 It’s always nice when life goes exactly as planned. As a Type B, I don’t tend to make foolproof plans - if I make plans at all. It takes significant effort for me to look at the long term and set things up for smooth sailing. I’m sure it drives my dear Type A husband berzerk. But the thing is, life doesn’t like to go as planned. It seems to enjoy unexpected obstacles and curve balls. This is especially true when it comes to having a baby. Growing a family has all kinds of twists and turns. The unexpected is the norm, not the...well...unexepected! Felicty is one of those babies who had her own agenda. She came several weeks early and surprised everyone. When Mallory reached out to me to say she was already here, I was hours away from hopping on a plane and heading to the opposite coast! We worked quickly to get her session scheduled for the day after I flew back. By that time, Felicity was almost a month old. I always assure my clients that even if it is past that two week mark, we will get beautiful photos. And we do! It just can sometimes be a little more challenging as they tend to be a lot more active, and a lot less likely to enjoy being put in a bucket! However, once again, Felicity proved to be unpredictable - she was an absolute dream. Awake, asleep, it didn’t matter. She was one happy baby! And that made me a happy photographer. Especially because we had decided to put her in the bell of a tuba. Yes, you heard that right! Craig not only works with the University of Maryland marching band (The Mighty Sound of Maryland!) but he is also working on a PhD in tuba. How could we not incorporate his instruments? I, of course, have a soft spot for any Terp, so I was willing to do whatever it took to make it happen. I had no need to worry because Felicity made it easy! She snuggled right in and was clearly right at home! We were all tickled with how they worked out, even Belle the Cat! While her dad brings the musical influence, Felicity will also likely grow up to be a book lover! Mallory is a librarian who had a tough time picking a favorite book when I asked. Eventually she settled on Beauty and the Beast so we made sure to sneak that into the shoot as well. Felicity is not going to have a lack of interests and hobbies! This was such an enjoyable newborn session to be a part of. Felicity is so loved by her entire family. I got to see her aunt and grandparents interact with her as well and the way they looked at her made my heart swell. There were plenty of arms reaching out for her any time she needed to be cuddled, and I’m sure all of that love is what kept her so content. Based on how adorable and happy she is right now, I can only imagine how much better it is going to get as she grows up. I can’t wait to see where life takes her! 
 
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 I am one of those people who truly believes things happen for a reason. It is maybe one of the harder things to remember when things aren’t going well, but when I look back, more often than not, I find it’s true. I can say pretty confidently that it applies to this shoot! To explain what I mean, we have to go all the way back to September. Kelley and I have a mutual friend who wanted to set up a girls night. We started a conversation on Facebook and set up a time that we were all free. Three days before we were supposed to get together, I got really sick. The kind of sick where you are highly contagious and the doctor tells you not to leave the house for a week for the sake of others. I was sad to miss out on the girls night, but was also fairly distracted with feeling the worst I have felt in my adult life, so I had to put it out of my mind. A few months later, Kelley announced on Facebook that she was pregnant...with twins! All we had ever done was exchange a few messages on a group chat, but I was so excited for her. She and Ryan already had two beautiful boys and I was enjoying keeping up with their adventures on Facebook. Their pregnancy announcement was beyond adorable. They made s’mores of different sizes to show that they were about to welcome two new members of their family! When we decided to do a newborn session together, I was a little worried that things would be awkward. I was the girl who excitedly helped to plan a girls night and then dropped out at the last minute! We hadn’t had a chance to connect or even have a one on one conversation since then. And yet, the familiarity was instantaneous. Kelley and I began sharing thoughts for the shoot and immediately sensed a kindred spirit in the other. This feeling transferred to the actual session as well. It was as if we had all been friends for years! Everyone was so happy and relaxed, which is just perfect for a newborn shoot. If everyone else is calm, the babies will be too. And Jenna and Grace were certainly calm! They happily snoozed through the entire thing. As long as they were bundled up, they were happy! Watching Matthew and Jeffrey lovingly care for their baby sisters almost made my heart burst. I can only imagine how it feels for Kelley and Ryan to watch. Those two little girls are so loved and protected. You can see it in the photos and I know they will look back and realize that it’s been that way from the very beginning. With their Nani there for extra support, the shoot went as smoothly as a newborn shoot can. At times I almost forgot that we were handling two newborns instead of one because it was so much easier than I anticipated! Everyone worked like a well oiled machine with adults cuddling, wrapping, adjusting, and feeding as necessary and the boys following directions like champs. I am beyond happy for the O’Sheas as they embark on this new journey. The six-pack is complete and their happiness is contagious! 
  
  Maryland Family Photography // Location, Location, Location! // Where To Take Family Photos8/1/2017  So you’ve booked a family session! Immediately after, the panic about what to wear to said session sets in. Never fear! I’ve got you covered over here with some ideas to get you started on tackling that panic! You and your family may end up looking somewhat sane and put together after all. Now that we’ve handled that concern, usually the next one that sends clients’ blood pressure hurtling upwards is where they should go to take the photos. Two things tend to happen when my clients and I begin discussing location. Either their brain goes completely blank and they suddenly cannot recollect a single place they have gone in their lifetime or they are completely overwhelmed. The beauty about photography in Maryland is that there are so many options! The tough thing about photography in Maryland is that there are just so many options. The stress of it can but an entire shoot on hold. And trust me, it has. So today, I’m going to give a few pointers to help you. Whether your mind is absolutely devoid of any ideas or is a veritable beehive of them, these suggestions can help you get to the end point which is, of course, finding the perfect location for your family photos. Ask Your Photographer! Like the title of this blog suggests, photographers and real estate agents have something in common. Location is pretty darn important! Ask a photographer where their favorite places are to shoot and they will likely be able to rattle off 4-5 without hesitation. We love exploring new areas, but there’s something so lovely about shooting in a familiar place that you adore. Those are the places where we know how the light falls at all times of day. We know where to find the best backdrops. Where to go to get away from the crowds. What it can offer in each season of the year. We take note of all of these things and more every time we shoot, and eventually we get attached! So if you’re in doubt and you just cannot think of where you want to take these photos, just ask! We are more than happy to guide you in a particular direction. In fact, making suggestions gives us an extra boost of confidence in the session and the photos you’ll be getting from it. 
Go Down Memory Lane Sorry, memory lane isn’t an actual place that I’m recommending! If you’re having trouble recalling the details of every place you’ve ever been in your lifetime, think back only to the important moments. Where did you and your spouse get married? Where did you go on your first date? Is there a place you just loved growing up? Do you have a place you take your children often? Emotional attachment is powerful. Taking photos is a way to remember your family just as it is, and a nostalgic location will only add to the magic. Some of my most memorable sessions have been in locations where memories have already been made.  
There’s No Place Like Home Don’t bother clicking your heels together, just look around you! Your home is full of incredible memories with your family. The spot in your living room where your child took their first steps. The driveway where you spent endless afternoons drawing with chalk and riding bikes. The couch where you found out your first born got into college. When it comes to meaningful places, there is truly no place like home. Not to mention it is also the place where everyone in your family feels their most comfortable. And if you’re worried it isn’t photogenic or too messy, you clearly don’t fully understand the magic a photographer can make happen with some good window light and a clever angle. 
 Even though location is important, remember that it is not the most important aspect of the shoot. You are. You and your wonderful family. When you look back at these photos, what you are going to remember most is the love you share and the beauty of this particular moment with them.
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Welcome to the Blog!This is where I'll document it all. Where I'll use words to try and convey just how special it is to do this job and live this life. Enjoy scrolling through!
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