lily is smart, hilarious and fun...

did i mention she also turned ONE?!? this kid cracks me up with her faces. i don't think i captured the exact same face twice with this cutie pie. she has to be the most expressive one year old i have ever met. i first met this cutie when she was three months old, and before i knew it mom contacted me to schedule her first birthday session. mom picked Historic St. Mary's City and College for the location. i was excited as it had been a while since i had done a session there. mom & dad explained that they both met while attending St. Mary's College. when they were dating they watched sunsets on a bench overlooking the water. dad proposed to mom on that same bench and they had maternity pictures taken there as well. how stinking adorable is that?!?  so of course we included the bench in their session.
dad also played baseball and brought along some props for the birthday girl. this session reminded me just how much i love families, kiddos and love stories. this family is super awesome and i was thrilled to be able to capture these special memories. oxxo

this family...

rocked their session. this mom and i work together and she was eager to schedule a family session. we decided on greenwell state park- which if you follow my blog, is one of my personal favorites. there is something about the variety that really makes for an excellent location. by the end of the session, there were countless simile, laughs and memories. lil' sis is a firecracker and clearly stole the show. big brother gets his serious side from his dad; but was sweet enough to share some smiles. thanks again kia, your family is super fun!

PEYTON is...

ONE! i can't believe that it has been an entire year!  it seems like just yesterday i was invited to their home for her newborn session and now here we are chasing her around the fields of greenwell state park in her birthday tutu. this lil' gal is still just as sweet as can be and has a smile that just lights up my world.
mom found  ruffle bottom britches, which i think are just one of the cutest things, ever. petyon rocked those along with the tutu her momma made. we couldn't have asked for better weather. and big brother devon never fails to crack me up. this guy is wise beyond his years and says exactly what is on his mind.  this session was filled with love, laughter and all the other fun stuff that comes with turning one. kudos to mom and dad, you have two amazing kiddos!  happy birthday beautiful, goregous peyton! oxxo

ray bans, fedoras & toms...

OH MY! i headed to virgina for this session. mom & dad had picked an awesome historic spot, Chatham Manor. since mom and dad are both history buffs, it seemed more than appropriate. the manor was the perfect combination of historic buildings and open fields. add in this kid's amazing sense of style ((think GQ)) and hey, we've got it going on!
with new clients i always like to get the ages of the kiddos just to prepare. just on the brink of two is always a fun age. i never know how they will react to a stranger, but mark james took right to me and the rest is history. by the end of the session we were walking hand in hand. we spent the morning running and collecting rocks, climbing stairs and running back down. it was pretty much the perfect way to start the day! thanks again for allowing me to come spend the morning with you guys, can't wait to do it again!

heading to hollywood...

look out. this kid has got it going on. ryder knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go after it. he rocked his head shot session. he wants to get into acting and needed some updated portraits to send to the agencies. we were having an awesome time, had some outfit changes...and then mom brought out Bruno Mars, and that was it. this kid was dancing in the middle of the studio. i seriously thought he had taken lessons, but he said no, he just practices a lot. so combine an awesome personality, brown eyes that will just melt your heart and killer dance moves, lookout hollywood! thanks for the laughs, great company and spontaneous dance party. oxo

so there's this girl....

her name is lilly and she pretty much has my heart. i CANNOT believe this lil' darlin' is three. i have been lucky enough to capture three years of incredible memories for this family. i remember back to our first session on the beach when she was just three months old. i knew then she would probably be a beach baby. she was so happy and content. not much has changed since. still LOVES the beach and being outside.
mom suggested an incredible family owned location that was breathtaking. the weather was incredible. kudos to mom who always brings along what the kids enjoy at each milestone session. this time it was a butterfly net (((which doubles as a frog catcher))) and a fishing rod.  to see lilly in a dress and matching bracelet, rain boots and fishing rod. well, that is the lilly that i know and just love.
thanks for some amazing memories! oxo

this lil' guy...

melts my heart. meet max and his down to earth, fun loving, rad parents. i met this super cool couple when i first got into biking and the rest is history. i had a chance to come to their amazing home and visit with them. i am always so impressed at the fun projects this family has done. from goats and chickens, to a greenhouse, to all organic farming i am just blown away. they certainly have their own little piece of paradise.
they were sweet enough to invite me over for a delicious picnic lunch on the water. this was one of those weekends that i wish could have lasted forever. thanks guys for letting me snuggle your sweet little miracle. he is just perfect! oxo

p.s. when you have parents as fun as his, this may happen. lol