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.

Teen Photo Session Mini Accordion Album, Products from Point of Rocks Photographer

I got to give this graduated high school senior her images from her spring photo session tonight.  The three mini accordion albums were a little gift, that she wasn't expecting. 

Cover

Interior Back

Interior Back

Back

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.

Getting Ready For Valentines Day, Frederick County Photographer

Valentines's Day is just one month away and that means it's time to shop for tiny, flimsy, little cards with barely enough room for children to sign their names.  I remember getting excited for Valentine's day as a kid, decorating a paper bag in class then being sent home with a long list of classmates's names to write in the "To" box.  I even embarrassed myself one year as a child when the teacher handed out a list of ways to sign off including Secret Admirer as an option.  I signed all my cards that way without my name, as would be expected, and was then criticized for not signing my name after it.  I'm still confused about how that all went down, but I've managed to press onward.

My son's passed out the little store bought cards the first few years of school, but then I got a little more creative. Last year I had the boy's cards printed on a deck of 52 playing cards with the images seen below and we attached chocolate hearts and kisses to the cards.  This year I have something different up my sleeve but you know it will contain a photo of the boys for their classmates and teachers.  

Let me know if you would like me to help execute your own child's or family Valentine's this year.  I have a lot of ideas!

Love, 

Your Secret Admirer

Boys packaging their Valentines for Classmates in 2012
I'll have to show them the Lucy and Ethel candy factory episode from I Love Lucy.

Photo side of card, back side is a playing card in 2012

Photo side of card, back side is a playing card in 2012

Another view of the finished product

The photo of both of them in 2012

2011 Photo card 

2011 Photo Card for preschool

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!