Vienna Family Photographer - Favorite things

Have you been to Maple Avenue Restaurant? You have? Don't you love it? You haven't? Well what are you waiting for?!?!

I probably have that conversation at least once a week with someone. Why you would not want to go share a meal at this great little (yes, it is little) place is beyond me. Maple Ave is one of our favorites in this house and we recommend it to everyone.

Why? Well, for one thing, the food is really, really good. And not just good tasting. They pride themselves in a menu that features primarily locally grown, organic ingredients. So local in fact, that many of the tomatoes they use, are grown right on the room of the restaurant. How is that for local? They will tell you where the meat came from and where the cheese was made. I LOVE that!

Another reason we love them is for the special events they have. They do Chef's Demonstrations where Chef Tim (The Main Man around the place.) and his team will prepare a fabulous meal right in front of you and tell you how you can take some of the tips home to try.

They also host a local, neighborhood herb exchange every other week. Have some extra parsley but need some basil? No problem, come and see if you can get it here, for FREE. If you are lucky you might pick up a fig tree.

MAX - MAX stands for Maple Avenue Express. Their food truck that makes the rounds in Tyson's Corner two to three days a week. They bring their great, quality food straight to the working people. It isn't fast food, but it is much better than what you are going to get at TGIFriday's for lunch. They sell out of many of the favorite's every time so make sure you get their early if you have a taste for one of their specialties.

I could go on, but the best thing you can do is check it out for yourself. Be sure to make a reservation. It is a small place but you won't be disappointed. Let Joey and Tim know I sent you, and enjoy!

You can find Maple Ave in all the usual places. Make sure to follow them on Facebook or Twitter so you can get updates on restaurant events and MAX locations.

MAR on FACEBOOK
MAR on TWITTER
Their Main website
Their Story

The Chef himself.

Now don't get the idea that Tim does this all on his own. Joey Hernandez, the General Manager at the restaurant works her tail off. She is the one that goes out with MAX, arranges all the community events and makes sure the place runs smoothly. I don't have a picture of her yet, but I will catch her with my lens soon.

Here is MAX. If you see this truck, make sure you stop and pick up a Bar-B-Que pulled pork sandwich or Shrimp Po Boy or some Boba Tea. (And don't forget the Chocolate Dumplings!)

Vienna, VA Newborn Photograher - Alert!

This little guy had absolutely NO interest in sleeping and allowing me to do my job the other day. He was very intent on making sure he didn't miss a minute of the fun. He was so sweet with the most gorgeous blue eyes. Thanks for letting me play with him mom!

I just love this one of his profile.

Northern Virginia Newborn Photographer - Sleepy!

My first session of 2011 was with this sweet little one. She made is so simple by just sleeping the time away. I would move her around, change her hat or flower, roll her around and she really didn't act like it bothered her at all. It made my job so very easy.

Thanks for letting me hang out with you for the day. It was great meeting the whole family.

How fun is this ruffle blanket? I couldn't wait to use it.

Oh to have this gorgeous skin again!

I love these ruffle bloomers and matching socks!

Big brother was so great at holding her.

A dreamy little shot as I looked at her through her crib rails.

If she gets 20 comments on this post, I will give her mom and dad a really great gift from her session. But play fair, only one comment per person please!

Vienna Virginia Photographer - Frames! (and a sale!)

Are these not the cutest frames EVER?!?!

I get asked all the time about framing the photos that I take, and honestly, that is something that I have never really wanted to get into. I am much more inclined to suggest to my clients to get a stand-out or Canvas Gallery wrap. I mean, who wants a frame when it just takes up real estate from a really great picture? But after seeing these frames I totally changed my tune. I love these and am so excited to be offering them to my clients.

If you would like some of this cuteness for your pictures, I would be happy to help you select one or a few for your walls. And because this is a totally new thing for me, all of them will be 10% off the regular price until January 31st.

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

Vienna Photographer - Directions

Can someone please give me directions to the pot o' gold office? Obviously the pot should have been left outside my kitchen window at the end of the rainbow. Someone must have gotten a little lost. I don't mind going to pick it up at all. :)

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.)

Reston Family Photographer - One!

I had the pleasure of meeting this little guy with his mom and dad last week at one of my favorite places to walk with my family. We walk this trail often after dinner looking at the boats, the ducks, and anything else that comes along. It might have seemed like an odd place for a session but it worked out perfectly.

This little one was so smiley and happy that he just made my job so easy. Happy First Birthday and thanks for letting me help you celebrate it!

Vienna Photography - A Challenge

OK, I fully admit that I have been a bad, bad blogger. I have been having sessions behind my reader's back and have not shown them to you. Not because I don't want to. My hard drive is full of wonderful images of beautiful babies and children. I just have chosen to get my clients their images sooner and by not spending the time posting on my blog, I am able to do that. But I promise to be better about updating you on my sessions. So my challenge to myself this week is to put up a new blog entry every day for 7 days. These posts will feature sessions that I have had over the past few weeks and just haven't had time to feature them here.

