Guys! I saw the new Ghostbusters in theaters last weekend and it was AH-MA-ZING! Even more amazing is that Movie Nightcap hosts Nate and Abe invited me on their podcast to talk all about it! You can find the episode here:

Hanging with these two goofballs was so much fun! I was actually a little nervous before we started recording, but Nate and Abe (and beer) made me feel pretty comfortable. Also, I HATE the sound of my own voice, but it doesn't sound too bad on the podcast. 

When we started recording, I figured an hour would be plenty of time to share all of my thoughts about this movie, but that wasn't the case at all. Even though we covered a lot of ground here, there's a lot that went unsaid.

For starters, I loved the special effects in the movie. I loved how creepy the bad guy was. I loved how the movie depicted that the Ghostbusters didn't get it right right away. Honing their craft took time and a lot of trial and error. But like any good Hollywood heroes, they never gave up. I also love what this movie means for little girls and women. The fact that girls can now go to movies and see examples of heroic, intelligent, brave women kicking ass and taking names is so cool -- and way overdue.

If you want to know what Abe and Nate think, you'll have the listen to the entire episode! (seriously -- do it! You might be surprised!) 

Want more? Find additional episodes of Movie Nightcap on itunes!

Saturday was such a fun day!

In the morning, I photographed the wedding of two good friends, Jimena and Greg! I met Jimena a few years ago and can honestly say she's one of the coolest cats I know. Watching her and Greg grow in love has been a true honor! They held a small ceremony at the Ritz Carlton in Georgetown, and it was absolutely stunning! These two have the biggest hearts of any two people I know, and I cannot wait to share more from their big day! Jimena and Greg, I'm so happy for you! I love you both!

In the evening, I did something it feels like I've been waiting a lifetime to do: I SAW THE NEW GHOSTBUSTERS MOVIE!!! AHHHHHHH! I haven't been this excited for a movie in I dunno how long! I loved it! To show just how much I loved it, I joined the guys over at Movie Nightcap to podcast about it!

Recording the episode with hosts Nate and Abe was So. Much. Fun!! I knew that going into it, but talking movies with these two turned out to be way cooler than I ever could have imagined! Our conversation was silly and quirky, but there were also times when it was serious and thought provoking. The podcast should be available in about a week, and I'll be sure to share it here on my blog!

Those who have worked with me know that I love giving clients sneak previews of photos on site -- yes, during a session! Once I've captured something I'm certain they'll be happy with, I flip the camera around and show clients what's on the display screen.

Some photographers frown on this, but I do it because sneak peeks help get clients excited about the session. When clients are excited, I'm excited, and we're able to feed off of each other's energy. Sneak peeks also open the door for feedback so I know what clients like and don't like and can adjust accordingly.

There's just one catch. Because the images aren't edited, I make sure to let clients know that what they see isn't what they'll be getting. That's because post processing -- or the process where photos are uploaded onto a computer and adjusted for light, color and consistency -- is where the magic happens! It is through this process that photographers are able to take a good photograph and make it great, as well as insert their own unique style onto the image.

I wanted to demonstrate just how important post processing is, so for the first time EVER, I'm showing  a few completely unedited photos so you can see the transformation that takes place!

On more than one occasion, Lightroom has saved photographs that would otherwise be unusable. Take, for example, this image from a maternity session. Time was running out and the sun was setting, but this adorable couple wanted a few photos with the river in the background. I had to shoot into the light in an already dim environment. As you can see, the RAW photo is dark. You can barely make out this husband's face and the gentle kiss he's giving his wife.

Lightroom changes all of that. By adjusting the exposure, shadows and dark areas in the photograph, I was able to turn it into a product I can stand by.

Shooting during the middle of the afternoon on a bright, sunny day can be a photographer's worst nightmare. Intense sunlight casts harsh shadows, as you can see with these fun, b-boyin' groomsmen below. By adjusting exposure and shadows in Lightroom, I'm able to turn a dark, flat photo into something much more whimsical. 

