About 5 years (give or take…it has been a blur) I met the one person that I think kinda “gets me” (besides my husband). Our relationship started on a business front, she had a store, and I made boutique handbags. But in time (about 3 years ago) when she was prego with her first little one we really started to click and chat it up. From that point on we have been really good friends. We have seen each other in and out of businesses, relationship woes, pregnancies, and anything else you can throw at two young moms that were running their own small businesses. There were times that we grew distant, and didn’t chat for a while due to travel (she travels a lot) or just being so busy that a nights sleep consists of no more than a nap (me). But it never failed that we would check in with each other, and pick up where we left off. Never judging, never blaming, just understanding and eager to find out what is new in each others world. We understand that our lives are crazy, they are not normal and we do ten times more than someone you would consider busy. Understanding that time is valuable and when the other was ready we would be there waiting.

I have probably been the most to blame for our spaces in time and I am eternally grateful that she has never given up on me. No matter how long I take to get her pictures to her, no matter how many times I forget to schedule her girls session into my calendar, she patiently waits, and never seems to get frustrated with me. I can vent, ramble and practically spit a frustrated fire at her and she will never judge me. Just let me get it off my chest, feed me any advice I would need, and continue on. She allows me to be completely scattered brained and never looks at me cross like I am crazy. She has always been proud and congratulated me on my growth and steps in life (as I have her).  She has been my guinea pig since the beginning and will probably continue to do so and I owe a good bit of my photography trial and error lessons to her.

Jen my dear…thank you! Thank you for supporting me.  Thank you for not judging me and my not so stellar friendship ways. Thank you for understanding me and my world.

I spent a very hot hour with Jen and her 3 girls this past Monday (my kids in tow too) and tried to get some images of her girls. It was hotter than hot on Monday evening. All the children’s hair was literally WET with sweat. I did get some great images…but I know when everyone is cooler, and happier, we can get better. So there will be a redo (and more of Jen herself)

So, onto the styling. Styling is something I want to do a lot more of for my clients. I hope that my current clients and my future clients can see through this session that it is worth the extra effort to bring the vision together. I was going for Boho Chic for this session. Earthy, natural and colorful amongst the white of the Queen Anne Lace. Something as simple as a straw hat, jewelry and a couple of flowers really took the images to the next level. Of course the lovely Mommies to Be added a ton. They were both so awesome, withstood the heat and did anything we asked of them.

There are going to be a lot of images. I get a little too excited when I have a vision, and it works out. Also there is a bit of “skin” in this post. If you are not comfortable with a lot of skin, please feel free to leave the blog or click here.

I got to know Chiantia and Tim pretty well over the last few months while planning for their wedding in August. We had originally planned to do this session at the Cherry Blossoms in DC, but the weather just didn’t cooperate with us or our schedules this year…so what is the next best thing?? A warm sunny meadow at one of my favorite Fredericksburg, Va Battlefields. This field inspired me beyond belief last weekend…and Chiantia and Tim just made it absolutely perfect.

I can’t WAIT for the wedding!

The title for this one will only make sense when you get to the field images ( of course there are field images :)). It is a highly requested location for me now. I do not mind a bit because when that sun hits the field it is just magical, and as a photographer, I just get silly excited.

If you have followed me for a while you may recognize these two beauties. I had the pleasure of photographing them early last winter. It was freezing and little Miss Cheeks was only 3 months old at the time and her big sis was just as stunning! Photographing a 1 yo is an entire different game than most of my clients. They are newly mobile, balance is not solid, they are extremely fascinated with their enviroment (not some crazy lady with a camera) and it takes out of tune singing, kooky sounds and funny dads jumping all around to get their attention or smile. We had a blast doing this session. Dad was a trooper with his theatrics to get little Miss Cheeks to look at me (or at least in my direction). Even big sis threw in a kart wheel or two.

I know most of my parents with children 4 and under leave my sessions frustrated and worried. They “think” their children did not do well, or didn’t smile enough, or sit still enough, and that they will not get a good return of proofs. But I see all the moments they see as frustrating as optimal. My eye through the lens is completely different than what everyone else sees. I see their character, their curiousity, their little parts, and  that is what I capture. And those are the images that make you melt. Not the one straight on smile shot (yes we love those too), but the ones that really show who you see everyday, those are the ones to give us goose bumps. Those are the ones that I go for, that is my goal.

Enjoy these two lovely ladies…I am looking very forward to photographing them many more times over the years.