Home is Where the Heart Is | Virginia Family Portraits

I’m so excited for this beautiful family to finally get a peek at their images. When we originally discussed scheduling a session, location was one of the primary sticking points. What would be best for a 2-year-old and a 3-month-old? The beach? A park? In the past, on-locations photo sessions had been difficult for them. I always remind my clients that a good photographer can make any location work. For me, the goal isn’t to capture a family’s likeness against a beautiful backdrop — it’s to capture their hearts, their love for each other and their connections. With careful attention to detail, this can be done anywhere you can find proper light. In their case, I suggested home would be most comfortable. It’s often the very last place families think of for portraits, but is actually the best place for young children — especially those that are happiest in their own comfort zone. We take time for snack breaks, playtime and it’s much easier to encourage interaction in a familiar environment. In the end, we shot mostly in the backyard — a small patch of grass near a golf course. It’s not the location that takes center stage here — it’s the family. I can see their hearts on their sleeves and almost hear the giggles. Can you?

tracey sandersAugust 8, 2010 - 4:58 PM

love these, especially the last one!

lizetAugust 3, 2010 - 8:46 AM

they’re just adorable!!! gorgeous photo’s, i love how happy they all look! :D

Michelle OAugust 2, 2010 - 9:27 PM

I’m absolutely in love with the second one down…the black and white! ADORABLE!!

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.

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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.