The most wonderful time of the year

When I was growing up I wanted to be an artist. Trouble with it is that the word starving too often precedes the title of artist. Well, I'm happy to report that I think at this point I qualify as being "grown up" and I made it to being an artist but I'm much more a WORKING artist than a starving one.

The type of artwork I do is not necessarily the stuff that hangs in fine art galleries. (Well... I hope that someday my studio art endeavors will take me to a place like that!)  Just the same, my artwork is still hanging on walls all across the country. The images I help create are beloved family portraits taken just in time for holiday send outs, snapshots of those tender moments right after a couple betroths themselves to one another or just before a mother delivers her beautiful baby, and preservations of the incredible bliss that is being completely in love and newly engaged. I absolutely L-O-V-E doing the work I do because it's the kind of stuff that even after it does get changed out to make room for the next year's portraits, it always stays in the hearts and memories as a thing of beauty to be cherished and treasured.

This time of year is just about my favorite not just for the obvious reasons of the Christmas season but also because I get to see the fruit of my investment in creating images of true beauty come back to me in the way of seeing it pop up in the profile spots of facebook pages OR within annual holiday send outs. Nothing gives me quite a joy like that of opening up some good ol' fashioned snail mail to see my own handiwork staring back at me with well wishes for a merry Christmas and happy New Year from my wonderful clients.

This portrait was taken in the Baltimore area in the Fall of this year! What better way to wish someone a warm holiday than with the beautifully warm color palette that an autumn color palette offers.

Something unique I offer that goes far beyond photography is graphic design expertise!  I can snap gorgeous pictures of you and your loved ones just as much as I can pair them up with tasteful and polished graphic elements that make them more than suitable for holiday cards, birth announcements, save-the-dates, and invitations. I walk you through the design process from start to finish and provide you with an image ready for printing and MUCH cheaper than some of the big names out there that have only a catalog of templated designs that everyone else has. Just as the portrait work I do is commissioned artwork to me, the graphic design pieces are also ART in my book. I love using the gifts that the Lord has blessed me with to the fullest extent and you need only ask me how we go about creating something unique and wonderful for YOU and your needs.

Today puts us just barely 10 days from Christmas but don't let that deter you from dropping me an inquiry to get your annual family portraits done at the tail end of this year or at the tip top of next year. Ever heard of happy New Year cards?  We can get your portraits done and then wish your friends and family a beautiful start to their 2012 with your gorgeous portraits!

The Erdmans :: Baltimore Family Photography

I've done portraits for this family for a little more than half a decade now. I've had the great blessing and joy to document the engagement of their parents, their very first ever family holiday portrait (with their "furbaby" additions), then two more family holiday portraits (here is last year's), and a visit to the hospital for a "special delivery" newborn session of the youngest son.  Not sure if you have bothered counting but ll of those milestones have made it so I have been able to photograph them just about every single year for the past five years! Does that make me their official family photographer? Hmmm... I don't know but I will tell you that I sure have enjoyed being able to watch their family grow.

Anyway, here is their this year's holiday portraits.  In the past we have done them a lot closer to Christmas for their holiday send outs but this year we were very well organized and got them in my schedule book early in order to beat some of the holiday hustle and bustle. If you haven't already gotten your family's portraits squared away like the Erdmans, I suggest you take a tip from them and book your holiday session with me while you can!

Rhys & Luca :: Northern Virginia Family Photographer

I am the mother of a lovely little girly girl but I'll tell you what, I have a special place in my heart for the sons in this world.

This evening I got to spend time with a very old friend and meet her two handsome little men, Rhys and Luca. We met up at a wonderfully delightful rose garden park tucked in amongst the neighborhoods of Arlington, Virginia. It's fair to say that after this session I am even more delighted by the joy of sons and brotherly love.

Chris + Brandy :: Northern Virginia Maternity Photography

Perhaps it's not fair for me to say this but I'm one of those types who is never afraid to "shake things up" a little so I'm just gonna - I wanna take pictures of Chris and Brandy ALL. THE. TIME! I'm absolutely serious.

I met Chris and Brandy by way of electronic networking. I put some feelers out looking for a photographer to take pictures of me with my daughter - a sort of "mommy & me" session - and Chris and Brandy of Gronde Photography  reached out to me to help make it happen. As it so happened they were looking for a photographer as well because they are (as you will see) expecting their first little blessing and joy.

