Journey Plan with Baby Emilia
featured, newborn, family
Journey plans are my absolute favorite because over the course of a year+, I get to watch the progression of pregnancy through really coming into new roles and discovering the personality of this new little human! Two winters ago, we met for the first time at their maternity session, then weeks later, again at their home to capture the new dynamics with sweet Emilia and her sister, Liza.
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A Front Yard Family Session
featured, family
When a family writes to me about a family photo shoot and says, "we'd really just love to do it at our home, is that okay?" I basically feel like seting off fireworks.
Because that tells me right away that they're more interested in sweet natural moments and the story of their season than perfect landscape and cheesy faces. #win
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Spring Orchard Session with the Owings Family
lifestyle, family, featured sessions
We bonded over mutual boredom in computer class our senior year of high school, then became roommates our freshman year of college at JMU and best friends throughout the entirety of our time there. Through all the ups and downs of that wild season, we somehow managed to hang on to a friendship that was rooted in being there for each other through all the big stuff - no matter what. We were there for each other during breakups and new relationships, big moves and job changes, loss and pain, wedding vows, and now, the adventure of raising kids of our own.
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Lifestyle Newborn Session with the O Family
newborn, lifestyle, featured sessions
Remember this brave couple? We met on a 9 degree day in January for an outdoor maternity session by the lake to celebrate in preparation for their little girl. A few months later, I got to meet their oh so tiny and sweet daughter for the first time as we captured some of the softness in their new life together at home.
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50+ Life Lessons I Learned From My Mom
personal
You never realize just how much you learned from your mom until you stop and realize she's pretty much the backbone of all your values, quirks, and habits. You also never realize just how little you can do to truly say 'thank you' enough for all the crap you put her through growing up. From the chores you didn't want to do to the clothes you didn't want to wear to the curfews you didn't want to obey -- but you get it now.
With mother's day approaching, I've been thinking a lot about all the amazing influence my own mama has had in my life. There are millions of lessons she taught me over the years without even knowing it, simply by setting an example of the kind and loving woman she is. I managed to make this list of just a few of those lessons that hold stories and wisdom I can only hope to pass along to my kids one day as well.
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One Photo One Story: I See the Moon
personal, documentary
My husband works really hard - he's passionate, creative, dedicated, and a true leader down to his core. Yet, he has always inspired me with the way he's about to "shut off" and create memorable experiences, wholly present and loving, whenever the opportunity arises.
On an unseasonably warm, winter day, he came home from work just as the sun was setting. He immediately scooped up Kira in one arm, a blanket in the other, and Bourbon by the leash, ushering us all outside. Still in his button-up and dress shoes, he laid on the grass with our girl and gave her his energy like only a dad can - with tickle fights and goofy stories, teaching her about stars and pointing out constellations as the sky grew darker.
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Fresh 48: Meet the siblings
featured, documentary
Earlier this year, I introduced the Kirkpatrick family and a little bit about their story through their documentary maternity session at the park and sharing family traditions on a chilly, winter morning.
Well the waiting finally came to fruition as they welcomed sweet baby Henry to the world a few weeks ago, and I was able to capture these proud older siblings meeting their newest addition for the very first time.
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Women Making Waves: Laurel Denise
brands, commercial, featured sessions
Laurel Smith started her business after literally dreaming about it, left her full-time government job in DC where she worked yards away from her future husband, and started taking action on the purpose she felt called to pursue. 13 years later, she's married to that man, loving on two precious daughters, running her business, Laurel Denise, from the upstairs of her beautiful Charlottesville home, and consistently serving up joy, hope, and love around the world.
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A Maternity and Birth Story Through Cancer and Beyond
featured sessions, maternity, newborn, documentary
They met because of perfect timing. And while the joy of new life and news of cancer came for her all at once, their faithfulness in the continued purpose of God's timing is one of the most inspiring stories I've heard and had the honor to capture.
It's not for everyone, but is it for you?
session experience, inspiration
Time after time, I hear people say -
"I don't want pictures of myself around the house."
"Photoshoots are just so awkward"
"I’d be self-conscious, I’m not a model, I'm not good enough at posing..."
"I just want one good shot for the Christmas card"
They look at my photos and they don't understand why everyone's not looking at the camera, or why there's hair in front of the kids face, or someone's head is cropped out of the frame.
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