Kimberly Coughlin Photography

My blog has MOVED!

2009-08-09T07:59:00.002-04:00

Please come over and visit my new and improved photo blog...

Beach Favs

2009-07-30T16:31:00.003-04:00

I've just about sorted through all 1500 images from the beach vacation and just had a couple more to share.

Baby Birdies on My Porch

2009-07-29T11:41:00.003-04:00

A little over 3 weeks ago I reached for my hanging flower pot to take it down for watering. To my surprise a bird popped up and squawked at me! I realized it was a mama bird who had built a nest in my flowers and was sitting on eggs. We only saw one egg when mama was away from the nest. So, for two full weeks mama bird sat on that nest keeping an eye us as we came in and out of our front door. She has the softest and gentlest eyes. I'm not a huge bird fan but for some reason I really adored this mama bird. I gave up on watering my flowers and they completely dried up but they did provide a perfect nesting spot for mama bird. We went away on vacation for a week and when we returned I was very happy to see that she was still sitting up there on her nest! Either that night or the next morning, I noticed two more heads in the nest. Two baby birdies! They were actually quite big at that point! They couldn't have been more than a week old. So, we watched them Monday and Tuesday and I had intentions of taking photos but always put it off. Finally yesterday afternoon I took my camera outside and captured mama and babies in the nest. Yesterday evening I saw one baby sitting on the edge of the pot and I feared it would fall off of the nest. This morning, the babies were gone from the nest. I suspected they "flew the coop". Mid-morning, Jake went outside to find one baby sitting on the porch railing. I snapped some photos of the baby but didn't want to scare it so we kept our distance. And then, right before our eyes, it flew to the tree in our front yard. Moments later, mama joined baby on a tree branch and we watched their interaction for quite awhile. So awesome to see their relationship! We never saw the other baby but hopefully it was nearby and mama spent some time with it, too. How cool is that?? Sure beats flowers on the porch anyday!! Oh and never put off taking photos of wildlife until the next day...you might just miss your chance as I came so close to finding out!!!

Vacation

2009-07-27T14:25:00.003-04:00

We had a wonderful week in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and up and down the Outer Banks from Avon to Corolla. I have lots of photos to share, but this is the first I'm ready to publish. Lots of email to dig out from under and CD's from before vacation to deliver and a couple shoots on the horizon. So, for now, enjoy my very handsome (ok, biased!) boys and I'll be posting a few more later.

Welcome Taylor Grace

2009-07-16T10:21:00.002-04:00

I had the honor and privilege of attending the birth of this little angel on Tuesday. Each and every one is so special to me. I am still in awe of the miracle of birth and in the pure determination and perseverance demonstrated by mothers and in this case, of Taylor's mom who was in complete control throughout her labor and delivery. I can not thank L&S enough for allowing me to be witness to the arrival of their adorable daughter and to be able to document those first moments for them. Wow, what an incredible experience for me to be asked to be there and experience the true joy first hand. I always get choked up with each new life that I capture with my lens. I love it.

Family Fun

2009-07-13T09:34:00.002-04:00

This family knows how to have fun! So, the teens might not have been excited to learn that they would be participating in a pre-wedding family photo shoot, but they did know how to make the best of it! Even the "posed" shots turned into candid shots with lots of banter, teasing, bunny ears, etc! I had a hard time focusing because I was constantly laughing with them. They climbed trees, risked their lives on the golf course, and carried each other around on piggy-back and for some reason, I think that is just like any other day in their lives. They truly seem to approach life with a positive, fun-filled attitude! Here's your sneak peek and I'll send the slideshow link soon! Thanks for having me over and special thanks to the teens for tolerating me!!

Harper's Ferry, WVA

2009-07-08T14:35:00.006-04:00

We took a little road trip up to Harper's Ferry, WVA yesterday with my parents and my niece and nephew who are visiting from Arkansas. We had a nice, low-key stroll throught the historic town checking out the old buildings converted to museums. The kids visited the John Brown Wax Museum which they thought was super cool and we walked along the river. I highly recommend going there for a family outing and would LOVE to do a family shoot there with all the awesome buildings/trees/railroad tracks/etc.! An awesome opportunity for unique photos. Any takers?? Call me! Here are a few snapshots I took of our family. Purely snapshots!

More of "the boys"...

2009-07-07T09:43:00.003-04:00

Notice the turtle in the bottom of this photo...What a fun thing for the boys to see during our shoot. I can't wait until their baby sister is born and I get to hang out with this gang again. They are all very excited about her arrival in a few short weeks. I know all 3 three will be fantastic big brothers!

A Trio of Boys...

2009-07-05T23:30:00.004-04:00

...soon to have a baby sister! Wow. What a gorgeous family! Ok, so when I got the call to photograph 3 boys all similar in age to my 3 boys, I was a little scared! My boys run from my camera most of the time. But, not these boys! They were awesome. They couldn't have been more cooperative. And they had great ideas for where to shoot, how to pose, and how to turn on the charm. Such a delight to spend the 5th of July with this family. I promised a sneak peek up tonight and I'm barely making it with 25 minutes to spare. It would have been up earlier, but it has taken me an hour to select a "few" to post! I LOVE so many of them! I'm sure I'll be posting more tomorrow. I hope you enjoy these and stay tuned for more coming your way. Thanks so much for making my job easy!

July 4th in Leesburg, VA

2009-07-04T15:36:00.004-04:00

Independence Day started with a good old fashioned parade down the streets of Leesburg complete with firetrucks, WWII veterans, fife and drum players, and a camel (?). Yep, a real live camel drapped in an American flag! After the parade we stopped at the fireworks stand for some "5th of July" supplies, had a mini cookout for lunch and headed to the pool for some swimming. We're taking a little rest break and will be back out for fireworks tonight at Ida Lee Park. Can't wait! Hope everyone is having a wonderful 4th of July!

Engaged-Part II

2009-06-30T15:34:00.002-04:00

Engaged!

2009-06-29T07:49:00.004-04:00

The drizzle cleared up and I was able to have an engagement shoot with a fun couple yesterday. They are getting married at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens later this year so we did their engagement photos here also. With all the rain we've had this spring/summer, everything was so green and lush. An absolutely gorgeous backdrop for our photos! The funny thing is, this is the same place where my wedding photographer took Matt and I over 11 years ago for our engagement photos! I didn't remember much about it except for one of the bridges and I think they've added some features, but little did I know that 11 years later I'd be a photographer and have the chance to visit this place again!

