Wow! What a weekend! I jam packed so much more in than I was expecting. 

For starters, I hung out with good friend and co-worker Stephanie and her awesome cat, Zoey. Stephanie was invited to speak on a panel and needed head shots for her gig. While I was at her place, I just couldn't help capturing some precious moments she shared with her fur baby :)

I also enjoyed spending time with Amina of Handmade Habitat and browsing the goods at Silver Spring's Fenton Street Market. Cliff and I did some thrifting in Bethesda and I met good friend Jimena at one of our favorite hangouts, Parkway Deli.

Finally, I was nominated for the ALS ice bucket challenge. Although I'm not always swept up by pop culture, I decided to take the plunge (get it? plunge? Ice water!) and accept the challenge. Not only do I know someone who is bravely fighting ALS, but I also know the devastation orphan diseases can cause. Research for many of these diseases, including ALS, cystic fibrosis and Charcot Marie Tooth, is not funded by the government and relies on the public's support.  You can see my video on the jhPhotography Facebook page.

A year ago this month, Cliff and I took the vacation of a lifetime to Iceland. We loved it. Words can't describe the rugged beauty this country offers. I only hope the photos speak for themselves. (p.s. Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the post for a slideshow of the eruption of Geysir!)

Just one more quick dad update: He's been home for nearly two weeks now and is doing great. He's continuing to strength train and is working on honing basic life skills, including getting dressed, making food and going up and down stairs.

On Wednesday he went out of the house for the first time since coming home from in-patient therapy. My mom took him to Subway. It might sound boring, but for Dad it was a real treat! Yesterday they tested out his new transport wheel chair. It was a success!

Physical therapists and nurses are stopping by a few times each week to check on his progress and assign him new exercises as needed. The goal is to tone and strengthen leg, buttocks and core muscles in preparation for his prosthetic. Once he gets fitted for the prosthetic, he'll undergo rigorous out-patient psychical therapy and he'll rely heavily on those muscles to learn how to walk with the new piece of equipment.

Finally, I have to give a shout out to AmputeeOT. This incredible woman is vlogging about her journey with a missing limb and has become a true inspiration to my father. He watches her videos daily and says he learns more from Christina than any doctor or nurse he's spoken with. (Not to at all diminish the medical professionals  who have helped care for my dad. They've all been outstanding! I think this is just one of those takes-one-to-know-one cases).

Depending upon how things progress, this may be my last update for awhile. We anticipate his routine for the next four to six weeks will be much of the same. If anything changes, I'll be sure to let you know!

I'm incredibly appreciative and flattered when any family asks for  photos. But when the Brunkenhoefers invited me to capture their daughter's first birthday, I was absolutely honored.

This weekend I had the privilege of hanging out with the Sandersons -- a Washington, D.C.-based family that can trace their heritage back more than five generations! Members traveled far and wide to attend a reunion at the Woman's Club of Chevy Chase, where they talked about old times and new, delighted in the antics of kiddos and shared stories from long ago. 

Don't miss out -- more from this great family is coming soon!

We all need a good dose of adorable sometimes. I know, I know. This post isn't exactly about dogs, but the cute factor is purrrfict.  

One of the most important aspects of any wedding day is determining your unique style and look. Finding the perfect photographer, dress and flowers will help, but makeup is the ultimate finishing touch. To help with this important detail, I've enlisted good friend and professional makeup artist Sev Gedra. 

Sev specializes in event and special-effects makeup and has a client list that ranges from Cosplay fans to blushing brides. I've asked her to share her expertise for finding the perfect wedding-day look in this five-part series, Makeup Your Photographs.

Know what Questions to Ask
In most cases, your budget is a top priority and it’s important to know what you’re paying for. Here is a list of sample questions to ask any artist(s) you may be interested in hiring:

• What do you charge for the bride only?
• What services are included in that base price?
• How much extra will it cost to add additional members of the bridal party, including bridesmaids, moms, and flower girls?
• Are there any hidden or extra fees? 
• Are you open to price negotiations or service/craft trades?
• What type of makeup is used? (Now is a good time to let your makeup artist know of any allergies you have to skin-care or makeup products). 
• Are airbrushing services available? (This may sound silly, but I promise that as an airbrushed bride, you'll look flawless).
• How far in advance do you need a day-of wedding schedule?
• Are there any hair vendors you can recommend?

Finally, remember to factor in a tip for your makeup artist. They are providing personalized service and are most likely commuting to meet you. A tip is the best way to thank them for their time! 

Great news: Dad was released from in-patient therapy yesterday and is now home. I'm so proud of him for meeting yet another milestone in this new journey in life. The progress he's made has been incredible. Doctors have complimented him every day on his positive attitude and strong work ethic. 

Although he's only been home for a day, Dad's doing really well. Upon returning home, he was able to change into long pants, put dirty clothes into the hamper, and make his way up and down a full flight of stairs.

I can't reiterate just how impressive Dad's recovery has been. He's not only meeting every milestone medical professionals have set for him -- he's exceeding them. Here's a quick comparison to show just how much progress he's made over the last two weeks:

Over the coming weeks, Dad will continue to strengthen his muscles and improve basic life skills. He'll attend regular appointments with his orthopedic surgeon for approximately a month and a half. It is anticipated that after six weeks from today, he'll have his first fitting for a prosthetic. Sometime between now and then, he'll be giving a temporary prosthetic, though we don't know yet when that will be.

Stay tuned for more updates. I have a feeling each new blog post will only bring more positive news :)

I love checking out new places, and that's exactly what I got to do this weekend when the Brunkenhoefer Family invited me to The Winery at La Grange to celebrate their daughter's first birthday. Lily stole my heart! How can you not love that giant smile and those two, tiny front teeth? Stay tuned for more from this wonderful family!