Rachel | Hampton Roads Senior Photographer

I have known this little girl since she was in kindergarten.  Tiny little blonde thing, with a quick hug for everyone and a contagious giggle that lit her up from the inside.  I love her mother as if she were my sister so, in some ways, this is my daughter who is graduating from high school.  Where did the time go?  Rachel, you have grown into a beautiful, young, engaging woman.  Your future is ahead of you, go out there and get it!!!

Tim and Jennifer | Hampton Roads Engagement Photographer

He is goofy.  He would be the first to admit it.  Loves to dance to Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA!"  He loves to make her laugh and he does it often.  She loves his smile and his down to earth personality.  They are getting married May of 2012 and I was thrilled to be chosen to take their engagement photos.  We went to Yorktown beach because it holds a special place in their hearts.  The Pub, the pier, and a mosquito infested bike path were some of their favorites.  Tim and Jennifer, you are both so much fun and I had a blast taking your pictures.  Here is your sneak peek!

Wolfle | Hampton Roads Children's Photographer

I so love shooting sweet, high energy, adorable children.  I also love parents who love their home and want to memorialize it along with their children.  To me, homes are a reflection of a moment in time; a chair gets moved, a pillow gets changed, sometimes it's just a tablecloth, other times it is a coat of paint.  The Wolfle's bought this house as a "fixer-upper" and lovingly restored it to it's original 1914 beauty.  It has charm, character and life.  Just like the children.

Fix it Friday | I ♥ Faces

Original (SOOC)

I love Fix it Friday!  (Is it Friday already?!?!)  

This little sweetie's eyes tell the story in this pic but I am also a sucker for freckles.  I boosted her eyes with MCP's Eye Doctor and then I ran DPM Lab's Color Boost and took down the opacity.  Her lips were too pink and her eyes too aqua so I ran PW's Soft Faded and really liked the effect.  Can't wait to see others' take on this cutie!

Playing with my New Toy | Hampton Roads Photographer

The entire eastern seaboard is being pummeled by a snow/ice storm this week.  Luckily for us, we got a little freezing rain and very little disruption.  Ice storms are a bittersweet occurrence.  Bitter for the havoc it wreaks on traffic, etc, but sweet for the photographic beauty it can produce.  There is nothing like the sun glistening off icicles, the twinkling of ice encrusted foliage.  I took my new toy out in the brisk morning air to capture these shots.  I was shooting with my 50mm 1.8 again (obviously my favorite lens!)

Playing with my New Toy | Hampton Roads Photographer

I have always been guilty of camera envy...every time I am out somewhere and I see another photographer, I have to check out their equipment on the sly...what are they shooting with?  Canon or Nikon?  Prime or zoom?  Then I get more specific...if they are shooting with Canon (I'm a long time Canon girl), I will scrutinize everything they are using, what lens, what flash, what filters, I even check out the strap!  I have been pining over the Canon 5d Mark ii since it came out in 2008.  I couldn't justify the cost since I was still building my portfolio and establishing a client base, so I suffered in silence.  I window shopped (online, of course), I rented once (bad idea, as this only made me want it more), I waited.  I set goals for myself - if I can make $xx.xx, I will think about ordering it.  I found out from the Canon site that they sell refurbished models that have never left the production facility at a significant discount.  These cameras have not made it past an inspection spot on the line for such things as a crooked logo or a loose screw and are sent to another part of the facility to be "refurbed" and then sold.  With a little help from my parents (thanks N&G!), I ordered one in time for the holidays.  It has been everything I hoped for and more!   While the learning curve has been steep and I have deleted more pictures than I have saved, I am soooo glad I upgraded!  Over the next few posts, I will share some of my trials with my new baby!  These we all taken with my 50mm 1.8.  

 

Keatley | Hampton Roads Family Photographer

Had the great pleasure of photographing this really fun family whom I have known since I was a little girl.  The Keatley boys were a legend in our church - crazy smart, full of life, hysterically funny.  Some things never change.  They are grown now with children of their own who are turning out to be as smart, funny and full of life as their daddies.