I still have lots of reviewing/editing to do with the images and stay tuned for a slideshow, but I wanted to get a few posted for the couple today! Jana and Kevin, thanks for a fun afternoon yesterday, enjoy your sneak peek and I absolutely can't wait until your wedding!

First Week of Summer-GONE!

2009-06-27T11:48:00.003-04:00

Wow, how time flies. Our first week of summer break has come and gone and what a busy week it was! We were on the go the whole week and shared it with lots of friends. On the last day of school, the boys had a double sleepover. I'm really not sure what time they went to sleep but rumor has it, it was well past 2 am! I am watching my friend's two kiddos during the week so my guys have playmates each day. This week alone we visited two playgrounds, went to our neighborhood pool 3 days, had some slip in slide fun in the backyard, made some great sidewalk chalk art and had 4 picnics and one restaurant meal!! Whew, that makes me tired just thinking about the week. Yesterday, our cousins came to the pool also and then had a sleepover with us where they went to a bonfire VBS celebration in the evening and played basement baseball til the wee hours of the night! Are my kids lucky or what? I certainly can't remember a summer while I was a kid that was so packed with good friends and fun activities in just the first week alone. We have a lot more planned this summer with a beach trip, cousins visiting from Arkansas for almost a month, and lots more days at the pool. The boys are honing their swimming skills with lessons in the evenings so I fully expect expert swimmers by the end of the summer. Here are a few pics of the first week (I am just getting used to packing for 5 kids so I didn't take my camera out on our day trips, but I plan to in the future!). I hope you are enjoying your summer!

I'm very excited about an engagement shoot I have tomorrow evening so stay tuned for images from that session!

More of cutie pie six week old

2009-06-22T15:23:00.002-04:00

Wanna be a ROCK STAR!

2009-06-18T21:01:00.003-04:00

I had a "rock star" shoot on Tuesday with this little 6 week old. He comes from a family of music lovers! These are my FAVORITE images from the shoot.

2009-06-11T16:23:00.000-04:00

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes

2009-06-11T09:55:00.003-04:00

We had gorgeous weather for the JDRF walk on June 7th. We walked for our friend Brittany and all of the other children who suffer with juvenile diabetes. We truly hope there will be a cure in the near future! Go Brittany's Diabetes Destroyers!!

Last one!

2009-06-04T11:54:00.003-04:00

I couldn't resist posting a few more from the DeBergh shoot. I LOVE the candid moments! The laughing, the hugging, the bond between parents and kids. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. LOVE IT. I can't get enough! How often do you get the chance to preserve these moments? That exact spot in time when your kids are that exact age, the age they will never be again. The age when they liked to sit on your lap and they liked to throw the ball around with you. The moments where you are IN the photo? So many of us are the ones trying to make the memories and then take the photos of the memories that we often don't join in on the fun in the middle of the action. That's why I love my job. I love preserving those WHOLE family memories for you. It may be as simple as sitting on the deck as a family, but they are YOUR moments and they are important. Did I mention how much I LOVE candid moments???

DeBergh Family - 2nd post

2009-06-01T16:49:00.003-04:00

Boy have I had fun today going through all these photos. The goal of the shoot was to take lots of candid, action shots of the kids interacting with their Dad (and Mom!). This was a Father's Day gift from the kids and their mom to their dad and I'm so glad we got the whole family involved. I think I was able to capture their true emotions and the joy they share with each other. Dad is the girls' softball coach and little brother plays baseball so we took some shots of them playing catch in the yard. We also got some cart wheel action on the golf course and back flips on the trampoline. Of course, we took some family portraits but most of them ended up as tickle fights or group hugs! I love it!! Makes my mission to capture real families in real situations so easy! Thanks DeBerghs for a great Sunday evening! Can't wait to show you more soon.

DeBergh Family-Father's Day Shoot

2009-06-01T10:56:00.002-04:00

What a fun family! I had such a good time getting to know this family on Sunday. They have two gorgeous daughters and a very handsome son who all have tons of energy and spunk! We walked all over their neighborhood scouting cool locations to shoot our photos. We went to the waterfall, the golf course, the neighbor's goldfish pond and ended up on the trampoline. Whew! I took tons of photos and have had a blast sorting through them this morning. Having to decide which ones to post has been challenging because I LOVE so many of them! This will be a super sneak peek for mom and I'll post more later!

Grow-A-Head haircuts

2009-05-31T13:39:00.003-04:00

Mom gave the boys these little heads that grow grass for hair about 6 weeks ago. They've been watering them and watching the grass grow ever since! I have to admit that it has been fun watching the sprouts get taller and taller. We decided that today would be a good day to give them a haircut. The boys really got into it! They started off trimming little bits here and there, designing "hair" styles and then changing their minds and going in a different direction. Nick's got pretty short by the end. They are hoping the hair grows back so they can do it again. I'm not sure if it will, but we'll keep watering and see what happens. (notice my rusty table...big summer project to sand it and paint it...anyone want to help?? :))

Just hanging out

2009-05-31T11:30:00.005-04:00

The rain FINALLY stopped, the humidity dried up and we got a beautiful day for a change. And it happened to be SATURDAY and it happened to be Matt's birthday. So, his wish for his birthday to was hang out at my parents' house, cut the grass over there and just relax. So, we did just that! The boys were able to take tractor rides, fish in the pond (Nick caught 14 fish!), and Brett revived the old, black truck that Jake had gotten when he was 3. We charged up the battery and it sputtered around the backyard a bit but probably needs a new battery to make it work better.

We had cake for Matt and were there to greet my parents when they arrived home from their Arkansas trip. I took a few photos earlier in the day. Just look at that SKY!

I have a fun shoot today with 3 super cute kiddos and there may be a waterfall and a trampoline involved! Can't wait!!

My Little Cutie

2009-05-28T10:17:00.003-04:00

Ok, maybe I'm biased, but...

1st Camp-out of the Year

2009-05-26T15:51:00.003-04:00

The church hosted an overnight camping trip on their property very near our home. Matt was asked to organize the evening and he did a great job. About 50 people attended! There was a soccer game, archery demonstration (given by Matt), campfire, s'mores, rides in a "Ranger", and lots of other fun. Brett and I stayed until about 9:30 (sorry, I'm not a camper and especially not with a toddler!) and Matt was left with our 2 boys and a friend. They all had a blast and came home the next day talking of all their adventures. I was asked to take a group photo and that turned out well, but didn't get many other photos due to chasing Brett around the property. I did find a cute 2 month old baby and took her photo. Brett loved her and wanted to stand by her stroller and just look at her!

