I'm more than a little behind on blogging, but that's okay -- better late than never, right? I can't believe this session happened almost a full year ago!!

​I love using my camera to bring people together and one way I do that is through Silver Spring's food festival, Taste the World in Fenton Village. Not only do I try to photograph this festival every year, but I also donate a door prize -- a family photo session!

The lucky winners of the 2017 prize are the Guinnessy Family. The three of us met in the fall of last year for a family photo shoot and I love how these images turned out! The timing couldn't have been better. Just look at those GORGEOUS leaves!

Want to win a FREE family photo session? Mark your calendars for 2019's Taste the World in Fenton Village happening May 19. I hope to see you there!

I've been thinking a lot lately about kindness, what it means, what it looks like, and how place can shape our definition of kind.

Those who read this blog regularly know that I'm originally from Nebraska, a place where it sometimes feels like being nice is a requirement for living there. Back home it's common to greet people as you're walking down the street, share details about your life with the cashier at the grocery store, and even strike up conversations with strangers.

Out on the East Coast, it isn't always that way. We all know the stereotypes of brash New Yorkers. But even here in the DMV, I've found that the hustle and bustle of city life can sometimes make people more reserved. And until recently, I assumed that’s just the way it is. I assumed that the Midwest has an bona fide kindness that can’t be found anywhere else.

Then I met the Carr family.

This family is authentically, genuinely kind. They approach the world with love, and their enthusiasm for life is contagious. I felt this positive energy in the way they connected with, supported, and encouraged each other. Perhaps most importantly, I see that loving spirit shine through in each of these images.

Even though we only spent a short time together, I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about the Carrs long into the future. Their energy and enthusiasm left an impression on me and defined kindness in a way that I once thought could only be found in the Midwest. They taught me that kindness lies within people, not places, and that showing kindness is a decision we all make each and every day.

When families hire me to take their photos, I always hope I leave a lasting, positive impression on them. But so often, the families I come to know and love leave a lasting impression on me. That's definitely the case with the Lin Family.

It's been awhile since I've posted anything here -- for no reason in particular, other than life. This year has been trying to say the least. Between the every day drama that has become our political landscape, and the death of a dear friend, I've had to practice a lot of self care in 2018. That means the blog has taken a bit of a backseat... until this last weekend. 

I've known the Lins for years now, and something about being in my favorite place -- Sligo Creek Park -- with people I adore energized me in a way I haven't felt in months. Honestly, I give the credit to the little one you see, who I'll call C. She was so full of good vibes and positive energy and wasn't afraid to throw out ideas for our session, which I loved! So many of the kids I photograph are shy and need help coming out of their shells (which is totally understandable). But not C. She had no problem hamming it up for the camera, which made my job so easy!

Not only did C remind me how much I love photography, but she made me realize I've got something special literally in my own front yard. That something special is Sligo Creek. It's a place I adore, a place I spend a lot of my time, and a place I like to call my studio. That's why from here on out, I'll simply ask you to call me the Sligo Creek Photographer. 

I love the energy this place holds. I love how its peace and beauty bring people together. And I love what a hidden gem it is for family photos. I plan to spend a lot of time here in the coming months and years. My goal is to create beautiful images that will last for years to come, and build life-long connections with the families I photograph. If more kids like C come into my life, something tells me that's not going to be hard to do :)

The older I get the more I learn to love and appreciate winter. I know it is easy to complain about the short days and cold temperatures, but I adore everything winter stands for. For me, it's a time to rest, relax, wind down, and focus on living in the moment.

​Nothing says winter like snow, and this weekend we got plenty of it. There's always something special about the first snowfall of the season. It's magical and beautiful and it always makes me giddy! The fact that the first snow fell on a Saturday meant I was able to spend my morning with my hands wrapped around a warm cup of coffee just staring out the window. It was so peaceful and tranquil and I loved it!

Another thing that made this year's first snow fall memorable was that I got to share it with friends Courtney-Rose and Adam Dantus! I met Courtney-Rose years ago, and always admired her gentle spirit and easy smile. So when she reached out asking for family photos, I was delighted to oblige!

We actually had this Sligo Creek family photo session planned days in advance, and I had assumed the snow would stop before the shoot even started. But to my delight, it snowed throughout the entire session! I've got to give a huge shout out to Courtney-Rose and Adam for being such troopers. Wintertime snowy sessions make so GORGEOUS photos, but they aren't always easy. Cold fingers and stinging cheeks can get really annoying really fast, but Courtney-Rose, Adam, and their two pups powered through. 

I'm so glad we were able to get together and embrace winter in this way. I adore these photos and hope the Dantus Family loves them as much as I do!

I love capturing family photos outdoors, but there's something precious about doing an indoor session. Being able to photograph families in their home adds an element of truth and beauty that the outdoors just can't provide. That especially rings true with these birthday photos featuring twins Ari and Judah.

This session was actually supposed to take place outdoors, but a cold spell forced everyone inside. The change of plans didn't bother these two littles in the least. They were way more focused on the loving attention bestowed by grandma, grandma, uncles and friends who were all at their house to celebrate their first birthday!

