Gift Guide.]/

Welcome to my 2016 Holiday Gift Guide!

**The links should work, but the formatting didn't transfer when I switched to a new website**

 I often have clients in search of gift ideas with their photographs.  Here you'll find some of my personal favorite photo-related gifts for everyone from baby to grandma.  I enlisted the help of various friends and neighbors to help me discover new products, and I included some gifts I've given my girls in the past that they still play with.  

(*Includes affiliate links)

For grandparents, aunts, uncles and godparents:

These

ornaments

from TinyPrints are a great gift.  We purchased them last year for the grandparents as a memento that can be displayed for years to come.  You can use this code for a discount at TinyPrints, although after a certain number of total uses, it will stop working: 

TPPH6933AX

Mugs

are always a sweet gift.  Pair a couple

couple mugs

with a bag of coffee beans or some fancy hot chocolate!  Or add a Starbucks gift card?

This

Family magnet

would be great for grandparents, aunts or uncles!  Or someone in college who lives in a dorm.

I also use

Sticky9

for

magnets

, especially for photos I took with my phone that are lower resolution.  Use the code FRIENDOAYF for 15 percent off if you're new!  I may have a Sticky9 addiction.

Cell picture of my fridge.

This

frame

was recommended as a great way to share photos with far-away family members - just email the pictures!

Everyone loves a

photo book

.  My personal favorite site to create your book is

Blurb

.  The quality and customer service are excellent.  Need some book ideas?  You could make a year in review, but you could go with a theme such as kids sports, silly baby faces, vacation photos or a book of all your senior portraits.

For teens and tweens:

A

notebook

to use as a journal, for the upcoming semester, or for drawing is a sure winner.  With lined or blank page options, you can make it your own for the teen or tween in your life.

This is a sweet and simple way to share photos in a

beautiful display

.

Several friends recommended these

pillows

.  I haven't purchased one yet, but it seems ideal for photos without a lot of detail (close ups of faces, simple landscapes).  This could also be a fun/funny gift for a college student.

And of course, an

iPhone case

!  (Actually I'd love this for myself!)

For kids:

Whatever card backing you choose, this

memory game

from Pinhole Press is a favorite at my house.  It kept us entertained during the blizzard in January!

Shop Memory Game >

If you know they'll have to write

thank you notes

,

this

is a way to make it fun, even for those who are a little too young to write.

We bought the older version of this

camera

for my older daughter for Christmas when she was three and a half.  It was a huge winner!

My daughter would also love

stickers

of herself.  Wouldn't any kid?

Santa bought this

board book

for baby Caroline last year with all of our family.  She loves it.  Her big sister also loves to read it aloud.

For the budding photographer:

This

is a newer model of my

first camera

.  I'm biased, but I think it's a great starting point!

Camera straps

are fun and reasonably priced accessories.

 is a fantastic book.  Not only does it include some fascinating stories, but it's a great study in portraits that tell a story on their own.

I love this

mug

.

A tutorial session with yours truly

!  

Check the investment tab and

email

me to schedule, or to book in advance as a gift!

And for anyone: 

Framed prints or canvas

from your photo session are always a hit!  Your session is still up on my

SmugMug site

, even if it was last year!

Take your host/hostess gifts to the next level when you put these

labels

on the bottles of wine

you gift!

Shop Custom Wine Labels

Pinhole Press

has

kid

puzzles, too, but I love this

big one

for the whole family!

For the family that has everything?

 Get the 2016 rates for a session in 2017 with a gift certificate.  

Email

me for details!

Save

Save

Life at Home: Arlington, VA Lifestyle Photographer.

I've had a bit of a break from family sessions due to some weather and personal commitments.  I'll be back with a session on Sunday and three sessions the following weekend.

The nice thing about a break from photographing and editing everyone else's kids is a chance to get my own kids in front of the camera.  Neither is a big fan of posed photos.

Ellie, my five year old, insisted in following me outside the other morning to investigate the weather.  It was starting to sprinkle, but I wanted to check out the light just in case of a miracle.  Ellie also got her ears pierced on Thursday.  The day was windy and she hates the wind, so I snapped some pictures by window light.  She was so brave!

This morning, I tried to get Caroline, my one year old, to play in the leaves.  She had zero interest and wanted the slide and the playhouse instead.

These aren't fancy, well-dressed (although Ellie's jammies are pretty cute) or scripted moments.  They are the reality of my life.  Contact me if you want to schedule a session to capture your reality as well!

Newborn + Big Sister {Arlington, VA Family Milestone Photographer}

I love having the same families in front of my camera.  What started with updating dad's LinkedIn profile has turned into multiple sessions a year, and I've loved watching their daughter grow.  I've also had the joy of watching their family grow!

On a gloomy Saturday morning, I headed to their new house to capture their almost-three-week old baby girl.  The rain took a break long enough to also squeeze in a session for big sister's second birthday.

Sweet nursery window light and outdoor play and trikes and swings and snuggly baby girl....

Down Syndrome Awareness Month {Arlington, VA Photographer}

It's Down Syndrome Awareness Month, so my family participated in the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk for Northern VA this weekend.

My girls had a blast.

Ellie's highlights were petting and hugging a llama, then taking a selfie with it*, jumping in the bounce house, and receiving a medal as a VIP which she promptly shared with her new goat friend.

Caroline's highlights were dancing and then being super sleepy in her stroller and missing the rest of the fun.

*The llama may be an alpaca.  Not sure.

Batman and Mommy {Old Town Alexandria Family Photographer}

"Mommy and Me" families are some of my favorite to photograph.  I love seeing the bond between mom and child at any age, and these two were no exception.  The sweet three year old donned his Batman shirt, complete with cape and his mom was simply lovely.  Batman posed, flexed, ran and saved Old Town Alexandria from bad guys.

I always love Old Town, but this family made it extra special since it's so close to their home.

More fun over on

Facebook

.

Family of Three {Arlington, VA Fall Family Photographer}

Sunday morning had what could actually be described as a chill in the air.  A few leaves are starting to turn and fall seems to be arriving.  The morning light was beautiful and the perfect time of year for family photos.

This little guy was adorable.  He led the search for bugs, rocks, leaves, dogs, cats and cars.  His parents were sweet as can be and I was happy not only to meet them but to work in Fairlington again.

Tis the season for my calendar being packed full of photographing your beautiful families!  Stay tuned here for lots of updates and sneak peeks, and as always,

Facebook

is also full of previews!

And in the spirit of fall and the upcoming holiday season, check out my new

Gift Guide for 2016

!