Give and Take, that’s the advice my parents gave me when I asked them the secret to having a long marriage. I think they are the perfect people to ask for such advice. My parents will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary this coming summer. It’s amazing to think about spending 50 years with the same person, your best friend, the father/mother of your children, your supporter, your love. I am lucky to be following in their footsteps with my own 14th Anniversary this summer, which happens to be within a few days of my parents’ own anniversary.

Since it was Valentine’s week I thought I’d blog these images. I took these pictures of them last July during my yearly trip home to North Dakota. My dad recently purchased this 1957 Crown Victoria. It’s similar to the one he drove when he dated my mother in high school. I love that he purchased this car, to recapture his youth. I even had a chance to drive with it’s stick shift on the steering wheel and no power steering. It was a fun feeling cruising down the highway with the windows down. It made me appreciate my more modern vehicle!

Thank you Mom & Dad for setting such a wonderful example for our family. We love you.

I love the newness of newborns, from their peeling skin to their little chubby rolls. Documenting the little things from your baby’s first months are what’s important in life. Coming from a mom who has a 7 and 4 year old, I know they don’t stay this tiny for long. Thank you Baby L for letting me document your new life.

I am dreaming of spring today. As I sit here writing this, I can see the snow falling outside. Don’t get me wrong, I love snow. I grew up in northern North Dakota, so I’ve seen my fair share of cold weather. We are bracing for a huge storm here in DC as they are forecasting 20-30″. I thought today would be a perfect day to post some springtime photos to brighten our mood. In springtime, the big hill in our neighborhood blossoms with wild white daisies. The girls are always asking to go and pick some. Here are a few captures I made of us flower picking. It won’t be long and spring will be here again, at least I hope so!

Here is part 2 of my weekend session with my newest little cousin, Ariana. She had a full head of gorgeous dark brown hair and beautiful creamy skin. You couldn’t ask for a more perfect baby. One of my favs is the first image of her captured with her big sister Cora. She is so proud!

She’s not just my family, she also happens to be my best friend. I was so blessed to be able to photograph my cousin Jen’s second baby, Ariana. She flew me all the way up to Minneapolis! We had a super quick family session since it was dust and was quite brisk. We lucked out with a beautiful day for mid-November in Minnesota i.e. no snow! We had had our session at dusk and it was brisk! Newborn session peeks are coming next!

This girl was every photographer’s dream. She is so natural in front of the camera and simply beautiful on top of that. I photographed her as part of a workshop that I attended in November.

This little guy wasn’t feeling so great for his big rock star shoot. His mom put him in the cutest t-shirt that said “Rock Star”. We still managed to get some great shots. Check out those baby blues!

What an exciting trip we had! I was able to accompany my daughter on her preschool field trip to the pumpkin patch. This place is a pumpkin patch mecca. They had so many fun slides, a hayride, tons of farm animals and of course pumpkins. We really had a great time.

Our session started out quite crisp, as any typical fall morning would.  We met in downtown Occoquan.  My newest favorite place to hold a session with many wonderful places to shoot.  These kids were so adorable with their color coordinated outfits.  Great job mom!!

I had the pleasure of meeting this fun family at their home in Falls Church. I think I could have spent all day hanging out and talking. Little 7 month old Amelia had such an infectious smile. I didn’t mind making lots of silly noises to get her attention. Thanks again guys!