Life at Home: Arlington, VA Lifestyle Photographer.

I've had a bit of a break from family sessions due to some weather and personal commitments.  I'll be back with a session on Sunday and three sessions the following weekend.

The nice thing about a break from photographing and editing everyone else's kids is a chance to get my own kids in front of the camera.  Neither is a big fan of posed photos.

Ellie, my five year old, insisted in following me outside the other morning to investigate the weather.  It was starting to sprinkle, but I wanted to check out the light just in case of a miracle.  Ellie also got her ears pierced on Thursday.  The day was windy and she hates the wind, so I snapped some pictures by window light.  She was so brave!

This morning, I tried to get Caroline, my one year old, to play in the leaves.  She had zero interest and wanted the slide and the playhouse instead.

These aren't fancy, well-dressed (although Ellie's jammies are pretty cute) or scripted moments.  They are the reality of my life.  Contact me if you want to schedule a session to capture your reality as well!

Newborn + Big Sister {Arlington, VA Family Milestone Photographer}

I love having the same families in front of my camera.  What started with updating dad's LinkedIn profile has turned into multiple sessions a year, and I've loved watching their daughter grow.  I've also had the joy of watching their family grow!

On a gloomy Saturday morning, I headed to their new house to capture their almost-three-week old baby girl.  The rain took a break long enough to also squeeze in a session for big sister's second birthday.

Sweet nursery window light and outdoor play and trikes and swings and snuggly baby girl....

Down Syndrome Awareness Month {Arlington, VA Photographer}

It's Down Syndrome Awareness Month, so my family participated in the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk for Northern VA this weekend.

My girls had a blast.

Ellie's highlights were petting and hugging a llama, then taking a selfie with it*, jumping in the bounce house, and receiving a medal as a VIP which she promptly shared with her new goat friend.

Caroline's highlights were dancing and then being super sleepy in her stroller and missing the rest of the fun.

*The llama may be an alpaca.  Not sure.

Batman and Mommy {Old Town Alexandria Family Photographer}

"Mommy and Me" families are some of my favorite to photograph.  I love seeing the bond between mom and child at any age, and these two were no exception.  The sweet three year old donned his Batman shirt, complete with cape and his mom was simply lovely.  Batman posed, flexed, ran and saved Old Town Alexandria from bad guys.

I always love Old Town, but this family made it extra special since it's so close to their home.

More fun over on Facebook.

Family of Three {Arlington, VA Fall Family Photographer}

Sunday morning had what could actually be described as a chill in the air.  A few leaves are starting to turn and fall seems to be arriving.  The morning light was beautiful and the perfect time of year for family photos.

This little guy was adorable.  He led the search for bugs, rocks, leaves, dogs, cats and cars.  His parents were sweet as can be and I was happy not only to meet them but to work in Fairlington again.

Tis the season for my calendar being packed full of photographing your beautiful families!  Stay tuned here for lots of updates and sneak peeks, and as always, Facebook is also full of previews!

And in the spirit of fall and the upcoming holiday season, check out my new Gift Guide for 2016!

First Birthday {Arlington, VA Baby Photographer}

My own baby is one year old today.  Happy first birthday, sweet Caroline Grace.  You are so funny and active, such a little daredevil and a surprisingly sensitive little girl, too.

I'm glad you liked your cake.

New Baby Boy {Alexandria, VA Lifestyle Newborn Photographer}

A baby boy, snuggly as can be and his sweet mama.

Window light on a beautiful day.

A baby who hardly cried, let me cuddle him, and was cooperative as can be.

All of these came together last week for a peaceful, in-home newborn photo session.  Baby T, his mama and I got a chance to hang out and capture this sweet stage.

Although my weekend sessions for 2016 are nearly booked, I am taking in-home newborn sessions for weekdays, which is great for moms and dads on maternity or paternity leave.

A First Birthday Celebration {Alexandria, VA Baby Photographer}

The cutest, pouty-ist lips.

The thickest hair.

The most beautiful siblings and parents.

And the most anti-cake baby I've ever met.

This first birthday session was hilarious and adorable.  This sweet little man acted like we were torturing him to get him to try some cake.  His older siblings were happy to sample, but he was not having it.  However, he was still completely adorable and I loved working with his family!  I'm working on putting together my own baby's cake smash next week and wondering if she'll feel the same way!

The Whole Family {Arlington, VA Family Photographer}

I got a message recently asking if I could do a session over a weekend I'd blocked off for rain makeups.  I said "yes" pretty quickly, because the session was for a family in town from the Chicago area, Blacksburg, and Florida.

I had a fantastic time capturing this family with grandparents and siblings and so much laughter.  We went to the Bon Air Rose Garden and I was pleasantly surprised to see how many roses were still in bloom, although we also got to play in the fall leaves a bit!  That crisp air is right around the corner (right?  right?) and I'm booking just a couple more fall session!

Another Family Share.

I'll be back later this week posting sessions with clients, but for now, a couple shots of my own kids picking apples.  We went out to Homestead Farm and had a great time, brought home about 16 pounds of apples, and have been busy making apple pie/apple sauce/apple chili/apple butter/apple everything!

