Great-Grandfather's Suit, Frederick County Photographer

My good friends and neighbors asked me to photograph their son before he grew out of his Great-Grandfather's suit.  It's well over 100-years old and has fine details, such as a leather button on a chain and a red cravat.  It made for the perfect photo session, especially on this little man.  Maybe it's because I know him, but this was one of the easiest photo sessions with a child ever.  It has been suggested that this is the kick off to his modeling career.

I stepped outside with him and he grabbed the umbrella which was drying out from the rain.
This was the first shoot of the morning.
After I took it, I declared, "I'm done.  I got the shot!"  Of course I'd take many more.

What a simple prop can do. 

Gone fish in'.  Yet, another prop he picked on his own.

His mother and father make a good comedy team.

Sometimes you need to work with what you have one hand.  We almost forgot to put him in his car.

Baby Lila and the Polar Vortex, Loudoun County Photo Session

Little Lila was born into a very chilly world.  She was a little over two weeks in these photos and all she wanted was to be wrapped up and swaddled by her mother and father.  She was fussy for her first time parents, but that's to be expected. Some of these images make her look as if she is a little Eskimo.  Don't worry Lila, the temperatures are supposed to rise this weekend!

Poor baby!

I just love all her tiny little fingers and toes.  

Point of Rocks Family Rockin' the Photo Session, Frederick County Maryland Photographer

This family lives in Point of Rocks and I've known them since their first born was was a toddler in my daycare. Since that time they have added to their family with the younger daughter and the girls are full of energy.  When asked the girls to run towards me they did not hesitate.  

Lots of personality 

To the Pointe Studio of Dance, Portraits by Point of Rocks Photographer

I am not sure where the time has gone, but seems like I've been wrapped up in photographing and editing and not any blogging.  Now that it really feels like summer outside it is the perfect time to sit in my cool office and put some images up to share.  

These were taken this Spring for To the Pointe Studio of Dance's recital, Away We Go.  The students were ages two and up and showed a lot of talent, personality and love of dance, music and theatrics.  I enjoyed being a part of the team and can't wait to see what the costumes and dances will look like for next year.  Don't you love all the bright colors in these portraits?

Growing up I took ballet and jazz and moved to modern while I was in high school.  As an adult I've gone back to dance and taken ballet, modern, hip-hop and practiced yoga.  The dance studio is a place I feel very much at home.  I can't wait to work with this group again.

Baby Brother and Big Sister, Frederick County Maryland Children's Photographer

It says a little something when I show up for a morning photo shoot and one of the subjects is full of giggles and ready to go.  It helps that the big sister knows me and was excited to see me, but after showing my husband some of the photos from the session he asked, "Who's photo shoot was it?  Hers or the baby brothers?"  Don't worry we got plenty of her two month old baby brother as well.

Big Sister.  I love her freckles and sun-kissed nose.

Siblings

Baby toes 

You can tell big sis already enjoys her job.

More tootsies

Together

Classic!

Whenever I photograph babies it makes me a little sad that I didn't do the same with my own sons.  Babyhood is so brief, so you need to be sure you catch these little fingers, toes, lips, eyes and mouth before they change.

Valentine's Cards

The past three years I have become more creative with the boy's Valentine's Day cards to give to their classmates.  It always involves a photo of them and some little surprise or twist.  This year they didn't like any ideas that I presented except for these.  My eldest insisted that candy was part of the card.  Next year I told them I'm giving everyone toothbrushes!  

The templates came from the Florabella Collection and I moved the wording around so it would fit on a postcard sized card.  On the back of the cards I scanned in two different Tic Tac Toe boards created by the boys (I helped with one).  They made up age appropriate math problems for the kids to solve when they played the game.  The Good -N- Plenty candy was used to play the game.  Tic Tacs would also be appropriate to use.

I happened to sub in my oldest son's class on the day of the party and the game came in handy after a few students finished their Valentine's papers.  And yes, my son was told he that he had a very "creative card" from one of the girls in his class!

Trains, and Sprinkles and Pups, Oh My!, Point of Rocks Maryland Photographer

The Christmas rush is here….I haven't even put up our exterior decorations yet because I've been working on everyones holiday cards and gifts.  Oh well, at least my own holiday card is almost complete!

In the meantime I got into the spirit a little bit with this family.  The little boy happens to be in the same class as my youngest son so I knew him a little already.  They brought their two dogs, Haleigh, who would be considered senior in dog age and then Coco, who is a rambunctious one-year old.

It was a cloudy day which I like, but I wasn't expecting the sprinkles of rain or for it to get dark so quickly.  I think winter is almost here.  We made the best of it and here is what I captured. One image shows the little boy and his friend who showed up with his mom to help with the dogs….I couldn't resist taking a picture of the two friends.

While I was uploading these photos I realize that none of the photos are were color even though they turned out well. Somehow black and white lends itself to train photos but I put one color image at the end just to show off his handsome green eyes and cute freckles.

C&O Canal Walk and Photo Session, Point of Rocks Photographer

I know this family very well, so a walk on the tow path at the C&O Canal was a good choice.  The boys have a lot of energy and enjoy running, jumping and playing with sticks. Getting them to sit still is another thing.  Using the example of the "Whack a Mole" game at the county fair is fairly close to accurate since the boys move so fast. Once you get one posed and then try to get the other, the first one is up and gone!  I've always admired their parents who handle it in stride.  The photos of them as a couple show their love and warmth for each other and their relaxed nature as their children play behind them. 

I admit I love photographing young children showing their age on their fingers.
My father did that with me as a child. 

Sometimes you just have to be silly!

Jump!

Loud Trains and Puppy Love Photos, Point of Rocks Photographer

We started our morning photo session at the train station and it was't long until we were greeting with several loud, squealing trains passing by.  Some of the photos illustrate how loud it truly was.  

I really enjoyed working with Kramer, their dog, who was a good sport.  Each time I called his name he looked at me, sometimes with his head cocked to one side.  He is a bundle of energy and must keep this family very active.

After we watched some trains at the train station we wandered over to the C&O Canal where the boys played on the rocks and ran with the dog.  Here is a sampling of our morning.