Recently my nerves amped up to a whole new level.  You see, right before I decided to pursue my passion for photography as a business, I was introduced to Gretchen Mathison’s website (http://www.gretchenmathisonphotography.com) and immediately fell in love.  Her photos captivated me and tugged at my heart strings.  They brought tears to my eyes because they had so much emotion.  It was the first time I’d seen lifestyle portraiture… to go into someone’s home and document real moments of their life.   I am my worst critic, so of course I will never amount to Gretchen.

Recently I was asked to do my first real lifestyle job.   Gabrielle’s girls are on the same cheer squad as my girls, and in order to get to know some of the moms I friended as many as I could on facebook =)  One day I had a message in my inbox from Gabrielle inquiring about a session for her three adorable munchkins.  She told me that she had a photographer back in Maryland before they moved six months ago, and had not been able to set an appointment with her over the summer.  I checked out her website and it reminded me of Gretchen.  My stomach flip-flopped and my mouth went dry.  Gabrielle was expecting lifestyle portraits and the only bar that I’d ever set for myself in that spectrum of photography is Gretchen.  I looked in the mirror and told myself, “Challenge is good, it’s how you grow.  Never stop challenging yourself and pushing your comfort zone.”

I’m not gonna’ lie, driving to their home, I was 10x more nervous than ever.  Expectations were there.  A bar was set.  But once I arrived I took a deep breath, set my nerves aside and rang the doorbell.  I was greeted by gorgeous Gabrielle and three bright eyed, smiling girls that remind me so much of my own!  I was up for the task!  I was ready to have fun!  We played dinosaurs, ring around the rosie, and so much more.  Here’s a peek…..

With that said, blogging is on my goal list every day. Somehow I always make it a non-priority and push it to the next day….and the next…and then the next. Before I know it a whole month goes by! This is horrible because it’s such a personal thing that shows YOU who I am and what I’m all about. It connects us. I just wanted you to know that I am really trying to be better at it….attempting to cross it off my list. Here’s a quick peek at Kathryn and Zach’s wedding day – there will be a blog post with all the details next month =)

Glenn and Kevin are not sharing any classes this semester but have kept in touch. I finally got to meet this amazing person my husband had talked so much about, his really cool wife, Melissa, along with their two adorable munchkins after they set up a family session with us.

We had so much fun and I can’t wait to get together again and hang out! Chuck-E-Cheese play date, here we come!

they had to warm up to us heheheeee

The day before our photo shoot, the little guy had his hair cut.  I LOVED his spiky new do and melt-your-heart smile!  I look forward to more sessions and seeing this handsome little guy grow up

The past five years have been a whirlwind of  blanket tents in the bedroom, walks with umbrella’s in the summer rain, dancing around the living room, and lot’s of laughter.  Grace is 150% girly girl.  She hates to get her hands dirty, loves to dress in ribbons and pearls, and has a contagious giggle.  I hope she never loses her bright smile and bubbly personality.  Happy 5th birthday, baby girl!

We met at Yorktown beach for our session and were interrupted several times with people asking if she was a “real” model and guys whistling from across the way…talk about confidence boosters during a photo shoot!  Not to mention that the camera absolutely loved her!

The Miller’s are regular clients and great friends of mine, so it’s always a challenge to think about new and different locations for their sessions.  I never want to shoot at the same place twice, so after I looked back and saw we had done the beach, the barn, etc I knew I’d have to hunt.  Then. BAM!  I thought about Easter and how I’d photographed the kids on abandoned railroad tracks.  I threw the idea at Jackie and she ran with it =)  Here’s a peek…

Ah! He's sooooo adorable!

Jackie found the most adorable matching shirts for the boys – and one with coordinating colors for her as well! It was hot on the day of our session (the sand was hot like fire), but looking at how amazing they all look in the photos – you’d never be able to tell!



Josh is deployed until November, so Jackie had this awesome idea for a photo to wish him a happy Father’s Day!  Isn’t she an amazing wife?!