Little Miss 'S', full of Skips, Spins, and Smiles | Alexandria, VA Child Photographer

Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, I squeezed in a mini-session with a little girl from our neighborhood playgroup. I had done a holiday session with her and her parents last year, but this year we kept it simple and just focused on portraits of her.

Miss 'S' is a joy to work with, as she is sweet girl, very playful, full of energy, and very cooperative with me and my camera. Being so pretty and photogenic also helps! Mini-sessions are perfect for kids like her, as it really doesn't take much to get great shots. Her mom and I just gave her some space to be herself, and off she went, skipping and twirling up and down the block, laughing all the way. 

Thank you Miss 'S' for letting me capture the simple joys of being a happy kid!

Supporting a Cause with a Deserving Duo | Alexandria, VA Family Photographer

Back in the spring, I had donated a session to a fundraising event organized by friends to support the Northern Virginia Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders of Children's National Medical Center. The fundraiser organizers, who are also past clients, were so happy that the winner of the session was a hard-working single mom who didn't have any good photos of herself with her adopted daughter. The mom wouldn't have otherwise thought of working with a photographer, but was excited to have the opportunity. Support a good cause AND benefit a deserving family! What a wonderful way to spend my time!

We started our morning session together in the cobblestone alleyways in Old Town Alexandria. It took a while for Miss "I" to warm up to me, and to literally warm up. We eventually moved to a fun pile of red leaves in a nearby garden where she finally loosened up and started having a good time. Nothing like being given the green light to dump leaves on mom to make a kid laugh hysterically.

Thank you 'G' Family for supporting a great cause and for spending a lovely morning with me.

Here is a sneak peak of our session:

Making new friends from the neighborhood | Alexandria, VA Child and Family Photographer

I live in a fabulous little neighborhood in Alexandria, full of families with small children. I recently had the pleasure of meeting and photographing the 'M' Family, who live only a few blocks away. I was kinda surprised that we hadn't met before, considering that we have mutual friends and likely frequent the same playgrounds with our kids.

On a beautiful November afternoon, we met at the Carlyle House Gardens in Old Town, which was a perfect location for their active and excitable older boy. He was thrilled to have benches and a gazebo to climb on, paths to run around, bushes to hide in, and leaves to play with. And all in a very contained space, so we never had to worry, but he definitely kept me on my toes! Meanwhile, his baby brother was super cute with his fuzzy baby hair and big smiles. And the parents were wonderfully fun and easy-going, allowing their boys to be themselves, which is exactly how I like to capture them. They were all such a pleasure to work with.

Thanks again to the 'M' Family for another fun-filled session. I sure hope to see you again in the neighborhood!

Here is a sneak peak from our session:

Best Buds outside the Beltway | Northern VA Family Photographer

Treking outside the Beltway to photograph the 'K' Family in early November has become a wonderful annual tradition. This was our FOURTH (!!!) holiday session. I am so thankful for their loyalty and support of my photography over the years. As soon as I entered their home, they wanted to show off their "Nancy Wall", covered with framed images that I have taken of their children over the years. So sweet, totally touched my heart!

The weather is often cool and brisk at this time of year, but the leaves are always colorful, which makes the scenic drive out to see them even more enjoyable. They are such good friends and our kids have so much in common that we always have tons to talk about. I brought my family along this year as well, so that all the kids could play together after we were done with our session. I was delighted to see how well my little one played with their older daughter. They were instant best buds, so cute! Must must must get together again soon, and not wait until the next November!

Here is a sneak peak from our session:

 

This beautiful little girl has the most amazing long lashes!  So envious!!!

 

The girls got cold quickly, so we moved indoors for some photos by the window, then called it a day because the kids were anxious to play.

 

And of course, the "Nancy Wall".  Hope they make room for some of the images from this year's session!

The Merry 'M' Family in Montrose Park | Washington, DC Family Photographer

I met up with the 'M' Family at Montrose Park in Georgetown on one of those beautiful October afternoons that reminds me why I love autumn in DC so much -- cool, but comfortable enough to appreciate the colors without a coat. You never would have guessed that we had had some freaky snowy weather just the day before! And I'm so glad that they introduced me to Montrose Park, as it is lovely piece of countryside tucked away in the middle of the city, with several large open fields, a little garden, park benches, and even a playground.

I knew little Miss 'P' when she was a baby, but hadn't seen her in several years. She has become such a lovely little girl, full of energy and smiles, and she just adores her parents. So wonderful to reconnect with her mom, too. We hadn't seen each other in a long time, but everything felt so familiar and comfortable, as if time never passed. Love how my work has enabled me to catch up with good friends!

The park was perfect for Miss 'P' to run around, and she took full advantage of the wide open spaces, and was as happy as can be. I just love photographing kids when they are so relaxed and free to enjoy their surroundings and be themselves. Their true personalities come shining through. So much more interesting than cheesy grins!

Here is a sneak peak from their session: