McBride Family - Fredericksburg Portrait Session

I met this lovely family when I worked at a custom photography studio in Downtown Fredericksburg 5 years ago. I'm so excited that I've been able to work with them, again! For this session, they actually found a new little farm in the area that has a fun play area for the kids. It is such a cute spot!

Manassas Battlefield Family Session

I grew up in Manassas and had been to the Battlefield many times during my childhood, but it had been a while since I'd visited. I had forgotten how beautiful it is, especially at sunset! So, I was really excited when a friend of mine requested to do her family portraits here. Check out how adorable her kids are!

Back to School Portrait Sessions - Fredericksburg - King George - Bristow

I've had such a fun time doing these Back to School sessions with little ones in the area! My vintage school desk and props were a big hit (and are still available!) with the parents AND the kids. I was able to do a few different sessions in multiple locations, so they all had a different feel to them, even though it was the same set! Here are a few of my favorites:

Back to School mini-sessions - Bristow, VA

It's hard to believe that summer is almost over and school is right around the corner!  Let your child show off their new back-to-school wardrobe and their end-of-summer tan at my Back to School mini sessions in Bristow on Saturday, August 17th! 

This is a styled mini-session, with a vintage school desk, vintage school books, and other small props. You may bring other personal items, if you'd like - a backpack, favorite book, etc. The props are NOT mandatory, and photos without them will be included.

Message me on the Facebook page to book your session or with any questions you may have.

Downtown Fredericksburg Mini Sessions

Can you believe it's already time to start getting ready for school, again?! Where did summer go? Thankfully, we still have plenty of warm, sunny days to take advantage of for some awesome photo sessions!

Just announced is my Back-to-School mini session special in Downtown Fredericksburg! Right now is the perfect time to get your child's school photos updated. They're still happy and carefree and have that summertime glow, as well as some new school year excitement!

I'm super excited to host my Fredericksburg mini sessions on Saturday, August 3rd, because you can stick around town for some great family fun at local events! The downtown farmers market is having their "First Saturday Expanded Market", with live music, wine tastings, and other free family-friendly activities!

Find out more about the expanded market and other events in town that day, by checking out their website at www.visitfred.com

These packages are good for up to 2 children (grades Pre-K through 11) per session. Each additional child is $10. Additional prints and custom items may be purchased at regular pricing (listed here and here).

To book your session or ask any questions, please message me on the Facebook page.

While you're here, don't forget to sign up to win a FREE hour session!

Fredericksburg Children's Photographer

This is my wild, independent, stubborn, sweet, funny, precious, adorable three year old daughter. If I can manage to capture these types of images of her, I can photograph anyone.

Olivia Grace

My daughter is probably the most difficult subject I've ever tried to photograph.

Olivia is three and a half. She's the most stubborn child I've ever known. She is extremely independent and goofy and energetic. And she does NOT like to sit still long enough to pose for me.

The other evening, I managed to bribe Olivia with a visit to the playground and a trip to Sweet Frog for some fro-yo ("pink" is her favorite flavor). We got to the park around 7:30 p.m. and the sun was just about to set. There is a gorgeous weeping willow that I absolutely LOVE right beside the playground, and we immediately took advantage of the soft, warm sunlight streaming through the hanging branches. At first, Olivia was acting up, dancing around, giving me the CHEESIEST smiles you've ever seen! I do enjoy capturing those moments, as it really shows off her personality, but I was really hoping to get some softer images. I led Olivia under the branches, and she thought it was so neat that the tree was like a huge tent of leaves. After settling in on the ground, she started picking through the clovers and calming down a bit. The sun was shining right behind her, slightly filtered by the flowing branches, and I was able to get some beautiful shots - so warm and soft and inviting!

This is probably one of my favorite sun flare images I've ever taken, so I thought I would enter it in the Rock the Shot monthly contest! Check them out, here :)

www.rocktheshotforum.com/

FREE SESSION GIVEAWAY!!!

