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)

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!

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! :)

Christmas with the Filippones

I showed up around 5pm to do a little Christmas shoot with the Filippones. What a fun family, the two girls are just the cutest, and Bryce is a great older brother, so patient! Even though we managed to lose a Christmas snow globe in the process of taking photos, I was able to get some cute pictures of the family. Here are just a few of my favs from the evening.

 Little Sophia in her Red Christmas Dress was just the cutest.

 Kisses from Mommy for Sophia

 I definitely could not get enough photos of her cute red flower in her hair

 An incredibly gorgeous family

 I've taken photos of Alyssa and Sophia before, and Alyssa makes this face which I've captured twice now. I love how beautiful and serious she looks, she has the most incredibly expressive eyes.

 One of my favorite photos from this shoot, when Alyssa saw herself in the glass ornament. So precious!

The Filippones were such an incredibly great family to work with, so laid back and fun. When we finished the shoot and we were talking photo packages John told me he wanted them all... good, bad, he just loved all of them. While great for a photographers ego, it just shows what a great proud husband and Father he is. This love of family fills the walls of their beautiful home and I can only hope some of these holiday photos will adorn their walls on my next visit. :)

Gobble Gobble

Today was the first shoot that the weather was a little chilly to be outside. The crisp fall air didn't stop me from getting some fantastic shots of the Lucero family. We may have had to bribe little Cecilia with M&M's but hey whatever works right? I think we still managed to get some cutie shots of her and her adorable smile. Her pretty red Santa dress was glittering in the sun and reminding me that the Holiday Season is almost upon us!

 What an adorable family, all festive for the holidays.

 Her dress was just too cute not to highlight.

As they walked away from me to end the photo shoot, Cecilia looked back at me and stuck out her tongue. Ha!

For more adorable pictures from this day be sure to check out the LM Photography Facebook Page.