Pool time and good friends

2009-05-26T15:36:00.002-04:00

Saturday was a great day. We started the day with some pool time, backyard style! Brett was excited to finally use his "wimming pool". In fact, all three boys were excited to use his pool. In retrospect, I should have splurged on the larger variety, but fears of it not fitting in my car prevented me from the purchase. This one is pretty small but that didn't keep all three boys and the dog from enjoying it! I didn't get great photos; I was in fear of the hose! The boys were playing a game with the hose and even though I threatened them with their lives if they got a drop of water on my camera, it still wasn't safe to be within a hundred yards or so of them! After the big boys decided they were too cold to keep playing in water, Brett had it all to himself and promptly plopped his lawnmower in the water. Too funny!

Saturday evening we had a cookout with our good friends. The kids had a blast playing ball and having squirt gun battles. Who knew 6 squirt guns for $5 would provide for hours of fun? It was so nice to sit on the patio, have a great meal, and chat with friends in the nice pre-summer weather. We definitely have to do it again soon!

Kickin' off the long weekend

2009-05-23T09:15:00.003-04:00

Brett took a break from baseball to explore a dried up earthworm on the driveway. "Eeeewwwwwwwww" was his exact comment!

Woohoo...Memorial Day weekend...summer kick off! Well, sort of...when I was in school in a different part of the country, Memorial Day weekend meant the REAL summer was beginning and school was OUT! But my poor guys have 4 more weeks of school so Memorial Day weekend just kicks off the opening of the pools and a long weekend around here.

Summer and baseball go hand in hand so Matt, Nick and Brett played a little backyard (actually driveway!) baseball last night. Brett loves hats of any kind and found this batting helmet in the sports bin in the garage and wore it all evening. Backwards of course! He has a mean swing on him and can hit the ball with a force! And Nick was hitting the ball all the way across the street with every swing.

We have a low key weekend planned with lots of relaxing on the schedule. I finally got a plastic pool so we may do some backyard "swimming". I hope your weekend is full of family, friends, and lots of fun times!

The last wedding post

2009-05-21T10:39:00.003-04:00

Today's post will be a few collages I put together for the wedding couple. They are formatted to print in 8x10 and I love how they sum up the day. I also included one single image of the Bride and Maid of Honor because they are both so gorgeous! I've still got some editing to do to have everything ready for their return and I need to burn the DVD of their slideshow so this will probably be my last post of wedding photos. Believe me, I could go on and on and on since I have over 1000 images!

I also want to post the link to the slideshow: http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow?fl=3099553&alb=0 Remember that you can right click on the show and view it full screen on your computer. I'm just thrilled that they love their show; grinning from ear to ear actually. I love making slideshows (even though they are extremely time consuming!) and when someone tells me they like it, wow, that makes it all worth it! I hope that Brian and Casey will enjoy this one for years to come.

Thanks again for asking me to be a part of your wedding day. And Casey, I'm so glad we reconnected as friends! I look forward to getting together with you soon. Enjoy the rest of the week at the beach!

The "after" party...

2009-05-20T08:08:00.004-04:00

I wasn't kidding when I said I'd probably be posting all week about the wedding! After the ceremony and the church reception, the Bride and Groom had a family cookout at the Bride's parents' home. Did I mention they had a large family? Well, the Bride's mom is one of 10 and the Groom's family flew in from Nebraska so just the family was as many people as a small army! I attended this event as well and after the rain stopped, took out my camera to capture some images from this festive celebration. I was drawn to the kids, of course! They were having a blast playing in the yard. They played soccer, hide-and-seek, blew more bubbles, and the little ones found dandelions.

Casey and her mom insisted on sending me home with a huge plate (well really 3 plates!) of homemade food. Let me tell you, these people know how to cook!

So, please enjoy these casual, candid images from the after party and we'll see if I come up with more to post about tomorrow! Something tells me I will!

More wedding favorites...

2009-05-18T19:08:00.006-04:00

Here are just a few more from Saturday's wedding for Brian and Casey to enjoy from the beach! The first one is my favorite candid of Brian's daughter...all of the girls had come outside of the cottage where they had gotten dressed and we were getting ready to walk over to the church. She had the most adorable look on her face as she looked over at Casey. Check out her little foot. There is something about Brides that makes little girls get all dreamy! And who could blame her? Casey was absolutely radiant!

The second one of Casey and her dad makes me smile, too. I love the idea of daddys and daughters. The last one is a collage of some images during the day from the beautiful flowers (made by a family friend) and the super cute watermelon gazebo with the bride and groom inside on the buffet table (catering also by a family friend) to some of my favorites of Casey and Brian.

There are so many more I want to share so I'll probably be posting everyday about this wedding. Can you tell I enjoyed myself? So, stay tuned! (you can click on the images above to view them larger)

Casey & Brian

2009-05-17T21:05:00.002-04:00

One of the best things about photographing weddings is getting to meet so many wonderful people. By the end of the reception, I have always been made to feel like part of the family! This wedding was no exception! It was such a pleasure to work with Casey and Brian's families on their wedding day and what a great wedding it was. They had Mother Nature on their side with a very cloudy and damp start to the day and with her coming through with sun and blue sky just in time for pre-ceremony photos and post-ceremony photos. In fact, the weather held out until just after the bubbles were blown and their car drove away before the showers fell.

I have so many more things to say about this wedding and oh so many more photos to share but I wanted to get some of my favorites up tonight because I sort of promised the Bride and Groom that I would! I'm kinda doubting that they are checking my blog from their beachfront vacation home at the moment, BUT just in case, here you go Casey and Brian! I hope you are enjoying your first night away and I can't wait to show you the rest of your photos. I had a great time yesterday. Oh, and thanks for putting up with me and for always letting me get "just one more shot!"

Walking for a Cure

2009-05-14T13:58:00.004-04:00

Juvenile Diabetes is a terrible disease. Chances are that you know someone who suffers from it on a daily basis. Endless finger pricks and needle sticks are just as routine for these kids as is brushing their teeth. You may not recognize the disease in their faces; for the most part it is a hidden disease. They appear just as normal as any other kid but the truth is that kids can suffer serious issues attributed to this disease. Researchers are getting closer and closer to a cure everyday but they require funding to keep the progress going.

