Baby #2 on the Way | Fairfax, VA Maternity, Newborn, and Child Photographer

Earlier this month I organized a group shoot out with a bunch of wildly fantastic local photographer friends. There will be a whole blog post about it later on, but it was a wonderful way to meet up with other local photographers and have some fun doing what we all love the most: photographing gorgeous mamas!

We all met up in Loudoun County, VA for a maternity & child session at one of my favorite outdoor field locations. Kristen and her handsome little boy Caden joined us as models for the event, and they were beyond charming and lovely to work with. Both of them handled having half a dozen photographers around them like total pro's, you'd think they do it everyday. Kristen is positively glowing during her pregnancy, the light and love just pour right out of her. She was so natural and loving with her little boy and so excited about the baby to come.

Big brother-to-be Caden is almost two years old and I LOVE this age. It's full of exploration and silliness. With toddlers you never quite know what's going to happen next. He was so charming during the session. His grin was infectious and I couldn't help but smile every time he ran off to play with his truck for a few minutes. Caden even deemed me cool enough to give me a few high fives during the session (I'm totally "in" with the toddler crowd).

I will be sharing more behind-the-scenes images from the shoot out later on, but here are some of my favorite images from Kristen's session, enjoy!

Little Brother on the Way | Northern VA Maternity and Newborn Photographer

It's true, this soon-to-be big sister has a little brother on the way!

I had so much fun working with this gorgeous family. They are, quite simply, the best. Since mom was already close to her due date we opted to hold her maternity session indoors so we wouldn't have to worry about the weather, and I'm so happy we did! We had such an incredibly fun time together. We played, we laughed, we got cheerios stuck to our hands (well, at least I did), it was a blast. Working with toddlers is always a treat because they are so big on personality, and big sister-to-be was no exception. She was beyond charming and fun. And those big blue eyes! Guh! It's hard to get more adorable than that.

I always love working in families' homes because it makes the images so personal. Every image is a reflection of you and your life and your home with your family. We get to use your things, in your space. The way you live everyday. Plus it means we can re-visit the same spaces during your newborn session, creating a lovely "before and after" for your family. Before new baby, and after new baby. For families considering an album, it's also a beautiful way to create a cohesive album that flows beautifully from beginning to end.

I can't wait to meet the new baby boy when he makes his debut, but until then here are a few images from our session together - enjoy!

for the love of sisterhood, curtains, and pumpkin bread | Arlington VA Motherhood Family Photographer

I've been lucky enough to photograph this family on several occasions and it just gets better and better every time. As these two sisters grow older and get bigger their personalities shine more and more. They are fun and quirky and funny and charming. They'll steal a spot in your lap, try to take off a diaper when you turn your back, squeeze into impossibly small spaces, and twirl twirl twirl away in curtains to their hearts' content. Watching these sisters together is a joy and photographing them through their childhood is an honor.

And when you include mom too, there is nothing like it. They love her to pieces. Beyond measure. With hugs, with giggles. They clamor for her attention, squeeze closer for hugs, and eat up every word of praise and encouragement she offers them. Plus her pumpkin bread, they eat that up too.

There is so much love between these three. I never tire of it.

I had a different vision in mind for this Mommy & Me session. While I love shooting outdoors, there is something so special about having a session in your own home. There's a comfort and relaxed attitude that comes with being in your own safe space. I think kids, especially toddlers, can find that comforting.

So for this session we stayed indoors. Lest anyone think that your space wouldn't work for a session like this consider: every single image here was taken in the same 10'x10'(ish) area with just one window. I moved their furniture out of the way (an easy 5 minutes of effort) and supplied the curtains and chair.

Then they played and the magic and love all came together to create one of the most beautiful galleries I've had the joy of sharing. Here are a bunch of my favorites (I couldn't possibly narrow it down any further), I hope you enjoy them too.

Behind the Scenes | Northern VA Baby Photographer

I admit, seeing photos of myself is not something I'm entirely used to. Since I'm the officially-unofficial-picture-taker of the family, when it does happen there is a lot of planning involved. I break out my tripod and plan everything out to make sure I get the image I'm looking for (type A, party of me!). So when I see images of myself that are taken by someone else it's a real treat and such a surprise. It's not often that I get to see myself the way other people see me.

So when I found out that baby Nate's grandmother sneakily caught me in action during his newborn session I was elated. During the session, I was so focused on the handsome little guy that I had no idea she was even doing it until she had snapped at least a dozen photos. Baby Nate's grandmother is the sweetest person and so kind to share her shots with me. It's so incredible and interesting to see what it's all like from a client's view and I love every single photo she took. And how sweet is little Nate?! He was a dream to photograph and I love how peaceful he is snoozing away while he's so warm and comfy.

I love behind the scenes photos of every kind (anyone else love photos of ballet rehearsals?), it's not often that you get a glimpse of what goes on to achieve a final product. So here I am sharing them with you. This is me and handsome little Nate, enjoy!

Dear Jackson | March 2015

Dear Jackson,

You are such a little boy now. I'm not even entirely sure what to write this month because everything feels like it's changing so much.

We play this game sometimes, you and I. I'll whisper a name to you, and then you'll whisper one back. Until finally I yell out JACKSON! and tickle you and you squeal like it's the biggest, best surprise you've ever had.

Mommy
Daddy
Heidi
Katy
Bob
JACKSON!

You always ask for more. It's a game that never gets old.

Bubbles are a thing that also never get old. Ever. You can play bubbles for hours. Literally. Just ask your dad. We've gotten to the point where we have to make sure to never utter the b-word in your presence unless we're willing to play an endless game of bubbles and end up with soap residue everywhere.

You love songs. Especially Wheels on the Bus. I think I sang it 50 times the other day. But you go all out every time. Hands circling for the wheels, beeping the horn, opening and closing the door, babies crying. You are very into it.

We go to story time at the library now. Every week it takes you a few minutes to warm up to it, but you're getting braver. Each time getting closer to the reader and venturing a couple steps away from your dad and me. I love watching you gain confidence and losing yourself in having such a good time.

You're also in swim class again. Thankfully you still seem to love it. It helps that they sing  Wheels on the Bus there too. That song is everywhere. I even hear it in my sleep.

Love you bunches,
Mom