Almost Mother's Day: A Gift Guide

Mother's Day is almost here.  Over the past year, I've had several clients (dads) ask me about camera-related gifts for their wives.  Since I'm guessing these dads aren't the only ones out shopping, here's a

Mother's Day Camera/Accessory Gift Guide.

*Some affiliate links included

Help mom learn to use that fancy camera!

 You could get her a

book

or even

email

me to schedule a one-on-one "how to use your camera" session.  Send her out somewhere beautiful for the day with her camera.

Upgrade the lens!

 Almost every mom I talk to has the kit lens that came with the camera.  While that's a great way to learn, I highly recommend trying a prime lens for portraits.  A

50mm f/1.8 lens

(this is an example for Nikon users) allows you to more easily get that pretty blurred background (bokeh).  A prime lens also forces the photographer to move more and not rely on zooming in and out, and switching to a prime lens taught me a ton about composition.

Although in the picture above I have a zoom lens on my camera.  The photograph was taken with a prime though!

Little treats!  I don't know a mom with a camera who doesn't appreciate a

new memory card

, a

camera strap

, or if you want to go beyond little,

a new bag

.

Happy shopping, Dads!

Celebration! {Arlington, VA Family Photographer}

This family was amazingly fun.  The daughter is preparing for her birthday and First Communion next weekend and everyone was fun to be around.  Worried about rain, I rushed them around Bluemont Park but two energetic kids meant no one was fazed.

We laughed and jumped a lot, and no one got too muddy.

Email meganlandmeier@gmail.com for booking information!

A Favorite Family {Arlington, VA Family Photographer}

On Saturday morning, the rain stayed away, much to my surprise.  I was amazed that I got three photo sessions in this weekend, but I was also beyond happy.  Three great, if slightly soggy sessions in the books and lots of sneak peeks and blogging this week as I edit.

Saturday's session was with a family I've photographed a few times before.  

Sweet H

somehow is 18 months old now, and she is full of energy and just too cute.  When I first met her she was starting to walk and now she is running and climbing!

Thanks for the privilege of letting me capture your family again!

Book your Fall sessions ASAP!  My calendar is filling up fast!

Dynamic Connections: Headshot Update {Arlington, VA to Ft. Collins}

Our baby girl is being baptized tomorrow, and lucky for us her godmother is back for her baptism!

(Caroline's baptism was originally scheduled for the big snowstorm weekend in January, and our friend Christina came to visit from Ft. Collins.  We're glad she could come back for the real deal.)

Christina recently started a new business,

Dynamic Connections Health and Wellness

.  When it's time to start a new professional venture, it's a good idea to get new headshots so clients know who you are, and so you can present a current image appropriate to your field.

Here's a few favorites.

I'm booking now for May 15 through August.  My fall calendar opens to new clients in just a week!  Hard to believe but the fall is already getting full so schedule ASAP!

Growing Family: Arlington, VA Family Photographer.

I met this lovely family at the park near our home this weekend to capture their fun almost-two-year old boy and newborn girl.  This was my first session so close to our new(ish) house and it was fun to meet a family in the neighborhood for a session.  Big brother was loving with sister but mostly wanted to play in the dirt!

We fit the session in right after I got home from a weekend away and I'm so glad it worked out.  The light was beautiful and the temperatures were ideal.

I am booking through summer for new clients and slots are filling quickly.  I have a couple slots open in May and a couple evenings in June.  Returning clients can reserve their fall dates now, and new clients will be able to schedule through the end of 2016 starting on May 1.

Rates will be increasing for fall, so book before June 30 to get the current rate!

Family in the Garden {Arlington, VA Family Photographer}

I headed out to the Bon Air Rose Garden again last weekend to meet up with a lovely new family.  Most of my clients come through referrals so it's always fun to meet a new family that I don't know at all and to capture their dynamics.

Big sister loved to ham it up and little brother was reluctant, but he's so dang cute you can't tell.  My like my own littlest, mom just had to be present and/or holding him.

April is completely booked but I have a few slots open at the end of May and in June.  My Fall calendar (including holiday-themed photos!) will open to new clients on May 1.  Returning clients are already booking Fall sessions as 2016 flies by!