Our dearest friends' daughter was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes almost 5 years ago. The bravery with which she tackles her diagnosis amazes me each and every time I'm with her. And the determination to find a cure within her lifetime is an effort that her parents tirelessly strive towards. Each year there is a regional walk held in Loudoun County to raise money for research and our family participates as part of the team, "Brittany's Diabetes Destroyers". That walk will be held in June. You can visit our page and/or make a donation to our team here: http://walk.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=extranet.personalpage&confirmid=87355286

As part of Brittany's mom's tireless effort to raise money for the JDRF organization, she coordinates a similar walk at Seldens Landing Elementary School for the students to participate in. Last year was the first year of the walk at the school and they raised over $10,000!!! Incredible!! This year the walk was held on May 8th with approximately 170 walkers and at last count they were close to reaching that same goal. Way to go!

I attended the walk to take photos of the kids. It was so much fun. They had an awesome DJ from All in One Entertainment (I highly recommend!), lots of dancing, a limbo line, tattoos, and super cool door prizes like tickets to Six Flags, the Ashburn Ice House, and Jumping Jack Sports among many, many others. The kids all had a blast and best of all, they could feel good about all working together to help support JDRF's efforts to find a cure. Here are a few images from this fabulous event. Thanks for having me!

9 days old

2009-05-13T20:08:00.002-04:00

Baby feet. Baby toes. Can you have too many photos of your baby's feet and toes? I don't think so. I wish I had more photos of my own boys' baby toes. I'm not sure why I love them so much but I gravitate towards the toes when I'm taking newborn images. Maybe it is because you realize how quickly they grow up by how often you have to buy new shoes for them. I know my own kids need new shoes every few months (thanks, Mom!). Maybe by taking so many images of baby toes it captures and preserves those sweet, precious and fleeting first few weeks. Maybe it is a reminder of those early days for you to hold onto when you are tripping over BIG shoes in your hallway. I'm not sure how many images of baby toes you'll frame and hang in your living room, but you'll have them and you can look back on them and remember how sweet it was to kiss them and hold them in your hand and you'll remember just how small and precious your little one was. Ahhhh, I just love baby toes.

Brett and I had a quick visit with baby David today. He's 9 days old. How did that happen? 9 days old. He's still small. And sleepy. We got LOTS of sleeping images of him today. And Emily let me explore my creative ideas with him. I have so many ideas of photos for newborns that only work in the first 1-2 weeks. That's when they are so sleepy and can be posed easily. David obliged and we got some cute stuff!

I made a quick slideshow of my favorite photos. He's oh-so-sweet. Thanks, Emily, for letting me be creative! Oh and get ready for lots of baby toes! I especially love how you can still see the heel stick marks. You can really tell how new he is by those. Here's the show: http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow?fl=3098131&alb=0

Cascades Exhibit thru June 30th

2009-05-12T08:58:00.003-04:00

I've been so busy lately I've neglected to post about my new library exhibit in Cascades. It will be on display through June 30th and is on the main wall as you walk into the library. These are new enlargements I had made for this exhibit. A "small world" experience as I was hanging the display happened when a librarian shouted "Oh, that's my neighbor!" referring to the gorgeous blonde college student I had taken photos of with her family back in November. I love the shot and wanted to put it in the exhibit in hopes of doing some senior shoots this summer. Anyway, the librarian lives across the street from my dear friend from the Birthing Inn, Christy, and she was quite excited to see the photo!

So, if you get the chance, pop into the Cascades Library and check it out...you can also check out a book while you're there! (the glare in these pictures is terrible so you have to see them in person!)

Season Wrap-Up

2009-05-11T11:39:00.006-04:00

Jake likes to win. He likes to play sports and he likes to win. Last spring his flag football team played for the championship title and lost and he was grouchy for a week. This season was a bit different from last. They lost their first game and Jake gave a very moving (moving for his parents anyway!) "talk" to his teammates that they shouldn't be down about the loss because his team last year lost their first game and went on to win the remaining games and play for the title. We thought that was great...showed such leadership in our 8 year old.

Well, this season had some ups and downs (Jake was always happy when he scored touchdowns) but they didn't win a single game. That was really hard for our kid who likes to win. He did somehow manage to keep his head up and not get too upset, but it did take its toll. Some lessons were available to the kids...sports isn't only about winning. It is about supporting your team; encouragement; perseverance even when things are tough. It was a good season in that Jake had his dad as coach and his best friend on his team. After the final game, Coach Matt reminded the team and Jake in particular, "the fall season starts right now." Jake will play tackle in the fall. I'm not so sure I'm ready for that...stay tuned.

Jake, I'm proud of you for keeping your head high and trying to stay positive. Not all teams will be championship teams. I'm proud of you for trying your hardest when giving up might have seemed attractive. I love to watch you play and I look forward to many, many more seasons of cheering from the sidelines. You are always a winner in my book!

Here are some images from the season: http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow?fl=3097365&alb=0

He's HERE!!

2009-05-04T18:11:00.004-04:00

Wow, little David Paul decided he was in a hurry to greet this world and meet his mama and daddy so he made his debut at 12:56 today after only a few short hours of labor. And oh is he precious! And gorgeous! And perfect! It was such an honor to be present when he arrived. I get goose bumps just thinking of how special it is for me to be asked to share in such a momentous event.

This is just a sneak peek at a couple photos from earlier today. I'll put the birth photos to music in slideshow format for the parents. I have plans for so many more photos of this newborn. You'll be seeing lots of baby David on my site. :)

Congratulations Em and Ricky! And welcome to the family David. We love you so much already!

Pre-wedding Church Visit

2009-05-03T19:32:00.002-04:00

I am very excited to be photographing a wedding in a couple weeks. The Bride is an "old" friend of mine from high school and we also worked together for a few years after college. We basically lost touch with each other and then she found me on our high school reunion site last fall. She contacted me about her wedding and I was thrilled to be asked to be part of her special day! I can't believe we are only days away from the big event. We met on Saturday at the church and took a tour of the inside and I scouted some gorgeous areas around the church for pre and post wedding portraits. The wedding will take place in Aldie (as a side note, my husband grew up in this little town and went to elementary school with the bride-yes, it is a small world!) and it is such a quaint and historical town with so much charm. I borrowed the bride's fiancee's daughter who will be the "Maid of Honor" to check out the light inside and outside the church. Isn't she cute? I can't wait to see her in her cinderella pink dress on the big day. Stay tuned for wedding photos in a few weeks!

