There are always bucket list locations for photographers. Working out of Washington D.C., I assure you the list is never ending. I’d had the opportunity to work at the National Cathedral gardens for a maternity session and I was so excited to return for Breann and Newel’s bridal images before their wedding day. While my wedding packages include a portrait session, not everyone falls back on an engagement session. Knocking out portraits before the wedding day opens up the timeline so much and there’s no pressure, no rush to move the most important images along to meet a schedule. For us, the only time constraint was the sun and guys… this light!
Jaelyn's Senior Portraits
I love senior portraits. I love how much hope and excitement there is around graduation. The years I spent in college were some of the best years of my life. College isn’t necessarily for everyone, and I love how different paths look for graduating seniors. Jaelyn is headed off to North Carolina for school and has big plans for the future. But before we look too far ahead to the future, I can’t help but think back to the past.
I met Jaelyn when she was maybe 5 years old? I’ve watched her grow, seen her family grow and I was so honored to capture yet another memory for the Anderson family!
The Reeves Family
One of the better parts of my job is to capture multiple life events. I don’t narrow myself into one specific niche of photography, which enables me to capture both weddings and family portraits and such was the case for the Reeves family.
I first met Kaitlyn and Cody back in October of 2017 when I captured their engagement portraits in anticipation for their wedding, which I also photographed. It’s been so touching to see their family grow from two… then three… and now four! Kaitlyn is absolutely overwhelmed in a house full of boys and judging by these photos, she’s absolutely thriving.
Loved catching up with this sweet family this past fall - here are just a few of my favorite photos from their session!
Alison's National Cathedral Maternity Session
There’s one thing I know about working with Alison - it’s going to be amazing. I first met Alison, and her husband Tony, when I photographed their wedding in 2016. Since then, she’s become my muse and when a photographer lists out the qualifications for a dream client, Alison hits every single one. She’s so passionate and excited about her sessions, down to every last detail. When she became pregnant in 2022 and contacted me about working together to capture the last few months of her pregnancy, I knew these images were going to be something special.
Once of the first ideas Alison sent me was her gown. Yes, gown. It was dramatic - layers of tulle, long sheer sleeves, and ruffles to frame her face. She was already scheduling hair and makeup, and we spent weeks researching the best location for her vision. We finally settled on the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The architecture was the perfect backdrop - dramatic and grand while still complementing and letting Alison and her expecting arrival shine.
I couldn’t be more proud of these images of this beautiful couple, and cannot wait to see just how glamorous and loved their little one will be!
The Chambers Family
As I was well into my fall shooting season, I was also planning my own family portraits. I'd put it off last year - and then never got around to it. The fact is, I know how stressful it is to put together a session. I dreaded it. But after working with the Chambers family for another year, and seeing how effortless Kari always makes it seem, I decided to schedule our session and make the best of it. I tried to simplify outfits to many pieces we already owned, and you'd never know by looking at these photos that Kari often works her magic in just days leading up to the session. Her laid back attitude sets the tone for the session and judging by these results - she nailed it.
