My Best Tip for Your Next Family Session | Washington DC Photographer

I have to share something really exciting that I did recently: I hired a photographer to take our family photos for the first time.

Yep, the first time ever. Crazy, right?

Over the years I've been the one documenting our family's daily life (after all, I'm the one wielding the camera), but I decided it was past time for me to get in the photos too.

And I'll be honest, it was an eye opening experience to be on the client side of a photography session for once. Leading up to our session I was a bundle of nerves.

All I could think was:
Would my son like our photographer?
Would my hair cooperate?
Was I wearing the right thing?

And the worst: Why didn't I get serious about losing 20 pounds earlier?!!?

Crazy nervous, I tell you.

But you know what happened in the end? I loved it. Every single second of it. Even when my son was being a cranky-pants, even when my hair was out of control, and even though I didn't lose a single pound first.

And even more, I love the images I have now that captured it all. Even better: I'm in the photos too. Because not only do I have these images to look back on, but now my son will have images with me in them look back on too.

And you know my biggest family photo tip? Relax and have fun. I know, I know. Easier said than done, but as soon as you let go and embrace your beautiful family imperfections (crazy hair) and all, the better your photos will be.

I hope that was helpful and makes your next family session much more FUN - because that is what it should be. If you have any suggestions for how you like to prepare for your sessions, or any other questions you would like answered, contact me and let me know.

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Kate Juliet Photography specializes in natural maternity, newborn, baby, and family portraiture in the Washington DC and Northern VA area.
All studio sessions include access to the studio wardrobe for mothers and babies to borrow clothing for your session.
Contact me to begin planning your custom portrait experience.

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Handsome Baby Boy Makes Family of Three | Leesburg VA Newborn Photographer

This session was a lesson in fallibility. My own of course, baby Carson was perfect.

Mid-session I managed to break a lens filter (photographers you know this isn't a big deal, but still not fun!) and my space heater malfunctioned. You know what though? It worked out just fine. That's why I bring extra stuff with me to every session, I am a firm believer in back-ups, so we carried on without missing a beat.

I was so eager to meet baby boy Carson after his mom's maternity session. His parents are the bees-knees (does anyone say that anymore?) and total naturals at the new parents gig. I met them at their home in Leesburg, VA for Carson's newborn session and he was just the cutest little guy. They make the perfect family of three. And they have the most beautiful perfect family heirloom - a handcrafted bassinet. It was just gorgeous. I love being able to incorporate something so meaningful and special in their images. One day Carson will be able to show his grandchildren photos of him sleeping in the same bassinet they used too. Doesn't get much cooler than that.

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

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Expecting Parents | Alexandria VA Maternity Photographer

This year I've had the opportunity to organize not one, but two incredible shoot outs with my local photographers this year and it has been so much fun. And in case that sounds violent, it isn't. Promise. ;)

A group shoot out is when a bunch of photographers get together and do what they love most: photograph the most amazing and wonderful people. This shoot out, just like the last one, was with some of my fellow local Clickin Moms photographers. There is nothing like getting together with a fantastic group of smart, talented, and funny group of women. They are all a total and complete blast to be around.

At the last shoot out we photographed a gorgeous pregnant mama and her handsome little boy, and this time we photographed beautiful first time mom Erin and her husband for a maternity session. To say they were a dream to work with would be an understatement. And they both seriously impressed all of us. They are both avid runners and Erin was still running everyday at months pregnant! They were such a joy to be around and I was so thrilled to photograph them.

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

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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!