Holiday Card Flyer

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

Downtown Leesburg

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...

I couldn't resist!

Sisters & More

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!

Morven Park, Leesburg, VA

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.

Rust Sanctuary, Leesburg, VA

So, we were off again this morning scouting more possible shoot locations. We're both having fun exploring new areas! Rust Sanctuary in Leesburg is a beautiful old mansion surrounded by some gardens on the lawn and lots of wooded land surrounding the home. It is a bird and wildlife sanctuary. The stone walkway from the home to the gardens is very rustic. It is another good location that I may use for my shoot but we have a few more to check out before making a final decision.

Olde Izaak Walton Park

I was scouting locations today for an upcoming shoot I have this weekend and Brett and I found ourselves at Olde Izaak Walton Park. I have done two prior shoots there; one last fall and one this spring. In the summer, the pond is covered with lily pads and other green cover. I wanted to see if it had cleared up so we ventured over there this afternoon. I'd say about half of it was clear. I love the red building they have and the grounds. There is also a bridge over a creek and some nice picnic areas. Brett helped me out with judging the lighting, etc.

Sneak Peek

I had a great time photographing this family! Thank you for having me back this year. It was fun to chat with "A" and baby "C" is just adorable. Look at those eyes! And the way big brother interacts with baby brother-Priceless! Special thanks to DAD who missed some of the Redskins/Dallas game to be in the photos. What a good sport! I'm still sorting through the photos but I wanted to get a sneak peak posted. Enjoy!

Go Hokies!

We're Hokie fans. We've been fans since we went to school at Virginia Tech (a long time ago!). We fly the Hokie flag on our front porch on game days and even when there is no game. We all have VT gear-t-shirts, sweatshirts, baseball hats, jerseys. We haven't been to a game since 2001 which is such a shame. One day we'll take the boys to a game. But for now, we just gear up on Saturdays and root for our Team. This week they play Nebraska. Go Hokies!

Send me a comment and let me know who you root for on Saturdays (or Sundays if you are more of the NFL type!). I'm planning a "GAME DAY" photo shoot for families who like to show off their favorite team gear. Contact me for details!

Oh Baby

I LOVE babies! I love everything about babies-the way they look, the way they smell, the way they sound when they are snuggled up next to your neck. I also love mommies with babies in their bellies. They have a glow that just says "ahhhh, I am at peace." And what I love more than these things, is being asked to photograph these precious moments. Being asked to preserve that glow and that "baby bump" to be looked back on remembered as treasured times. Being asked to be in the delivery room when a new life begins and a new bond is created between mom, dad and baby is an incredible feeling. What a tremendous honor. The importance of those first few moments and first breaths, first cries and first snuggles is monumental. And they only last a few short moments. Looking back at photos from a baby's birth you relive those feelings, emotions, and joy all over again.

This link will take you to excerpts from a one of my first birth photo shoots. I put the photographs to music (your choice of music) and turn it into a DVD for watching and remembering over and over again. Click here to view...http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow.html?fl=3025810&alb=144703

An additional example can be found at this link...http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow.html?fl=3025814&alb=144703

I have created some new marketing material to let folks know that I am here and anxious to preserve these moments through photographs. I can do package deals for maternity photos, birth photos, and newborn photos. Believe me, my baby is a year old and it seems like an eternity ago when he was born. I cherish my photographs of those moments!

Please feel free to forward my information on to anyone you know expecting a baby. I would love to meet them!

Puppy Love

1st day of school

Summer is officially over. School started today. My 7 year old was a veteran at the school thing and headed off to 2nd grade like no big deal. And to my surprise and delight, my 5 year old hopped up on the big yellow bus and plunged into kindergarten without even a glance back. I was so proud! Have a great year guys!

It was a zoo out there!

A spur of the moment trip to the National Zoo in Washington DC on Labor Day was great fun (once we drove around and toured the city until the parking lot emptied a bit and we found a space!). I think a lot of people had the same idea as we did. We saw lions, tigers and bears-Panda Bears, that is. The people watching was fun, too. I definitely believe that the animals get a kick out of that, too.