First Snow Photos of 2012| Getting Your Child Interested in Photography| Pixie Memories

I felt like a little kid when I went to pick my son up from school and realized that it was snowing, and on a Monday (they get out early on Mondays in Fairfax County)!  As many of you know, clouds are natures soft box (a photographic lighting device that diffuses light) and the sun was in the perfect position for a photo shoot.  So the lighting was perfect to fit with my style of photography.

I raced home, grabbed my trusty camera (Canon MKII) and put on my 50 mm 1.2 lens.  It was just like Christmas for me.  My son has developed a love and an eye for photography so I am fortunate that he does not have PSC (Photographer’s Child Syndrome).  He does not run away when he sees the camera, he actually stops and poses and looks straight at the lens.

For me, it was easy to get him involved in the world of photography.  Just like any parent, the child will develop a love or respect for what the parent loves.  My husband LOVES hockey, so now Chris also loves it.  I love photography, so its natural for him to like it as well.  If your husband loves baseball for example, there is a good chance your child will too.

At an early age, I talked to him about light.  I pointed to how pretty something looked.  And the second he said “you should take a picture of it” I responded “YOU should take a picture of it”  And I handed him my phone to take a photo, loaded it onto my computer and then printed it.  After that he was hooked.  And we bought him an entry level point and shoot camera (after I got annoyed with him draining my battery) and he never looked back.

Once a month or so, I will have him go through his memory card and select 10 of his favorite images and I have them printed.  My little guy has developed a love and understanding of the craft.  I love watching him crouch down to get the right angle for the photo and see things that I do not see.  Here is the latest example.

He saw this when I was scouting the perfect location.  I handed him my camera and this is what he got! (Proud Momma moment)

And this is who I saw.

www.pixiememories.com

Fort Belvoir, VA| Maternity Momma| Pixie Memories Photography

I recently had the great pleasure of meeting this amazing woman and her kids.  I don’t have that much to say, I will have to let the photos speak for themselves.  I cannot WAIT to meet the newest addition to your family.  Congrats Momma!

Look at that perfect baby bump!  After our session her Darling Daughter came in to get in on the action.  she was all smiles and has the vocabulary of an 8 year old.  It was so great talking and laughing with her.  We are all surprised when Ms Kitty came in for her close up!

Last one.  Can you hear her laughing.  I know I do!

DC Area Premier Newborn Photographer| Cruising in Silver Spring, MD

My word.  This is my very first post of 2012.  And I thought it would be fitting to showcase my friends who are near and dear to my heart.  We had not seen each other in, I would venture to say YEARS, but it was as though we were together the weekend before.  I LOVE friends like that.

And its nothing like a brand new baby to make the world a much better place.

I had to throw one in of his big brother – he jumped in with a cute hat and I just HAD to take his portrait.  Congrats Angel and Ray!!!!!!!!

December Family Portraits|Northern VA Photographer

Wow, I cannot believe it has been so long since I have updated my Blog.  That’s a good thing because I have been busy with the mad rush of the holiday season.  This year, for some reason has been all about the outdoor portraits – which I LOVE doing.  Later this month, I will be doing some studio portraits again, so stay tuned.

Aack – there are so many things that I have to talk about but I will need to separate them into a few posts so you don’t get bogged down with too much info.   This one, will just be  a lot  of portraits…

Whew – That was a lot of photos.  I think I will have to separate the posts.  I still have to pinch myself when I look at these images.  I cannot believe how blessed I am that I get to do this for a living!

As always, feel free to check out my site. www.pixiememories.com

Photos of a boy and a girl| Alexandria Photographer @ Burke Lake Park

This family was filled with energy.  I was thankful that mom postponed the session because baby girl did not get her nap.  Just a gentle reminder that your kids should be well rested before a session.  Because, when they are – you get a photo like this:

I love that you can see her personality and I love how her eyes just seem to pop off of the screen.

And baby brother needed to get in on the action also.

Fall Sessions in Northern VA|Family Photographer Pixie Memories shares one of my favorite Turkey Day Recipe

Please take a look at this BEAUTIFUL family.  I love that the hat was made by a family friend and I love that I had the opportunity to create some life long memories for them.  Since we are so close to the holidays, I thought I would share one of my favorite Thanksgiving day recipes (you can see it after the photos).  Every post until Christmas will have a fun recipe (and always easy)

Sweet Potato and Butternut squash casserole:

Boil sweet potato and squash in salted water.  They are done when easily pierced with a fork or knife (or whatever you have handy).  Mash ‘em up, mix in a few squirts of maple syrup, 1/2 stick of butter, 1/2 cup of skim milk (I guess you could use whatever your favorite it).  Put in your favorite casserole dish, top with mini marshmallows (the more the merrier) and pop in a 450 degree oven until the marshmallows are all melty and brown.  Best part, its Gluten Free!

Why I am Thankful| Springfield VA Photographer|Pixie Memories

I have been on Facebook and so many of my friends have been listing every day the things that they are thankful for.  So I am bringing it to the World Wide Web.

I am thankful for being happy.  Every day has been better than the next.  Even when I broke my big toe 5 weeks ago, I had no choice but to laugh.  I was on the phone, RUNNING to get to the other phone and broke my toe falling UP the stairs.  Seriously, who does that? LOL.

I am also thankful that I get to do everything that I love.  I get to be a wife to my hubby, I get to be a mommy to our son and I get take photos of families and children that do nothing but enrich my life.  I laugh out loud every single day.  I am also fortunate enough that after every session, I get to donate a portion of my profits to the National Council for Adoption.  Every child should have their forever family.

Before, I write a novel (LOL) here are a few of the kiddos I have had the opportunity photograph.  Aren’t they adorable!?

She looks like a Young Meg Ryan| Sibling Photographer|

I first met these cutie pies – or should I say pixies when little mister man was a baby.

Doesn’t this girl look like Meg Ryan, ya know, when she was young and was just getting her big girl teeth?

And we cannot forget her little brother (who favors her, BTW…)

And here they are pointing at the ducks.

Fall Session| Alexandria VA Family Photohrapher

I had sooo much fun with this family.  When I look at these sneaks, all I can do is grin from ear to ear.  The second one, the focus is a bit off, but this kiddo’s hair just warms my heart and I just had to include it in my sneaks.  Can’t you just hear his laughter?

Check out the love between Mom and son…

Fall Mini Session @ Hidden Pond Nature Center, Springfield VA|Lots of Giggles

One of my “tricks” during a photo session is I allow the kid to be a kid.  I know its hard to watch your kid not listen to instruction, but all it does is relax the kids so you get natural smiles and poses.  I like to think my sessions are more like a play date than an actual photo session (the kind MY parents subjected me to – LOL).

This family was amazing!  The boys had a BLAST making funny faces and telling me jokes – and yes, some of them were really funny and I actually laughed out loud.

And once they got the giggle out, we got some natural poses.

Don’t you LOVE big bro laughing in the background?  The Cheshire cat has nothing on the grin that I have on my face right now! LOL