So, it seems everyone I know has had a baby in the past year — everyone. I have been meaning (and promising) to make a baby post for some time now.  Over the course of the year, I have photographed a bunch of my friend and families’ new additions.  Here are some highlights!

Elia & Maya

My most recent niece, Maya Jade, two days old.

Maya’s big sister Elia, at 2 years and 2.5 years.

Sean Bernard

Anne is one of my oldest friends and her son Sean is adorable.  So so smiley and such big blue eyes.  Here are pictures of him at three months and about seven months.

Sean’s first visit to the National Zoo.

Nico & Lucia

Nico and Lucia are cousins, but they will probably grow-up with sibling like exposure.  Nico, not quite one year old, already has a signature look, the Nico brand.  And Lucia, she’s 100% sweetness.

And Lucia

Maggie & Leo

So, I know a bunch of people who have had twins in the last year.  Maggie and Leo are two of my favorites.  Leo seems to to have a touch of his mother’s competitive edge.  And Maggie, she’s a sweetheart.

We first met Chris and Danny at their phenomenal DCA engagement shoot.  Their wedding was just as spectacular and travel themed.  The ceremony was at Augustana Lutheran Church near Meridian Hill Park and the reception was at the Omni Shoreham in Woodley Park.  It was a crazy weather day — rain, overcast skies, snow, hail — but, by the time the ceremony approached, it was all blue skies and beautiful light.  Such a great wedding.  We really enjoyed getting to know Chris and Danny and their friends and family.

Travel has always been important to Danny and Chris; it is something they both love and do together often.  For a period of time, Danny was living in Europe and their relationship was transatlantic.  So, when it came time to choose an engagement picture location, they chose a place that had special meaning to them -  Ronald Reagon National Airport.  We had a great time exploring the airport with Danny and Chris on a surprisingly warm sunny February day.  It’s amazing how many great spots we came across that I never really noticed before.   Looking forward to their April wedding in Washington D.C.!

First, Kristin and David finagled access to the National Cathedral bell tower (and parking lot) for one amazing engagement  session.  Second, they put together a pretty spectacular wedding in Williamsburg, Virginia.  From the dress to the venue and from the hand bell performance and to the ridiculous dance party that erupted, everything about this wedding was gorgeous and beautifully orchestrated.  Getting to know Kristin and David was truly a pleasure.

Tanya and Chris are super laid back, have adorable kids, and don’t take formal portraits too seriously.  And, they had s’mores at their wedding [see bonfire below].  Tanya and Chris rock.

Melissa and Peter are great.   We have known them awhile now; they were one of our first engagement couples.  At both their engagement photo session on the National Mall during the Cherry Blossom festival and their wedding day at Rock Hill Plantation in Virginia, they were calm, collected, and so clearly in love with each other.  It was a pleasure to get to know them and shoot their beautiful wedding.

My favorite shot of the day:

And the send off:

Maggie and Jason got married on a hot, sunny August day, but they managed to remain cool throughout all festivities.  The wedding and party following were both held at Oxon Hill Manor, a Georgian mansion surrounded by picturesque English garden in Maryland very close to the National Harbor.  All family and friends in attendance beamed with happiness; you could tell these two were well liked (they had a wedding party of 20!).  Throughout the day, there were children running, well, through everything (as you will see in photos below).  And the dancing!  These two and their wedding guests set the par high as what wedding dancing can be.  Oh, and you are not seeing double, Maggie and her sister, the Matron of Honor, are identical twins!

Back from summer hiatus!

It has been a while since I last posted.  The summer flew by.   Fall is here and already looking pretty busy.

But, before we dive into fall, I wanted to share some of my summer photos.  In early June, I headed out to California to visit friends and family and successfully packed in a mini-vacation.  First, with two of my best friends from college, I headed down the Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur and then enjoyed some Central Coast wine tasting.  All was fantastic.  Except, apparently windy coastal highways and wineries are not fun when you are six-weeks pregnant as Courtney will not let us forget.  No, she was a great sport.

I also managed to sneak in a day-trip to Yosemite with my uncle and caught the park on a beautiful June day.  Here are some highlights!

Kitesurfers, not sure where

The Bixby Bridge

The elephant seals of Piedras Blancas

My view of the Pacific Coast Highway for most of the trip

Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park

The waterfalls were gushing!

Sarah and Joe wanted a loose Mad Men-themed engagement session and chose Old Town Alexandria as the location.  It worked perfectly.  The brick alleys and secluded courtyards complimented their skinny tie and a-line dress.  After wandering around outside, we headed to the PX Lounge, a local speakeasy and a favorite of Sarah and Joe’s.

There is something undeniably romantic about a speakeasy — the secretiveness, elegant décor and creative cocktails.

Patagonia was by far one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.  The landscapes were unreal and the air tasted fresh.  I would have loved to spend more time there, but made the most of the the few days I did have.  I visited both El Calafate, which is a touristy town near El Perito Moreno Glacier and the more remote El Chalten.  Calafate was nice, but really doable in a day.  El Chalten, a small mountain village and the self proclaimed trekking capital of Argentina, was well worth the 3 hour bus ride.  The hikes are fantastic.  Everything is self-guided.  And, in a fairly short amount of time, you get so close to the glaciers and mountain peaks.  And, tired from trekking, you come back to this tiny town with incredible charm and warmth.

The road to Los Glaciares National Park.

El Perito Moreno Glaciar.  One of the most spectacular things I have ever visited.  I think we spent 3 or 4 hours just watching it from the platforms, and waiting for sweet sounds of huge ice chunks crashing into the lake — truly incredible and calming.

El Calafate at night.

Maryann contemplating the view to Río de las Vueltas from the trail towards the Fitz Roy peak.

Laguna Capri with Fitz Roy in the background.

So, when the tour operator told us that we would be trekking on a glacier for 3 or 4 hours, I was a bit concerned.  Mostly, that I would be bored.  I pictured walking on a flat piece of ice for hours and hours and thought, really, couldn’t we do this in say 20 minutes.  But, when we rolled up to the Viedma Glacier, my concerns were quickly defused.  This was no smooth terrain.  And, I could have trekked for another 3 or 4 hours.  Climbing the peaks and jumping over the valleys in the crampons was just fun.

El Chalten was a great little town.  But, there was so much construction going on.  I am a little afraid to see what will be there in 5 or 10 years.  I really hope it doesn’t lose its charm.

“for a better future”

On our way out of town, Fitz Roy lit up at dawn.

The road back to El Calafate.