2020 has been a wild and crazy year full of challenges and heartbreak. It may feel like all hope is lost and all love is gone, but I know that is not true. I know that because of families like the Rodriguezes. This entire family is so full of joy, and their loving spirit shines through in these images. It was an absolute pleasure working with them!

I love working with families, but I especially adore working with moms and daughters. There's just something special about the bond a mother shares with her daughters, and I was honored to be able to capture that relationship in these images. Aisha and her daughters Noelle and Cece were delightful to work with, and their loving, fun spirit really shines through in these photos!

Sligo Creek Parkway has always been a haven for me. Walking along the nine-mile trail offers a chance to slow down, collect my thoughts, and be with nature. It also offers a chance to connect with those who love the parkway as much as I do. That's certainly the case with the Habicht Family.

For this lovely family of four, Sligo Creek was a discovery made during the pandemic. They have spent the year exploring the parkway and couldn't wait to show me some of their favorite spots during our time together. It was at one of those spots, near a favorite boulder, where a Jonna Michelle Photography first happened: daughter Abby lost her tooth DURING our session! It was such a simple, beautiful reminder that even in chaotic and troubling times, life still goes on.

Fall is always a magical time -- the crisp air and colorful leaves make me want to spend every waking moment outside. I couldn't have asked for a better start to the fall family photo season than by spending time in Sligo Creek with the Arnett Family. Mom and Dad Gina and Josh were so fun to work with, and little Marty is just a doll. I especially loved how this family included grandparents in their photo session as well. Look for more from Jonna Michelle Photography coming soon!

I'm thrilled to be able to share these images of Baby Alice and her proud parents, Maggie and Zack. We spent last Sunday afternoon together at their home in Mount Rainier and, as you can see, everything was gorgeous... from the soft, golden light to Maggie's radiant cream dress to the way baby Alice slept so comfortably in the baskets we set her in. What stuck with me the most from this session, however, is just how at ease Maggie and Zack were in their new role as parents. I wish them and baby Alice only the best.

It's funny... the older I get the more I grow to appreciate and -- dare I say -- even love winter. As brutal and gloomy as this season may feel to some, I've learned to embrace the darkness and the cold and reflect upon what winter teaches us about life. To me, there's something special about turning inward, slowing down, finding peace, and just being. That's what this season means to me, and its why Winter Solstice has become one of favorite days of the year. 

I couldn't have picked a better way to spend Solstice than with this gorgeous family. Mom Alysson and Dad Yemboado were so lovely to work with, but for me, the star of the show was daughter Siena. She came fully prepared with her own ideas for photos -- and they worked out surprisingly well! During she session we sang, we danced, we even pretended she was a forest queen who lived in a cave! It's been awhile since I've had such creative fun at a family photo session!

As excited as I am to Alysson and Yemboado as neighbors, I'm just as thrilled that their kiddos will get to grow up surrounded by nature. Even for an adult, Sligo Creek is full of beauty and surprises. I can only imagine this place must be a goldmine for kids, and I hope Alex and Siena grow to love the parkway as much as I do. Based on the fun we had during our time together, something tells me they're already well on their way... :)

Since its getting colder outside I've been doing more and more family sessions indoors, which is such a treat. It gives me an opportunity to hone some skills I don't always get to use, and I get a glimpse of the way others live, which is always fun :)

Getting to work with this Silver Spring family was especially exciting. They live in a mid-century modern masterpiece built by famed architect Charles Goodman. If you don't know much about Charles or his work, definitely read up. He designed a few different neighborhoods here in the DMV and the original national airport just outside of DC. Having the opportunity to experience one of his creations was such an added bonus to the time I got to spend with this family!

Ade, Zac, and Ethan are such a joy. It's clear how much mom and dad absolutely adore their little one. Ethan is a charmer and was more than happy to show me his toys, including his favorite farm animal puzzle. When it was time to go outside, he was all about the swinging, which -- pro tip -- always makes for really adorable photos.

I wish Ade, Zac, and Ethan -- and everyone reading this post -- a warm holiday season and blessings for a bright New Year.

I had such a wonderful time a few weekends ago helping this beautiful family welcome their newest member, sweet baby Selene. Proud parents Ian and Amy welcomed me to their home here in Silver Spring, where I spent a few hours watching them cuddle and coo their two precious babies.

As much as I adore photographing newborns, the best part of this photoshoot was getting to know big sister Angela. She's one of those kids with real personality, and it was so fun watching her react to the camera and working with her to draw out her best smile. I can already tell Angela is going to be one great older sister.

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.