Where are you? | Washington DC Baby Photographer

So, I have a question for you today:
Where are you?

Not how are you, but where.

And I don't mean what county your booty is sitting in right now. I mean, in your photos, where are you?

Are you even in them?

It's easy to get caught up in taking the photos. Trust me, I know. I do it too.
You can have fun taking photos of everyone you love without worrying what your hair looks like,
or that your top fits a little funny, or that you haven't lost weight yet.

And you may even feel like since you're the one running around taking photos all the time, surely you must be in some of them too, right?

Let's do a quick experiment. Take a minute right now to scroll through your most recent photos. Count how many photo you're in.

Go do it (really, go!), I'll wait. Don't mind me while I hum the Jeopardy theme music...

So how many photos are you in? Did you even make into the double digits? And of those, how many are selfies taken from the exact same angle and distance from your iphone?

These are the images your children will have to look back on. Are they enough?

Give them something to look back on. Give them images that bring back memories. That tell stories.
That show how much you love them.

#existinphotos

Little Sister Baby #2 | Northern VA Newborn Portrait and Lifestyle Photographer

I knew it was going to be special as soon as I arrived at Cameron's house for baby Claire's newborn session. Even though I had photographed this beautiful family twice already - once for mom's maternity session and again for their First 48 session - I had never set foot in their home. As soon as I did though the love was all around me. Their house is filled with photographs and sayings and toys and everything else you could possibly have to show just how much you adore your family. It was a wonderful space to walk into, so full of love and life and laughter. It was the perfect place for a family newborn session.

Baby Claire was a dreamboat and just about the cutest thing in the whole wide world. She was so happy to snooze the time away all cozy and wrapped up. And she has the best big sister Nora. They are going to have so much fun together as they grow up. Many congratulations to the new family of four!

Here are some of my favorite images from our time together - enjoy!

For Photographers | A Reminder for when you feel like Quitting

You're swamped. Between the kids, the job, and life (if you even still have one of those) it's all too much.
You're frustrated. And tired.
And just done.

Everyone has been there.

It would be so easy to just give it up. Think of all the time you would have!
No more inquiries to respond to. No more sessions to plan.
You could have your weekends to yourself and your family again.
No more late night editing marathons.
No more worrying about your work or taking classes or upgrading your gear. 
Sounds pretty good if you ask me.

But then... what would you be giving up?

You started a photography business for a reason.
Do you remember what it was?
What your vision for this creative outlet would be?

Are you staying true to that?

My guess is probably not. So before you throw in the towel, try re-thinking things.

Make sure you're shooting what you love.
Shoot something new, or re-visit something old.
Whatever it is, shoot something that inspires you.

Make sure you're shooting who you love.
That you're finding the right clients.
That they love what you do as much as you do.

But as much as you love it, don't overbook yourself.
Give yourself room to breath, room to grow.
Space.

Muscles get stronger the day after we work them.
Because growth doesn't happen in the work, growth happens in the rest.

Take care of yourself.
And look at your work again. The images that you've given your clients.
The gifts you've given their children.
Think about how much fun this job is.

Then take a deep breath,
pick up your camera.
And get
               to
                    work.

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Photography Model Call | Northern VA Boudoir Photographer

Really exciting news: I'm holding a model call for something new and exciting happening at Kate Juliet Photography!

I'm looking for THREE women, who are 21+ and are available on November 1 in Northern VA, for boudoir and beauty photo sessions. No modeling experience needed! If you are interested in participating, please email me at katejulietphotography@gmail.com letting me know why you want to model and attach a recent photo of yourself.

p.s. Don't forget to join the private women-only Kate Juliet Photography Boudoir group for more information and inspiration.  Join here.

Brand New Baby Sister | Northern VA Hospital Newborn Photographer

She's here! After making everyone wait (not-so-patiently) beautiful baby Claire made her debut. And I have to say, she was without a doubt 110% worth the wait. She is so gorgeous and adorable and downright precious. I was so thrilled to meet her in the hospital for her First 48 session when she was just hours old. I love First 48 sessions because they capture something so special about the newness of a new family member. And after having the best time at this wonderful family's maternity session, I couldn't wait to see them all (+1) again!

Big sister Nora jumped into big sister mode immediately, and she was a complete natural at big-sistering right away. She was so eager and happy to be holding baby Claire in her lap. I could tell right away that these two are going to be so close and have so much fun together as they grow up. I can just see them now, staying up way too late telling secrets and sharing jokes with each other. Their parents telling them to go to sleep already, but quietly loving how bonded their girls are.

I can't wait to share the images from her portrait newborn session that I did too, but in the meantime here are some of my favorite images from their First 48 session. Enjoy!