Sometimes my favorite image of a session is one that I almost overlooked.  This was the last image I edited in this session, and it’s turning out to be my favorite.  Her eyes sparkle here.  She’s comfortable, natural, and real.  The angle is playful, and I love the black and white conversion.

I always try to get a balance of lifestyle or “real moments” during a photo session and some great, more straightforward portraits of the children.

It’s a good reminder to always go back and look again.  There might just be something I overlooked.

I’m looking forward to meeting a sweet newborn this weekend and catching up with a big 9 month old again.  I’ve documented his life every 3 months since birth, and it’s been a really neat project.  In the mean time, I’ve been spending too much time on Pinterest.  (Follow me there if you want–Emily Large– and I’ll follow you.  But I warn you, it’s highly addictive!)

You ought to recognize this beauty by now.  She graces my blog and gallery frequently.

She is 1 year old with a sweet, happy spirit, and eyes that sparkle.  She makes her parent swoon and keeps her dog great company.  She’s growing like a champ and crawling up a storm.

And, it’s been an honor to watch her grow.  Happy 1st Birthday to you all!

It was another unusually mild and beautiful winter day, so we headed out to the Woodend Nature Preserve in Chevy Chase to explore, play, and get some great pictures of these cousins enjoying their time together.  They were so easy going, natural, fun, and FUNNY.   They had me giggling as they horsed around.  What a joy watching them just be kids!

I hope you can feel their bright personalities shine in these images because these kids are AWESOME!

Thanks, kids, it was fun.

In just 3 months, this baby has just about doubled her size and learned how to laugh.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it as such a young age!  But when her grandfather gets going, she lights up and giggles and giggles.

It was fun meeting her as a newborn infant, but watching her grow might even be more satisfying.  She’s precious, her parents are awesome, and I love spending time with them all.

Enjoy!

Did you see the snow shower yesterday? We did! It was about 30 minutes of big swirling snowflakes, and then it stopped. For a winter with very little snow, it was really fun to be out and play in it. This extended family enjoyed throwing the football around, chasing the little ones, and snuggling together.

Thanks to you all for braving the snow.  It was fun capturing you all together!

I took the day off yesterday from documenting other people’s children and focused on my own.  Our oldest daughter celebrated her upcoming birthday with a gymnastics party this weekend.  It was so fun to see her play and thrive and celebrate.  We love her very much and will cherish these memories for years to come.

Happy Birthday, little princess!  We love you “all the way to the moon and back!”

There’s no holiday we don’t celebrate our house, especially when we can make a craft for it!

From my groundhogs to yours, Happy Groundhog Day!

He is freshly 4 years old, but boy, does this little guy have some major plans!  He is building a sheriff station out of Lincoln Logs, saving the world with his space ship, looking for Pennsylvania with is binoculars, racing his parents, and feeding the birds with his raisins.  This Saturday morning, when everyone else is relaxing, he is ready to work. Full of creativity, action, and energy.

And that’s why my Saturday mornings are so fun. I get to spend them with super cool kids like him.

Every time I sit down to write a post after a newborn session, all I can think to write is “nothing is better than the miracle of life.  Little baby, your parents love you so much.” And if you’ve read my blog for any time, you have read those words time and again.  I just can’t think of anything better to say.

I don’t know if there is anything better to say.

So after racking my brain for a more creative way to express the special blessing of this sweet little girl, I’ve decided to give up.  I’m just going with what is completely true.

It’s hard to look at this incredible family and not tear up.  Nothing is better than the miracle of life.  Baby girl, your parents love you so, so very much.