Improvising on a hot day

2009-04-26T14:24:00.002-04:00

Who would have thought it would be 95 degrees on April 25th? The warmth did feel great and we spent the day mostly outdoors with a flag football game in the morning and then a little water fun in the afternoon. Brett loves anything that has to do with water. I've found him more than once standing in a bathroom sink with the water on full blast; he loves to put toys in the dog's water bowl and splash water all over the floor; and today was no exception with lots of hose and sprayer fun. The water coming from the hose was COLD despite the 90+ degree air temperature but that didn't keep him from spraying himself in the face, body and head. He loved it. I had planned to get him a plastic pool for the summer but since it is only April, I haven't gotten around to that yet. So we improvised. A snow sled was still in the backyard and he occasionally calls it a boat and sits in it. I let him fill that up with water and he played in it just like a plastic pool. He still called it his boat so at some point we will have to teach him that filling boats up with water isn't actually a good idea! But, today it was a perfect idea and made for a couple hours of fun!

Serious, determined, thoughtful, flirty, bashful-all in one

2009-04-24T09:46:00.001-04:00

Too cute for words!

2009-04-22T14:14:00.005-04:00

I have been wanting to photograph my neighbor's little darling forever and even though we see each nearly every day of the week at the bus stop and have numerous playdates, I've not had the opportunity to really catch her little spunkiness in photos! She came to play with Brett today for a little while and I grabbed my camera and took them outside. Her mom left me with two hair bands, some clippy thingies and a brush "just in case I wanted to take some photos." Well, let's just say this mom of 3 little boys doesn't know much on the art of fixin' up girls' hair! I tried! She's a cutie pie even if a inexperienced mom fixed her hair!

The two were having so much fun in the backyard that "Yanie" as Brett calls her, didn't slow down a bit for me to get any portraits so we went for the action shots. I discovered that even little girls like big yellow Tonka trucks! They filled it with rocks and dumped out the rocks and pushed it around the yard. They also stood at the back of the yard and Brett would yell "GO!" and they would run down the hill and back up the other side. So much fun to watch two little ones interact. She's actually 3 months older but Brett outweighs her by probably 10 pounds and has at least 4 inches on her. He is such a big boy!

I'm going to have to get some more camera time with "Yanie" this summer w/o Brett competing for the shot! She's too cute for words!!

Successful Baby Shower

2009-04-20T09:57:00.003-04:00

A little Mama-to-Be scare the day before the shower landed Em in the hospital for a night and gave us all a little concern she might miss her shower. But, with reassurance from the good doctor and determination on her part, the shower went on as planned and was a success. I think she's set for at least a few months (well, maybe weeks knowing babies!) with diapers, wipes, clothes, books, and all the necessary new baby items. Now if he decides to come a little early, she'll be ready!

We had guests from Richmond, VA who will be this little baby's GREAT, GREAT Aunts. That's 4 generations!! How wonderful!

I wanted to post a few photos from the afternoon of all the details that have kept me busy (in a good way) for the last few weeks. I totally enjoyed planning and putting together this shower and a big thanks to everyone who helped me! We definitely can't wait to meet the newest addition to our family in a few short weeks.

Non-traditional Easter "Egg" Hunt

2009-04-11T16:44:00.003-04:00

The boys and I headed out for some Easter photos and some fun on a warm day during spring break. Brett insisted on bringing his basket (you may remember his obsession with buckets...that also applies to baskets). Instead of hunting Easter eggs, the boys hunted pinecones! Brett had a great time picking them up and putting them in his basket. Then he discovered the water...and then the pinecones found their way into the water. And so did some twigs and some rocks! What is it with boys and throwing things into water?? That makes it three for three with my kids and wanting to throw objects into any puddle, pond or lake!

I had quite the challenge trying to get all three to cooperate and let me have a photo of them together. Didn't really get what I wanted...why do my boys think I take too many photos?? They don't like to sit together or be close in anyway if I ask them to. So, I got some candids and some individual shots but nothing for an Easter card. There's always tomorrow!

Anyway, hope you are having an enjoyable Easter weekend and the Easter Bunny is good to you tonight! :)

Waiting for Baby Part II

2009-04-08T16:30:00.003-04:00

A few more from our maternity session including the turtle family!

Waiting for Baby

2009-04-08T16:15:00.003-04:00

I had a fantastic shoot with an adorable and "totally in love" couple last Sunday. They have been married almost 3 years and are expecting their first baby (a boy) in late May. Needless to say, there is quite the excitement around the arrival of this little guy from everyone in the family. The Mama-to-Be happens to be my hubby's cousin whom I've known, well this will make me seem VERY old, since she was about 6 years old! I'm thrilled for them and can't wait get some camera loving time with the little man when he arrives.

We went out to Isaac Walton and walked around the pond and enjoyed the great spring day. On the way back towards the car I happened to spot a daddy turtle, mama turtle and baby turtle all in a row on a tree branch rising from the pond. It was such an appropriate and completely sweet way to end our session!

Enjoy these photos of gorgeous Emily and excited daddy-to-be Ricky. And stay tuned for baby's debut on my site in a few short weeks. Can't wait!!

A few more of Kallie

2009-04-01T20:10:00.002-04:00

I couldn't resist posting a few more of baby Kallie. She still makes me smile!

Trucks and Buckets-A Boy and his Toys!

2009-03-31T09:58:00.003-04:00

This yellow Tonka truck has been around our house for over 8 years now. The boys' Grandpop gave it to Jake when he was born-literally! Now it is Brett's turn at the "built tough" truck and he had a blast with it yesterday. Up and down the backyard and around again. His other favorite toys at the moment are buckets. I think he gets this from his love affair with the horses at Grandad's house. Buckets (or bucks as he calls them) was one of his first words! These two little ones made their backyard debut yesterday as well and he had a blast finding treasures around the yard to fill them up with. Pinecones, rocks, dog toys, and dirt all had their place in his buckets. He even put the buckets in the truck and took them for a ride. He did have a little competition from the dog who was just as eager to take things out of the buckets as Brett was to put them in the buckets. Just a few disputes among the two of them! Brett takes it in stride and tells Rocky "no, No, NO!" So glad to see the nice weather finally arriving so we can have more backyard adventures!

