I don't take these photos just for you | Washington DC Newborn Baby Photographer

It's been a whirlwind around here lately. I love photographing mothers and babies, so many gorgeous families, but I think it's time I confess something that might change the way you view what I do:

I don't take these photos just for you.

I love showing moms how beautiful and gorgeous they are. They, you, are my client and I will always take the opportunity to show you how amazing and wonderful you are with your children. But the honest truth is, I don't do it just for that.

I take these images for your children and grandchildren to have one day.

I take them so one day you can share stories with your children of how they were when they were small. So they know how you were with them. So they can see how from the very beginning they were loved so very much.

I do it so your grandchildren know what their parents looked like. To show how all of you have the same color hair, that dimple in your right cheek, or the same eyes. These images are proof that you were young once, just like them, and that you too were a parent who had no idea what you were doing, but you loved them so hard that you tried everyday to do better than you did yesterday. 

I do it because photographs aren't just images to be looked at. They are stories that you share. They are memories and shared histories.

They are how we remember and are remembered.

And I think that's worth capturing.

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Dear Jackson | Letters to My Son | Washington DC Family Photographer

Dear Jackson,

You're turning two tomorrow and I'm already forgetting things. I'm forgetting how big you were when you were six months old. I can't remember when exactly it was that you first said "mama" or "dada." I can't for the life of me remember when it was that you got so big.

It's true what they say: the days are long, but the years are short. Having a child has been the most life-altering experience of my life. More than getting my first job or getting married. More than owning a home or graduating college. And I won't lie to you, it's been hard. I miss having free time and not worrying that the house isn't toddler-proofed.

But even with the chronic sleep deprivation, it has been so wonderful. You are amazing and so so sweet. And now, you're not a baby anymore. You're a little boy. You climb on everything. You sing songs. The first time we heard you sing we stopped and just listened to you. You get shy when you realize someone is listening, but I think, also proud. You like that we stop to listen. Your favorites to sing are Wheels on the Bus, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and your ABCs. You've recently discovered Elmo, so we already have half a dozen Elmo books ready to read at any given moment. If your current infatuation is any indication, I have a feeling Elmo will a prominent figure in your childhood.

I can't believe another year with you has passed. It feels like I was just coming home with a brand new squirmy baby, unsure of what I was doing. I wish so many things for your future. I want you to be happy. To be kind. To remember that you are luckier than most, and to pay it forward. I hope you never let go of your persistence, even if it does sometimes make parenting harder, because it's so important to shoot for the moon and never ever give up.

Happy birthday baby boy.

Love you bunches,
Mom

I Believe in the Tangible | Northern VA Fine Art Maternity, Newborn, & Motherhood Family Photographer

I believe in the tangible.
What we can hold. What we can feel.

Technology moves fast.
One day those digital files will be obsolete.
Or lost. Or destroyed. Harddrives crash. Sites are hacked. Discs are lost.

Remember VHS tapes?
And Nintendo?
And floppy disks?

Did you ever replace those movies and games and files?

But what about those prints you have?
Of your grandparents. And your parents. And of you when you were young.

What about the images from the days of film?

I bet you still have those.

In thick albums stuffed with so many pages they're about to explode.
Tucked away in a closet. On a bookshelf. In frames on your wall.

Prints exist for you to look back on, flip though and hold.
You can point out old swing sets that you played on, share memories of people pictured but who are no longer here.
See freckles and old friends and pets and faces before they became wrinkled.

Prints don't become obsolete.
A hundred years from now, they will still be here.

That's why I include prints with every order,
and always will.

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Behind the Scenes | Northern VA Baby Photographer

I admit, seeing photos of myself is not something I'm entirely used to. Since I'm the officially-unofficial-picture-taker of the family, when it does happen there is a lot of planning involved. I break out my tripod and plan everything out to make sure I get the image I'm looking for (type A, party of me!). So when I see images of myself that are taken by someone else it's a real treat and such a surprise. It's not often that I get to see myself the way other people see me.

So when I found out that baby Nate's grandmother sneakily caught me in action during his newborn session I was elated. During the session, I was so focused on the handsome little guy that I had no idea she was even doing it until she had snapped at least a dozen photos. Baby Nate's grandmother is the sweetest person and so kind to share her shots with me. It's so incredible and interesting to see what it's all like from a client's view and I love every single photo she took. And how sweet is little Nate?! He was a dream to photograph and I love how peaceful he is snoozing away while he's so warm and comfy.

I love behind the scenes photos of every kind (anyone else love photos of ballet rehearsals?), it's not often that you get a glimpse of what goes on to achieve a final product. So here I am sharing them with you. This is me and handsome little Nate, enjoy!

Dear Jackson | March 2015

Dear Jackson,

You are such a little boy now. I'm not even entirely sure what to write this month because everything feels like it's changing so much.

We play this game sometimes, you and I. I'll whisper a name to you, and then you'll whisper one back. Until finally I yell out JACKSON! and tickle you and you squeal like it's the biggest, best surprise you've ever had.

Mommy
Daddy
Heidi
Katy
Bob
JACKSON!

You always ask for more. It's a game that never gets old.

Bubbles are a thing that also never get old. Ever. You can play bubbles for hours. Literally. Just ask your dad. We've gotten to the point where we have to make sure to never utter the b-word in your presence unless we're willing to play an endless game of bubbles and end up with soap residue everywhere.

You love songs. Especially Wheels on the Bus. I think I sang it 50 times the other day. But you go all out every time. Hands circling for the wheels, beeping the horn, opening and closing the door, babies crying. You are very into it.

We go to story time at the library now. Every week it takes you a few minutes to warm up to it, but you're getting braver. Each time getting closer to the reader and venturing a couple steps away from your dad and me. I love watching you gain confidence and losing yourself in having such a good time.

You're also in swim class again. Thankfully you still seem to love it. It helps that they sing  Wheels on the Bus there too. That song is everywhere. I even hear it in my sleep.

Love you bunches,
Mom