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Welcome to Julia's Blogfest!

I'm in the process of updating my 2009 blog -- bear with me and thanks for checking out my work!

The Hurley Family | Northern VA Family Photographer

Thursday, July 2, 2009 Posted in portraits

Last month I hung out with the Hurley’s and their 4 kids.  I have known this family for a few years as their kids attended (and attend) St. Aidan’s Day School where both of my boys have been (tho, no longer) so I was glad to get ‘my hands on them’ with some photos.  Their daughter and Harry were in Kindergarten this year as well.   We decided to take pix at Grist Mill here in Alexandria which I go to occasionally - I just love the historic landmarks around here.   It’s never easy to shoot a large family but I think I got some good shots of them.  They were fun and totally easy to be with.  Love my job!  I made mom and dad work when I was shooting the kids — I should probably warn parents of this b/c they usually get quite the workout.  I make them stand behind me and do crazy things while I’m shooting and usually the kids are busting pretty well b/c the parents are often doing something ridiculous to make them smile.

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Again, mom and dad doing something out of control funny.  How cute is this?

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I love getting pix of hte parents b/c it’s usually been years since they have had their portraits taken together.

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One of the things the amazing Aussie Photographer, David Williams, taught me last year in his workshop is the importance of RELATIONSHIPS between parents and children.  I try to find those moments too.  It shouldn’t always be about the kids but mom and dad with the children.

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by Julia

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July 3, 2009 - 8:39 am Sally - Beautiful captures. I love them all.

July 3, 2009 - 10:32 pm Sonya Sukalski - Wow! These are wonderful. How do we get some copies? I am Dare's sister-in-law, not a stalker.

DC Photographer Shootout

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Posted in Uncategorized

Yesterday I had a ‘play’ day with many of my great photographer-friends from the Baltimore area/DC/Richmond area while meeting some new photographers from the region as well!  This was the first official “DC Photographer Shootout” where a number of photographers (in this case about 47) get together and break out into smaller groups for some ‘learnin’ and afterwards some chow and networking.  A group of us were at my house from noon until about 3 hanging out and watching the models get their makeup done by the amazing Crystal Jo — who happens to be the sister of another friend/photographer (an my roomie in Vegas last Februray for WPPI), Shelby Martin.  Then we hit Old town for a few hours of instructions by some seasoned pros followed by dinner at Overwood.  The fun and fabulous Noah Hayes shot continuously on his D3 for this amazing stop-motion slideshow after teaching about off-camera lighting with my other great friend, Kimberly Brooke Green.   And again, this is done on a D3 CAMERA - not video.  It’s truly amazing.

Props to the other instructors/friends:  Armin deFiesta who taught panning/tracking and Asim Soofi who discussed the importance of relationships and building trust among our clients.

Click on this link below to see the slideshow….a total of 2700 images.

Noah’s DC Photog Shootout slideshow.

by Julia

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Brothers | Northern VA Children’s Photographer

Monday, June 29, 2009 Posted in babies

Another fun sibling session!  Little Jack came to me last year when he was 18 months old and his mama was prego with #2.  She wanted to get some high key shots of them as she had done this with little Jack when he was the same age as his new brother, Owen by someone else (not me).  I am always cautious about promising good shots of siblings in-studio when they are this age but I had better luck than expected.    It wasn’t long before Jack was movin’ and shakin’ but I snapped away and very swiftly!!  I don’t normally accept shooting toddlers in-studio b/c I lack space and assistants to help with children.  But got it done.  They are gorgeous children!

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by Julia

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July 1, 2009 - 11:27 pm Erin - Nicely Done!

Family Fun

Friday, June 26, 2009 Posted in personal

Just wanted to post some images of my crazy boys.  Jack took the week off work and packed in a ton of fun activites this week now that Jackson finished up school too.  From making “slimy snot” from a science kit last weekend to bike rides along the GW parkway, to seeing the movie UP (tear jerker!), working a lemonade stand, mini golf and the golf range, spending the afternoon at a local water park, going to our pool and doing pizza night…..he has been awesome this week with planning and keeping them busy!  In addition, Jackson took tennis lessons this week in the mornings while Harry was in a Nature Camp (and was able to bring home a kitten one night).

Here is a bit of what they have been up to….

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Mini Golf at Top Golf in Alexandria. I never let my kids win - still competitive when it comes to sports, or quasi-sports!

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Harry took tennis for the first time last week as well.  It’s so cute at this age!

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Warm days means “no mercy” with the hose.

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This is “CC” who came home from Tauxemont Nature Camp for a night.  If you have a child 3-6 in Alexandria, you must do this camp!  We have done it for 6 summers and I was even a counselor there when I was 16!

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Harry has such a hard time NOT owning a kitty.  Jack and Jackson are HIGHLY allergic and the 24 hours we have the cat are misery for everyone but Harry.

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A successful lemonade stand thanks to great neighbors — they earned $12!  We’ll do it again soon.

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by Julia

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Alison & Jeremy | Married! | Northern VA Wedding Photographer

Monday, June 22, 2009 Posted in weddings

This day was a day of COLOR.   When editing Alison and Jeremy’s wedding images, I see bursts of color and amazing details in everything.  From the table decor to the tulle on the balcony to her breathtaking dress by Oleg Cassini, gorgeous tiara, table settings and flowers, Alison took care of every last detail.  They even booked me 14 months before the wedding so they planned far out!  Their wedding and reception was held at the beautiful Rose Hill Manor in Leesburg, VA.  I had never shot there before but loved the venue primarily because each room was a different color and if you know me and my home, my rooms are similar — every room has a different mood elicited by color.  I think it’s so fun.  So it was eye candy to shoot there!   Alison’s make up and hair were gorgeous too and her bridesmaids wore striking red long dresses as well.  I had such a fun day.  Also, many thanks to my friend and colleague/2nd shooter Amanda Pagon for coming along!

Flowers done by Heaven on Earth, wedding planning & coordination by Wish Special Events and catering by Heidi Harrington at the amazing R&R Catering.

Here is their engagement session on the freezing 33 degree day in March!

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Look at these exquisite flowers!  pino02

Alison’s ‘choice’ shoes for the day.  YES!  All day!  Ugg slippers! pino03pino04pino05

Gorgeous tables!

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Table favorspino07

Yummy walls with a princess amidst!pino08pino09pino10

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Lively and HUGE wedding party.  Such fun.

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I watch mother+groom wedding dances carefully b/c I’ll have to do it myself ONE day — IF I let go of my boys.  Watching this gets me EVERY time.  And Jeremy and his mom have such a sweet relationship.

pino20Look who caught the bouquet!

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by Julia

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June 25, 2009 - 3:06 pm nelz - SO beautiful! ♥

June 25, 2009 - 7:21 pm Wedding DJ - Brian - If I didn't know any better I would say that's a new fisheye lense on that new D700 of yours?