there is more, much more... | alexandria va family child portrait photographer

"There is more, much more, to being a redhead than the color of ones hair"

_ G. Adam Stanislav

Over the weekend, I met three very lovely ladies.  Mom, Teresa, and her girls, Emma and Lilly.  They chose Mason Neck State Park near Lorton for the location of their session.  It's a beautiful park, if you haven't been there, with walkways near the water and through the woods.  It was a great place to explore.

Teresa is highly intelligent and personable and I loved watching her interact with her daughters.  Emma is a natural model, does not mind the camera one bit and knows exactly what to do in front of it and Lilly, has a light about her that comes through in her smile and playfulness. 

Here are the peeks...

It was a really nice way to spend the afternoon.

Gotta love that red hair!  

Lisa

pretty is something you're born with | northern va portrait photographer

"Pretty is something you're born with.

But beautiful, that's an equal opportunity adjective"

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

When you are a mom who works both for your home and for someone else, you may find yourself in the position of having to place the care of your child in the hands of someone else for a portion of the workday.  The leap of faith that this requires is pretty huge, and when you are fortunate to find someone that you and your children adore...that is a gift.  I was lucky enough to place my daughter in the arms of some amazing daycare workers when she was a pre-schooler and I was extremely grateful for them.

Last week, I took photos of a young woman named Caro.  She is an au pair from Germany who has become an integral part of one of my dear friend's family this year.  Smart and funny and kind - she's  pretty (as you will see below), but she is also quite, quite beautiful.

The peek...

It is my privilege to know her.

Lisa

laughter is the closest distance | vienna va family photographer

"Laughter is the closest distance

between two people"

-Victor Borge

I had a mom contact me recently to take a photo of her three grown children.  The youngest was going to be in town for a visit and she hadn't had them all together in quite a while.  This session was going to be her early Mother's Day gift/birthday present to herself (an inspired idea - by the way).  Needless to say, I had no idea how the three grown ones were going to feel about the whole thing.

What I found out, within minutes, was that I was going to have a blast photographing these people.   They were open and friendly from the get go and obviously comfortable with each other and themselves.  Lots of laughter and fun.  I grew up in a home where "teasing" was part of our love language...and I felt right at home with this crew.

Some peeks...

We had an audience during part of our session - a few of the kids who are still at home - and I couldn't help turning around and taking their photo...

I had such a great time with you all.  Hope you did too.

Lisa

youer than you | lake ridge va family photographer

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. 

There is no one alive who is youer than you."

- Dr. Suess

So, I'm getting ready to take a photo of the lovely Lilly this past weekend, and she says to me - "I don't have to smile, right?".  "That's right", I tell her. "Unless you want to."... and sometimes she did, smile, and sometimes she didn't, and sometimes she tried and all of it was okay with me.  Really, she was asking if she could be herself for the photos- and that is absolutely what I wanted from her - after all, she's fabulous at it.  

Rebecca, the oldest, had a wall filled with photos of all the people who mean something to her - and it's her favorite thing in her room.  Talk about a girl after my own heart.

Jeff and Kari have wonderful children and it's a great family.  They have one of those homes that you feel like you can kick your shoes off at the front door and curl your feet up under yourself on the sofa and enjoy a day of just hanging out with good people.  Lilly says her family "chillaxes" and it is one her favorite things to do. 

Here are the peeks...

Lisa

the highlight of my childhood | northern va, family photographer

"The highlight of my childhood was making my brother laugh so hard

that food came out his nose."

- Garrison Keillor

Well, I don't think I ever made my brother laugh so hard that food came out his nose, but I did make him laugh so hard that he couldn't stand up.  He and my mother were my first audience.  I would create silly characters and they would laugh and laugh - my brother would laugh so hard that he would fall to the floor - which then made my mother laugh even harder.  What better encouragement for a budding entertainer?

My brother, Mike, is one of the best men I know.  I honestly feel that if you don't like him, something is wrong with you.  I know, I'm really fortunate that is how I feel about him - but it also happens to be true. :-)  Decent, hardworking, talented and soulful -he is one of my favorite people.

We had a lovely visit recently with he and his wife, Janet.  They make such a gorgeous family together, I had to share...

the earth laughs in flowers|dc family and child photographer

"the earth laughs in flowers"

e e cummings

On Friday morning I met this family for a photo session at the Tidal Basin in DC.  We are officially in Cherry Blossom Festival time and as this particular family is leaving the area for Texas very soon, they thought it a good idea to incorporate "where" they've spent the past few years in addition to capturing their daughter's one-year-old awesomeness.

We were fighting the elements a bit with some rather frigid "spring" weather, gusty wind  and moisture in the air.  The flowers, however, were still quite beautiful (It's a pretty neat thing to see if you've never been) and nothing could outshine the most important flower of the day - young Violet - who I believe summoned the sun for the last of our shoot. :-)

Here are the peeks...

May you continue to share much joy in your new home and adventures. 

All the best,

Lisa