Beach portraits: Florida pt. 3

I'm a photographer. And what do photographers do? We take pictures. Of pretty much everything. That includes unwilling family members who are trying to relax at the beach, despite having a camera lens pointed at them the entire time. Thankfully... my family is pretty willing to go along with things and humor me. :) It's pretty cool that they're so good looking too. 

^^the grill meister. Can I say... he's awesome. 

^^the baby of the family. who couldnt decide what face to put on..

^^ Yours truly. Abbey is getting good with the manual focus! 

^^my model sister. And no, she's not 16 yet. 

^^yay for sunglasses reflections (fail!)

^^he looked at me, i had my camera in position, so he went all dramatic on me. 

^^playing with manual. **happy face**

^^playtime with B'gail

^^brother hugs are the best.

^^fun times. 

Little Harbor Resort: Florida pt. 2

The Apartments at Little Harbor were gorgeous! I fully intend to have at least one room in my house/apartment to be this aqua green color! 

The wall paintings of boats and seashells were awesome. Icanhazplz?

Lounging out and loving it. 

We couldn't decide... what is on this pillow? A tree? Coral? Roots? What do you think? 

The constant companions of the weekend. Sun screen and bottled water. I'll admit it, I'm addicted to H20. 

Oooh yes. We stopped in Union Station on our way to pick up some chocolate for Grandma. Awesome to find... there are no taxes on Godiva chocolate in Union Station! So us, being us, had to pick up even more just on the principle of not paying tax on it! It's goooood too. 

Life on a Marina: Florida pt. 1

Last weekend, I got to live here. I got to wake up every morning, look out over the pool and see this. And just over the trees on the other side of the marina, is Tampa Bay... beautiful, glorious, and inhabited by some of the cooooolest creatures EVER! In the marina, we sat for a long time each day watching manatees float around and people watch. Throughout the weekend we also saw alligators, stingrays, dolphins, and more different kinds of birds than I could count (the dolphins totally made the weekend).

Our apartment was particularly cool. Formerly used as condos, the complex was completely awesome and decorated to the nines in a nautical-tropical mix. My idea of a heavenly home (despite of the one bathroom to share among six people..)! 

And there were beautiful, healthy palm trees everywhere you turned. Aren't they just the coolest looking tree ever? 

On the backside of the condos, all along the back porches, there were three pools and three hot tubs that may or may not have been the place I seriously contemplated sleeping each night.... but didn't actually do (next time!)

And of course, Abbey was outside for a grand total of about 5 minutes before her skin went Floridian bronze. Is it wrong to envy someone's tanning abilities? Probably... 

One day, I will live in a place as gorgeous as this. Surrounded by water, sunshine, and palm trees. 

I didn't want to come home. Because this is my home away from home. More to come later...

Mission Accomplished.

Well everyone... because you're basically AMAZING we made it this month! Not only that... but we exceeded my goals and expectations!!!


At the end of January, I set a goal. 100 facebook fans and 1000 blog hits by the end of February. Well, ladies and gents.... we are currently at 105 fans and nearly 1200 blog hits (including MULTIPLE international hits from every continent!!!).

Props must go to my 100th fan, Brodi, for his major enthusiasm.


<-- (thanks, bro!) 


I didn't tell you all this at the beginning... but as my 100th fan, Brodi has been automatically entered into a drawing for a free photoshoot. 


What is this drawing, you ask? Well... over the course of this next month I will continue to post. I will assign a number to every commenter and then at the end of the month, I will randomly draw a number and the winning number will win a free shoot.**


 Moral of the story... if you want to win... you should comment. 


Another bonus!!! If you refer one person to me, and they "like" the facebook page as well as set up a shoot with me, you will ALSO win a free photo album with the photos from your next shoot ($40 value). Moral of the story again... word of mouth! Refer me, make sure they let me know that YOU referred them to me, and you win! This offer applies to everyone, not just the drawing winner, so spread the word! It's for your benefit. 


I'm eager to see continued growth and interest in what I provide and hope to hear from all of you either here or on the FB page!

totally random picture for the day -->

** offer applies to the Northern VA/Southern MD/WV area. Can be applied to a family shoot, casual friends shoot, or a senior shoot. Not applicable to weddings or engagement. 

Handley Library

In 1913, Handley Library in downtown Winchester opened it's doors for the first time. Judge John Handley of Scranton, Pennsylvania left $250,000 in his will to “ . . . open a Public Library for the free use of the people of the city of Winchester forever.”

The Library has maintained it's Victorian architecture and cozy feel. Complete with spiral staircases, an elaborate dome roof, and a pay phone closet located on the first floor. 

 

It was the perfect location for me to shoot Susan and JayAre's engagement photos and I am eager to return for more photos later! 

The rainy day made the exterior even more glorious than I had imagined!