Summer Living | Beach Family Portraits

I’m so grateful to my photographer friends Rashmi Pappu and Rachel Devine who referred this fabulous family of four to me. Stacey is a local trunk keeper for Matilda Jane clothing — an *amazing* designer clothing line for perfect for your daughter (or the one you wish you had!). Beyond their fabulous style, was their immediate and obvious connection as a family. Dad had a servant’s heart, they both love their little ones with abandon and kindness just poured out from them. That, plus happy kiddos, made for a fun, easygoing session — and images where I had to direct so little because of their natural interaction. Stacey and Brad, I am so grateful you took a chance with me. Thanks for a memorable afternoon that kept me smiling long after it was over.

ashleyJuly 25, 2010 - 12:35 am

Oh my goodness! I just love everything you do!! Your captures of relationships and emotions are just lovely:)

Corey SewellJuly 23, 2010 - 2:22 pm

Beautiful images and what a fun family! Love these!

RashmiJuly 20, 2010 - 11:10 pm

Gorgeous! I knew you would love working with them Steph… they are just the happiest, most easy going family. Great great images! xoxo

BradJuly 20, 2010 - 8:50 pm

What great photos! You really captured our spirit…the one of Locke crawling is a showstopper! All the best, Brad

Studio Updates + Availability

This is how Finn reacted when I broke the news that I’m fully booked for July + August. He felt a little better when I explained that I had room for a few August mini sessions only and would still be able to take *his* pictures…I’m starting maternity leave the last week of August and will resume shooting in Spring of 2011. It’s been a whirlwind of a year here and we’re looking forward to what’s ahead for our growing family (and our business) next year. Meanwhile, there are plenty of upcoming session sneak peeks as well as some fun personal work in the pipeline. So stay tuned..there’s more to come.

xoxoxo
s

lizJuly 18, 2010 - 1:21 pm

Boy has got some hair, no? ;)

This is such a real, fabulous capture. I love it…as I do the rest of your work.

xoxo

adminJuly 18, 2010 - 12:59 pm

thanks justyna. a sweet angel sent that lens to me ;) so fun to play with.

JustynaJuly 17, 2010 - 10:40 pm

Nice fisheye lens shot;) Love his wild hair and expression, and of course your room decor.

Party of Five | Virginia Beach Family Portraits

I’m always honored when clients from out of town book me for a shoot–and it’s even better when one of them is a photographer. Stephanie is a budding portrait photog and carved out an evening for me while they were in Virginia Beach on vacation. With kiddos ages 1, 3 and 5, sessions are always unpredictable…but never short of personality. The youngest of the group was under the weather that day, but sometimes, it’s the in-between moments that capture a family best. There were plenty of them, and I hope this preview eases any anxiety you may have had about “getting the shots!” You both deserve a medal for sticking it out with two rambunctious boys (just like my own) and a fussy toddler on the move. It’s not hard to see you have a wonderful family…thank you for sharing a piece of your stay here with me.

YvonneJuly 19, 2010 - 9:55 pm

What a fun session!

StephanieJuly 13, 2010 - 11:29 am

Every time I look at these I smile! You are amazing, Stephanie! Thank you, thank you!

AseelJuly 12, 2010 - 9:31 pm

What a fun session with a beautiful family! I love the first image and the last. That baby pout is priceless!

TashaJuly 12, 2010 - 2:55 pm

aww.. i LOVE the first and the last image. the first one because their personalities are sooo evident. those are always my favorite. and the last because all of the color totally catches my eye. i bet mom LOVES these.

LoriJuly 12, 2010 - 1:17 pm

Oh I am so in love with that first one and kids!!!! I love that look the baby has!!
What a great idea with the ‘game booth’! I might need some beach pictures after seeing these! Really amazing!

amy b.July 12, 2010 - 11:58 am

Stephanie Steph….Stephanino. These are great photos of a lively bunch. Not everyone is able to wrangle in these tough ages and honestly this is aces. Gorgeous family. That last one is total summer perfection.

I hope they get that last one large. 20×30.

BelleJuly 12, 2010 - 11:48 am

these are wonderful, Stephanie! Your work is lovely, family will be thrilled!

ClaudiaJuly 12, 2010 - 10:49 am

I really like your work!
These are beautiful!

kristiJuly 12, 2010 - 8:15 am

Oh, Stephanie! I so love the wonderful candid feel of these images! You just always manage to so capture real life as it is happening. The shot with the pier in the background is just perfect. What a treasure for this family…..not a single stiff looking shot in the bunch.