The highlight of the party was their cupcake smash. We've all seen those hysterical photos of kiddos indulging in cupcakes and smearing it all over their faces... but Ari and Judah were hesitant to dive in. They took a much more demure approach in the beginning, but eventually got the hang of it! 

Happy birthday, kiddos! Stay adorable!

I love weekends that are a mixture of work and play, and this last weekend exemplified that. It was wonderful! Saturday I met with fellow creative Gerry Suchy to go over details of a collaboration that we'll be announcing later in the year. Then I treated myself to a massage and facial! Three cheers for self love and care!

Sunday I got to spend time with these two cuties! Twins Judah and Ari ​turn one this year, and to celebrate mom, dad, grandma and grandpa threw them their very own birthday party, complete with cupcakes!  As you might imagine, it was messy and fun... and messy. They are both such sweet boys and I can't wait to share more from their first birthday party soon!

It was another lovely weekend. Cliff and I went to the movies Saturday evening and Sunday I spent the morning photographing these precious little ones. Baby Caroline, pictured above, was born two weeks ago! That hair! Those toes! It's almost too much!

Caroline is a beautiful baby and she did so well during our photo session. I think that's because she had big sister Eleanor to show her the ropes. Eleanor is two now, and she had no problem hamming it up for the camera. 

I can't wait to share more of this beautiful family. Until then, I leave you with this precious preview. I hope these photos bring readers out there as much joy as they bring me!

Eleanor is 3, and she is so excited to be a big sister! To help celebrate the occasion, she had her very own photoshoot with Baby Sister Caroline! Spending the day with these girls was delightful. Little ones do such a wonderful job of reminding us what's important in life :)

Is it too early to just declare it spring? I know it's only the end of February, but hot diggity! This 70-degree weather hasn't even given me a chance to have spring fever yet. I've moved straight from the feeling that winter is coming to enjoying long walks in Sligo Creek Parkway with my husband! Add in the number of projects I've got going on, and I have to look at a calendar to prove to myself that it isn't April.

Speaking of projects, I have to give a huge shout out and thank you to the community of Silver Spring. With your generosity, The Community Wellness Fund Inspired by Bethany Meissner has raised $3,700 -- in SEVEN days! WUUUUT?!? Silver Spring -- you are AMAZING! 

When Third Space Wellness and I teamed up to make the fund happen, it was all an experiment. We had no idea how well it would or would not do. At nearly $4,000 raised in just over a week, it's done better than my wildest expectations! All I can say is THANK YOU and let's keep it going! There are two weeks left to contribute! 

On the less exciting but still fun end of the scale, Cliff and I took a trip to Community Forklift over the weekend to look for unique legs for a dining room table. We didn't find anything on this trip, but I'm not worried. The table will be beautiful no matter what. It's actually being hand made by my childhood friend Kendra and her husband, Adam! We're still in the planning and design phase, but once we get further into the process, I'll share more! In the mean time, be sure to check out the beautiful pieces Adam makes and designs here.

Adam isn't the only designer I'm working with. For the past several months, I've been working with Silver Spring graphic designer Christy Batta on a fun project. Finishing touches are happening now, and I'll be sharing more from our collaboration soon! 

Finally, the weekend wouldn't be complete without a photo session. If you've been looking for something to melt your heart, I promise these photos will do it. Meet Jackie, Neftali and their sweet baby boy, Nico. Nico may be small, but this little guy is a fighter! He spent eight weeks in the NICU before coming home... and its clear mom and dad are bursting at the seams with pride. I can't wait to share more photos of this beautiful family soon!

The older I get, the more my appreciation for family grows. We all have our own version of family, whether that's the traditional two-parent household, or families like mine -- two adults living in harmony. 

For first-time parents Jessica and Matt, family recently took on a whole new meaning when they welcomed baby James into the world. Spending a peaceful, quiet Saturday morning with this precious little one and his proud parents was exactly what my heart needed. Cliff and I don't plan on having any children of our own, but that doesn't mean I don't adore the way Matt and Jessica doted on little James. It's clear the love they have for him knows no bounds.

This was one of the most thoughtful and sincere photoshoots I've had in a long time, but it didn't come without some humor. Matt and Jessica are both teachers and love Eric Carl's A Very Hungry Caterpillar. They used the book as a theme for James' nursery, so when James' grandma knitted him his own Very Hungry Caterpillar outfit, photographing him in it was a must... I don't think I've ever seen anything so cute. The hat with those bug eyes and antenna just puts it over the top!

What made this session extra sweet are the ways Matt and Jessica invited their other baby, a 2-year-old dachshund mix named Finnegan, to join the family photos. This little guy was a sweetheart, and clearly very protective of the baby. Anytime James left the room, be it to eat, get a diaper change or a new outfit, Finn quickly followed making sure everything was okay. 

I love looking at these photos, and I hope Matt and Jessica do, too. I'm excited for this family and everything the future holds for them.