Blue eyed girl.
Meet 19 month old S. She always has a smile for everyone, and this hot day in late July was no different! She had a blast running around the grounds of the Belair Stable Museum and Mansion, and was kind enough to slow down every so often to allow me to capture the beauty of her deep blue eyes.
I think she enjoyed the session too. In fact, this pose was her idea! I love it when kids make suggestions during a session, and though she isn’t old enough yet to tell me with words, I got the message loud and clear. She backed herself up to this wall and stood there waiting, as if to say, “Hello? I’m ready for my close up!”. 
Here’s her mom and dad (my friend D and her husband S).
I brought my new rocking horse (rescued from the curb on trash day!) and put it in front of this stable door. I thought it was such a clever idea! Apparently, little S did not agree. She sat on it for all of 4 seconds. 
What a cutie!
Yet another pose, this time with a sigh. Ah, the life of a model… 
And last, big smiles with mommy.
Thank you D and S and little S. You have a beautiful family!
Love me and the world is mine. ~David Reed
Robin and Adam were married last month in paradise… soft white sand underfoot, palm trees towering overhead, and layers of teal blue water stretching to the horizon. And the sky… just unreal. I honestly have no words to describe it.
A beach wedding at the Majestic Colonial Resort in Punta Cana.
It was truly the perfect spot for this perfect match. Robin and Adam are fantastic people, so fun and thoughtful and genuine, and they compliment each other so well. When you meet them, it’s immediately apparent how important family and friends are to these two. And I think that it’s pretty amazing that thirty seven of their loved ones traveled so far to witness their marriage! My husband and I were honored to be a part of the celebration.
We arrived in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic two days before the wedding and had a chance to relax and explore, and hang out with Robin and Adam and the other wedding guests before the big day. We checked out the buffets, the bars, and the shops. We swam in the ocean and wandered the resort. My camera was never far from reach, and I had an absolute blast documenting the beauty all around me!
The day before the wedding we went on an ocean cruise and met some captive (de-stingered) sting rays and got to snorkel with nurse sharks. It was great to get off the resort, seeing some of the “real” Punta Cana on the bus ride to where the boat picked up. We also got to see the boat crew perform some traditional Dominican dances on the way back to port.
And the drinking… as an all inclusive trip, drinks (Presidente, the official and possibly only beer made and served in the Dominican, and MamaJuana, a folklorish aphrodisiac rum blend) were a big part of the week-long celebration, but unfortunately, pregnant-me missed out on all the partying. Nonetheless, our whole experience was incredible!
Plus, we were lucky enough to fly out one day before the airport was shut down due to Hurricane Irene. Unfortunately, most of the other guests were stranded for days!
Here is a sneak preview of images I sent to Robin and Adam to display at the reception they held last weekend for friends and family who were not able to be there for the main event. I have OH SO MANY more I’m eager to share with everyone, and I will update this post at some point, but for now…
The guys before the ceremony with their Presidentes. 
The girls.
A glass of champagne was delivered before they even reached the end of the aisle. Now that’s service!
The whole gang!
This was truly one of those “pinch me” moments. How gorgeous is this scene?!
Is that the water shimmering in the late day sunlight? Yes, yes it is…
Good thing I took pictures so it would last longer. LOL
Just gorgeous.
The world is theirs…
The reception was held at the open air restaurant on the beach. 
Plotting their next move…
And finally, toasts from the groom’s brother and bride’s sister wrap up the wedding celebration.
But we weren’t finished with photos just yet! Robin mentioned to me on the first day that she was interested in getting into the ocean with her dress on after the wedding. And although this is something I’d probably never ASK a bride to do, I was psyched that she suggested it! And so, the day after the wedding, she and Adam went for it!
At first, a stroll along the water’s edge…
And then…
How cute are they?!
Ta daaa!
Thank you Robin and Adam for the opportunity to attend and photograph your wedding. I crossed things off my bucket list I didn’t even know were on it! We had an amazing time with you and your friends and family, and as a photographer, it was absolutely the experience of a lifetime!
Cheers!
