Fairfax Virginia Family Photographer - Winner!

A few months ago I ran a contest on my blog that awarded the winner a free photo session and a DVD of all the final images from that session. This great family won that contest and it was a pleasure meeting them for their session a few weeks ago.

Thanks for meeting me and congratulations on your free session! It was a pleasure. Your disc is on its way!

Northern Virginia Child Photographer - My Own!

I get asked/told all the time that it must be so easy to get great pictures of my daughter. Well, it is easier because I have access to my camera all the time and I try to take advantage of opportunities to take her portrait when they come up. But she is a tough one and stubborn. Last year it took me 5 days to get the Christmas card photo I wanted.

I try and take her out two times a year for her portraits. And just like with all my client's children, she is a bundle of energy and isn't always that interested in having her picture taken. Here is a slideshow that I put together that gives a small glimpse into what a session with her is like.

Oh, and because I am still working out some of the kinks in loading things like slideshows and animated images to the blog, if you want to watch it again, either hit refresh or you can access a direct link HERE

Northern Virginia Photographer - Winners!

Congratulations to Laura and Candice for winning my session and frame give away! Thank you to everyone who sent in pictures. Some of you were much more creative than I would ever think to be.

Here are the winning photos:

Laura, who is local to me, won a complete free session, all the digital files and a canvas gallery wrap of her favorite portrait.

Congratulations Laura! Give me a call and lets set something up for when it gets a little bit warmer. I can't wait!

Here is Candice's entry. So cute and I am sure we have all caught our little girls trying on our lipstick at one time or another.

Candice, per your request I will donate the amount of the frame to the American Heart Association in your name.

Thank you to everyone who played!!!

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!

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 - Back to School!

I am sure when you saw the title of this blog that you expected cute little pictures of my little one in her first day of school outfit ready to hit the books. Sadly, no, that will be next week. :) This post is about me. See to some of you I am a photographer of little people. To many others though who knew me before I picked up a camera, I am a singer.

I started singing at a very young age and have always been involved in some sort of production in one way or another for years. Before I had my daughter I was in school full time pursuing that elusive performance degree that I never bothered to get when I was younger. I really loved being in school the energy was great and being constantly pushed out of my comfort zone was something that I became used to. There is nothing like the pressure of being given a song in a language that you have never sung before and told that you will be singing it in front of your peers and instructors for a grade in a weeks time. As a singer, I put my emotions and talent out on the table every I sang. Talk about nerve wracking.

So when I got pregnant that goal was put on hold until my daughter started school of her own and I had time to get back to classes. Well, in the meantime I started this photography thing that has kept me more than busy. But it is time to get back to classes so I can finish what I started. SO does that mean I am giving up photography, NOT A CHANCE! But I will have one more ball to juggle in the air for the next year or so. I'm looking forward to the challenge, more sleepless nights and doing something for myself.

I go to George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Here is George welcoming all who come to study there. Usually he is decorated in some fashion but today he was standing alone.

While I was on my leave a beautiful new wing of the performing arts department was built.

And here is me on my first day of school this semester. (No, not the angry looking soprano with her mouth gaping open, although I probably do look like that most of the time when I am in my lessons.)

McLean VA Family Photographer - Adorable!

I had such a fun session with this family. We had actually canceled the session earlier in the day because of thunderstorms that were moving through the area. I convinced my client to just try it and see if we could get what we needed that afternoon and if we didn't, we would reschedule at a better time.

I hate canceling photo sessions. Once you have a date on the books I will do whatever I can to make sure we can honor that time. I know it takes a lot of hard work to get everything coordinated but on the other hand, I want to make sure that conditions are such that you get the images you are expecting.

During our window that afternoon, everything seemed to click. Little "L" was in a good mood, the light was gorgeous and it wasn't too unbearably hot out.

Thanks for taking a change "T" family. I think it was definitely worth the risk.

How beautiful is this dress? Mom bought it from one of the talented sellers on Etsy.

For this shot I was standing on the edge of the pond about 40 yards away. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Dad put her down on the bridge like this. She stayed there for literally 2.5 seconds but it was so worth it.