Warty Pumpkin

I can't believe October is right around the corner! We noticed the unique warty pumpkins over at our neighborhood hardware store, Stalcup's, a couple week ago, and the girls have been talking about them ever since. Today when we told them they could pick out a warty pumpkin to help decorate our front stoop, they were thrilled. Nothing like a silly pumpkin to brighten up an on-and-off rainy day.

And one last day at PBK

Yesterday was my last day taking portraits at the mall--what a whirlwind! Since I normally do custom portraiture, my sessions are more relaxed and I take about 1-2 hours outside, in homes or in my studio to get to know the family and the children. These sessions were condensed into 15 minutes, and only on a plain white background, so a little more of a challenge to get the little guys to show their true spirit. But as you can see, even with those constraints, I think we managed to capture some great smiles, fun expressions, and sibling love. I am really excited about all the great families I got to meet, and I wanted to give a big thank you to the staff at the store who were so accommodating and welcoming to me!

More Pottery Barn Kids

Another day, and another sweet family at the Pottery Barn Kids store today. I think it's dangerous to spend too much time doing sessions at that store, since I'm tempted to go shopping there between sessions. Their stuff is just too cute, especially the Halloween costumes they have in stock right now.

Pottery Barn Kids!

I spent the day doing portrait mini-sessions for the local Pottery Barn Kids store, and will be going back for 2 more days this week. It was so much fun playing with these little guys and having the whole PBK store to borrow props for our portraits. Here are some sneak peaks for my clients today.

Funky Witch

What could be more fun to model than this totally funky witch costume? This fabulous costume is by SugarbelleChic, and it comes with everything from the hair extensions to the tie-dyed tights. As she walked down the street a neighbor asked if it was a Halloween costume. She answered "I'm not really a witch, just a little girl dressed like a witch". And then processed to tell me that the neighbor thought she was a real witch :)

Big News... and a New Look!

I'm very excited to announce the opening of my new studio! The studio is located in downtown Vienna, and will be open by appointment only. I will be offering sessions at the studio starting next week, and I hope to hold a grand opening event in the winter to show off the facility.

And in honor of my new studio, I have a new, fresh look. My new logo is now featured on the website.

And just a quick update about the upcoming holiday season. My weekend sessions are almost completely booked up for October and November. Weekday sessions are still available, but are also filling up.

On November 15 I am offering a series of mini-sessions for "just cards" packages. These will be short sessions for families who don't need a full session and just are looking for a good family portrait for the holiday cards. The mini-sessions cost $250 and include the session fee, 50 custom holiday cards, one 11x14 print and 2 5x7 prints. I have 5 spots open on that day.

If you are interested in a full portrait session, or one of the mini-sessions, let me know so I can be sure to get you on the calendar!

"There were three good fairies"

Somehow this image reminded me of the fairies in Sleeping Beauty. We recruited another little cutie to join us for some costume modeling this week, and what's more fun than playing around in the botanical gardens in fairy costumes?

Proud Big Brother

I got to work with a lovely family today--I can remember the stage that they're in right now, with a toddler and a newborn. Lots of work, but great to have siblings so close together so they can grow up as best friends. Big brother was proud to show off his little sis to me. What a little doll! I thought she looked a little like a pink sweet pea in this one :)

Harvest Moon

In honor of tonight's harvest moon, I wanted to share some of our recent commercial work. Here is a fabulous harvest set and hand-painted purse by Painted Butterfly Studio.

Cozy Sheepskin

What better prop for modeling pjs than a cozy little sheepskin. Here are the girls in their almost-finished-but-still-empty old bedroom. I'm very excited that over 3 months after the tree fell on our house we'll soon be back to normal!

A Day on the Bay

We got to take a day-long boat trip on the Chesapeake last weekend, and the boat we were riding on was aptly named "SnapShot". We rode across the bay, stopped at a little beach, and then came back into the sunset. What a great way to spend a beautiful afternoon. And since it was the day after the tropical storm came through, everything was extraordinarily calm on the seas.

Thomas Point Lighthouse (retro postcard-style)


Silhouettes on the beach.


Sailboat in the glow of the sunset.


Sunset over the Bay.

I'm published!

I recently submitted an article to the local parenting resource site, DC Metro Mommy, about custom photography, and I'm excited to share that it is featured on the front page! The article is about selecting and working with a photographer for your child's or family's portraits. Check it out here. And my little V is also featured as the cutie of the month!

A different kind of picture

My 4-year-old has been more interested recently in drawing people, and as a parent, I'm always interested in seeing the "characters" that come out of her brain. She has one that she's created called "Angel Dangel" (yep, she's really into rhyming). She has created an Angel Dangel song, and now she has drawn a picture for me of what she looks like. She's a fairy with a green clover wand and a purple crown.

The other character below is an astronaut.

The birds and the bees and the...um... cicadas