’s next… Realistically Washington State - Ideally… Namibia.
I’ve been with my partner for 20 years (married for 11 - Wedding date is 11-12-11). We got married in New Orleans because you get to have a parade… btw I am a total introverted extrovert so being the center of attention for a parade was totally off… but so much fun!
I worked at Disney for 10 years… Starting at It’s Tough to be a Bug… I was on the team that created PhotoPass, and worked as an Event Manager for Festival Disney. I even “sang” in the Holiday choir with Neil Patrick Harris and some other people that were almost as cool as him.
Unfortunately, we can’t have kids. We may adopt one of these days… But we do have 2 black lab mixes (Dixie and Zion- the cutest dog in the universe) and a German Shepherd named Ruthie (After the notorious RBG) that I am completely obsessed with… I guarantee that you will hear about them.
I love the outdoors. Kayaking, hiking, biking… trees, water, birds, and bugs make me so happy!
My garden is my happy place…. I am always attempting to grow something new… Watermelons have been my highlight. If you're a pickle person let me know because I will bring you a jar of pickles!
I am a bit of a political junkie. I know… I love talking politics… but I never bring it up first !
The coolest job I have had so far was as THE Timesquare photographer on NYE. I was there when Mariah Carey had her break down. Besides that it was the most fun I’ve ever had meeting people all over the world.
Favorite place I’ve ever been. Uganda. I am a bit obsessed with Gorillas and may have trekked with them about 13 times. I also really love Canada… Hello neighbors in the north!
I don’t drink coffee… my energy is natural… And I am certainly a night owl!
Halloween is hands down my favorite holiday. I spend 2 months planning and decorating. Half of my garage is filled with Halloween decorations.
What do you get when you hire Love & Adventure Photography ?
You get a photographer who:
Has over 15 Years of Wedding Photography Experience
Was ranked as a Top 3 Wedding Photojournalists in the World in 2021.
Loves wildlife and has literally traveled the entire world photographing endangered species.
Has a Bachelor’s Degree in Photography from Towson University
Has worked as an Event Manager at Walt Disney World ( So I know how to run events)
Only shoots Real Weddings. No Styled Shoots. Everything you see is real.
Knows how to pose people for their body types
Can complete a list of family photos in 15 minutes or less
Has Photographed over 500 Weddings on 4 Continents (Including Antarctica & Africa)
Runs a Green Company. We try our best to use sustainable materials. Reduce Waste and Reuse as much as possible.
Supports the LGBTQI+ community 🏳️🌈
Respects and honors all religions and races.
Is Obsessed with Halloween and loves creative couples that feed the left side of my brain!
What we love most about being a wedding photographer…
Your wedding is a reflection of who you are and the people you cherish the most in the world joining you to celebrate..
It never goes exactly how you expected it to go! After months or even years of planning and saving up for your dream day, its over in the blink of an eye.!
Trust me, when I got married I couldn’t believe how fast it all went by ! I’d forgotten SO much about the day. Now the photos are all we have left of that amazing day – and especially after my mom passed away just a year after we got married it was those moments and those last photos I have with her that I cherish the most.
That’s why your photography is so important. And that’s why people invest so much into their wedding photography.
Wedding photos are memories. Photographs can bring back a memory or emotion that you may have forgotten.We’re not into oldschool posing or faking moments. Our goal is to capture your day authentically and organically -Its our goal not just to capture gorgeous photos, but to make your wedding photography an incredible experience. We believe that your love story deserves an hand-crafted, one of a kind approach.
We look for those real moments, real emotions to capture natural, candid wedding photographs. We’ll step in to tweak where you need a little guidance or help, but we do our best as wedding photographers to make sure you feel comfortable and can forget the cameras as much as possible. Our style is more about getting you interacting with each other, rather than a lot of really formal posing .Because we care deeply about making real connections with our couples, we take only a limited number of weddings per year. We are excited to meet you and to capture your story!
FINDING A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN WASHINGTON DC
Finding a Washington DC Wedding Photographer is easy. Choosing a wedding photographer is HARD. With so many wedding photographers, it can get overwhelming. Just because a photographer is based in Washington DC, isn’t a guarantee they’re the right fit for your wedding. Having a photographer whose work you LOVE is crazy important – And so is actually LIKING being around them! After all, you’re going to be spending most of your wedding day with your wedding photographer… Its probably important they’re fun to be with!
WE LOVE DESTINATION WEDDINGS
Planning something totally unique or off the grid?