Sweet, sweet Kallie

2009-03-27T08:04:00.003-04:00

She has to be the most beautiful baby girl...so much personality for her young 10 weeks. So smiley! So active! So adoring of her parents! I enjoyed my time with her yesterday and I have to admit, enjoyed some pink in my house, too. Waaaaaaaay too much blue around here! Little miss Kallie was too busy checking everything out for us to get any sleeping baby photos, but that's ok because we got plenty smiling baby photos. Very impressive for only 10 weeks. Annie, I hope your first day back at work is good. Here's a little peek at your beautiful daughter to get you through the day. :) She's just gorgeous and thanks for sharing her with me yesterday! I'll see you soon!

"Two" much fun to be ONE!

2009-03-15T11:51:00.003-04:00

Two birthday cakes, two number one candles, two ride on motorcycles, two adorable one year old brothers! What fun I had at Jaxson and Cash's birthday celebration yesterday! It really is amazing how far they've come in one short year. They are walking all over the place and have their own little personalities. I'm thrilled that the family asked me to capture this special day for the boys. I took almost 400 images from the event (and it was still going when I left!) so I'm barely through them, but I wanted to give the family a sneak peek at the fun. Hope you enjoy them and thanks again for having me!

2009-03-12T09:43:00.002-04:00

Hard to believe these little guys will be one on Saturday. I can't wait to celebrate their special day with them!

Uncovering fun...

2009-03-10T10:41:00.002-04:00

The warm weekend enticed my boys outside to do some exploring. I was pleasantly surprised that in this crazy world of video games, all kid channel tv, expensive toys, etc., my guys entertained themselves practically all day Saturday just with what nature gave them in the backyard. A few earthworms, some pinecones, sticks, rocks, and some space to run around kept them happy for hours. They even got their cousin to touch a worm! Oh, and don't worry, no worms were harmed in this process. Just a little boy trying to give his mom a heart attack by threatening to eat a worm!

Finally-OUTSIDE!

2009-03-09T11:09:00.004-04:00

My wish for warmer weather came true this weekend. We had two gorgeous days Saturday and Sunday. The boys dug through their drawers for shorts and t-shirts and hubby found some time to do yard work. Spring was definitely in the air! I was a little sad to see the long range forecast showing 40 degree temps for this coming up weekend but at least we got a taste for what is going to come with time. March is usually like that with up and down temperatures. Anyway, I got to take my camera outside and capture these two cuties in action. There were bug hunts and earthworms involved in this cousin extravaganza! Enjoy these two sisters!

Remember warmer days?

2009-03-05T12:54:00.003-05:00

We have definitely had enough of winter around my house. We didn't get enough snow to be fun and the most recent snow we got this week was enough, but it was too darn cold to enjoy it much. I've been dreaming of warmer days and remembering what it felt like to be outside with no coats, no hats, no mittens and no SHOES! I know that spring finally does come rescue us from winter and now that the calendar has flipped to March, it will be here soon. Today, I'm looking back and trying to remember the green grass, those lazy beach days with family, the ice cream truck, and just sitting in the porch rockers and enjoying the outdoors! I can't wait to get back outside with my camera and start taking outdoor portraits again! Spring can't arrive soon enough for me! Hope you enjoy my little bit of warmth today...

Yum, Yum!

2009-02-26T14:38:00.005-05:00

The 25th was my Grandmother's 84th birthday. Brett and I made chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting in her honor. She lives a mere 1000 miles away from us so, unfortunately, we didn't get to celebrate with her in person. When Nick came home from kindergarten and saw the yummy cupcakes he asked who they were for. I told him they were for his Mamaw Theda and he very surprisingly asked, "Are we going to take them to her TONIGHT?" I said "No, it wouldn't be her birthday anymore by the time we arrived, so we'll just have to eat them ourselves and think of her when we do." All three kids were happy to do so. Happy Birthday, Mamaw Theda!

Here are a few photos I snapped of Brett trying out the batter. This was his first experience with "getting to lick the spoon". Somehow I don't expect it will be his last!

So new...

2009-02-17T14:03:00.002-05:00

Welcome Baby Henry

2009-02-03T21:51:00.009-05:00

Ahhhh, babies are my weakness. I love everything about them...the little sounds they make, the way they grab your finger and hold on tight, their wrinkly foreheads, I could go on and on and on...3 week old baby Henry certainly gave me something to smile about today. What an absolute sweetheart! I had the privilege of photographing our good friends' new baby and his big sis, too. Isn't she precious? And such a good helper! Thank you for coming by and letting me "play" with your kiddos. I loved every minute of it!

Finally, A REAL Snow Day!

2009-01-28T08:00:00.002-05:00

No school and AT LEAST an inch of snow. You could still see the grass peeking out above the snow but we did get more than last week and we were able to do some sledding. Lots of fun!!

Little Cowboy

2009-01-26T18:03:00.003-05:00

He might be the cutest cowboy ever! Guess I'm a little biased since he's my little cowboy. We got these boots and hat for Christmas and I've been waiting for a semi-warm day to take him over to Grandad's horses and take some photos. Funny how he loves to wear the hat all around the house but when we got over there he didn't want anything to do with it. He was all business when it comes to the horses. Obsessed with carrying the buckets to feed them! I did a post a while back calling him Grandad's Shadow and that is as true as ever. My dad told him he hopes he's as eager to help when he's FIVE. We'll see, but somehow I think so. I think his love of horses will last. Stay tuned for spring when I have some more boots and hat photo ideas. Hopefully, he'll cooperate!

1st Snow!

2009-01-20T20:57:00.002-05:00

We finally got some snow! Well, people in the Mid-West probably wouldn't call it a snow event exactly, but to us it was REAL snow. It snowed pretty hard for maybe an hour yesterday. It blew away pretty quickly after it stopped but the big boys got to play some football in it while it was coming down and after little man took a nap, he got to venture out into the remaining white stuff. It was his first official snow (and Rocky's first snow also!). They both liked eating it best of all. I really hope we get some more this winter. The boys tried to snowboard but there just wasn't enough on the ground this time. And I definitely see some dog sledding in the future, too.

A first look...

2009-01-14T09:31:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year...well, ok we are 2 weeks into the new year but I've been neglecting my blog so this is my first official post of 2009.

I started my new year off with a very fun "day in the life" style shoot with the "S" family last weekend. They invited me into their home to capture some images of their 2 1/2 month old baby boy and their very handsome (and polite!) 12 year old son. We aimed to get some casual, candid images of the family interacting in the comfort of their home. Baby "I" is so alert and full of expression for his tender age of a few weeks! And big brother "J" just adores his little brother. We also got some great shots of big brother playing his guitar. He didn't want to just pose with his guitar or "fake it"! I got to really hear him play and he is GOOD!

