my apples | northern va lifestyle photographer

Yes, I believe that apples do not fall far from the tree, but they do–at times–drop quite a way from each other.  I know age may be a factor, but this is a simple illustration of their differences. The haphazardly-bitten apple on the left is Q’s, and the diligently-teeth-carved one is his big-sister Zoe’s (who has a facebook page, btw :) ).

JLA_8417sm

We are on vacay starting this Friday until August 8, off to see family and friends up in NYC and New Hampshire! And speaking of apples, which remind me of Fall–I have a limited number of weekend sessions available this upcoming season.  I will be adding Tuesday morning sessions starting in September for those of you with more flexible schedules.  See you on the otherside of relaxation!

twelve days new! | northern virginia newborn photographer

Thank you H family for allowing me to capture your sweet little boy, his adorable big sister and your beautiful family! Here’s just a small sneak peek. More to come soon!

blog_lukeh_013rtwm2

blog_lukeh_002rtwm

blog_lukeh_004rtwm

blog_lukeh_001rtwm

blog_lukeh_009rtwm

growing! | ashburn va children’s photographer

I have had the pleasure of photographing this gorgeous family since baby girl A was in Mommy’s belly. She has already grown so much since I first met her when she was a wee newborn, and her big brother A has matured into an ever more handsome little man who is so loving and attentive to his little sis. I enjoyed spending the time with you on a beautiful spring morning. Thanks again!

blog_trapp052110_008wm

blog_trapp_dip3

blog_trapp052110_011wm

blog_trapp_dip2

blog_trapp_dip1

blog_trapp_dip4

blog_trapp052110_023rtwm

blog_trapp052110_016rtwm

blog_trapp052110_019bwwm

blog_trapp052110_020wm

blog_trapp052110_022rtwm

they fell in love! | Maryland family photographer

She said that she saw him and immediately fell in love!  Though they’ve only just begun their family, their connection and love for one another is powerful! Here’s the sneak peek for them.

blog_joshua_002rtwm

blog_joshua_dip1rtwm

blog_joshua_016rtwm

blog_joshua_dip2rtwm

blog_joshua_025rtwm

blog_joshua_dip3rtwm

blog_joshua_030rtwm

with the strength of family and love | falls church va family photographer

Gena was one of my very first clients and I am honored to have been able to photograph her family several times since the birth of her first daughter.  So when I recently learned of her battle with cancer, I was absolutely shocked and saddened. She has a rare form called choriocarcinoma which attacks the body after pregnancy; it began to grow after the birth of her second daughter and was diagnosed about five months later. You can read more about her fight (and donate to the cause too!) on her online journal written with the most heartfelt words by her eloquent and superhero husband, Evan. Soon after the diagnosis she had to undergo treatment in North Carolina and was separated from her two-year-old and five-month-old girls for some time. This was heartbreaking! I offered to go over and photograph them for her, and as luck would have it, Gena was able to come home at that time for a couple of days to be reunited with her beautiful girls. I felt privileged to be able to capture them all together–as it should be! The following day, Gena made the 4 and a half -hour drive back down to Chapel Hill for another round of chemo. I am happy to report that she is responding very well to the treatment and will be back with her family again soon. I hope these images help in some small way. Thank you for allowing me to witness your family’s strength and love! Speedy, speedy recovery!

blog_gena_013rtwm

blogdip1

blog_gena_011wm

blog_gena_016rtwm

blog_gena_021rtwm

blogdip2wm

blogdip3wm

hoorah! a blog post! | northern va lifestyle photographer

I looked up, and I was suddenly in the throes of Spring! Where the heck have I been?! I feel weeks behind. But today is a new day, and I’m jumping in without expectation or purpose. Just here to dust off the cobwebs and give a very belated welcome to the warmth and sunshine!

JLA_9119blog

JLA_9120blog

new friends? | northern virginia lifestyle photographer

We were handed down a bunch of barbie and barbie-type dolls (oh and one creepy yul brenner look alike!).  My first instinct was to shriek in abhorrence, but then I looked into my daughters gleaming eyes–she was in love!  She wanted to dress and undress them from their dated, tattered outfits, and began to play with them like a typical girl who plays with barbie dolls. I shouldn’t be so hard on barbie and her kind. I just have to keep a watchful eye for stereotypes and maybe suggest that cinderella barbie and punk barbie could be girlfriend-girlfriend.JLA_6003blog

barbie_dt

anatomy of a painting | children’s photography falls chuch va

She is my little artist, my inspiration, on a snowy, snowed-in day! (btw, I am loving mcp’s Finish It actions!)

paintingwm

{load brush, scowl at mommy, plan next brushstroke, step back, entertain mommy, proudly present painting!}

twins! | woodbridge va newborn photographer

Their daughter was one of the first babies I ever photographed, and now A & R have added two more to their family–beautiful twin girls!  Here are a couple from our super-fast session during our visit to meet baby L and baby A!

anitatwins_019wb

Whenever I see fathers with their babies I just melt! (Sorry R, I just had to post this one!)

anitatwins_026wb

anitatwins_047wm

and with big sis A!

anitatwins_088wm

6 weeks new! | dc newborn photographer

Baby girl L was a dream to photograph. Even though she refused to sleep, she opened her bright eyes for the camera, gave us long brilliant stares and bursts of sweet smiles. Thank you A & D. Congratulations–she is beautiful!

blog_liliana025wm

blog_liliana_long1wm

blog_liliana089wm