Tis' the season for holiday photos!

This is really my first full fledged holiday season as a photographer and I have to admit I underestimated the impact holiday cards would have.

I assumed as the weather got colder, things would slow down. I didn't even think about holiday family photos.

But I sure am glad for them.

Even with how busy I've been trying to teach and keep up with photography, I've only become more sure that I love doing this.

And let me tell you, it's easy to take pictures of a happy, beautiful family like Claudia and Justin's.

With Christmas as our theme, we met up at the Lakefront across from Columbia mall. The pretty waterfront property made the perfect backdrop as I snapped pictures of the little family wandering and exploring.

I just have to mention how much I adored their color scheme. I would never have thought to pair Kelly Green and Navy Blue, but it might be my new favorite combination. And for this particular occasion, it provided the perfect seasonal touch without going on Christmas overload. Loved it!

It wasn't the coldest photoshoot I've done, but a chilly breeze made its presence known every few minutes. You wouldn't have known it from all the smiles- even 18 month old Jacob didn't seem to mind! I was given an abundance of smiles to take pictures of, and he lasted a long time.

I had a wonderful time with Justin, Claudia, and Jacob and I am excited to hand them the pictures that will make up their Christmas card!

First comes the maternity shoot, then comes the infant shoot!

To say I was excited to take infant photos of Noah for my friends Abby and Jeff would be an incredible understatement.

I could barely wait to get my hands on a camera so I could start clicking away.

It's a pretty well-known fact that babies are unpredictable and Noah delivered when it came to that!

On the day that I was scheduled to come take photos, he decided to sleep all morning, so he was wide awake by the time I made my way there that afternoon! I expected to spend a few hours desperately trying to get shots in around the tears.

But once again, he was unpredictable.

He might have been awake for the whole session, but he was calm as could be! He let us put him pretty much anywhere we pleased and hardly complained at all. (We may or may not have bribed him with 2 minute feedings every once in a while!)

If I hadn't had Abby and Jeff around to remind me that there is an outside world, I probably could have stayed there forever, just clicking away.

He is so incredibly precious and I'm in love already.

With him being so alert, we got a lot of great facial expressions and I can't wait to share them all!

There is nothing quite like those random, balmy days that we get in Maryland right before winter hits. We get a break from the crisp winds telling us that winter is coming, and we bask in the sunlight for just a few extra hours.

Those days are especially handy for family photo shoots as everyone gears up for Christmas cards!

The LoPrestis and I could not have asked for a better day!

Although I am consistently amazed at how well children handle being cold, there is no doubt that it's easier to take their picture when it's warm. And that warm weather means they get to show off the cute outfits Mom and Dad (ok, probably just Mom) spent all that time picking out!

We decided to stay very local for this shoot. We started off at their home and then wandered down the street to the walking path around the neighborhood pond.

It's so much fun to see just how different siblings can be. David could have taken pictures all day and been perfectly happy, while I think little Meghan could have, and probably would have preferred to, run her own photo shoot!

I had a blast with them. I love taking photos of a family that knows how to laugh and just enjoy each other's company. And the LoPrestis very clearly do.

Look for more photos of them soon!

Two family sessions in a row!

On Sunday I met up with the Carter family: Danny, Katie, their son Jameson, and their lab, Stella.

Let me just say- they are troopers!

As often happens in Maryland, we have seen a dramatic decrease in temperature as we finish up October and come into November. An overcast, breezy morning in early November meant quite the chilly photo shoot!

Did this dampen their spirits? Not a chance.

If it hadn't been for the winter jackets, which they actually went without for the first few minutes, you would not know it was so cold out.

It was a short shoot but it was full of laughter and big smiles. I don't know if my finger ever stopped clicking- there was just so much happiness to capture! Jameson is turning two in February and he is just a blast to be around. This is the age of exploration and Jameson is all about it. He's lucky to have two great parents who so obviously love playing and spending time with him.

What a fun time we had! I can't wait to share the photos.