Bellies and Babies

Seems like just yesterday, I photographed Gretchen and Brandon's winter wedding at ThorpeWood! I was so pleased to hear from Gretchen and her mother, that the two were expecting an addition to the family. So we went back to where it all began, Thorpewood, to photograph Gretchen's maternity photographs. The grounds of ThorpeWood provided so many beautiful backgrounds and some privacy so the couple could enjoy interacting for the photographs without an audience of onlookers. They are so natural together that most of the "posing" came from their relationship with each other and their joy at this new stage in their life. Gretchen's maternity session was part of her "Baby Plan" photographs so I'll get to enjoy their first year together!
Thank you for making me a part of this amazing stage in your lives. Can't wait to see baby Green!

They are so cute together!

Gretchen had to summon her inner supermodel for this photo.

So happy together.

I trust you.

"I trust you".
Those words are some of the most powerful  and meaningful for me to hear when working with a client.

To me it means that they know I am going to photograph something that they will love. That I will capture them expressing their real selves and that they'll look good doing it. It means that they know I value the relationship that we are building during a single photo session or many.That I understand the privilege that it is to be the person that captures these important moments for them to treasure.

I'm not just "taking" a photograph. We are experiencing the session and creating something, together. With each and every client, I strive to earn that trust through my work and my interaction with them.

Twice this last week, I have heard a client say those three words. One was a wedding client, Amy. We had already worked together on their engagement session and created the cutest guest book and prints for them. While we were discussing the final plans for her September 30 wedding day, I  asked for any special photo requests that she and Sean may have for photographs that day. Amy said, "No, I trust that you'll get what we want."

 The other client was Meagan, the mother of Landon. We rolled that baby this way and that, we covered him with a blanket, and at some point, I started explaining why I wanted to do  a certain pose and then I said, "do you need me to tell you why I want to photograph it this way?" and Meagan simply said, "No,I trust you."

Is Landon  adorable, or what? Love that smile and those bright eyes.

Jeanne and Charles and FABNET

"It's always been Jeanne and Charles", said one guest at a ceremony celebrating the love and friendship of the couple who had met at the Scott Key Center 25 years ago and have been constant companions ever since. The two shared their commitment for each other with over 100 guests at the Scott Key Center in Frederick on Saturday.
 
The center is a division of the Frederick County Health Department that provides jobs for people with developmental disabilities.

It was a sweet ceremony with plenty of enthusiasm from the bride and groom. Charles was a dancing machine and Jeanne absolutely beamed at him the entire afternoon.

I was so proud to be a part of this with  other member vendors from the Frederick Area Bridal Network (www.fabnet.info), a group of wedding professionals striving to provide brides with high quality information and shopping resource in order that they may easily research and choose their wedding professionals.

This event was extraordinary in the the fact that many of us were able to give of our time and talents to present this event at no charge to the couple. FABNET provided many things, from the wedding planner to the  flowers, food, limo, invitations, balloons and more! It was so much fun to work together and with no detail left unfulfilled, it was the perfect day for an amazing couple.

Charlie reacts after the rings are exchanged and it's time for the kiss.

Jeanne playfully circles her finger  in the air, as in "he's crazy", as she giggles at  Charlie's dancing.

Now that's a look of love!

Flat tires and sunsets

I don't care what you say, there's nothing like a beautiful sunset to make you feel happy to be alive!
My husband, son and I took our first family bike ride on the C&O Canal near Sharpsburg. It was our first because my husband just bought a new bike. It was a beautiful evening, we were racing and laughing and enjoying the cool air. The next thing I know, Blane has a flat tire and we are FAR,FAR, away from our car. His first ride on his new bike and he gets a flat! So, my son and I pedaled furiously back to the car to beat the darkness and drive as far as we can beside the canal to pick him up. However, there's always time to appreciate a good sunset and snap a photograph.