I had a great time with you guys! Here are a few images from the shoot and I'll be in touch soon with a slideshow and the finished session. Hope you enjoy them!

2009-01-08T10:16:00.001-05:00

2009-01-08T10:03:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T14:47:00.001-05:00

Santa and his reindeer

2008-12-22T15:08:00.000-05:00

Family of Six

2008-12-08T08:24:00.003-05:00

Had a great time yesterday hanging out with the "G" family. Love the interaction between the 4 kids! The weather didn't cooperate for our planned outdoor pond shoot be we managed to brave the cold and wind for a few front porch photos. Enjoy your sneak peek and stay tuned for your slideshow to, UH, Twisted Sister!?! You guys were a blast and thanks for spending time with me on Sunday afternoon. We'll have to do the outdoor shoot this spring!

BRRRRRRRRRRR!

2008-12-07T11:10:00.002-05:00

I gotta give this family some credit for being willing to brave the 35 degree temperature for their 3 generation photo. We had already rescheduled our date due to rain. Too bad it wasn't snowing for this one! It sure was cold enough! Anyway, we took some really quick shots and despite some cold noses, everyone did ok. Thanks "T" family and happy holidays!

Holiday shoot

2008-12-06T11:27:00.002-05:00

I had the pleasure of photographing this family again. We did their matenity shoot and then the birth of baby E back in the spring. It was holiday photo time and they all looked beautiful all decked out in their holiday best! Enjoy your sneak peek and I'll be in touch soon!

Holiday Fun

2008-12-04T08:26:00.002-05:00

In my attempt for a holiday card photo, we did get to enjoy an afternoon at Oatlands Plantation. This is definitely one of my favorite places on the planet and they decorate it so beautifully for Christmas. It closes down the end of this month and doesn't reopen until spring. The boys love exploring all the "secret" garden passageways and running up and down all the terraced levels. Here are some out-takes from the afternoon. Tune in to your mailboxes for the holiday card choice!

2008-12-02T13:02:00.002-05:00

Another cutie from my weekend...

Engaged! (part II)

2008-12-01T17:24:00.004-05:00

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2008-11-30T21:30:00.000-05:00

2008-11-30T18:46:00.003-05:00

What a weekend! I'm not even close to being caught up on editing all the photos from my marathon of shoots. So many beautiful images! I can't wait to share all of them with the wonderful families I spent time with this weekend. Here's a glimpse into a "Mommy & Me" shoot that turned out to be mainly of "me"! Little "E" was having a blast running through the fields and climbing fences and hay bales. Let's just say we got a lot of ACTION shots! Megan, you look gorgeous and no one would ever guess you are 8 months pregnant! Thanks for spending Saturday morning with me (and the cows and the deer, too!).

Engaged!

2008-11-29T07:38:00.004-05:00

Oatlands Plantation provided the perfect background for this wonderful couple's engagement photos. It was a gorgeous late November day and the grounds were decorated for the holidays. I truly enjoyed getting to know them during our session. Thanks so much Deb for introducing us and having me take their beautiful photos! They did a wonderful job just being themselves and I think their love for one another shows in these images. I know they'll have a wonderful marriage and life together! (As a side note, GO HOKIES!)

Party of Five

2008-11-28T13:56:00.002-05:00

What a great way to spend the morning after Thanksgiving! I had such fun with the "H" family on a new property exploring all the different areas and textures. They were great sports, even Dad who asks the same question as my husband..."Isn't one photo enough??". Sorry, dad, I take A LOT of photos!! Thanks for being a good sport. "C" you have a gorgeous family; beautiful daughters in college and a very handsome son with a great 'serious' look. Hope you guys had a little fun, too. Here's your sneak peek. Can't wait to get through all of the images and share the rest. Be looking for a link from me.

Grandad's shadow

2008-11-24T07:36:00.004-05:00

When it is time to feed the horses, Grandad knows he'll have a little shadow following him every step of the way. Brett's little legs take him from the house to the feed building to the first horse paddock to the second horse paddock to the third horse paddock and all the way back around again. He wants to carry buckets, too. And don't give him an empty bucket! He knows that there is supposed to be feed in those buckets so his MUST have feed in there, too. He loves to help and is very definite in his actions! Of my three boys, I think Brett shows the most interest in the horses. He even let Daisy, the pony, have his cinnamon cracker yesterday (which she totally enjoyed!). Although after she actually ate it, I think he was a little surprised at himself for hand feeding the horse. Then she wouldn't leave him alone sniffing him up and down for another treat. He didn't really seem to mind the big nose invading his space! We need to get him up on her back, soon, right Grandad?

2008-11-19T14:08:00.000-05:00

2008-11-13T08:10:00.000-05:00

Three Months

2008-11-13T08:04:00.000-05:00

Two Years Old!

2008-11-12T13:58:00.010-05:00

I was lucky enough to meet this darling on her actual "Birth" day two years ago when I photographed her first moments in the world. It seems like yesterday to me and probably even more so for her mom. I did her 1 year photos and now she's talking up a storm and will be two this month. For this session, she actually enjoyed being in front of the camera and we got lots of smiles. She was a joy to hang out with. Happy Birthday, J!

I'm never satisfied with just one post!

2008-11-09T20:32:00.002-05:00

I NEEDED to post a few more from today...

Beautiful Family

2008-11-09T20:15:00.003-05:00

I really enjoyed my Sunday shoot this weekend. We had another gorgeous fall day and I had a wonderful family to work with. I think Mom & Dad will have a hard time deciding which photos they want as WALL MURALS decorating their home! We tried out many, many locations around the grounds of Morven Park and the family looks beautiful in each and every spot. The late afternoon shadows even add some character to the location shoot. "C" Family, I hope you love your photos as much as I do! Thanks so much for allowing me to capture your beautiful family!

Could this family be any cuter?

2008-11-03T21:18:00.002-05:00

I ended my weekend with a great shoot of a great family. We were neighbors in the past and it was so much fun to see them again and see how much the kids have grown and changed. Both of them were so good and cooperative with the photo taking. It is always nice when the kids actually like the location where the shoot takes place. Some playing, some posing, some more playing... Thanks for asking me to take your fall family portraits! Can't wait for you to see the rest of the session!

Happy 3rd Birthday!

2008-11-03T21:05:00.002-05:00

This cute little guy was celebrating his 3rd birthday on November 2nd. I think he had fun running around the park checking out all the neat scenery, kicking his soccer ball, playing with mom and dad and finally, enjoying a special birthday lollipop that I brought him! Yummy! He even let his mom have a taste. Here's a glimpse at the session...it was great meeting you all!

