Snow Days.

We are totally snowed in.

Two feet of snow in our street snowed in.

We live in a cul-de-sac and aren't likely to be priority for early dig out snowed in.

So I've been photographing my girls, although mostly in our house.  When we're outside, I'm too busy prepping sled runs and building snowmen and lugging around little people who can't walk through snow up to their waists to carry my camera.

This is my house these days:



Pre-dawn coloring with my oldest.  Caroline, the baby, was set to be baptized on Sunday, but we couldn't get to church.  She wore her dress just for fun on Monday instead.

Contact me via email or the contact form to schedule your indoor winter lifestyle session or your spring session outside with flowers and sunshine!

Lately + Snow.

I'm opening my schedule for family photography in February and on, but until then, I'm enjoying photographing my own sweet kids.

And keeping it real, with more lifestyle photos that winter seems to require.

Days spent inside, cold weather, kids either happy to play or frustrated with each other or laughing.  (And mostly pictures of the baby - Ellie prefers to be behind the camera these days!)

But real.

Along with my regular outdoor family, child, and high school senior portraits, I'm booking a few lifestyle sessions in Northern Virginia this winter.

And if you want photos with this snow in the background, contact me ASAP!  All snow sessions are dependent on weather/plows/roads/snow melt.

Happy snow days, local friends!





Looking Ahead: 2016.

Along with my regular family, child, and senior portrait sessions, here are a few special sessions I'll be offering on a limited basis this spring:

* SNOWY senior portrait sessions - if you are interested, contact me ASAP because this would be based on having some snowy weekends in January or February. (Or March? It could happen.)

* Maternity! I have two early 2016 maternity sessions available for February-April. If you're expecting during that time, give me a call.


* Finally, it's been too long since I've done an adoption homecoming. If you know someone in Northern VA who is bringing home their baby via adoption in early 2016, contact me.
Taken for a friend's adoption and originally posted on my personal blog.

2015: Year in Review.

What a year!  On the personal side, we bought a house and had a baby.  On the photography side, I photographed about 30 families but didn't even start until late Spring.  I can't wait to see who I capture in the coming year.

Here's a few shots from 2015, both personal and business.



Celebrating a birthday.  In January my computer had a sad end due to a spilled glass of water.  Thanks to external hard drives, I only lost a few weeks worth of pictures, so most of January is gone, but I still have this shot of my daughter Ellie's best friend!

My big girl in Florida.

Senior pictures.

Found this sweet spot in Georgetown that was her school color!

Brave little girl.

Best.  Intern.  Ever.

Class of 2016, the day after his junior prom.

My favorite spot in Old Town... well, one favorite.

Her papa was getting some professional portraits for LinkedIn, but she stole the show.  Also, her dad got a new job and her family moved.  Maybe I regret this session?

Stunning beauty, fun play.

One is FUN!

A lovely set of sisters I've known for a very long time.
She was a very enthusiastic model.

Former student/future fashion model.

A welcome home shoot as dad came home from deployment.

A commercial shoot for The Crazy Kukla Boutique and #ChangingTheFaceOfBeauty

My big girl for her heart day.

Super sisters.

Another super set of sisters.

New baby (not my baby).

New baby (my baby).

My daughter, big sister.

Another shot of my baby.

So much fun with this little one and her sister.

Here's the sister.  What a great laugh.

This family was in front of my camera a few times.  She's a beauty.

My daughter at the park, just for fun.

Baby's first Christmas.

A sweet family in Old Town.

Those eyes!

This big brother was so easy to photograph.

Adorable baby and great parents.

Stacking blocks on the dock.

Twins turn one!

My last client of 2015!

Tree Lights and Trains: Washington, DC Long Exposure.

I love where I live, just outside of Washington, DC.  As a Southern California native, I'm not a big fan of snow or cold, but Christmas in DC is wonderful.  There are amazing displays made from plant materials at the Botanical Gardens, Mount Vernon is beautiful with the Christmas decor, and wandering though decorated Old Town Alexandria has been a highlight of my photography sessions.

This year, my family bought our first house, complete with fireplace and stockings hung by the chimney with care.  I love Christmas.

And although the presents are unwrapped and the "all-holiday" station has returned to normal music, the National Christmas Tree is still on display, surrounded by model trains and a series of smaller trees, one for each state and territory.

Plus, my intern got a tripod for Christmas, and I had a remote I hadn't taken out of the box.

So last night, Jess and I gathered up cameras, remotes, and tripods and headed into DC to photograph the tree amid lots of other visitors.  In a rare event, we didn't photograph any people!

This "ghost train" was captured at a super long exposure - I think 8 seconds.


The state trees line the "America Celebrates" portion of the display.

Sometimes, you see something online and just have to try it.  Taken at a super slow shutter speed, this effect was achieved by zooming out as the shutter released.  Unfortunately, I couldn't get rid of all the shake because the surface of the walkway was rubberized and bouncy - every person walking by bounced our tripods a bit!

I hope your holiday season is wrapping up well!  I'm taking a bit of time off to relax with my family but I'm still responding to emails and booking for 2016!  Time to start thinking spring portraits, senior pictures, and milestone events - birthdays and cake smashes!

While I'm taking my post-Christmas break, be sure to check out my Facebook page for favorites from 2015 and some personal pictures of my family.