Last week, on a snowy Sunday at Stone Tower Winery, Kevin and Rhoda spent an afternoon wine tasting and picnicking by the fire pit. Later in their day the couple went for a tour of the winery, and at a secluded spot outside the cellars, Kevin dropped to one knee and popped the question. After celebrating with some sparking wine, the newly engaged couple toured the winery with me for some portraits with the barrels and snow-covered vineyard hills in the background.
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The official photo blog of J. David Buerk Photography.
Rubin and Madonna: The Proposal
If you’ve ever met Rubin, you know he always has something funny to share. One of my earliest memories with Rubin is from while I was covering Ethiopian’s 787 Dreamliner being introduced into service at Washington Dulles International Airport; Rubin said, “I honestly don't know what David looks like. I think his face might look like a camera.” Some say he may not be wrong.
When Rubin told me he was planning to propose to Madonna at the Dulles airport gate where they first met, I of course was excited to help capture the moment. Rubin spent several weeks planning the proposal, coordinating with the airport and IT to make his idea of the gate display boards play clips of all the travels and memories they’ve compiled over the years of their relationship, culminating with a special flight information display for the next chapter of their relationship to take off.
To-date I’ve photographed three prior proposals, two of which were also airport proposals, but like everything in 2020, this proposal presented new challenges to solve - namely, for me, how do I blend in with a crowd that isn’t there? 2020’s coronavirus pandemic has heavily impacted the aviation industry, and during a planning walkthrough a week prior to the proposal, it became apparent my usual tactic of hiding in plain sight may prove more difficult given that gate A25 was completely abandoned. Fortunately, given the video Rubin assembled to play on the FIDS, I wouldn’t need to hide much for very long, as the jig would pretty much be up as soon as Madonna saw the video - a marked difference from other proposals I’ve captured, and I’m happy to say it worked out exactly as Rubin planned.
Funnily enough, the day-of, gate A25 wasn’t abandoned! It was populated with passengers social-distancing in groups before their flight departing from an adjacent gate, so my gambit to “look like a passenger” paid off, and happened to come in handy much earlier than I’d planned - as it would happen, Rubin and Madonna were on the same AeroTrain as me when heading over to the gate to set up, while Rubin took Madonna to his office to pretend file some paperwork in order to throw Madonna off his plans and give everyone at A25 time to get in position. When I got off the AeroTrain, I spotted the couple getting off two cars ahead of me and hopping on the escalator - I decided to stick to my plan, and follow suit with everyone else moving through the station, and I walked my rolling camera luggage and backpack onto the escalator adjacent and a few steps behind them - don’t mind me; I’m just a passenger! Later on, Rubin told me he’d spotted me, but played it cool-as-a-cucumber the same as me. I was even able to grab a few photos of them before I paid them no mind speed-walking past with my rolling bag on the way to my “flight.”
Once the time came, Rubin walked Madonna to gate A25, the gate they first met each other as airport employees, and Rubin’s video played on the FIDS with music filling the gate area. And Rubin’s plan worked, because Madonna was taken with emotion immediately. The pictures tell the rest of the story - when the “Will you marry me?” flight card showed at the end of the video, Rubin dropped to one knee to pop the question, and the rest is history!
Just being around Rubin and Madonna you can feel their energy, and seeing how happy they make each other it’s impossible not to feel happy yourself. After passengers and fellow employees and friends alike had congratulated the newly engaged couple, we took some photos to formally commemorate the occasion. As Rubin and Madonna are both longtime airport employees, and to further celebrate the place where they met, we captured portraits on the ramp with Dulles’ historic ATCT in the background as onlookers watched from passing mobile lounges and taxiing aircraft, before heading back to the Main Terminal to meet with friends and family who had gathered to congratulate the pair.
It’s 2020; you have to social-distance and wear your mask:
Also because it’s 2020, it must be said: masks were only off for photos, socially distanced from non-family members.
With the help of a mutual friend of Rubin and I, video of Rubin and Madonna’s engagement was captured from several angles, which I’ve combined to show exactly how it went down.
Dulles’ tagline is “Your Journey Begins with Us,” and for Rubin and Madonna it truly did at Gate A25.
Best of 2019
2019 was quite an odd year. Its unusual helter-skelter pace sometimes made me doubt my photographic skills, but the year continually provided new opportunities to refresh my creative energies, whether that meant braving sub-zero wind chills in unfamiliar cities, or trying new lighting and editing techniques while on commercial assignments. This annual year-in-review wrap-up helps to fuel my creative energies for 2020, and a new decade of capturing the world around me. I’m all set for the new year - let’s capture 2020 together.