It's time for a celebration! My Facebook business page has reached over 500 "LIKES"! As a thank you to everyone who has shared my page, I am hosting a giveaway! There are 3 prizes:

1 FREE 1 hour outdoor photo session

1 $50 Print credit

1 $50 credit towards a full photo session

This giveaway starts July 19th, 2013 at 12:00 a.m. and ends July 26, 2013 at 12 a.m.

A few details:

Prizes available in the Fredericksburg/Northern Virginia area, only. Free 1 hour photo session is good for outdoor session. Winner will receive a disc of images with reprinting rights. Professional prints are available to purchase at regular price.

$50 print credit is good towards print order from a paid 1 hour or longer session.

$50 towards session is good for $50 off of the regular price of a 1 hour or longer outdoor session.

All sessions must take place within one month of the drawing and must be no more than an hour drive away from Fredericksburg.

Please share this contest with your friends!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners will be announced on the Facebook page on Monday, July 29th!

High School Senior Portrait Special - Senior Life Cards!

So, my latest special is specifically for rising High School Seniors, as seen here.

It is for a 2-hour outdoor session, with up to 2 outfit changes, a disc of 20 images, 50 Senior Life Cards, four 4x6 prints, four 5x7 prints, and two 8x10 prints - all for just $200.

Let's check out my regular pricing.

4x6 - $5
5x7 - $7
8x10 - $10
50 Senior Life Cards - $50

That's $118 worth of product PLUS a 2 hour session AND a disc of images!! A great deal, right?

But some of you may be asking - "What the heck is a Senior Life Card, and why do I want 50 of them?"

Well, I'm here today to answer that very question! ;)

Check it out -

Senior Life Cards are a GREAT substitute for wallet prints. They're the size of a business card, they are two-sided, you can add multiple images, they are customizable to include text and design, and they are more affordable! While they are available in a variety of printing surfaces, including semi-gloss, pearl, and recycled, I typically order them on Bamboo - a matte, eco-friendly paper stock with slight texture.

I use these cards as my business cards, and I absolutely love them! You can see them here.

Here is another example of how they can be designed - the possibilities are endless!

You could add a favorite quote or scripture, list some of your accomplishments throughout high school, include your name and graduation year, etc. The point of these cards is to reflect YOU.

These cards are perfect for handing out to friends and including in your graduation announcements or party invitations. Additional packs of 50 cards are available for $50.

Fredericksburg Senior Portraits

Check out my awesome special for rising high school seniors! These prices are available in the Fredericksburg area. If you would like me to travel to you, there may be a small travel fee. Ask about my referral plan to earn free prints from your session! This special is available through August 10th. Book now, before prices go up!

Nick and Crystal Get Hitched

As I mentioned in my previous post, my best friend's little sister had asked me to be her wedding photographer. And after an awesome "Pre-Wedding" shoot a few days before, I was super excited for the big day! This dear family is so precious to me, and I was so happy to be a part of the occasion. I may or may not have teared up a few times throughout the event.



I'm sure I have mentioned this before, but I LOVE detail shots. The getting ready time before the wedding is my favorite! Everyone is nervous and excited and hugging and crying and being silly, and I get to be a part of it all. Plus, I get to play with all of the beautiful objects in the room and get my artsy shots in.

While the bride is getting ready, I don't have to worry about posing anyone. No one is nervous and awkward in front of the camera. Everyone is going about their business, making themselves extra beautiful, creating special moments with loved ones. I loved seeing Crystal and her family interact with the special love that they share. How precious are these images with her niece and nephew?!

Right before the ceremony, Crystal's dad shoo'ed everyone out of the room, so that they could have a tender Daddy-Daughter chat, before she was whisked off to her new life. They were kind enough to let me stick around, and even though I couldn't hear what was being said, just watching the two of them warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes!

Seriously, the moment when a mother sees her baby girl ready to walk down the aisle is so beautiful and precious!

Some men are shy in front of a camera. Nick is not one of these men.

I mean, really... HOW GORGEOUS ARE THESE TWO?!