KatieJuly 12, 2010 - 7:45 am

These are beautiful! I’m in love with that first image, SO gorgeous!

Fiona ColvinJuly 12, 2010 - 5:24 am

What a gorgeous family and their session rocks. The light and colour are wonderful! Especially love the first two.

LisaJuly 12, 2010 - 4:22 am

What wonderful vacation memories you’ve captured for them! The first would be great hung large on the wall- everyone’s personality really comes through (and the baby pout, how precious!). Great set of images!

Michele (Pinkle Toes)July 12, 2010 - 12:39 am

magic! love the family interactions here!

beverlyJuly 11, 2010 - 11:32 pm

what a beautiful family! and that last shot is so fun!

CrystalJuly 11, 2010 - 11:13 pm

Oh my goodness I heart that first photo – you’ve totally captured Personality there! And I’m liking the color and mood of these! Makes me think July, Summer, Carnival…

Jennifer MottJuly 11, 2010 - 11:03 pm

I love these! The expressions on the kids faces in all of them are priceless! And the last shot is so fun!

JustynaJuly 11, 2010 - 10:51 pm

Aww such a fun family! Love the feeling of these images, so warm and fun. I especially love the boy and flag photo!!!!

Welcome Gianna | Virginia Beach Newborn Photographer

One of the beautiful parts of this work is watching families grow–especially of those I know well. Bella, who you may remember from this special session, is proud to be a big sister! Welcome baby Gianna, who much to her family’s relief was born at full-term. This angel has had the luxury of being home since her birth, unlike her big sister. And while mom and dad were weary from her nighttime wakings, they are ever grateful to experience life with a newborn out of the NICU. She was already four weeks old when she arrived in the studio — precious, happy and wide-eyed. Of course, Bella was a trooper for the entire shoot — and in the last few shots, gives us a peek at what happens behind the scenes while the babies are being fed and comforted.

sarah wheelerJuly 17, 2010 - 12:23 am

these are so incredibly beautiful!

LindsayJuly 9, 2010 - 11:44 am

As always, beautiful pictures!

wynonaJuly 9, 2010 - 11:27 am

These images are perfect. So, so, so perfect.

Lifeography Summer Update

This summer I am wearing many hats:
wife of a deployed serviceman,
full-time mama of  4- and 1-year-old boys,
small business owner,
+ mama-to-be of a ‘lil bun due in early October.

Good thing I can juggle or there would be mini-crises all around me! To keep chaos to a minimum, I thought you may appreciate an update on my summer schedule and availability, as well as my maternity leave dates. As of this morning, I have one July session available (weekday only) and four August openings. In addition, I have limited slots for mini-sessions (for up to two people, in-studio only) in both months. As of September, I will be taking maternity leave. There is a *slim* chance I will take a few mini sessions, but at this time am planning on a break (I’ll be 8-months along). I won’t be returning to work until sometime in 2011 (month TBD).

If you have been considering a session, or have emailed for additional information, please complete the official contact form on the blog or email a request to book a session directly soon! Your date isn’t reserved until your session fee is received and they will be scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Meeting adjourned.

Now, on to fun stuff.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes I’ve been nesting a bit–purging bulky furniture, streamlining our possessions, organizing and working to make our house feel even more like home in the midst of a nomadic lifestyle. Here are a few goodies I have on the way to decorate our hybrid nursery/guest room, as well as add a little whimsy to our living spaces. Most of this collection is from CB2.com (I adore that store) — along with a sprinkle of ebay/overstock.com!

-Abacus, wall hanging for the nursery

-Skyline Bedding for guest bed

-Mobile for nursery

-Recycled “Edition” art print for our living room

-Hopscotch rug for entryway

-Eames-style rocker for living room

-Montessori Imagination print for Liam’s room

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Corey SewellJune 28, 2010 - 1:28 pm

Awesome picks! The nursery is going to be awesome!

sarah wheelerJune 24, 2010 - 10:49 pm

your nursery is going to be awesome!

FaithJune 18, 2010 - 8:40 am

WOW – you sure have a lot going on! LOVE the mobile :) Great colors.

BelleJune 17, 2010 - 2:14 pm

Congrats on baby#3! I love, love your picks to decorate the nursery!!!