In my own backyard

I always get asked for ideas for locations of photo sessions. That's a tough one for me to answer most times because not everyone's idea of the perfect portrait is the same. I do like to incorporate a lot of the environment into photographs but I can do that creatively even in someone's backyard!

I did want to mention though that I have overlooked a really cool spot that looks promising for many different styles and tastes. The Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve Center right in Fairfield is stunning this time of year! Three ponds, two mountain streams, and wildlife galore... a little paradise right in my own back yard.

'Tis the Season. Almost.

I thought that this past rainy and very gloomy Saturday would be a great day to try to get some photos of Madeline in my home studio for the annual Wagerman Christmas card. My plan is to go simple this year, nothing too Christmasy because I have a pretty simple card template that I love and want the photos to reflect the theme and colors of the card. I plan to have them print them double-sided and print them on gorgeous watercolor paper. The layout calls for a series of 3 photos so here's what I tried:

First idea... Fur hooded-coat with red backdrop.
As soon as I put the hood over her head, this is what she did. She acted like she couldn't move in it. She just froze. Hey Happy Holidays folks, doesn't she look like the epitomy of "happy"?

Second idea... Pettskirt on a white chair.

I have used this skirt before during photo sessions but have never gotten a photo of her in it. It was $70 so I'm trying to get my money's worth! ha! Nothing screams "Merry Christmas" like this photo here:

Third attempt... Crocheted hat and cute boots.

Not too shabby here but she's covering her mouth and doing what she's does, putting her fingers in her mouth.

In the end, I got some really great photos that I'm really happy with! And of course, I can't share them here because that would spoil the card!

Fun, FUN!

I'll say it again because it's worth saying three times, I had a lot of FUN photographing this brother and two sisters! So polite and so gorgeous... I felt so lucky to photograph them!

Here are just a few of my favorites! Of course, this one is just tops for me because I so love the cool way it reflects their very unique personalities!

Love, love these fur hooded coats and I love the way they frame a face! My daughter has one and I thought it would be a great Christmas card photo but she did not cooperate with it on like these two girls did!

Courage and the Beauty of Photographs

I don't talk a lot here about my Madeline but today, not unlike many days, she is my inspiration for this photography venture and inspiration for everything I do.

I took her outside this morning to take her photograph in her cute hat. I just figured on getting one or two so I leaned her against the bench and asked her to smile. I had to lean her, because at 22 months, Madeline is not walking. Her condition that affects her brain and balance/motor skills has delayed her physcial abilities.

Now there was no doubt in our minds that she could walk and we knew that she had the physical ability but not the courage to do so. I kept wondering how I could convince her that she could walk? Without warning, she just walked towards my camera today and I of course, got to photograph it and now am able to relive this moment forever!

Jewelry!

I recently had two necklaces ordered at the around the same time and when they came in, I really had a hard time letting them go because they're gorgeous! I would've worn them in a heartbeat... even though they are someone else's kids ;) I can picture it now:

Stranger: "Excuse me mam, the photo of your child on that necklace is adorable!! And where on Earth did you get that necklace?!!"

Me: "Thanks! Oh that's not my kid, my kid is right here. It is just a photo of someone's child that I know but I wear this necklace beause I love it so much."

Here are the two cutie pie twins from the Cunningham Falls session on a double lariat pendant with a black leather rope necklace:

Here's baby A from a summer session, who is by the way, practically all grown up now! This is a Forest Couture gemstone necklace with a 30x20 pendant with double-sided images:

Yep, I'd definitely wear 'em!

New Policy Changes

These changes have been reflected on my website but I wanted to post them here as well. Due to the limited number of sessions I offer, it becomes necessary from time-to-time to have to turn away people who have requested specific dates and times that have already been booked. Many times, I have book dates and times well in advance.

I fully understand that life is unexpected, kids get sick, and unfortunately things happen that are beyond our control. Sometimes I feel like the queen of unforseen and unexpected life events!

I just ask that when you book a session, you are commiting to a date and time with me. For this commitment, I am now requiring that the session fee be paid upfront to reserve a date/time. The session fee is non-refundable but is transferable in the event that something unforseen happens.

I hope you understand. It pains me to have booked dates and times for people months ago who decided they could no longer commit to that time because I guarantee that I had to turn someone else away from the date due to already having booked it for someone else. I also reserve space for you on my website calendar which is public.

Thanks so much!!!

A Brand New Smiling Baby!

This little guy was only 7 days old here. I have never, never seen a newborn smile as much as he did in such a short amount of time. Actually, I tried so hard to capture those shots of my own daughter (gassy smiles or not, I would've taken them!) but never could at this age. Everytime his mom spoke, he would smile. It was amazing as is he!

Welcome to the world little J... the world is already a much brighter place!

B Family: Part 2!

So I sort of teased this nice mom (unintentionally!) with only 3 photos and then left her hanging so I thought I'd post a few more of my favorites before I finished proofing the rest!

Every once in a while, I get to capture something special. And I know this when I'm editing because when that happens, I have a smile on my face the entire time. That's what happened with this very much in love couple!

I really like this one because you can see how incredibly blue all of their eyes are!

I think the background here looks a painting!

And I will leave you with a very fun and "real" family photo!

Welcome Fall!

For about 10 minutes, Photoshop was acting normal again so here's what I managed to proof from this session with the B family. Can the kids be any cuter? I don't think so. This mom is really and truely a "super mom" and her wonderful kids are a reflection of all of her hard work.

I just love the Fall colors she chose to go so beautifully with Lake Linganore.



See that opening right there at the lake? We got some gorgeous shots there with 2 white swans who decided to join us. I'm crossing my fingers that I get to edit those next!

I feel like I have to forewarn you...

...it's cuteness overload in these photos. From the moment I met this big sister, she was full of giggles, happiness and curiosity. And from the moment I met this little baby, my heart melted.

We went to the Gettysburg sunflower field for what was my last time there until next year. I will miss you sunflower field... thanks for the memories... ha ha!

Okay, now that you've been warned, I am not responsible if your heart melts too! :)

Perfection

Is how I would describe this photo session with this beautiful girl. I love how all of these turned out!!! Miss L and her awesome parents (and Rascal the dog too!) were up for anything I suggested and I really had a lot of fun photographing her in downtown Frederick. Sessions always go really well when everyone is happy!

This is one of many all-time favs of mine:

But the rest are definitely close 2nds!

This really nice store owner at One of a Kind on N. Market St. let us come in and take photos. He even asked for some photographs of her to use for his advertising!!! I'll let her mom handle that one.. :)

I really couldn't decide on which one I liked better here, the color version or the B&W.