As the Earth transits its Moon, a crescent shape is left illuminated prior to the total lunar eclipse during a “supermoon,” January 20th, 2019.
The newly released mirrorless full-frame Canon EOS R in the snow, with a Lubitel 2 75mm f/4.5 lens modified to EF mount.
2019’s first snowfall; a light dusting in the DC region.
Milwaukee River one week after a “polar vortex” brought record low temperatures of -21ºF with a windchill of -40º. The temperature at time of this picture was 13ºF with a wind chill of -7º. The extreme cold snap claimed 22 lives.
In downtown Milwaukee, a cheese mart offers rotating samples of hundreds of local cheeses.
The bottling and packaging equipment line at Lakefront Brewery, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Mew, the mythical 151st Pokémon, straps in for a flight in Economy Plus.
Above Chicago, icebergs on Lake Michigan are visible for miles one week after a “polar vortex” brought record low temperatures of -23ºF with a windchill of -52º to the city. A maximum temperature of -10ºF set a record for lowest daily high temperature. The extreme cold snap claimed 22 lives.
A nuclear power station vents steam and creates a shadow onto the eastern waters of Lake Michigan.
In stark contrast to the mid-west’s severe Winter, the DC region experiences unusually warm February weather. A woman walks by a Fredericksburg brewery’s mural in the premature Spring temperatures.
Details of a two-year-old orchid at the end of peak bloom.
Aerial view of Soldier Field at sunset.
“The Sky's The Limit“ by Michael Hayden, 1987; neon lights and colored panels choreographed to music by composer William Kraft adorn the pedestrian talkback tunnel connecting United Terminals B and C at Chicago’s O'Hare International Airport.
Between Terminals at O'Hare International Airport, globes illuminate the way for passengers at night.
International arrivals queue through the line in O'Hare International Airport’s Terminal 5 before clearing customs. Disembarking passengers pass by ad space displaying a campaign for a Japanese courier logistics service. J. David Buerk - Photography documents marketing campaign activations in major markets across the United States.
In downtown Chicago, an Uber driver cuts through the city to avoid traffic on I-90.
Visitors to Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry view “The Great Train Story,” a 3,500 sq.ft. model train installation displaying 20 trains on 1,400 feet of track representing 2,200 miles of railway between Chicago and Seattle.
Aboard the German Submarine U-505, red alarm lights shine dimly while being depth charged. The submarine was captured by the US Navy in 1944 in efforts to capture an Enigma code machine used by Nazi forces during WWII. The U-505 is the only U-boat in North America.
A recently hatched baby chick photobombs its siblings in the Museum of Science and Industry’s Fast Forward & Genetics exhibit.
In Chicago’s Hyde Park, English Ivy is allowed to overgrow on a row house, blooming green in warm months, and exposing delightfully spooky vines on the brick facade in Winter.
Bandmembers of Tommy McCracken playing electric guitar at Buddy Guy’s Legends blues nightclub.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame blues legend Buddy Guy takes the stage at his Chicago nightclub to sing relationship advice to audience members.
Nellie Travis sings a soulful rendition of “Sweet Home Chicago” with audience participation at Buddy Guy’s Legends blues nightclub.
Promotional photo of Wolfgang’s Meatloaf at The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck.
Promotional photo of Lamb Lollipops with Hummus and Flatbread at Bracket Room.
Margaret and Bayard kiss with champagne on the lawn of Belle Haven Country Club after their wedding ceremony.
Margaret and Bayard’s wedding rings on a bouquet of flowers.
Planespotters click away from Washington Dulles International Airport’s (IAD) T/L K as Alitalia touches down to begin non-stop service between Washington, DC and Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO).
After remarks at the gate, Fabio Lazzerini, Alitalia CBO, and Armando Varricchio, Italy’s ambassador to the United States cut cake to celebrate Alitalia’s non-stop service between Washington, DC and Rome.
Models showcase every uniform worn by Alitalia cabin crew since the airline’s inception in 1946 during a cocktail recaption at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC.
During Alitalia’s cocktail recaption at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC, the Cognac Jazz Band’s singer solos on the trumpet during a cover of the main title theme from “Game of Thrones.”
New 7000 Series trains cross the Washington Metro’s bridge between Arlington and Washington, DC, in front of the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument.
Bridesmaids button up the lacy back of Tiffany’s wedding dress in her Arlington hotel room.
David and Tiffany hold hands in front of a fountain in Arlington as the wind blows during a first-look.
David and Tiffany’s wedding rings in a pink rose at their wedding reception.
Lexus LC 500s await drivers to hot-lap them Lexus Experience Amazing Drive Event.
