Earlier, I wrote about how Cliff and I have been together for 11 years, but we've never had professional photos taken of ourselves as a couple. That changed two weeks ago when one of my favorite photographers, Katie Nesbitt, came to Silver Spring for our first ever couples session!

I'm so excited to report that our photos are ready, and both Cliff and I absolutely love them! Katie did a fantastic job! I know these are images that we are going to cherish for years to come! I've included one of our favorites at the top of this blog post, but you can see more by reading Katie's blog.

The next step might just be the hardest part. We'll be ordering prints and canvasses for ourselves and our family. I can't wait to see these photos up on our walls!

Thanks for everything, Katie! We had a blast, and hope you did, too!

Visiting D.C.'s cherry blossoms is an annual tradition in the Huseman-Starkey household. Cliff and I love talking around the tidal basin, taking in the sights and sounds of of springtime in the nation's capital. Usually, we make a full day of it. This year, though, we were short on time. So, our full day at the tidal basin turned into about two hours. Still, I'm so glad we made it. 

Here are a few snapshots from this year's visit.

I'm so excited to show off these photos of fellow Silver Springer and entrepreneur, Melanie Powers! Like most folks I know in Silver Spring, Melanie and I met through Twitter! She's a writer and copy editor extraordinaire who launched her own freelance business about two years ago.

What I love about working with Melanie is her creative spirit. When she came to me asking for headshots, she already knew what she wanted: something artsy that reflected who she is as a person, as well as her Silver Spring pride. 

Instead of selecting a location, taking some photos, and calling it a day, I met Melanie in Downtown Silver Spring and we walked around the neighborhood, picking out the best spots for photos as we went. I absolutely love this strategy for headshots. By keeping our options and lines of communication open, we were able to work together to produce photos that have a laid-back, yet sophisticated feel. If that doesn't describe Melanie's style, I don't know what does!

Not long ago, I mentioned that Cliff and I would be getting our picture taken by one of my favorite photographers, Katie Nesbitt. Well, our session is just one week away! I can't believe it's almost here!

I'm usually the one taking the photos, so working with another photographer has been a really interesting experience. I'm learning that it's both fun and nerve wracking to be a client! Katie is amazing to work with, but figuring out just where we want to have our photo taken and what we'll be wearing is more stressful than I thought it'd be.

If you know me well, then you already know that given the opportunity, we'd fly Katie to Nebraska and do photos on Cliff's family farm. (Guys, seriously... the barn, the hay bails, the river... I just can't!) Since that isn't possible, we've going to do photos in our new home--Sligo Creek Parkway, aka The Enchanted Forrest. I'm so excited to introduce Katie to the creek and the woods and the woodpeckers I've fallen in love with over the past six months.

Choosing outfits for our photo session has been slightly more challenging, but this weekend, Cliff and I ironed out the details. (Get it? ironed??) Below is a snapshot of what we plan to wear. 

I'm going with a printed dress that features spring colors. Because of the all-over pattern, I'm keeping jewelry to a minimum: white, dangly earrings with silver accents. Cliff has a muted-blue shirt and khaki pants.

For our second choice, we're playing up our faves. That's my favorite dress accented by a statement necklace. Cliff's going with his favorite suit jacket, a teal button-down and jeans.

Every year, Cliff and I make it a point to venture down to the tidal basin to check out D.C.’s beloved cherry blossoms. I am always pleasantly surprised by how happy they make me. There’s just something magical about walking through a powder-puff pink forest, smack dab in the middle of a city! 

This year, to celebrate this uniquely D.C. tradition, I thought I’d share some photography tips for capturing these fleeting works of nature. These tips are ideal for any photographer at any level, using any kind of camera.

1. Follow basic photography principals.
Following the basic rules of photography can make your cherry blossom photos--or any photos--really stand out. When photographing cherry blossoms, make sure to:

• Follow the rule of thirds;
• Include diagonal lines in the frame;
• Look for contrasting colors and interesting textures.