Fairfax Virginia Family Photographer - FIGHT!

The day after Christmas I went and had a session with this great, fun family. I have known them for a little bit and our paths have crossed at church and at some mutual friends home for various events. We have always been friendly and I have always enjoyed chatting with them on a casual basis. About three weeks ago I got an e-mail that promptly brought them to the forefront of my mind regularly. Chris, the dad, has been diagnosed with stage 4 Melanoma cancer and is now in a very real fight for his life. What was a busy time of preparing for Christmas became a time of doctor visits, MRI's, extreme diet changes and questions. Some of those questions would get prompt answers and other questions will not be answered for weeks, if not months in the future.

When I got the news of their situation I was really at a loss of what I could do for them. I took the plunge and contacted them offering a free session. It might have seemed to come out of the blue but I honestly feel that there is no better time like the present to document family memories. We don't have to wait until we are at the perfect weight, our hair is done exactly right or every single family member is in town. Taking time out to capture what is happening at that moment is priceless. It is a gift to give our children and our children's children.

I always tell my clients that this is why I force myself to have my own picture taken once in awhile with my daughter. They may not be the type of photos that I want out on the internet, but I know that when she looks back on them she won't see my extra weight, my roots or the face where my wrinkles are getting more and more pronounced as time goes on. (Although, I do have to admit, I am guilty of doing a little editing on my own photos. :) I hope that she sees a mom that loves her more than anything and would try to move the moon and stars for her if required.

There is no PERFECT time to have photos taken. Now is the perfect time.

Please join me in praying for this great family as they travel down this scary and unpredictable road. Chris is in a waiting game right now with his treatment as they try to see if one of the courses of treatment will work for his particular type of cancer. We believe in a God of miracles and in a God that is bigger than cancer.

Chris's mantra that he put on his website is this: " 'I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD' its Psalm 118v17 - so get ready for me to pound you with Gods miracles and works."

Chris, we cannot wait!

If you live locally, you might remember that it was snowing this afternoon and just about as dark and dreary as it could me. We did find some great light in their house and just went for it. I think you will be able to tell, we had a pretty fun time!

Northern Virginia Photographer - One!

Well, someone is growing up. Hard to believe that the little girl that is featured this month on the opening page of my website is now a year old. It has been so fun to watch her grow this year.

We had a fun session right before her first birthday party. She was full of smiles and loved having me chase her around as she showed off her incredible walking skills. (The crawling picture is really just so we could get a shot of those cute little birthday bloomers she had on.)

Thanks for a great year little one! And because every birthday girl deserves a present, if we get 20 comments on this blog post I have a great gift for her and her mommy and daddy. Come on, show her some love!

Of course we had cake and as you can see, she completely enjoyed it!

Here is a look back on the year we have shared.

Her mommy and daddy's maternity session
Her Newborn session
Her 3 month session
Her 6 month session
Her 9 month (actually 10 month)session.

Thanks for a great year!

Northern Virginia Portrait Photographer - The Moon

You might have heard that this week we had a full lunar eclipse. Many in the photography world were very excited to get their camera on the moon that night. Well, I did wake up and go outside around 3:30 in the morning to see if it was worth carrying out all my equipment to try and get some pictures of the moon. Not only was it below freezing, but there was a very good cloud cover that prevented me from seeing the moon anywhere. So I just went back inside to my cozy bed and didn't think anything of it.

The next night as we were driving home from dinner I couldn't help but notice how the moon looked in the sky. Just big, round and beautiful. So after putting the little one to bed, I bundled up and headed outside to take some pictures. There was a very fast moving cloud cover so I had to time the photos just right. Every once in awhile there would be a hole that the moon would poke through. When it looked like a hole would be in the right spot I would click the shutter button hoping that the timer and clouds would cooperate at the same time. (Hint - if you want shots like this, use a tripod and the self timer, helps eliminate camera shake and motion from the longer exposures you might need.)

I actually like how the clouds add a different dimension to these photos. Sort of mysterious.

Vienna, VA Family Photographer - Fall!

Two weeks ago I met with this great family to take some pictures of their sweet little girl. You might remember them from their maternity session a few months ago. At our session we also took some new photographs of her big brother and the entire family. We took advantage of the last few fall colors on the ground around my home. I don't think I have taken that many pictures in a session for a long time. It has been so hard narrowing it down.

Thanks for coming over to my house for the session. It is always great to see you and I loved snuggling with Little "A" when we were all done. Nothing like a baby who falls asleep in your arms. Love it!

Anyone who knows me knows that I love those baby toes!

I love this shot. Just happy momma and her adorable baby.

You can see more pictures from this session on my Facebook Page Here: Dorie Howell Photography on Facebook

Northern Virginia Photographer - Tomorrow!

It is that time of year when not only do I need to provide beautiful pictures for all my clients but somewhere in the mix, I need to arrange to get my own personal and business holiday cards ordered and sent out.

The main model in our house is now three years old. Some days are better than others. Her mood determines if we will have a successful session or if I am going to have to take her out three days in a row to try and get four decent pictures. Trust me when I say it is always hardest to take good pictures of your own kids, even if you take pictures all day long of others.

No promises of chocolate, ice cream, candy or TV worked today so this is the best we got. Good thing there is always tomorrow.

Northern Virginia Photographer - Family!

I am right in the middle of a very busy holiday season and have met some wonderful people in the past 4 weeks. We have been all over the DC Metro area taking pictures for gifts, holiday cards, and just because. I met this family from a referral from another talented photographer, Alice McGuin, and had a great session at one of my favorite locations.