Crowds fill the streets and tour the shops in Old Town during the Taste Leesburg wine and food festival.
Storm clouds move in over St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.
A moth lands on a hiker’s arm to feed on salt in the hiker’s sweat.
Atop the Maryland Heights Trail in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, Patrick poses for a contemplative portrait.
An image from August 24th, 2019, showing the section of the rail bridge that gave way following the derailment of empty CSX grain cars into the Potomac River at 4AM, December 21st, 2019. The Goodloe Byron Memorial Footbridge alongside the bridge's train line provided pedestrian access from Harper's Ferry to the locally-famous Maryland Heights Trail, and is part of the Appalachian Trail. Information about the incident, including indefinite closure of footbridge access, can be found on the NPS website.
Hina places “HOME” decorative blocks on the mantle immediately after closing on Imran and Hina’s first home.
Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, DC is closed and filled with attendees of the Snallygaster beer festival.
Lisa Marie’s 2017 “LOVE” mural in Blagden Alley’s DC Alley Museum.
Farewell text on the exit way doors inside Tiger Fork, a Michelin Guide ranked Chinese restaurant in Northwest, Washington, DC.
Exterior facade of Tiger Fork, a Michelin Guide ranked Chinese restaurant in Northwest, Washington, DC.
A mother and child view “Migrants’ Perilous Journey,” by Reuters Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Adrees Latif on the Newseum’s final weekend open to the public.
Crowds fill every floor of the Newseum on its final weekend open to the public before permanently closing December 31st, 2019. Outside, people wrapped around two corners of the building in the rain waiting to gain entry.
The end of an era. Opened on April 18th, 1997, the Newseum permanently closed on December 31st, 2019. The media and journalism museum was originally located in Rosslyn, Arlington, Virginia, and moved to its ultimate location on Pennsylvania Avenue NW on April 11th, 2008. In January, 2019, The Freedom Forum announced sale of the purpose-built Newseum building to The Johns Hopkins University for $372.5M, where it will house graduate programs. As of this writing, the Newseum is currently searching for a new location to house its exhibits.
Best of 2018
Each year I publish a year-in-review which shows the highlights of my year in photography.
2018 began by closing out 2017’s setbacks; as some of you may recall, I dislocated my kneecap and tore my MPFL in 2017, and underwent surgery to reconstruct my MPFL in October, 2017. This meant that by time 2018 rolled around, although I was back on my feet, I was still in a full-leg brace and only mid-way through physical therapy. The beginning of 2018 was slow, and felt even slower, but that wasn’t a bad thing since it helped me focus on making a full recovery. By February I was out of the leg brace, March I was jogging again, and April I completed physical therapy. By May I was running full-speed again, and June I was fully recovered, hiking Old Rag Mountain and running half-marathons again. Today, 15 months after surgery, I am happy to report that it is almost like nothing ever happened to my knee in 2017.
Fully recovering from knee surgery early allowed 2018 to become my biggest year for travel assignments, giving me back full confidence and ability to go and do anything anywhere that is needed or wanted. In 2018, after spending a week and a half in Rhode Island visiting friends and exploring parts of the state that I hadn’t gotten to in previous visits, this meant a whirlwind week and a half across the entire country, touring airports in cities from coast to coast. Traveling from Washington, DC to Atlanta, to Chicago, to San Francisco, and back to Washington, DC, then back to Chicago again before returning home to DC a few weeks ago, I’ve enjoyed five photoshoots across three cities, not counting photoshoots in the DC metro area. The travel allowed me to sample some cities I’d never visited before, and relish some experiences I’ve looked forward to for years.
2019 already has some more travel planned, and I’m very hopeful to continue taking my photography on the road (correction: in the skies). Although it’s not the first time I’ve travelled for a photoshoot, 2018’s trips have been the largest and most logistical travel assignments I’ve taken on, and I’ve loved every second of it.
Below you’ll see some highlights from 2018, including some photos which are unreleased to-date due to focusing on deliverables rather than personal photos.
Here’s to 2019 and hoping it shapes up to have all the opportunities from 2018 and more!
A driving instructor watches the autocross track during The Kia Stinger Experience Tour, Washington, DC, March 10th, 2018.
Portrait of Steve Mohyla CFP with podcasting microphone.
An aircraft on final approach to DCA’s R/W 19, photographed from Gravelly Point, Arlington, Virginia.
Equestrians during the 2018 Virginia Gold Cup.
A Summer thunderstorm photographed from beyond the rainfall.
The Honorable Elaine Chao, United States Secretary of Transportation, addresses guests at The Aero Club of Washington's "When Ingenuity and Innovation Come Together" luncheon, June, 2018.