These photos were taken just seconds apart, but because of the change in light source, they almost look as if they aren't from the same session. The vertical image is very yellow, while the horizontal image is much bluer. Both could also stand to be cropped. By adjusting the temperature and choosing a more flattering crop, Lightroom allows me to give these images a much more uniform, sophisticated look.

This couple! Their wedding! I just don't have enough good things to say!

Tim and Marie are some of the most caring, giving, genuinely friendly people I've ever met, and that really showed on their wedding day! They're originally from the Midwest, so when they moved to D.C. to pursue careers, they knew most of their friends and family would be traveling long distances to see them tie the knot. Instead of having a traditional wedding here or back home, this couple did something I've never seen before! They planned an all-out wedding weekend extravaganza for 55 guests! Their wedding was, quite literally, a vacation for family and friends! How incredible is that?

Tim and Marie planned everything themselves, and the details they incorporated into their event were incredible!  The little things -- from the adorable jewelry poodle Zoe wore to the homemade ice cream Tim made for friends and family -- really made a big statement! The details spoke to who Tim and Marie are as a couple and what they stand for. This weekend really was all about love!

It started with a ballgame at Nationals Park, followed by visits to Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo. The weekend ended with the main event: a chartered, double-decker tour bus that took Tim, Marie, their two dogs and 40 guests to D.C.'s beautiful monuments! At each monument, a friend of the couple gave a personal, heartfelt reading that truly reminded guests what the weekend was all about.

The tour ended with a beautiful ceremony at the Jefferson Memorial, where Tim and Marie exchanged vows surrounded by loved ones. It was so simple and romantic, but my favorite part was the laughter. Tim and Marie are so in love, and it really shows in their smiles, their attitude and the way they make each other laugh!

There are so many beautiful photos from the day, and choosing which to feature on the blog was actually quite different. These are some of my favorites and I hope Tim and Marie love these images as much as I do!

If you're reading this, hopefully its because you're thinking about booking a family photo session, or maybe you already have. Whether you work with me or another photographer, here are six tips I offer for getting the most out of custom family photography.

Trust your photographer

​As a photographer, I want what is best for you, my client. At the end of our session, my goal is to give you my very best body of work – one that will leave you smiling and full of joy. I’m able to give my very best when there is a level of trust and communication between us.

​Here’s how you know you can trust me:

• I live where I work. Sligo Creek is my home, which means each time you book a session with me, I’m inviting you to join me in a place I love.
• I have more than 10 years of professional photography experience and since starting my business in 2015, I’ve photographed dozens of families.
• I enjoy working with kiddos and do my best to meet them at their level.
• When it comes to photography, I operate by one philosophy: simple, affordable, fun. You can read more about this driving philosophy here.

 
 
See the relationship with your photographer as a partnership

Custom art, which family photography is, is a process that requires communication, collaboration, and teamwork. I’ll help you and your family members with posing, styling, and location and walk you through every step of the family photo process, but I also want to hear from you, too! If, during our session, you have an idea for a pose or activity, speak up! I’m always willing to try new things!
 

Understand that the first few minutes of the session will probably be awkward – and that's okay

Unless you’re a model or work in film or TV, professional photography is not something most people do every day, and it’s totally normal to feel a little nervous. I’ll work with you and your family every step of the way to get the gorgeous photos you’ve been dreaming of.
 

Unplug

I get it – our phones are our keys to the world. But for the hour or so that we spend together, I kindly ask that you live in the moment and just unplug. This will help us communicate better, and allow us to build the trust that is so vital to capturing the best photos possible. Plus, your experience will be better for it.
 

Have fun!

Professional family photos may not be something you do every day, but that doesn’t mean they’re something you should stress over. Take this time to simply enjoy being with your loved ones. Try to relax and just have fun!


Bonus tip: Use your family photos as home décor

I always encourage clients to ask themselves this question: What will do you with your photos once you have them? If your answer is to post them on Facebook, you may be not getting the most out of your photo session.

When you book a family photo session, you’re doing more than just documenting your family and the connection you all share. You’re also investing in custom art. By printing your photos and displaying them in your home or office, you’ll be able to enjoy them for years to come. Learn more about why printing your images is so important here and how to use your photos as home décor here.