A Day "Mud" in Heaven

Jill contacted me to do some family photos for her family of five and asked if her friend Natalie and her family could join in as well. Jill's husband Matt went to school with me for my graduate program at Mason. I of course welcomed the opportunity to work with both families. What I should mention is this shoot originally scheduled for Saturday was rained out in one of the craziest rainy days the DC area has had in a long time. Widespread flooding followed this rain event, but despite this Sunday was a beautiful day. We took to Bull Run park to examine the notorious Bluebells. After what seemed like an Indiana Jones adventure through the woods, the flood waters were too high and we were forced to turn back. but alas the park is covered in Bluebells and we were able to find some beautiful scenic places for photos.

Despite the mud and flooding, this was truly one of THE MOST fun family shoots that I've done to date. It's hard not to have a complete and total blast with these two beautiful families who spent most of the day making each other laugh and smile. Cheers to another great day in photographyland! I am truly blessed to be doing what I do! :o)

A Cherry of a Day!

One of the best things about living in DC is the fact that every year in April the Cherry Blossoms bloom filling the tidal basin with beautiful white and pink flowers. This year marked the second time I was able to make it down to DC to capture some amazing photos of the trees. Last year I was able to capture some as a tourist blending in with the 1000 other Nikons and Canons on the tidal basin. This year I actually had a headshot photo shoot and was not able to capture as many unique photos as the previous year. No worries I still managed to squeak in a few!

Walking away from the tidal basin actually produced one of my favorite photos, the contrast of green to white in this photo was amazing to me. It almost made me wish I had a blanket and a picnic lunch

 Though many of the blossoms were past peak, I was still able to find a lot of trees that had big groups of blossoms, like the above photo. It was almost like they were coming down to attack you!

 The monuments always make for great photos, I don't think I'll ever get tired of taking photos in DC!

I saw many couples getting pictures taken today down on the tidal basin. I hope to one day be able to book a couples shoot down in DC during cherry blossom season, it's just too beautiful not to take advantage of!

Evan - 6 Month Photos

Well... today after photo class I decided to test out some techniques on my cutie godson. Good timing since he was 6 months old just a couple weeks ago. We had a blast today just playing around and the photos truly show how big he's gotten. He wants to crawl so badly and he's definitely way more active. Still a great subject to shoot with his great expressions and curiosity. Does it really get any cuter than this folks?

Brother and Sisterly Love

Renata contacted me to do her annual birthday shoot of her two darling kids Lukas and Ema. One of the things that I love best about this job is the fact that I get to take pictures of kids just being kids. Have you ever truly taken in the laughter of a child on a swing, or watched a child continuously go down the slide over and over, each time giggling harder than the last. These are things we take for granted as adults, the simplicity of life.

 Lukas has the cutest little smile and was happy to pose several times for me for the camera.

Little Ema in her pink dress and then pink winter coat was the epitome of cuteness. 

What I think I love best about family shoots is the fact that each time I show up it's typically the same story. Kids running around playing, Mom is stressed out trying to have picked out the best possible outfit and get ready for the shoot, and they always apologize for the craziness that the morning brings and I walk into.  To which I say reply, these moments are GREAT, these moments are family and life!

To all you Mom's I say thank you for allowing me to be a part of your crazy moments, it's truly a blessing that you all let me in your homes and your worlds!

A Day in the Country

I had the privilege of working with Sarah Roussos who is the Author of the Spring 2011 release book: Food Gypsies of Lovejoy. Sarah came to me looking for a cover photo headshot, as I had done a couples shoot of her son Adam and his girlfriend Ashley last Fall. I can say Sarah was an absolute joy to work with, what a great way to spend a Saturday out in the country. During our time together I was reminded of how many beautiful places there truly are tucked away in this state. And despite a typical gray Virginia day I was able to capture some vivid shots of Sarah, no doubt because of the beautiful colors she choose to wear for this shoot. Ironically the "winning" cover shot took place in the very restaurant that inspired the book. :)

 The winning cover pic! 

Good luck to you Sarah! I hope your book is a best seller!!!!

End of Year Cheer!

Allison contacted me to do a family Christmas shoot. Frustrated with the limited time that portrait studios give you (not an uncommon statement) she thought that the kids would be moe comfortable in their own home for some family pictures. I'm finding family shoots are a lot like when I used to nanny, it takes a little bit for the kids to warm up to me but once they do we always end up having a great time. Little Taylor and Cayden were so cute and loved playing with my box of Christmas props!  I told Allison she has a future model on her hands as by the end of the evening Taylor was posing and smiling for me.

 Cayden was giggling and Taylor looked on in approval!

 Kevin and Cayden were having a blast

 I cannot express how much I love, love, love this photo. The happiness and laughter can almost be heard coming through this shot. With the tree glistening in the background, for sure one of my all time favorites!

 All smiles!

 The hat says it all...

 The magic of black and white is just as great for Christmas photos.

In the end as I was doing some final shots of the kids on the stairs I heard whimpers from Stormy above, I insisted she make the last family photo shot. She perked up and made a great center piece for the final family photo of the evening. Another enjoyable family photo shoot in the books!

I'm thankful and blessed for a great first year filled with many smiles and good times, and shoots with friends new and old. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and look forward to capturing your new memories in 2011!!!

Hangin' with Mr. and Mrs. Cooper

As we strolled through Lake Anne the temperature reached 46° which seemed balmy compared to the wind chill of 15° from earlier in the week. Krista, Cliff and their two cute dogs Louie and Inky were the stars of this shoot. Hoping to get a good family Christmas photo we took to the paths and the bridges of Reston. The result was some pretty cute family photos.

 Louie

 Inky

Family photo with some festive Holly in the background!

The Coopers were really fun to work with and did I mention they are the owners of Wagging Walks and take care of my boys Jack and Bandit? They are the greatest dog walkers in Reston... check them out! :)