Bayard proposes to Margaret upon her arrival and clearance through Customs at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Nighttime view of the former location of New York City’s World Trade Center Twin Towers through the Empty Sky Memorial in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Headstones in the fog, seen in Union Cemetery, North Smithfield, Rhode Island.
Historic Downtown Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
TF Green Airport ARFF Station as seen from airside.
Southern face of the Rhode Island State House, Providence, Rhode Island.
“She Never Came” by Bezt from Etam Cru and Natalia Rak; a mural in downtown Providence, Rhode Island.
The Providence Biltmore Hotel as seen in the film 27 Dresses.
Hennessy the pit bull playing in a river stream.
Easton Point, Newport, Rhode Island.
At the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, a French-Candian immigrant worker tends to a loom.
My September, 2000 print of New York City’s World Trade Center Twin Towers held and photographed in the exact same spot in present-day Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey.
View of Manhattan from Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey.
View of Manhattan from Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey.
View from atop Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah, Virginia. This would mark the first time I hiked Old Rag since my knee injury over a year prior.
A stream in Shenandoah National Park.
The Shenandoah River with a thunderstorm rolling in in the distance. Shot and edited entirely on iPhone 6.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar speaking at The American Heart Association’s Value in Healthcare Initiative Meeting at Kaiser Permanente’s Center for Total Health in Washington, DC.
Nikon President and CEO Yasuyuki Okamoto welcomes guests to the Nikon Z 7 release event at the Newseum in Washington, DC.
Capital Area Photographers gather for a group photo at the Nikon Z 7 release event at the Newseum in Washington, DC. Shot and edited entirely on iPhone 6.
Food photography for a marketing campaign.
Bayard and Margaret stroll during their engagement session in Alexandria, Virginia.
Downtown Chicago, Illinois at night, aerial.
Alexander Calder’s Flamingo in Chicago, Illinois.
Sir Anish Mikhail Kapoor’s Cloud Gate, colloquially known as “The Bean,” in Chicago, Illinois. Shot and edited entirely on iPhone XS.
Pacifica Beach, Pacifica, California at sunset. My first full West coast sunset. Shot and edited entirely on iPhone XS.
Cyclists biking down the chicanes of Lombard Street, San Francisco, California.
Aerial view of San Francisco, California from Christmas Tree Point, Twin Peaks, San Francisco, California.
Cabernet Franc grapes on the vine in Napa, California.
Myself atop the Panoramic peak above Muir Woods, Mill Valley, California. Shot and edited entirely on iPhone XS.
A bobcat crosses a road atop the Panoramic peak above Muir Woods, Mill Valley, California.
View of the Muir Woods canopy from midway above the forest floor.
San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge at sunset.
Aerial view of wildfire in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Composite image of the moon and Milky Way galaxy. Moon and stars are not to scale or sky position, but were photographed in the same night sky.
Myself standing in Willis Tower’s “Sky Deck Ledge,” the tallest point above Chicago, Illinois.
David and Tiffany during their engagement session in Shenandoah, Virginia.
David and Tiffany during their engagement session in Shenandoah, Virginia.
David and Tiffany during their engagement session in Shenandoah, Virginia.
And assortment of mannequins gathered for closeout sale in a liquidating Sears department store. Shot and edited entirely on iPhone XS.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport’s iconic Terminal 3 decorated for Christmas as seen in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.
My first photoshoot with Canon’s new EOS R mirrorless full-frame camera, in Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Shot and edited entirely on iPhone XS.
Sir Anish Mikhail Kapoor’s Cloud Gate, colloquially known as “The Bean,” in Chicago, Illinois, as seen from inside / below.
The Chicago, Illinois cityscape skyline at night as seen from atop 875 North Michigan Avenue, colloquially known as the John Hancock Center. Willis Tower (formerly known as Sears Tower) can be seen on the far left lit in red and blue uplighting.
David and Tiffany: Engaged
David and Tiffany are one of those couples that are just so stinkin’ cute together you have to see them to see how in love they are - luckily for everyone, I brought my camera along for their Fall Shenandoah engagement session - hard to be a photographer without a camera after all!
Among the gold and orange leaves falling from the trees like crisp snow, David and Tiffany explored the forest along the Shenandoah Valley; a place they both love and have spent much time exploring and enjoying all the views it has to offer through all the different seasons. With the warm sun shimmering through the trees, and the cool breeze atop a mountain guiding the sun below the horizon under a blanket of blue and purple clouds, David and Tiffany made a day of all of Shenandoah’s best for the engagement session.
What better way to end a day than touring Virginia wineries?
