Sneak Peek: Jack is 18 Months! | Arlington, VA Children's Photographer

Little Jack turned 18 months on Sunday, and I got to celebrate with him. He was such a miniature man, suspenders and all! Although it was a HOT summer day, we had a great time running around. He chased bubbles, showed off his awesome cars, and of course flashed his beautiful little smile and big, curious eyes for the camera. Here's a sneak peek into our session:

Jack contemplates climbing a tree.

Curiously observing a squirrel and playing with his cars.

Jack shows off a big rock!

What to Wear: Engagement Edition! | Arlington, VA Photographer

Whether you and your betrothed are cute, quirky, funky, vintage, or modern, your engagement session is naturally going to have some element of romance to it. The ways to evoke that romantic feeling are veritably endless. Soft, flowing fabrics. Pretty colors. Lacy details. Flowers. Ties, vests, 3-piece suits...the list goes on. To help you put it all together for your engagement session, I've put together a few visual references for different styles. Enjoy!

Classic Look
Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O., and Sinatra are your style icons. You love classic lines with an elegant flair. A pretty necklace, feminine fabrics, or details like lace can soften up a more structured outfit and exude classic romance. For the guys, a timeless vest and nice shoes can really take it up a notch.

Modern Look
Traditionally soft fabrics, like lace, paired with unexpected colors, different textures, and bold jewelry make these outfits a good choice for the couple that loves a more modern, urban vibe in their look.

Laid-back Look

Comfy styles with a relaxed, easygoing vibe make you feel your best. If you don't like to fuss over your outfits, the fastest way to get the casual-comfy but still put-together look is layering with a dress. Pair it with a simple cardigan, comfy shoes, and pretty earrings. For the guys, just make sure your pants and shirt are ironed, and - voila! - you're ready to rock the session!

Final Note: Although this post is engagement-specific, I gave some helpful wardrobe tips in a previous post for what to wear. If you're looking for additional guidance, you can also check out my Pinterest boards for what to wear.. I've got helpful reference points for moms, dads, kids, seniors, and couples.

Sneak Peek: Nora Turns One! | Arlington, VA Portrait Photographer

Little Nora celebrates her first birthday this week! To commemorate the occasion, we had a cake smash session out in the beautiful May weather. Though she was a little shy at first, her smiley personality really came out as she crawled around the open field. Her first taste of cake was a hoot - it seemed like she didn't like it! But as you can see in the photos below, she took to it pretty quickly and really dove into it. After crawling around with her cake, Nora had a little bath and enjoyed some splashing around and playtime with mom. She's a real water baby!

Nora crawling around in her little tutu. I loved the bright colors!

Nora's cake and tutu.

Cake: smashed!

Post-cake cleanup: fun in the tub!

Such a sweet moment with Nora and mom.

Mom washing off all that icing!

Nora is surprised by a splash from dad!

Looking up at the sky.

Sneak Peek: The Family Tree | Arlington, VA Portrait Photographer

This awesome family that I spent time with this weekend is no stranger to travel: Akemi and Micah live in Florida, Laolo and Sarah live in Canada, and their mother Martha lives in Maryland. Unfortunately, living so far apart means that they don't get to see each other that often. This year, they met for the first time in 2 years in "middle ground Maryland", and I am humbled and honored that I got to help this family document the first time they have all been together in so long. It was heartwarming to feel the love that keeps this family going strong even when they aren't in the same state, much less the same country! 

Here's a peek into our day in Maryland:

The family, in one place: Martha, Akemi, Micah, Sarah, Laolo.

The boys, being boys, and climbing trees.

The Family Tree