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!

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.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about something my friend Stacilyn said years ago: she loves love! Love is what we need more of right now, and love is one of the reasons I adore family photography.

You see, as a family photographer, I get to spend time with people who truly love each other. After having photographed dozens of families, I can honestly say that, like laughter, love is contagious. Being around others who exude love fills my heart with joy, and I pass that positive energy onto my own family and I believe it is reflected in my work. These photos featuring Abe, Laura and their son Martin are the perfect example of that.

The three of us (and Aunt Bethany, who stayed behind the scenes) spent an afternoon in Sligo Creek Parkway where little Martin got up close with nature and got to be photographed doing one of his favorite things: reading! Martin is clearly adorable, but what really stole my heart (and what continues to make me smile when I look at these photos) are all the ways Laura and Abe dote on their son. Watching the three of them together was such a joy, and so much fun. Love is clearly at the center of everything this family does, and being able to document that love is an honor.

It is my sincere hope that Abe, Laura and Martin will look at these photos and smile the way I do, and that those reading this blog will take a moment to appreciate the love they have in their lives and share more of it with the world.

​I'm not going to lie. The last few days have been incredibly challenging for me. If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm one of the tens of millions of Americans who are mortified that Donald Trump will be sworn in as our next president in just a few short days. The realization that Barack Obama will never be our president again hit me pretty hard over the weekend, and to say I was emotional is an understatement.

It's not that I think Obama is the perfect president -- because there is no such thing. It's really about what he and Michelle brought to the White House. They opened it up to the people, celebrated culture, religion, diversity and a wide variety of talent. Mostly, though, they put a genuine, authentic focus on children. 

It really wasn’t until the last few days that I’ve begun to realize how much their example has impacted me and my own work. After all, as a family photographer, I spend a lot of time with kids. Learning to navigate their wants and needs while capturing beautiful images hasn’t always been easy… but by watching the Obamas, I’ve learned a lot about love, patience and respect, and what that looks like to a kid.

I use those lessons anytime I’m working with children, and this session with little Martin (pictured above) was no different. This kid has a heart of gold, but he and I each had different ideas about what makes a good photo. He didn’t tell me this of course – just protested when I asked mom and dad to pick him up. So, we did things his way, and you know what? The photos turned out incredibly well.

The point in all of this is that everyone, no matter your age, race, gender, religious preference or sexual orientation, deserves respect, peace and a place to feel comfortable. I worry that our children and large segments of our nation’s population won’t find those things under the incoming administration. It’s a lot to think about and digest, and a lot to carry on my shoulders, but I know I’m not alone. I know there are many others out there who feel the way I do. It is now up to us to demonstrate what respect, peace and love look like, not only to our friends, but to our neighbors, our coworkers, passersby and, most importantly, our children.

I’m looking forward to sharing more photos from my session with Martin and his mom and dad soon. But until then, I’m taking a short weekend break with my husband. We're headed to the Shenandoah mountains to hang out with some llamas (for real!!) While there, I'm hoping we can both find peace and take a much-needed mental break from the madness.

Winter photo sessions don't happen often for obvious reasons, but when they do, I think they're really special. 

Last weekend was my first photo session of the year, and it also happened to be on one of the coldest days of the year so far! Despite the freezing temperatures, Bob and Linda were wonderful to work with! (Aren't they just adorable together??)

We met in one of my favorite locations, Sligo Creek Parkway, hours after it had snowed. I have to give them a huge shout out for being incredible sports about the whole thing. Not only was it absolutely freezing outside, but there were actually two photographers on hand! (That doesn't normally happen!) Some of the photos from Bob and Linda's session I'm using for a special project, so my friend and fellow photography Gerry Suchy was there taking photos of me taking photos of them.

Even though temperatures were well below freezing, I'm really glad we were all able to work together to make this session a success. With these images in particular, I adore the contrast between the dull, grayish brown background and the brightly colored blanket Bob and Linda are wrapped in. That warm, cozy feel makes these photos work, and is proof that with a little preparation, cold weather photos can be just as fun as photos taken in the spring and summer! 

I'm thrilled to share this preview of my first session of 2017 -- which also happened to be on the coldest and snowiest day of the year so far! My good friend and fellow photographer Gerry Suchy was on hand to capture some images of me and friends Bob and Linda braved the freezing temperatues for a couples session in Sligo Creek Parkway. Thanks to everyone who made today's session a success! More of this snowy goodness is coming soon, so stay tuned!

p.s. Friends in Silver Spring, if you've got an afternoon open, be sure to stop by Civic Center for a Silver Spring Time Bank demonstration starting at 2 p.m. You'll have the opportunity to learn some new skills and see just how talented members of this community really are!

Every year I look forward to family photo sessions that take place during fall. They're just so much fun -- and working with the Kingsland Family was no exception! They chose to have their photos taken at McCrillis Gardens in Bethesda.

It was wonderful walking around the gardens talking with this family and just catching up. Mom Emily and I used to work together, but this was my first time meeting her husband and her two beautiful children. ​

Prior to this session, I'd never been to McCrillis Gardens before. I can tell you right now that I'm definitely going back! I LOVE this location! It's so quaint and quiet, and the grounds are perfect for photos!

They're also perfect for capturing the imagination, and that's exactly what little Evelyn did! She found a gazebo there, declared it a castle and waited for a princess to come. There was a dragon and dancing, too! Oh, and if you're wondering about that princess, she was there all along. Turns out Evelyn was the princess, but she was in disguise :)

(Dancing in the castle)