I just love Chris and Brandy for so many reasons. For one? They are photographers/visual artists like me! They "speak" the language I most love to speak. They also are the type of people who are absolutely what and who they say they are without reservations and they love each other unabashedly. I wish I had actually met them sooner than just weeks ago because I would have loved to have been able to have a stab at their engagement and/or wedding photography! I mean just look at the images below. Their adoration for each other is so visceral and palpable and it only makes photographing them that much more incredible for me as an photographic artist.

But enough of my blathering on, right? Here's just a smattering of the portraits we collaborated and turned out together during one of the most beautiful golden hour sessions EVER...

Thank you, Chris and Brandy, for giving me the honor to capture you at this incredibly momentous time of your life together. You have my number for when the baby arrives and you need someone else to hold the camera (again) since I'm sure you will have your hands plenty full with your sweet bundle of love.

Heaven on Earth :: Maryland portrait photographer

Something you might not know of me is this: I am adopted.

Now, I don't come out with this the first time I tell people. I mean it's not like it's so much a conversation starter so much as I just feel like it's unnecessary to mention. I mean really? What does it matter? My family is my family is my family. *shrug* But I won't deny that it has made me and the way I think about my own life different than someone elses. I don't look like any of my family members. (Well... maybe my dad I do because he just happens to be Asian too but he's from a whole different country than I'm from and despite the argument that might exist that "we" all look alike. WE DON'T. But I digress.) I also don't have many things that so many others do - the stories of their origins like what it was like when they were born or even the rundown of what their first five months of their life was like. *shrug* I won't lie, it used to bother me but it doesn't anymore. Why? Because, as I said before, my family is who they are and that is my family and I'm not a person that gets easily bogged down by the messy details. Also? I feel like my life has really come full circle (so to speak) and now that I have my own child...




Well?  I guess the fact that I've been able to give her so much of what I never had? Well... I feel like I don't miss all of that so much anymore. Just the same, I've not forgotten what it was like before now.

Family is so important. I was raised to obey some very solid family values with regard to the correct and appropriate way to be towards your family (it's an Asian thing) and it's something that I believe I will raise my daughter to have as well. Yesterday I had both the joy and the honor to photograph a family for their first ever family portrait. I can only show you this one image though.

And why is it the only one? Well, because they are a family of the adopted sort as well. And per their request and my own belief and understanding of the situation, it's best this way. Right now they are at the beginning stages of being a family. Similar to what I experienced as an adopted child, they all have spent some huge chunks of time missing from each others lives. They need this time right now to live in their own private world together and make up for all of the lost time and stolen moments that we all have had and can remember of our own families - this includes me as well since I have had the great redemption of being able to have my own sweet little girl right from the very beginning.

I hope I get the opportunity for more portrait sessions for adoptive families. I have such a special place in my heart for them and I know that I will be able to capture the beauty that they have within them that usually transcends everyone else's eyes because I know what it's like to be there among them, I know what to take note of, and I love being reminded of all it myself. It only makes me love my own family that much more. You can never have enough love, you know?

Sisters FOREVER :: Annapolis family photographer

Interesting fact: My degree is in Sociology and Anthropology and NOT photography.

Surprised?

Well, I definitely took a much longer route to get to where I am than what might be expected. However... I feel like my intensive studies in the Social Sciences coupled with extensive work experience working in clinical and behavioral psychology has made me a better visual artist - of ANY kind of media and not just photography as you see here - and also art teacher. (Didn't know I was an Art teacher? Yes. I am.) All of my  education and professional experience helps me to be a better observer and visual record keeper. I'm also much better at seeing who people truly are. A long time friend of mine (also a visual artist) once told me that I have the ability and know-how to give people the most appropriate gifts EVER because I inherently can sense what they really want or would most appreciate. *shrug* It all goes back to my inability to really focus in on what's around me more than on myself. And being a photographer? Specifically a portrait and wedding photographer? Well... it works out well since I can capture the most intimate and beloved moments shared between folks that they always wish they had a picture of to remember better.

I had the extreme honor to photograph Rebecca and Leah last weekend in downtown Annapolis. Rebecca is the eldest of the two. She is one year out of high school, finishing up her first year of college (nursing is what she is studying), and she is about three weeks out from leaving her home sweet home to tour the country with an amazing professional singing company called Re-Creation. This is her first big move into adulthood that will take her away from her family - and this includes her little sister, Leah. Leah is in the midst of her high school years and spends her time doing karate, hanging out with her church youth group, and working hard in a talented and gifted program specifically designed for those who have great mathematics and engineering abilities. If you hadn't already concluded that these two girls are AMAZING young people, well, perhaps that's because you were in awe of all of the incredible things that they both do and are.

