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!

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.

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! 

It's been a turbulent few days. Some of us are hurting. Some of us are scared. And some of us just don't know how to feel or what to think. 

Our country is divided, which makes the future feel uncertain.

Photos wont change that. Only people can. But I'm hoping these photos offer a reprieve, even if temporary, from intense emotions and give everyone space where they can take a deep breath, feel comfortable to let their guard down, and just live in the moment.

That's what Sligo Creek does for me. No matter how many times I walk around in the Parkway, I'm always awed by the beauty I find there. It's a place of peace and solace, which so many of us seem to be searching for these days.

​Enjoy.

It's funny what kids teach you. As a family photographer, I've done a number of sessions with one-year-olds. I've got a system for working with them and I generally know what to expect... or at least I thought I did, until I met Dylan.

Dylan's family was gifted a photo session for the holidays, and they chose to use it to celebrate Dylan's first birthday! This sweet girl turned one the week before her family's photo session. Right around that time, she also learned to walk, and she had no qualms about using our photo time as walking practice! Usually when it comes to photographing one-year-olds, I sit babies down with a favorite toy and encourage them to smile and laugh for the camera -- but not Dylan. This girl had plans of her own! Within minutes of the session starting, she was off and running and it was all I could do to keep up!

Photographing her was quite the challenge, but I loved it! What I loved even more was her insatiable curiosity. This girl was was into everything, and there wasn't anything that didn't fascinate her! Given her age, this was surprising to me, but it also gave me an opportunity to capture her true personality.

​As Dylan grows, I sincerely hope she continues to stay curious about the world. I have a feeling her tenacity and eagerness to learn will take her far! 

I don't normally start out my blog posts this way, but I have to give a big shout out and thank you to the Wolff-Pell family, who were so understanding and flexible during this session. Just days before we were supposed to meet, I broke the news to them that the location they originally chose for their photos recently started charging an outrageous photography fee. We had 48 HOURS to figure out a new location and, once again, Sligo Creek Park came to the rescue!

I had a blast with the Wolff-Pells as we walked around the woods here in Silver Spring, talking life, love and babies. That little you see is Tallulah and she did such a great job turning on the charm for the camera! Her mom and dad beam with pride when they're around her -- and how could they not? Just look at that smile!

What made these photos especially fun is the fact that they were gifted to this family by a loved one. I might be biased, but I can't think of a more precious gift for a family than professional photos. I love how these turned out and I hope this family cherishes them for years to come.