Kerri- Maternity

When Kerri contacted me awhile ago, her husband was stationed in Iraq; and she was determined to hold off on her maternity portraits until he arrived home. Sure enough, Kerri made it to our photo shoot just two weeks before she was due to deliver her baby and just one week after her husband Thaddeus had made it safely back into her arms.

Being able to use my lens to capture the images of a soldier freshly back from serving his country, his beautiful wife blossoming with their first baby, and a perfect sunset over the bay on the edge of Fort Belvoir- priceless. I love my job!

If 25 people comment on this post within 5 days, Kerri & Thaddeus will be able to receive a free 5x7.

Vacation!

Mason- One Year

I was back again at Mason's house for his first year pictures. And to my delight, I found curls adorning his adorable little head! He was as bright and cheery as usual, and you should have seen how thrilled he was to devour a chocolate cupcake in honor of his birthday!

Even though Mason and his parents had moved into a new home, they still had the great Noah's Ark picture in the nursery. And we couldn't resist finishing our progressive photos:

As always, if there are 25 different comments on this post within five days, Mason's mom and dad will receive a free 5x7 of their choice.

Olivia- Newborn

Remember the adorable Zack?

Well he's now a big brother! And I was thrilled to be invited back to take newborn photos of his little sister (who looks just like him). She was an absolute doll baby!! At three weeks old, she was the strongest newborn I've ever seen, showing it off by holding her head up for long periods of time. Along with her strength, her sweet little nature was already shining through. So get ready for an overdose of cuteness...

Want to give Olivia's and Zack's parents a free 5x7? Then just leave a comment. If they get 25 comments in 5 days, that's what they'll receive!

Maren- One Year

Meet Maren:

Little bookworm.

Expert demolisher of block towers.

Proficient clapper.

Bubbly smiler.

Superb hugger.

Give Maren's parents the gift of a free 5x7 by leaving a comment. If they get 25 comments in the next 5 days, they will get just that!

Prayers

My heart is aching for this couple I photographed earlier this year.

Yesterday during a terrible windstorm in our area their six year old son was killed. You can see the news article here: Washington Post

Please ask God to sustain and comfort them, their other son, and their family.

And hug your kids tight today.

Presenting: Slideshows

Like I said earlier, I've spent some time during my maternity leave (which is almost over!) making some improvements around here. One of the things I'm most excited about is slideshows! I wanted to make a more special way for you, the client, to see all of your photos for the first time. So now after a session, before you are sent over to your online gallery, you will be sent a link to a personalized slideshow. Imagine it: kicking your feet up in your own home and enjoying your custom portraits flash across your computer screen to the sound of music. Maybe I should start sending over a bag of popcorn as a bonus!

And what's a post on a photo blog without photos? So here are a few of my first girlie that I snapped on her birthday a couple weeks ago...

Ava- 1 month

A few more of my own...

New Things

So it's been awhile, dear blog readers. I've been wonderfully distracted with this beautiful little one:

But I did decide to take my maternity leave to make a few simple changes with my photography business. For example, I tend to make things too complicated and realized that my photo collections reflect that fault. So I've streamlined the collections and made them much more simple. Giving you, the client, more control over them!

I've also added a few new products by tapping into the resources of some very talented artisans. Each of these new items are handmade; and I am super excited about them!

First, there's the Session Box and the Fine Art Box. By purchasing either of these, you would get ALL the photos in your gallery as 5x7s placed in a GORGEOUS display box with the Fine Art Box featuring 20 of your photos matted. I'm planning on buying one for myself to be able set out on my coffee table.

I've also added Folios! This fun item is perfect for showing off your photos at the office and makes a perfect gift for the grandparents. The Folio shows off two or three 5x7s and are designed to sit up like a frame and yet fold into a small book with a lovely ribbon closure.

One of the fun things about all of these new items is that YOU get to choose from over 18 elegant Japanese bookbinding fabrics and Swiss ribbon accents!

Photo Credit: Joyce Smith

used with permission