Grow old with me… the best is yet to be. ~Robert Browning
C and B are a warm, intensely loving, light up the room kind of couple. They were married in late July, smack in the middle of the heat wave. It was a “cooler” 95+ degrees that day at The Newton White Mansion in Prince George’s County. No matter though… nothing could have put a damper on their celebration! The energy and support of their friends and family on their wedding day was a truly beautiful and inspiring thing to witness, and my team and I were honored to be there.
Every detail was just gorgeous, starting with her dress…
And her flowers.
I love her shirt! It reads, “B Hall Put A Ring On It”!
C’s mom, sister, and best friend all pitch in. Such a classic moment!
Anticipation…
Her turn to “put a ring on it”. LOL!
C’s incredibly talented 16 year old son and her likewise talented best friend P serenade the couple during the ceremony.
C and B with all the kids.
Coral and gold.
Introducing Mr. and Mrs. B Hall!
Tropical accents…
P singing with the band.
What a party!
All smiles!
Thank you so much C and B for including us in your special day. Best wishes for a lifetime of happiness!
Expressions
Love theirs…
walk around town
Here are a few from a recent session with a wonderful family of four. We took a walk around the Kenwood neighborhood in Bethesda, which is famous (and crowded!) in early spring for it’s thousands of cherry trees.
This first set is displayed in one of my nifty new blog templates (credit: fototale designs), and each of these images is edited with a technique I’ve created for desaturating the color. More to come soon, especially now that spring has sprung!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Dear Facebook fans (or Facebook fans to be),
Will you be my Valentine?
This month, in honor of Valentine’s Day, I’m sharing the love by offering a FREE SESSION plus a $14 print credit to one lucky Facebook fan! Simply head on over to my Facebook page, comment on my status post between now and 11:59pm on Sunday, February 13th, 2011, and your name will be entered into a random drawing for the prize.
One entry per person. Tell your friends! The winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day! <3
…and because I can’t post without sharing an image, meet little Miss A. So sweet!
Holiday spirit!
Here’s a peak of the second mini session from Belair Stable Museum and Belair Mansion. What a beautiful family, all decked out in red!
4 year old S is so adorable… and carefully positioned behind big brother, 7 year old N, so that the double layer of hot pink socks she chose to wear with her capri jeans wouldn’t show. Haha!
See?
So handsome, and such a charming, kind, and well behaved young man. And a bit of a daredevil too!
We were having so much fun, this “mini” just kept going and going and going! Perfect light, perfect weather, gorgeous location, we just couldn’t stop!
So many to choose from… I wonder which one they ended up with on their Christmas card?!
And finally… this is one of those we’re getting ready to pack up and go home but something about the light or the scene or the way the family is walking just grabs me and we have to stop and get just one more, and it turns out to be my absolute favorite image from the session. I love how that happens! And I just LOVE their smiles here!
Thank you to the M family!
Historic Bowie
Here is a peak of the first of two mini sessions I held at the Belair Stable Museum and Belair Mansion in Bowie, MD. These are the kind of places easily taken for granted. If you live in or near Bowie, I highly recommend a visit. Perhaps even a portrait session?!
I just adore these kids, and have photographed them a few times over the last year. This session was extra special because they brought mom and dad along too!
8 year old M, growing up so fast and such a lovely young lady!
And 4 year old M, the sweetest little boy you’ll ever meet!
Mom is usually the one behind the camera, but not this time! Beautiful!
Possibly my favorite image of 2010. Lots to love, but making little M smile so big just about made my year!
And finally, here’s the one she’s sending to the modeling agencies. Just kidding! But honestly… how gorgeous are these two?!
Thank you R family for another great session!
More minis!
Here’s another of the fall mini sessions from late October. More gorgeous leaves, and another beautiful family! What a perfect backdrop for these redheads (and Dad too)!
Four year old B is one of my son’s very best friends. Right after we did this session, they moved to Virginia… we miss them so much!
B and his little sister, B. They are such an awesome pair!
Also! My friend B (notice a pattern?) is a photographer too! So next weekend, not only do we get to visit them and explore their new town, but she is going to do a holiday session with my family! Yay!!
In case you’re curious… her husband is also a B.
And just for kicks, here is one of the wizard and the witch… cutie pies!
Thank you guys SO much! Can’t wait to see you next weekend, and I can’t wait for our turn! 
