U.S. Botanic Garden - Christmas Trains

If you haven't been to the U.S. Botanic Garden this year to see the Christmas trains and fairy land, you really should go! Here's a picture, or 24, to give you a sampling of the magical land that was created by Paul Busse and his team in Kentucky. Can you pick out which ones recreate childrens stories?
In true botanical style, all the buildings - down to the tiniest details - are primarily natural materials like leaves, seeds, stems, moss, pods, gourds and much more. Such creativity and imagination to design and construct each piece is almost unbelievable.

















I love the book worm. And the caterpillar train is too cute!


All the monuments and landmark buildings of DC are on display in the main atrium.

And, a moose is on the loose in the National Garden! Does the day look as frigid in the picture as it was? This moose must have felt right at home.

Christmas at My House

While December is flying by just like the rest of 2009, I've tried to soak in as much of the beauty of the season as possible! I started with decorating my house. The Burford holly bush outdid itself this year giving me plenty of red berries to adorn the staircase garland. The beautiful capiz shell star ornaments look amazing! A really good friend hand carried them back from the Philippines for me. We looked and looked for them during my visit in December 2006 but couldn't find them anywhere. Thanks again Sarah, I love them!


I brought back this parol from the Philippines and it's blinking lights in all kinds of patterns and sequences are mesmerizing (or may give you a headache :)). I've also head that the little boys who live across the street from me watch it when they are supposed to be in bed.
And, my beautiful tree! I collect ornaments from my travels and enjoyed seeing them and reliving the memories from Victoria to Moscow.

My mom crocheted all the snowflakes, each of them unique.
On my first trip to Uruguay, celebrating Christmas with ornaments and trees was just becoming popular, so there wasn't really an ornament to buy. We pondered what else I could use and Lisa came up with the idea to give me an extra key from a replaced door lock that makes a fun and unique ornament.
Here's a paua shell I found on the beach in New Zealand. Except for huge scallop shells on one beach there were no shells on any beaches we saw. The paua shell is quite common and in the shops they typically polish them so the outside matches the colorful iridescent inside. This one is in it's natural state.
Here's an ornament my grandmother made at least 50 years ago.
And, an ornament to remember my Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb!
If you're in the DC area and like Christmas lights, then a visit to the Collingwood Lights is a must! Bill Vaughan puts on an amazing show every year with a yard full of lights synchronized to Christmas music. Very fun!

Arlington VA Newborn Photography - Baby Bryn

I had the privilege of photographing 5 day old Bryn on Monday. Such a tiny little thing at less than 7 pounds, she was as cute as a button! She is also strong as she rolled over and could lift up her head. Very impressive for a newborn! Her mommy had quite the exercise regimen while pregnant and apparently that benefited Bryn too!
It took some time for her to settle into a deep sleep, but being so young, once she was asleep, she was out. She was a natural model, smiling for the camera even with her eyes closed. :)

Her alias before birth was Star Spangler, so the hat was appropriate as she joins a patriotic family.
How sweet is a sleeping baby...

Tiny, tiny feet:

Nothing compares to that fresh, innocent look of a newborn baby. They grow and change so quickly! A newborn photo session requires time for diaper changes and feedings (think 3 to 5 hours total), but is so worth the sweet pictures that result!
Bryn's mommy was so organized and contacted me early in her pregnancy to let me know her due date and to get all the info about a newborn photo session. When the due date approached we were in touch to tentatively schedule a date which was confirmed after the baby's arrival.
It's so important to catch babies when they are new and sleepy and before baby acne starts. The 5 to 10 day range is ideal. To get in touch with Jan about a newborn shoot, click here then the contact tab.

Jacksonville Kids Photography - My Nephews: Lenox & Lincoln

Lincoln has turned into a little boy; his first birthday was last Sunday. He was just a baby last time I saw him in July, not even crawling yet. It is amazing how quickly children change and just reminds me how important it is to take pictures often!
I had such a great visit over Thanksgiving and spent as much time as possible with the boys. In between them being sick, holiday activities, etc. we squeezed in a quick photo shoot too. We'll do a full portrait session and use some other neat locations in Jacksonville over Christmas. :)

Here's my sweet Lenox, almost 3:
Lincoln wasn't as happy as usual, but he's cute anyway:

It's so much fun to watch the boys interact:
Though sometimes Lenox loves Lincoln a little more than Lincoln would prefer:
I think Lincoln will be off and running by Christmas, he can take 5 or 6 steps alone already:
And he has that pointer finger working well to communicate his wishes:
If you're in Jacksonville, Florida, I'd love to be your child's photographer too! I'm down from Arlington, VA frequently so it would be easy to schedule your portrait session. Contact me today by clicking here, then the contact tab.

Fall Wedding on Long Island - A Love Story

I don't think Melissa and Oladele could have radiated more joy on their wedding day. You can see the anticipation on their faces early in the day, their excitement at being husband and wife as they leave the church, their mutual adoration as they spend a little time alone for the portraits, and their passion for each other as they dance the night away. To see the Long Island love story, watch their album slideshow here.

Engagement Pictures in Washington DC - Amanda & Jon

I still can't believe what a gorgeous and warm fall day we had in mid November! It was the perfect day for Amanda and Jon's engagement pictures, with lots of fall leaves as the backdrop. As a wedding photographer, getting to know the couple is key to being fully invested in caring about every detail of the wedding day. And the engagement shoot is the perfect, relaxed time to get to know them both, to observe and document their relationship, and most importantly to show them they look amazing in pictures so on the wedding day they are completely comfortable in front of my camera.
Amanda and Jon are so cute together! Jon kept Amanda laughing the whole time and we all enjoyed the afternoon. And, now they can no longer say they don't have any pictures together, instead they have the problem of having way too many to choose from. But I think that's the best problem to have! :)


I love this pocket of late afternoon sunlight that spotlights them among the flowers: