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Archive for the ‘2011’ Category

It may be spring but I’ve still got goodies to share from last fall…..

I really love what I do and mostly that is capturing the joy in people’s lives. Last fall I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon with this newly engaged duo walking their favorite parts of DC. We strolled from their house near Dupont, past the Tiny Jewel Box where he got her engagement ring to the location of their upcoming wedding celebration [stay tuned for highlights from that amazing party] and finally to Lafayette Park where they have spent much time together.

And man, did we laugh! These two are quick, witty, hilarious, clearly dear friends and so in love. What a treat for me to see DC through their eyes and capture this amazing time in their lives!

One of my favorite clients, whose family I’ve photographed in many great DC locations for the past several years, recently wrote to me saying she wanted to do “something different” for this year’s portrait session, yet still generate some images for holiday cards. After a few email exchanges we came up with a plan for a mini “day in the life” type session. We started at home in the kitchen, where they normally hang out Saturday mornings, then strolled over to Eastern Market, one of their favorite weekend destinations. It was a spectacular fall day and really so much fun…..and I’m so excited about the images that came out of it. Here’s to “something different!”

This has been a wet fall to say the least! I am thankful for the amazing weekend weather we’ve had but I’ve been caught in more downpours, camera in hand, than usual this time of year. Luckily, I’ve spent alot of time with this wonderful family so we were perfectly comfortable crowding together trying to stay dry during the sudden deluge mid-portrait session. Here are some faves of from the morning – thanks for braving the weather with me!

I’m not sure anything I write can be as clever as these preschoolers are on their own. I’ll just say they were all amazing, visions of the grown-ups they will be  – smiley, shy, silly, serious, and all so well dressed in stripes, layers and bright colors. Kudos, parents!

When I meet with clients for their pre-session consultation I always ask where they spend time as a family and what would make for a meaningful location for their portrait session. Well, this lovely couple actually had their wedding at the Jefferson Memorial a few years ago [how cool is that!?] and wanted to return for family portraits. It was such a spectacular setting and was made all the more memorable by knowing that this was where they were married. Such joy!

I have more images from Maine to share! Interestingly, like my last post, this portrait session was also right before a move, though this time we focused more on capturing the home that was dear to my clients. Details of their lovely house, interactions with a beloved neighbor, favorite rooms and so simply, the front stoop, one of my favorite urban locations for portraits.

Isn’t she a delight? I love seeing both the quiet, contemplative moments and bright, smiley ones.

When I meet with my clients for their pre-session consultation I always ask them to think of a location for portraits that has meaning to them. I am happy to make suggestions but find that the connection to place brings so much to the mood of the session and even to the feel of the final images themselves. The location can be home, a favorite park or place the family likes to spend time. Last weekend I was honored to photograph an amazing baby at the Jefferson Memorial where his parents had their wedding! Sneak peek of those images coming soon…..

The day I photographed these two sweet sibs was the day before the movers came to their home, the day before they moved to a new house and a new town so it was important that we capture where they lived now. For those of you who know DC, you might recognize Capitol Hill. Brick sidewalks, wrought iron fences, grassy parks and great climbing trees!

Our two weeks in Maine were filled with wonderful visits with friends, delicious meals, escapes to the beach and many trips for ice cream. Oh, and work for me too!

Before my girls went to their camps we spent the day with a dear friend in the woods of Bowdoinham. My girls joined her nieces in raiding the costume basket and having a tea party in the garden….until they’d had enough of the camera and retreated to the pottery studio for hours of clay time.

The day was bliss of the simplest order: friends, art, nature, good food and laughter. It just filled me up to see the kids so free out in the countryside…truly what every city kid [and adult] needs more of!

You can see more of the gorgeous and inspiring Delilah Pottery here. And I’ll let the images speak for themselves to describe the day for you:

While I sit under the fan in my air conditioned studio and the temperature outside is pushing 100, I am dreaming of last weekend in Maine…when 85 degrees didn’t feel too hot and I got to dip my toes into the chilly waters in Kennebunk.

I had an amazing time with some very dear to me clients who so graciously welcomed me into their home again. The teeny new baby of two summers ago is now a headstrong two year old and the “big girls” are moving onto college and new jobs.It was a perfect time to update the collection of family portraits.

We took advantage of the gorgeous end of day golden light for the portraits then I shared in their delicious family meal [with the best corn I've had yet this summer]. While the little girls were sleeping and the grown-ups relaxing with their books, I edited the images and prepared a presentation for the morning. It was a treat to get to share the portraits with everyone right away before we all went our separate ways….from the Midwest to Mid-Atlantic.

I had a tough time narrowing down the ones to post here!

In my room….love the Home Sweet Home pillow…..

If you look back to my posts from Maine, you’ll see these guys walking together on the beach but holding two of the three girls because they were so little!

Happy Summertime! I, for one, am loving it – wearing my favorite silver sandals almost daily, rediscovering pedicures and swimming with my girls.

Spring was super busy around the studio, between family sessions, two rounds of MiniSessions at Dawn Price Baby and photographing a number of high school seniors it was an action packed season. Luckily, I also had a wonderful new assistant join PHOTOPIA!

Susanne has an art and photography background and is also a talented graphic designer. In a couple of short months she has brought us to a whole new level with album design – so exciting! I thought I’d share some favorite images from a senior portrait session by posting spreads from a gorgeous 8×8 Memory Album that Susanne and I worked on together. Just imagine that the album is on your lap, open to a full 16 inches across, with photographs printed on matte finish 100% recycled paper pages.

And this beauty……guess what her name is.

Summer.