This portrait session was a surprise gift from Rebecca to Leah intended to them in this stage of their young and spry sisterhood before their future plans set them on separate paths. And I'm not going to lie, before this session I was a little nervous. Despite all of the experience that I do have as a photographer and natural people watcher, could I really capture the essence of their beautiful sisterhood? Well... see for yourself. But, I think I nailed it pretty well.

Thank YOU (BOTH of you), Rebecca and Leah, for letting me experience that is the joy of family and the immense gift that is sisterhood. You two seriously make me look better than I ever could by myself.

[Teaser] Sisters forever :: Annapolis family photographer

I'm all about the sisterly love after this session with these two sweet sisters. More to come from our day in downtown Annapolis! Check back within the week!!

Baby Eloise :: Pittsburgh baby photographer

Is there anything quite like a newborn baby?  I really don't think so.  Meet baby Eloise...

Isn't she breathtaking?  I feel like that's one of the best ways to describe her.  The other ways include the following: adorable, beautiful, and the sweetest sweetness your eyes could behold.  *sigh*  Little Miss Eloise is only a month old and doing her portraits yesterday was a gift for me as much as anything else could be.    (YES.  On Christmas day!!!  That's how much I love doing what I do.  I'm willing to do it any time, anywhere, and any how.)

Babies are very special to me because, as it's been said, They are "...such a nice way to start people."  (This was once said by Don Herold.)  For me though?  It really reminded me of the fragility of life and the magnificence that was the Christ child when He was born.  Life is such a precious gift and when that gift also asserts faith and hope and love, well, I think it makes the gift of a precious baby even more amazing.

Welcome to you, Baby Eloise, for coming into the world and THANK YOU for bringing all of the hope, joy, and sweet baby-ness with you when you came.  You are a blessing and a precious gift for all who have the honor to know you.

The Erdmans :: Baltimore family portrait photographer

I have known the Erdmans for quite sometime now.  Lisa (the Mrs.) and I actually graduated from high school together but we never really become friends until long after graduation happened one summer when we both worked at the legendary Mattapany Day Camp together.  Since that summer I have counted Lisa as one of my dearest and most cherished friendships.  It's been well over ten years since we first came to know one another and oh how time has changed things!  Nowadays she's happily married (to THE guy predicted she would end up with - I actually did their engagement pictures long ago!) and she is an adoring and doting mother to two handsome little boys.

I got together with all of the Erdmans the other day and we all had a grand ol' time laughing and carrying on despite the frigid temperatures. They are such troopers that you can barely tell how cold it was to be outside on the day we were...

Eventually we took the operation inside by the fire were it was much more reasonably warm and with the addition of lollipops into the mix, everybody was in much better spirits.

As an extra bonus to help minimize the holiday schedule crunch, Lisa enlisted me to do a customized graphic design for their holiday mailings this year to be sent out as New Year's greetings instead of Christmas ones.  (New Year's greetings are a personal favorite of mine and I always encourage my customers to do them instead of rushing to get them out before Christmas making the holiday season more of a headache than the joy that it can be.)  Didn't know I was a graphic designer in addition to being a photographer?  Check it out. Can't beat one-stop-shopping with me and I'm much cheaper than most of the retailers out there who use templates and just make you and yours look like everybody else and theirs...

Didn't get your holiday greetings out?  Let's do a New Year session and we can take care of a custom-designed New Year's mailing for you, too!

The Reams :: Massachusetts family portrait photographer

In case you didn't know, I am my family's official photographer.  I'm usually never anywhere without my camera somewhere within reach (and it's always been that way) so it works out well.  I don't mind it in the least though.  The gift of capturing beautiful images of people is a gift that I know I've been blessed with and I absolutely love sharing it with people.

These two handsome young gentlemen are my nephews and every time I see them they just got taller and more dashing looking.  The taller of the two was the first grandchild of the family and my first nephew and I still remember holding him at the hospital when he was first born.  With his younger brother, they are the only boy grandchildren of the whole crew of grandkids and I'm continually reminded of the fact that my next child would be a great blessing especially if it is a boy. For the record: If and when God blesses me with another bundle of joy, I'll be happy with whichever it is.  In the meanwhile I will just live vicariously through my brother and sister-in-law and their beautiful sons...

This might be one of my top five favorite portraits I've ever captured.  I love how my oldest nephew is standing there all big brother-like as if to say, "If you want to get to him? You WILL go through ME."

We took these portraits over my Thanksgiving vacation (one of the many advantages to having a day-job that is teaching) and as I've been editing them and getting them ready for proofing and printing on (this) my last day of break, I'm still reveling in the gratitude I have of being a part of such a beautiful and amazing family.