Anna and Austin

Austin and Anna were so easy to photograph. Here's my #sorrynotsorry confession - whenever I book with a client, I may or may not stalk them on social media. It just helps me get to know them a little better and of course, get a sneak peek at just who will be in front of my camera. Well, as you'll see looking at these images, I about died when I saw this adorable couple. Better yet, the first few images I saw of Anna were her standing on the back of a horse, snuggling a pig and standing on the top of a mountain. (Sadly that was not all in one photograph) Though looking straight out of a magazine spread on their wedding day, their adventurous, laid-back personalities came through their images. It was such an amazing morning at the Washington D.C. LDS Temple!

Photography // Kelli Brewer Photography

Additional Photography // Doorly Winegar

Hair and Makeup // The Bride

Bride's Dress // Maggie Sottero

Flowers // The Bride

Venue // Washington D.C. LDS Temple

A Snowy Winter Session

Every photographer has a bucket list. While I've shot post snow fall many times, I'd never had the opportunity to shoot during a snow storm. A week before Christmas, I finally crossed it off my list! While this dusting was by no means a storm, it fell just enough to blanket the ground and act as a perfect reflector for gorgeous light during this mother daughter session.

You'd think maybe perhaps the cold or the wind would be the reason for cutting a snowy, winter session short. Nope! It's actually the hair. Once the snow saturates and wets the hair, the session is over! Luckily we captured so many gorgeous photos in such a short amount of time.

The Pahls Family

Months ago, shooting at this exact location, I ran into another photographer also holding a session. I was doing my very best to make sure we were not in her way, weren't hogging any particular spot, and basically just trying to be a considerate fellow photographer. Later that night, I got an email from that photographer, who recognized me from social media. Man, I felt like a star! I could only assume it would be a matter of time before paparazzi were waiting for me outside when I went to the bus stop, just trying to pick up my kids. Famous people problems, right? Well, as of now, I'm still waiting, and my head has rightfully deflated. The best thing to come out of this chance meeting was getting to shoot Kathleen and her family, a task that she and so many other photographers put off.

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful evening to hold our session. You'd never know Kathleen admittedly waited until the last minute to style their session. Everything came together brilliantly, from the fall mustard palette (a personal fave!), textures and boots fit for our walk around the Manassas Battlefields. These are just some of favorites of the Pahls and their gorgeous girls!

The Beatty Family

I love social media. Although my blog sometimes gets a bit dusty, I find myself on Instagram quite often and love meeting and networking with other local photographers. When I'm not watching food videos and makeup tutorials of course... Anywho, one of those photographers Insagram introduced me to was Denise. After years of being official "Instagram Friends", she reached out to book a session for her super adorable, stylish, and devastatingly sweet family. There was a tiny window where the session could happen - one child returned home from France just days before our session, and in just days another was about to set out half way across the globe to India. Oh, and did I mention the entire family was moving to California in days as well?? Go big or go home!

Introducing Neve and Aksel

While I wouldn't call myself a birth photographer, when someone asks if you'll be part of one of the biggest days of their lives, you don't say no based on technicalities. I'm not a food critic either, but I never turn down a warm brownie! The invitation into a delivery room is an extremely flattering one, and one I received from Liese and Craig last month. In case you're unfamiliar with how the whole birthing thing works, it involves ones most private of areas on full display. Not only is it on display, it's what one might call "the main attraction". This otherwise awkward experience was perhaps made easier by my longstanding friendship with Liese -- we've been friends since we were 12 -- and I was also there for the birth of her daughter, Leila. It was such an incredible experience, witnessing a birth as a spectator vs. being the patient. I was absolutely ecstatic to be able to share in the experience again for the birth of their baby boy and baby girl. Yes, twins.   

*All of the photographs in this series are modest and safe for work.

I can't believe I almost missed this. I take one vacation each year, and Liese was scheduled for an induction halfway into the week that I would be gone. About a week prior to my departure, we touched base often. While most girlfriends text back and forth about clothes, food, maybe complaints about their husbands or messy kids, we were discussing centimeters and what exactly it meant to be "80% effaced". Luckily, with just a few days to spare, Liese was admitted to the hospital for signs of preeclampsia around 8pm, and it was go-time. I started gathering my own hospital bag - my D750, my 35mm and my trusty 24-70mm lenses. I made sure all of my batteries were charged and my memory cards were ready. And then, I waited. 

Around 11PM, I texted Craig to see where we were at. Should I pop a Coke open and stay up or should I try and get some rest? They advised me that the nurses hadn't even hung the pitocin (a drug that helps move labor along) and I should be safe to get some rest. I got into bed and made sure that my phone ringer was as loud as it could go, my sound was on and went to sleep. 

Around 4:10AM, I was awoken not by my cell phone ringing or the receipt of a text message. Instead, my husband was receiving a phone call - from a telemarketer. I was groggy and wasn't sure if it was his phone or my phone. Instinctively, I reached for my phone and saw that just 5 minutes earlier, I had a missed call that I never heard, and Liese's mom had text messaged me - "She's completely dilated. Hurry."

I think it is safe to say the telemarketer call was heaven set. You see, while I had done everything I could to make sure I would hear a phone call or a text message, I hadn't actually. At night, my phone goes into what's called a "Night Shift". Rendering my ringer and message alerts silent. Because I forgot to disable this little feature (that turns on automatically), my phone would have never rung, and never made a peep no matter how many messages I received.  So, telemarketers, for the first, and probably last time ever, from anyone - thank you.

I jumped out of bed and threw on the clothes I had set aside in the bathroom, brushed my teeth (you're welcome everyone) and ran downstairs, grabbed my camera bag and ran out the door. I'm texting updates of what street I am on every few minutes, in hopes that they'll wait for me and keep those babies in! Originally I had asked to be notified when she was at 7 centimeters, but Liese progressed so rapidly there wasn't any time. I parked my car and ran full speed with my gear bag over my shoulder, and verified without stopping that labor and delivery was still to the right. He pointed me over (I realized afterwards I should have had to sign in and receive a badge) and at last, I arrived. Out of breath, and very out of shape, but I made it. 

Twin pregnancies are usually considered high-risk. To ensure Liese's safety as well as that of her unborn son and daughter, the delivery took place in an operating room just in case surgical intervention was necessary. Amazingly, I was fortunate enough to be able to accompany Liese and Craig into the OR with Dr. Williams -- Dr. Williams had also delivered my son Brody, almost 5 years earlier. I had strict instructions as to where I was allowed to stand (in one spot, directly behind Liese's head), and let me tell you, my calves got a workout! Each time Liese would push, I'd get on my tippy toes and do my best to see how she was progressing. (Also, props to doctors and nurses. Aside from their amazing ability to save lives and bring tiny humans into the world, they can keep those masks on like it's no big deal. Those things are truly, truly awful.) 

Neve Charlotte Walton

Born at 6:00AM

5 pounds 14 ounces

Aksel Jonas Walton

Born at 6:05AM

4 pounds 10 ounces

To tell the babies apart, the first delivered baby is given a single clamp on their umbilical cord, and the second baby receives two. This enables parents to tell the babies apart without having to check the diaper or ID tag on the ankle of the baby.  

And just like that, the Waltons became a family of 5. Okay, I think Liese would take umbrage with "just like that", but to me, she did absolutely perfect and made it look so effortless. I am so blessed to have been able to share this day with Craig and Liese and also share these images with all of you. Most of all, I am so blessed to call this beautiful momma my friend.