Catamaran Elopement through the islands of Greece?
Fairytale ceremony in Iceland?
A mountaintop wedding in Colorado or Utah?
We’re in LOVE with unique and intimate weddings!
We’re adventurers, explorers and artists at heart.
Even though we are based in Washington DC I am a bit of a travel expert and well versed in Destination Weddings and Elopements. I have photographed International Weddings, Elopements, and Engagement sessions in Antarctica, Greece, Kenya, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, Iceland, Canada, Aruba, and the Bahamas. I have photographed Weddings, Elopements, and Engagements in the following states; Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
So where will your adventure be ?
If you are looking for the most creative wedding portraits along with the images of the most beautiful moments between you and the ones you love then Love and Adventure Photography is for you. We strive to create unique images for our Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and worldwide couples. With over 15 years photographing weddings in the DMV I am constantly striving to create photos that don’t look like every other wedding. I create images that are personal to my couples. Our wedding images focus on their personality, relationship, and love.
My Washington DC weddings draw brides and grooms from all over the world not just the DMV area. I am prepared to meet with local clients in person, but I am also happy to set up virtual meetings with clients that live elsewhere. Whether we talk via Skype, Facetime, email, or a simple phone call, I am here to provide you with as much information possible about your Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, or Destination Wedding.
I will also provide you with other wedding information in the DMV area. Whether you are looking for more top of the line vendors, the perfect location for your elopement, or even some fun activities for your guests to do while in the Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia area. I will also help create a wedding day timeline for your wedding day, decide how many hours of coverage you need, and write your family formal list so you will know who we will be grouping together for family formals.
Africa Elopements and Wedding Photography
If you are interested in getting married in Eastern or Southern Africa; Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, or Uganda I not only will photograph your wedding but I can book your entire trip. I also run a Wildlife Travel Company in Africa bringing groups of people on tours of the above countries twice a year. I have been traveling to Africa twice a year for the past five years and I bring my clients on tour with extremely qualified guides. My clients experience the best wildlife and landscapes in each country while staying in luxury safe accommodations. You can learn more about my tours by visiting my travel companies’ site: Ricker’s Wildlife Safaris.
Wedding Photographer for Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and West Virginia & International Destinations
Serving Baltimore, Washington DC, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, Stafford, Price William, Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas, Richmond, Shenadoah National Park Frederick, Columbia, Germantown, Silver Spring, Ellicott City, Frederick, Glen Burnie, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bethesda, Dundalk, Bowie, Towson, Severn, Wheaton, North Bethesda, Bel Air, Potomac, Odenton, Catonsville, Hagerstown, Annapolis, Clinton, Severna Park, Randallstown, Olney, Owings Mills, Pikesville, College Park, Eldersburg, Pasadena, Reisterstown, Laurel, Middle River, Clarksburg, North Potomac, Arnold, Landover, Elkridge, Cockeysville, Cumberland, Arbutus, Westminster, Hyattsville, Oxon Hill, Takoma Park, Beltsville, Damascus, Havre de Grace, Urbana, Cambridge, Forestville, Accokeek, Timonium, Linthicum, Lanham, Lexington Park, Brandywine, Jessup, Mount Airy, La Plata, White Marsh, Monrovia, Frostburg, Fallston, Edgemere, Landsdowne, Taneytown, Thurmont, Savage, Bowleys Quarters, Hampstead, Walkersville, Berlin, Chestertown, Deale, Chester, Manchester, Chestertown, Naval Academy, Chesapeake Beach, District Heights, Ocean City, Capitol Heights, National Harbor, Leonardtown, Boonsboro, Sykesville, Riva, Kingsville Denton, Princess Anne, Huntingtown, Delmar, Emmitsburg, Golden Beach, Jarresttville, Chevy Chase, Price Frederick, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Dunkirk, University park, Solomons, Mountain Lake Park, Owings, Adamstown, Derwood, Point of Rocks, Lusby, New Market, Crownsville, Charlestown, New Windsor, Potomac Heights, Buckeystown, Algonquin, Morningside, St. Michaels, Calvert Beach, Willards, Funkstown, Mount Vernon, Queen Anne, Tilghman Island, Union Bridge, Upper Marlboro, Port Deposit, Kent Narrows, Assategue Island, Darlington, St. Leonard, Tall Timbers, Cordova, Chevy Chase, Glen Echo, Rosemont, Quantico, Tolchester, Deal Island, Smith Island, National Harbor, Burkittsville, Rock Point.