I drove down to Occoquan, Virginia on Sunday morning to meet up with Julia and Chris for their engagement session. It was one of those mornings where you could feel the pending heat of the day – my favorite kind of morning! We took pictures all over and had a blast. Yes, we took advantage of the docks for water shots and yes, I realize these aren’t in the preview. Sorry! It was SO fun hanging out with you, Julia and Chris, and I cannot wait for your January wedding!
Jen and Lou – E-pics!
Date: Tuesday April 28, 2009Posted in: Photography, Portrait Photography, Uncategorized
On Saturday evening, I drove out to Baltimore to do Jen and Lou’s engagement session. We had a plan for locations we would hit up and we were in for some surprises. We were so excited to be at the bar where these two met and even told the bartender the reason we were there … only to be told, “oh, you are like the fourth or fifth couple to have met here…” This bartender needs to know no matter what, that is not the response that should be given! Even so, we had fun, took over the bar, and then headed out to our other locations. Yay, Jen and Lou. I am SO excited for your wedding at Black Ankle Vineyard in August!
Last week, Jason and I went over to Flying Dog Brewery to join in the best event EVER! Amanda paired up with Flying Dog to create a cake and beer pairing night. It worked out perfectly, was SO fun, and I felt famous because everyone was saying, “you know Amanda???” Yay, Manda (and yes, you too, Pat!)! We’re so proud of you!
Amanda’s on the left …. book her! She’s awesome: The Artful Cake
This morning, I met up with the Orchard family in Frederick. We began by taking pictures at the house and then went over to Culler Lake in Baker Park to take advantage of the beautiful weather we are having this weekend! I’m headed to Baltimore for an engagement session this evening, then down to Occoquan, Virginia for an engagement session tomorrow morning … then BACK to Baltimore for a Bar Mitzvah tomorrow night. Busy … but SO fun! I’ll catch up the blogging …. soon.
The Batemans, The Gepperts, and The Berns
Date: Sunday April 19, 2009Posted in: Photography, Portrait Photography
Portrait Party #1 was a success! The Batemans, The Gepperts, and The Berns decided to get together and have me meet them at Middletown Park for an hour of some fun shots and fun times with friends. Each family has a 2nd grader at Middletown Primary. While the other two families hung out, I took one family at a time to explore the park for fifteen or twenty minutes. We lucked out by just missing some of the real wind and spitting rain that started in the late afternoon.
I had a lot of fun – thanks, Teresa, for putting this together! 
The Batemans….
After finding sticks and fishing line … creating their own fishing pole…
Mr. Cool…
The Gepperts…
We said we would capture this look to give to her future husband someday (my mom used to tell me the same thing)…
The Berns…
Cheerios are the best pre-portrait session snack!
After telling Eli to give Gabe a kiss, this happened …. I was told this would be outgrown sooner rather than later
Gabe’s a total tree climber!
Yesterday afternoon, I joined in celebrating the union of Katie and Steve. The day was gorgeous and it didn’t hurt that Katie and Steve’s love for each other was absolutely radiant. Their wedding took place at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Maryland. It was truly a family affair – just by looking around, you could sense the closeness of the two families as they were joined together and feel the support of Katie and Steve’s close friends who came to witness this special day. Congratulations, Katie and Steve! Have a great time at Lurray!
Steve and his “best man”, Jessica (his sister)
The last minutes before walking down the aisle … final words from Dad.
Check out the gazebo – I LOVE the textures it provides!
Siblings
10 day old nephew… Katie is so in love with him.
Can’t you just feel the peacefulness they find in each other?
GREAT first dance!
Saturday morning, I met the Clemmer family at the Tidal Basin in DC to take some family pictures. Cayden, their 8-month-old, is the cutest and even though, he started out resisting photos, by the end he was hamming it up and an aspiring model. It was SO great meeting all three of you – I had a blast.
I have great news! My good friend, Amanda, owner and master sugar artist at The Artful Cake has begun a blog. Now you can keep up with all her incredible designs and crazy adventures! She totally rocks out cakes – they are gorgeous and taste awesome. Yay, Manda … we’re watching you! 
Between renovating studio #2 and putting in a new bathroom, I have one other critical job this break: babysitting my students’ plants. My kindergarteners planted their little seedlings almost two weeks ago and rush into class each day to check on the progress of the little life for which they are caring. As spring break got nearer, they began to ask how we would care for our plants while not being at school for almost a week. I assured them I would take them home and babysit. It became the classroom joke that “Ms. Liz” would be reading bedtime stories to their plants, telling them they are beautiful and how much we love them, and kissing each one of them good morning while the plants’ true parents were away. As odd as it sounds, I was proud of the thought that was put into how to properly care for another life form. My five-year-olds are the best.
Anyway – as I check on the plants daily, keep up with their measurement journals, and nurture them to the best of my ability sans bedtime stories and kisses, I felt the need to share this critical job in photo form.
As I watched the flurries yesterday, I became worried spring wasn’t ready to present itself yet but then I woke up early this morning and noticed a sign of spring that seemed to turn up overnight despite the cold temperatures yesterday. I generally don’t venture into my own yard with my camera but right outside my back porch, I saw a beautiful scene and felt that it needed to be recorded as a memory in a more concrete way than my mind. I am a firm believer that everyone should see or think something beautiful every single day otherwise, why get out of bed?
While I will miss my kindergarteners, I am so happy to have a few days off for spring break. Jason is in Denver today (yes, a 24 hour trip…) and I actually enjoyed a day of spring cleaning and catching up on the emails and paperwork that I seemed to let go for the last few weeks. I have big plans to spend my next few days searching for new running paths, experimenting in the kitchen, and working on some renovations. I’m excited.