To start out the week of the blog, I am showing a few pictures the I took today on our family trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. I loved the Jellyfish exhibit and could have stayed there all day long. And, of course, one picture of my little one. I have not taken any proper pictures of her in months and that needs to change as well. I am sure that will make the grandparents happy. :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and check back every day this week for more new posts.

Family Photographer, Vienna, VA - Family

I have several sessions to show you and if you are a "fan" (I don't know what they call it anymore but I am still going to use the term "fan" until I figure it out) of mine on Facebook, you have seen a session or two that I haven't shown on the blog. I will catch up soon, I promise. But in the meantime, here are some pictures that I took tonight after dinner of us just having some fun outside.

Self Portrait. You would think a curly haired gal would be able to avoid the frizzy hair in a shot like this, but noooooo. I just can't wait for the humidity of these Virginia summers to return. (Can you hear my sarcasm?)

I think this is one of my favorite family shots to date.

Vienna Family Photographer - Family

Another session I had this past weekend was with this great family. I have taken pictures of their sweet little girl on two other occasions. It is always fun to visit with them and see how she has grown. This time while I was there I had the opportunity to photograph her whole family as well as her grandparents that were here to help her celebrate her first birthday. They all just adore this little girl!

Thank you for having me in your home again. It was great seeing you and photographing your lovely family.

The little linen dress she is wearing is part of the Helena line available at Neiman Marcus.

More pictures from this session can be seen on the Facebook Page for Dorie Howell Photography.

Vienna Virginia Family Photographer - Moments

Last night after dinner, we went outside to enjoy the beautiful evening weather. It was so nice after the heat of the day to go out and play. My little one has a small obsession with sidewalk chalk, and I knew that as soon as we stepped out the door, she would be making a beeline for her bucket of chalk. And she did not disappoint. It just so happens that I have a small obsession with taking pictures so our passions go together pretty well. She sits still to color on the sidewalk, and I have time to try out some new equipment without having to chase her around the yard.

Last night, she watched me lay down in the grass. She did the same on the sidewalk and started coloring away. She loved the picture she drew so much that she gave it a kiss.

As I lay there, in the grass, I kept thinking to myself, "Soak it up Dorie. These days will be over before you know it." So that is what I did. I just stayed, lying face down in the grass, camera in hand, soaking it all up.

Here is hoping that you also have a chance to soak it up before these moments are gone in a blink of an eye.

Northern Virginia Photographer - One!

I had a session yesterday that was a bit bittersweet. It was the last session in the baby plan for one of my favorite clients. It has been such a joy to watch her grow this past year. I love seeing her personality develop. We met at one of my favorite locations when the light was just right and had so much fun. I had such a hard time picking a favorite so this sneak peek is a bit larger than normal, but I think you will enjoy it just the same.

Thanks for a great year Baby "C". I can't wait to see you again real soon!

Vienna Virginia Family Photographer - Cake!

Saturday morning I had this sweet little girl in my studio for her Cake Smash Session. You might recognize her from a session we did a few months back. I don't think I have ever seen a one year old dive into a cake face first before. She was so cute about it and we had a great time watching her dig in. I love sharing moments like this with parents. It was such a nice time watching them love on their daughter and enjoy the moment right along with her. You could just feel how treasured she is to them and how much they are enjoying watching her grow.

Thanks for sharing this time with me "E" family. I can't wait to see you in a couple weeks for our family session.

Look at those toes!

We added a few puffs to the mix. Cake and puffs, sounds like a good deal to me.

Chantilly Family Photographer - Awesome Winners!

Last August I ran a contest asking people to nominate someone who they felt deserved and would appreciate a completely free photosession taken by yours truly. The winner would also receive a stack of prints and pretty much anything else they wanted completely free of charge. After I choose the winner it took a few months for us to connect and we picked this weekend to have the session.

I am so glad that this family won. They have fallen upon some hard times and were truly grateful to receive a session that consists of the family photos and some up to date pictures of their adorable daughter.

It was great meeting you yesterday "D" family. Enjoy your Sneak Peek.

Northern Virginia Child Photographer - Busy, Busy Easter weekend

We have had quite the busy schedule around here lately. Earlier this week I went down and took pictures of the beautiful Cherry Blossoms that are in full bloom around here. Yesterday, we took our little one to one of my favorite places for her Easter/Spring photo session and this morning we went to the circus. Then after a nap, we colored Easter Eggs. My camera was with us through all of these things and I had a hard time deciding what to share first. But I am starting with Easter Egg coloring. Enjoy!

Where we started.

All nice in a row.

Obviously, my color combinations were not acceptable to her so she started making her own.

I discovered tonight that the reason she likes to come in and cook with me is just for the pure pleasure of cracking the eggs. Usually they are raw and going into some sort of baked item. However, tonight was her first experience with hard boiled eggs. She kept trying to crack them open and she did succeed only to discover that they were "broken" because they were hard inside.

Notice the final eggs with the "broken" ones included.

How do you think these hands will look tomorrow with her Easter dress?

Now Grammy, Pop-Pop, Grandma, and the Auntie's will just have a fit if this is all I share of her for Easter. So here is a sneak peek of one we took yesterday for her Spring Session.



Have a wonderful Easter. He is Risen, He is Risen indeed!