I first met this little girl last summer.  She was just a few months old, snuggling with her mama in her nursery.  Now, she’s walking, saying “up,” clapping her hands, and showing everyone she is 1.  One thing hasn’t changed, though, she’s still incredible adorable and absolutely cherished by her parents.

When talking with her mom about what she wanted out of the photo session, she said that she wanted to be in lots of pictures.  She’s typically the one snapping the shots, and it’s her turn to get in front of the camera.  I get that, and I love that.  It’s one of my priorities in every photo session- to get images with mom and dad, showing their love and care for their children.

It was a beautiful morning together and a joy for me to see this little one grow.  Thanks to you all-  your little girl is so amazing.  Enjoy!

When I drove up to this home on Friday morning, I was struck by how beautiful and unique it is.  The early morning sun was peaking out from over top of it, and I was in love.  It is incorporated so nicely with its Virginia surroundings.  Whether you’re indoors or out, you feel like you’re part of the natural setting.

I knew this family would have a cool and tranquil vibe to them.

And I was right!  This family just seems to live in harmony.  Mom and dad and son and baby-girl-on-the-way, were so peaceful and happy together.  Their histories are so interesting and unique, and they seem to intertwine so wonderfully.  At one point I asked, “how did you meet?  You guys seem to be a perfect match!”

Now they have an adorable little boy who can scoot and explore to his heart’s desire.  There’s a little girl on the way, ready to meet the family.  And here they are-  so beautiful, natural, and relaxed.  A gorgeous morning at home.

This inspiring family is one reason I love Facebook.  Thanks to Facebook, I’ve reconnected with an old childhood friend here in the DC area and am continually updated on her amazing life and heroic journey as a mother.

She’s a mom extraordinaire.  4 beautiful children –  2 big brothers and baby twin sisters- who are so sweet.  With each up and down on her journey of motherhood, she has acted with transparency, gratefulness, energy, and a sense of perspective that I envy.  This mom takes on all blessings and challenges the same-  with love and capability.  And her supportive and caring husband is right there with her the entire way.

In other words, when you’re with this amazing crew, you’re thinking, “Wow.  How do they do it all and make it look so easy?!”

I’m so pleased to have these Texans up here in my neighborhood now.  Enjoy!

I love this gorgeous family.  They quickly became friends to us almost 2 years ago when they moved to our neighborhood.  They’re so funny, honest, and real, and we (my entire family and I) cherish them.

So it was a real honor to take their pictures on Saturday morning.  Bright sun, cool air, and lots of space to play.  It was the perfect setting.

I’m just in love with their images.  They represent what I love about family lifestyle photographer- relaxed, fun, togetherness, and beautiful.  A glimpse into life with young children; what their life looks like today.

Thank you to you all!  Enjoy!

For this special weekend, family traveled from all over the country to be together.  They had a busy weekend planned, and of course, much of it revolved around their precious grandchildren.  (How cute are they!?)  I was pleased to meet them at Glen Echo Park to help them remember their time together.  After a fun puppet show, we gathered the different family groupings and got their images for keepsakes.

They’ll look at these images for years to come and say, “That’s grandma and grandpa.  They love you very much!” and “Can you believe you were ever that small?” and “Did you know that’s when our baby was in mommy’s tummy?” and “That was so special because everyone was there together.”

When family is scattered across the country, time together is especially precious.  I was honored to help this family celebrate this weekend together.  Celebrate life and family and togetherness and love.

Enjoy these images for many, many years to come!

“Home is wherever I’m wih you.”

These are the sweet and true lyrics from one of my current favorite songs by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.  It resonates with me because I’ve moved so often in the last 10 years.  I think it’s true-  you are at home with the people you love, or in other words- “home is where the heart is.”

But it’s not entirely true.  I believe the space in which we live our lives, love our spouses, care for our children, eat with our friends, is also very special.  Morning, afternoon, and night, our lives are created in our specific space, our homes.

And that’s why I LOVE this session with this sweet family.  They love their home, especially their front porch, because it is where they have laid their roots for so many years.  It is a place they cherish and want to remember.  They’ll be able to look back at these pictures and remember that little tricycle, the rocking chairs, and the time they spent together there.

Plus, this brother-sister pair are too cute.  Little brother can move around on this knees like nothing I’ve seen.  His curls and big blue eyes will melt you heart.  Big sister is full of play and wonder.  She’s growing up, riding her tricyle, talking about her preschool friends, and jumping off the porch.

What a pleasure it was to be with them in their beautiful home.

Saturday morning was perfection.  Crisp cool air, lush grass, blooming cherry blossoms, and best of all, 2 beautiful girls and their loving mom.  As you’ll see and probably already know, these little girls are just wonderful.  Sweet, pretty, and giggly.  (But watch out, they’re really fast too!)

It really was a serene morning.

Thank you for a wonderful time, girls.  It was so wonderful to meet you!

Check these adorable little guys.  Have you ever seen such cuteness?  Big brother is such a sweet and smart little boy.  He was so comfortable with me there and just chatted up a storm.  Baby brother is the new addition.  He’s smiley with the most magnetic blue eyes.

It was a pleasure to meet up with them again at their home.  Their sessions always turn out to be some of my favorites because as a family, they are so easy going and lovely.  (And, have I mentioned how cute these kiddos are?)  They make my job easy and fun.

Enjoy!  You guys awesome, thanks!

With  this precious new addition to their family, everyone is excited!  Big Bro, Big Sis, Mom, and Dad are so thrilled to have Baby Girl join their family.  She rounds them out, she really completes them.

I was so happy to meet her in their home this weekend.  She really is SO CUTE.  One thing I loved most about our session, is that while Baby Girl shined, the entire family was involved.  In a family, it’s never just about 1 person, everyone is in it together.  Everyone is connected and excited.

Everyone loves this little baby girl, and she loves them all too.  Because they are all pretty awesome.

I love that children are so at peace and comfortable in their own homes.  I love coming to into their worlds- where they sleep and play- and catching their joy in those places.  I get to meet their bunny lovies, their Alabama pillows, their marching monkeys, and beloved train sets.  They are so proud to show me their rooms, and it’s so fun and easy, natural and real.

I think you’ll see all that pride and  joy in these beautiful images.  A brother and sister happy at home with mom and dad on Saturday morning.

This duo is not just beautiful, but they are also so sweet and happy.  I’m bit biased, though, because I think the world of their parents.  Our friendship goes back to our college days, and it’s been a real pleasure to be their friends and neighbors for the last four years, to meet their babies as newborns, and watch them grow over the months and years.

You guys are awesome!  It was a wonderful morning.