Vienna, VA Family Photographer - Beautiful Family

I met with this family last week for a family session in one of my favorite locations. It was cold but the light was beautiful and we were able to not only get some great shots of the entire family but also some of each individual child in the family. During the session mom and I were talking and she was telling me that usually they do a traditional studio picture for their holiday card and by the end she usually is sweating and yelling. As any mom knows, getting kids to sit still, look at the camera, smile and act like they like each other is no easy task. Multiply that by 5 kids and if you walk out of the studio with something that you are happy to show off to your family and friends, it is nothing short of a miracle.

I am happy to report that not only was no one sweating or yelling at the end of the session, I actually heard Dad say that it was fun. WHAT! Dad's never think this is fun, but I have to admit, this was fun session.

This entire family is gorgeous. Seriously, the ladies could all be shampoo models. I am a little jealous of their shiny, flowing locks. And the men, well, of course they are as handsome as can be!

I don't want to ruin the surprise by unveiling the family holiday picture, but here are some of the individual shots I took of the kids.

Love me some sun flare!

This was the outfit that he picked out to wear in the photos. No, this is not the final outfit but I made sure he got a picture in his favorite Clifford top.

Could this be a shampoo ad, or what?

DC Metro Family Photographer - A Navy Man

I love the other photographers who work along side me in the Northern Virginia Area. There is quiet a tight network here and it is great to be able to help each other out once in awhile. A few weeks ago fellow photographer, Stephanie Johnson of Babysnap photography sent out an e-mail asking if anyone was able to take a session that involved a VERY tight time schedule and a family that wanted to be photographed downtown at the monuments. Luckily for me, I was able to fit them into my schedule at the last minute and we had a great time.

Thank you for meeting me downtown and letting me photograph you in and around some of our nation's most beautiful architecture.

Congratulations on that beautiful little boy and best of luck with your move. Thank you for your service to our country, we are lucky to have families like you working in our armed forces.

Look at that cute little nose!

There was a gentleman that sort of followed us from place to place that afternoon and was very taken with our cute little model. When we were at this location he actually stepped in and asked to take a picture of "my" family. Also, a woman who saw me taking pictures intentionally stepped in front of me as I was trying to get this shot in front of the Vietnam Memorial. Not all of the interesting characters are found in political office around here.

Now our little model let us know many times that he was not impressed. He was such a trooper and hardly fussed but I bet I have 30 pictures of him yawning

Go Navy!

Washington DC Newborn Photographer - Squeezable!

How squeezable is this little one? Seriously, don't you just want to squeeze her right up? I met her, her great parents and doting grandmother last weekend and we had a long session together. She was pretty determined to stay awake and see what all the fuss was about but we finally wore her down so we could get some great sleepy shots.

Thank you for spending the afternoon with me. Congratulations, she is just precious!

Fairfax Virginia Child Photographer -Getting Big!

This morning I met with this little sweet one for her 9 month session. I always love seeing my baby plan clients. It is so much fun to watch them grow throughout the year.
9 months is one of my favorite ages. Their little personalities are really starting to shine through and oh the different expressions we get. So much Fun!

Just look how cute she is!

See you in January little one.

Fairfax Virginia Family Photographer -Sisters!

Last week, my good friend Stephanie of Babysnap Photography and I met down in her part of the world to take some pictures of our little girls. I have known Stephanie for more years than I am actually going to put in writing but lets just say it is long enough that we were roommates before we got married, before the internet and 90210 (the original) and Melrose Place were still on the air. :) She is a wonderful photographer and has been so helpful and supportive to my business as it has grown over the past 2+ years.

Our little girls are all about the same age so we have extra excuses to try and get together when we can. On this morning we took our girls out into this field and I had a blast working with her two. They definitely have this modeling thing down!

Thanks for a great afternoon ladies. We must get together more often!

Her youngest, who is just a month older than my little one.

Her second youngest, she was giving me the greatest poses the whole time.

Work it, work it!

Give each other a hug

Now what about a kiss? I love this one! Gotta love the innocence of children.

Centreville Family Photographer - Big Sister!

I have had the pleasure of photographing this little one twice now and let me tell you what a difference a year makes! Last time we met down on Capital Hill and had a fun time but those smiles were few and far between. Now this year, I think we hit a record for smiles and laughter. We had so much fun!

I also got to photograph her mommy to help make the announcement that "L" is going to be a big sister. How exciting!

I saved this post in honor of the fact that her birthday is today and she is turning three years old! Happy birthday "L"! I hope we get to see you again soon!

Northern Virginia Child Photographer - Three!

I can hardly believe that three years ago today, a little person came into our lives that would change it forever. Nothing has allowed me to be as fulfilled as becoming a mother to a terrific, fun, spunky, smart, beautiful, little girl. She fills my days with laughter and challenges me in ways that I didn't think were possible.

What a great, fun ride this has been and I can't wait to be your mommy for many years to come. I love you sooooooooooooo much little one! Happy Birthday!

Here she is, perfect and less than 12 hours old.

And now, just as perfect almost three years later.

Northern Virginia Child Photographer - Cheeks!

Don't you just want to kiss these cheeks. Here are a few more from my session last weekend with this sweetheart.

Northern Virginia Photography - Cuteness!

This is just a little sneak peek of a session that I am working on. Don't you just want to kiss all over those sweet cheeks?!?!