This was my fourth year photographing these sweet boys and their parents. They’ve gone from toddlers to big kids, and continue to bring me joy when I capture images. This year, we went to Bluemont Park in North Arlington for lots of stream exploring, “rock climbing,” and adventuring. One of the boys yelled, “MOM! It’s like we’re CAMPING!” We captured a bit of fall!
It’s that time of year!
Time to start thinking about your 2018 holiday gifts. This year, I’ve worked to curate a list that will apply to everyone on your list! Affiliate links are included - I may get a small percentage for some purchases. All opinions are my own, and these are items I’ve either purchased or want!
Let’s start with holiday cards. Whether it’s you, a family of six, your dog, your extended family and grandkids or whatever your family looks like, receiving holiday cards is always a treat. I partner with Minted and I love their cards. My favorites are always the collage cards.
Not into cards? Try this awesome wrapping paper!
Giving a big gift? This is great for any aspiring photographer. This series is wonderful for beginners and gives plenty of room to grow. The Nikon D3400 is the new version of my first camera.
This lens (aka “the nifty fifty”) is a great lens for beginners as well!
Saving for a camera? Check out this piggy bank!
Shopping for grandparents, mom or dad, aunts or uncles, or godparents? I love kid photos as gifts (send me photos of your kids!) in these great gift formats from Artifact Uprising. Everything here is under $50.
My three year old is constantly grabbing at our photo books. For her own books, I like Pinhole Press. I made one of these for Caroline and I’ve given them to cousins, too!
Last year, I did a 365 photo project - a photograph of my kids (or dog) every day. For a beautiful grown up photo book (mine is displayed on the mantle), I used Blurb. My book is HUGE, over 365 pages because I did “best of each month,” and nearly every new visitor to our home ends up gravitating toward it.
Got someone on your shopping list who wants to be in FRONT of the camera? I sell Noonday Collection, and a big reason is how well it photographs! (Props to my friend Amanda for snapping this after getting a VERY short tutorial on back button focus!) Red tassels make great holiday earrings, and they’re so fun for holiday photos, too!
My friend Felicia sells this mug, which every photographer needs. Note: The photographer in your life needs this ASAP. Do not wait until Christmas or Hanukah.
Other gifts I love? Give a photo session with yours truly!
Little T is newly two, and has (obviously) changed so much since the first time I photographed her - as a newborn! This weekend was full of repeat clients, and I felt the rush of time going by as I watch these little ones grow. It was also the day after my own daughter celebrated her third birthday. Do any other parents get nostalgic at birthdays?
We explored the area around Jones Point Park. It didn’t rain (two out of three photo sessions happened over the weekend, which qualifies as totally shocking!) and we were out in the wind out by the water. T wasn’t feeling posed photos, but that’s OK because she rocked the candids. She showed off so many new skills developed in the past year - running, jumping, counting, and climbing!
This little guy has grown so much! When I first photographed him, he was a year old and still had that baby look. Now, he’s three and big, a lover of superheroes and dinosaurs, and hilarious!
I met R and his family at Bluemont Park in Arlington. Despite some mud (SO MUCH) we had beautiful light and delightful weather, which was a big shock given this year’s weather! We stomped over bridges, climbed on rocks, and explored.
Photographing the same families year after year gives me joy. Kids grow and change so quickly, especially in the baby to toddler to preschooler transition.
I still have weekday sessions and a couple high school senior slots available, but 2018 is filling fast! Get in touch ASAP to book, using the contact form or my Facebook page.
I love Carlyle House. When I got connected with this family, with kids age 2 and almost 5, through my running group, I thought of Carlyle House right away. I love that kids can play and that there’s only two exits! Despite reports of a coming hurricane, we had a mix of sun and clouds with no rain!
The girls were adorable, one serious, one silly, and I laughed a lot, which is always the sign of a good session! I loved the colors mom picked, and we even found the first glimpses of fall.