Enjoy this taste of fall!

Family Vacation!

My family recently spent some time in Southern California, so I'm sharing a few snapshots of my kids.  I resume regular photo sessions (three this week!) on Sunday!

My blue eyed littlest.

My apprehensive big girl riding a train.

Sweet little bug who I finally got to meet!  Check out her Mama's site.

My morning sessions are FULL through the end of 2016.  I have a few evenings and afternoons left, though!

Playing in the Garden {Arlington, VA Family Photographer}

On Saturday morning, just before the excessive heat warning hit, I had the joy of photographing this family in the Bon Air Rose Garden.  We explored and skipped rocks and investigated plants.  Seven year old boys amaze me - they never seem to get hot or cold!

I'm still booking for fall, mostly October and November with a couple September slots open!

Welcome, Baby J {Fairfax, VA Lifestyle Newborn Photography}

When I got asked to photograph new baby J, I was happy to say yes.  Her mama is the friend of some dear friends, and J was a doll baby.  My baby had started walking just a few days before, so a newborn session was the perfect remedy to my own "they grow up too fast!" feelings.

I went to J's beautifully decorated home and got to follow her family around as they fed and comforted her, and settled her down to sleep.

I had a great time with J's family.

If you're interested in a fall family session or a newborn session, contact me ASAP via email!

Family of Soon-to-be-Four {Arlington, VA Maternity Photographer}

One of my favorite families was back in front of my camera over the weekend.  This lovely family of three is expecting their second baby in September.  The day was predicted to be about 100 degrees with higher "feels like" temperatures, so we met at Potomac Overlook Park bright and early to beat the heat!

The light was lovely and the family was delightful.  Normally my focus in their sessions is their almost-two-year old daughter, so it was fun to focus on mom and her cute belly!

There's a line in my favorite book where the mom looks at a drawing of her daughter and says that it will stand as proof that she is loved.  I feel the same way about maternity photography.  Proof of love, from a mommy and a daddy and a big sister.

I'm booking now for September through November and special sessions for December.  Email me to get on my calendar.

Annual Family Photos {Old Town Alexandria, VA Photographer}

Sunday evening was beautiful in Old Town Alexandria, and I loved spending it with a family I first met last summer.  They take annual family photos, and I was thrilled that they asked me to capture them again.

We covered some serious distance in Old Town, and ducked around a few Pokestops.  (We weren't playing Pokemon Go.  We did spot large groups of people aiming their phones at nothing.)

Despite the heat, we had a great time.  Old Town is one of my favorite places because it offers so many different backdrops and lighting situations.

I'm looking forward to delivering their full gallery.  August is now booked except for weeknight high school senior and tutorial sessions, and the rest of 2016 is filling quickly.  Email me ASAP to schedule a session.

A Special Connection {McLean, VA Family Photographer}

A not very secretive secret: I have a special place in my heart for babies with Down syndrome.

I have an extra-special place in my heart for babies with Down syndrome and lots of medical needs, because once upon a (long) time ago, that described my now healthy daughter with Down syndrome.

I was excited to capture this sweet family of five, with whom I'd originally connected through our local Down syndrome group.

They are beautiful and wonderful.  And dealing with a lot of medical equipment for their baby.  But someday, they'll have a child free of tubes and wires, probably flushing toys down the toilet or tattling on her siblings, and they'll look in wonder at these pictures from this time and wonder how they got from point A to point B.

This family was so warm and affectionate toward each other.  The big kids both treated their baby sister so gently.

"Of these, three remain.  Faith, hope and love.  And the greatest of these is love."

Thank you so much for a wonderful session, for welcoming me into your home, and for letting me capture this season.

Family of Four {Arlington, VA Family Photographer}

My busy photography weekend kicked off Saturday morning with a family of four.  It was baby girl's first photo session and the kids were both troopers considering the toasty weather and humidity.  (And the closed pool within sight!)

I loved the color combination mom picked with oranges and pinks, and I loved the interaction between the two adorable kids.  Big brother's toy truck even helped me work my camera for a few photos.

My summer schedule is full except for tutorial sessions and weeknight high school senior sessions, but I have some fall slots left and I am booking now for the rest of 2016!

More sneak peeks of all this week's fun are on Facebook!

My Own Family {Arlington, VA Child Photographer}

Last weekend, we were preparing for my five year old's tonsillectomy and anticipating a low-key week ahead.  Knowing that Ellie probably wouldn't be much for smiling this week, and since I hadn't taken any nine month photos of Caroline, I tried to get some pictures of the girls before church.

Big sister takes over the baby bucket.

Big sister shares giraffe.

Laughter.  So much laughter.

A Beautiful Morning {Lake Barcroft Family Photographer}

When a client invites me to a new location, I am always excited and nervous, especially if the situation prevents me from checking out the location in advance.

Well Saturday morning, I left early to scope out the location I'd be using thirty minutes later.

It was perfect.

We had a lovely time, but here's just a quick sneak peek!

I'm booking now for the rest of 2016!