Cascades Library Exhibit

2008-11-03T16:26:00.003-05:00

My exhibit is in the Cascades Library in Sterling through December 31st. I have 30+ photos hanging. They are just as you come in the door on the left and above the check out desk and also down the hallway to the bathrooms. Many thanks to my husband who climbed the ladder and hung photos above the library shelving! I couldn't have done it without him. And a special thank you to all my wonderful clients because without you, I wouldn't have such a beautiful exhibit!

My FAVORITE from yesterday (so far!)

2008-11-02T08:33:00.002-05:00

Super Sneak Peek!

2008-11-02T08:22:00.003-05:00

I'm not even half way through yesterday's session with the H. family but I am so excited about the photos that I wanted to post a couple to give Sid a sneak peek. Your boys are adorable! Thank you so much for having me back...I was lucky enough to photograph these little guys when they were only a few weeks old. Boy, have they grown! They are so curious, too. I think they were interested in everything EXCEPT my camera lens. Grass, leaves, iron gates, water fountains, etc, etc, etc. Haha! They loved the outdoors and it was a gorgeous day. Ok, here's a few photos and I can't wait to share the rest soon.

-I'm off to two more shoots today...I LOVE MY JOB!! :)

Fall Color

2008-11-01T08:47:00.002-04:00

Gotta love those leaves!

Claude Moore Park-Sterling, VA

2008-10-31T09:13:00.002-04:00

Brett and I tried out a new shoot location yesterday. This one is Claude Moore Park at the Farm Heritage Museum site in Sterling, VA. It is small and quaint with a pond, a barn, a couple of buildings (one of them called the Frogshackle Cottage) and some open areas. I liked it and will probably use it for a shoot sometime. It was pretty cold when we were there, hence Brett's hat!

Pumpkin Guts

2008-10-30T09:19:00.008-04:00

Here's my 5 year old trying to convince his one year old brother to scoop out the pumpkin guts for him.

It didn't work and he was left to do it himself!

Oh, come on! It can't be THAT bad!

Here's the perfect Jack-o-lantern! No guts involved!

More from Perfect Fall Day...

2008-10-27T13:44:00.003-04:00

I've been going through the session from yesterday and I wanted to post a few more for the family to view before seeing their entire session. I love these photos! I'm having a hard time narrowing it down to post only a few here. See you soon-K!

Perfect Fall Day

2008-10-26T21:13:00.003-04:00

We couldn't have asked for a better late October day than we got today. The sky was crystal clear and the temperature perfect. I'm still going through the session but I had to post a few right away-a couple of my favorites! Thanks so much guys! You made my job easy.

Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere!

2008-10-20T20:11:00.002-04:00

We've been going to lots of places where there are pumpkins. I think pumpkins are awesome! Maybe because I love the color orange. I've noticed lately that I buy clothes for myself and for the boys in orange. I found myself doodling with an orange crayon the other day. I guess it makes sense for me to love pumpkins (and pumpkin pie!). I also love photos of pumpkins. They are so vibrant and inviting. And the kids like to comb through them to find the "perfect" one. We have several perfect ones. They are excited to carve them, but me, I like them whole!

Photo Published!

2008-10-17T08:19:00.003-04:00

I took this photo back in the summer and my husband used it to accompany an article he had been asked to write on kids and fishing. We just discovered that they were using the photo on their homepage. I love it!! Check it out! http://theamericanoutdoorsman.com/. Read the article, too, and check out more of his writing at www.mattcoughlin.typepad.com.

Will & Drew Part II

2008-10-15T09:40:00.002-04:00

2x's Cute!

2008-10-15T09:25:00.002-04:00

I was fortunate enough to get to meet and play with these two 8 month old brothers visiting from California this week. They were a delight! Here's a glimpse at their session...

Best Buddies

2008-10-13T20:39:00.002-04:00

When you are almost 6 years old and you've had your best friend since you were 3, it is significant. Starting preschool together is a big deal. Even though you don't happen to go to the same kindergarten, you still are best friends. You have a bond that is unbreakable. And when one of you is moving away, far away across the country, it feels sad. Yeah, you are only almost 6 and yeah, you'll make another best friend, probably a lot of more best friends, but today you are sad. And it is ok to be sad and it was great to have a fun last playdate before the moving truck rolls away. Here's to having a best friend and always keeping them close at heart. And to finding them again for another playdate. We'll all miss you and thanks for being such good friends.

Holiday Card Flyer

2008-10-10T14:37:00.003-04:00

It is not too late to get that perfect family photo for your holiday cards!

Downtown Leesburg

2008-10-05T22:09:00.002-04:00

Wow, I've had two days in a row with exceptional kids! This brother and sister pair were such a pleasure to be with today. I think they practiced their posing because they were pros right from the start! We had a great time on our Sunday morning stroll through downtown Leesburg. Here's a glimpse from our session. More to come later...

A few more from Saturday...

2008-10-05T15:31:00.001-04:00

I couldn't resist!

Sisters & More

2008-10-05T15:16:00.002-04:00

What do you get when you combine two sisters, six cousins, a gorgeous fall day, and the perfect backdrop? A good time for all! I had the best time yesterday with this family. I have to admit that when I received the inquiry to photograph eight, I was a little concerned that it would be chaos. But, I sure was wrong. These were the most cooperative, well behaved kids I've had the pleasure to be with in a long time. If only there had been more of me to go around because everytime I turned my back to capture a shot, another wonderful photo opportunity was going on behind my back! I believe the cousins genuinely had a good time hanging out with each other. I know I did! Here's a sneak peek at the shoot. I can't wait to share all the photos with the family. Thanks for having me!

2008-10-01T20:52:00.000-04:00

Morven Park, Leesburg, VA

2008-10-01T18:55:00.004-04:00

I found it! The perfect location for my shoot. I knew in the back of my mind that it would be perfect but I literally haven't been to Morven Park in about 23 years!! It is absolutely stunning. The mansion house is closed for renovations but the gardens are perfect. Lots of boxwoods separate the gardens; wrought iron gates; brick walls; blooming flowers; old, old trees. It is wonderful! My photos are definitely snapshots. We went late in the day and it started to sprinkle several times so I just snapped what I could and try to keep my camera dry at the same time. Nick loved it there and didn't want to leave. I'll go back for shoots and for pleasure.