Julia’s Blogfest

Hope everyone has a safe and fun evening with their kids! We are off to see Coldplay after a quick trick or treat evening!

Check out little blondie here. Isn’t he gorgeous!? Along with his beautiful mom and dad. The more I stared at him thru my lens, the more I was mesmerized by his fabulous hair and gorgeous lips and eyes. He was on the go and I just followed him for a good hour in the wonderful sunshine — I was in a location I don’t frequent so I had to adapt to the lighting but managed to score some sweet shots of him.

This is my favorite of the bunch. His mouth reminds me SO much of my sweet Jackson’s lips!

I’m so glad they brought their sweet pup-pup! I have done a lot of doggie photos this fall! Always love that opportunity! They are family after all!

So proud. As much as I try to push the photography and visual bug, my 8 year old, Jackson, is definitely like his dad and gifted with music. He has been writing his own little compositions for at least a year now. He writes something each year for a national PTA sponsored program called “Reflections”. Each year there is a different theme and children can submit works of art in dance choreography, photography, literature, video production, music composition, and a couple others. This year the theme is “WOW”!! He did well last year placing 2nd in Fairfax County for K-2 in Music. This year he will be in the 3-5 grade category so we realize as a 3rd grader he will have more mature and tougher competition! In any event, wanted to share what he wrote and will submit. Please share your thoughts. He is also submitting 3 images that he took this summer for the photography component. The rules are that parents cannot alter the works in any way so these are purely his! Jack recorded his music, naturally, but that’s it! Jackson is in his 2nd year of piano lessons and also learning the Viola at school since Ft. Hunt is a CETA school (Cirriculum Enrichment Through the Arts). How cool is that? Free Viola lessons!

Please click on this link to hear it!

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and his images for submission. Of course he used my D300 but I did NOT modify or alter these images. I put the camera in P mode and let him decide how to shoot it. The one of the flow-y lights is actually an accident when I was trying to get him to take photos of fireworks!! I think it’s cool enough for a WOW factor!

I thought I posted these photos but just realized I did not. This was one fun wedding. Brain and Kari were married on October 4 at White Hall Manor which is becoming one of my favorite venues for many reasons — despite being a hike from my house! I had a ball at this wedding and a lot of it is because these two were so sweet to me and all their friends and wedding party were equally joyous to be around. Not to mention the weather was ideal. Kari is a STUNNING bride and reminded me of Grace Kelly. She smiles so easily and exudes this warmth that is so wonderful to be around. Brian is dashing and equally wonderful. I really was blessed to be the photographer for these two amazing people.

Brian is a DJ with BK Productions or BK the DJ and naturally, he knew who he wanted to hire for the entertainment portion of the evening. Both Kari and Brian went to JMU ….and it’s so funny b/c I have had several JMU alums or even couples in the past year — it’s either a coincidence or b/c I should have followed my gut and gone there for college and they know I ‘could have been’ a JMU person (wink, wink). The only reason I didn’t apply was b/c I wanted to play NCAA field hockey and wasn’t a Div I player so I settled for Div II/III.

So for all your brides to be out there, be sure to check out Brian for your music needs! And wedding planning was done by the uber-organized Jamie Fisher of RSVP International.

How amazing are these flowers by Holly Chapple?

Kari chose the most amazing purple/eggplant flowers I have ever seen! The dresses were also quite amazing in color.

Brian and his guys surprised Kari by singing an arrangement of “Oh Sherie” by Steve Perry that was writting as “Oh, Kari” and it was hilarious. They were quite a hit!

It’s so refreshing to ‘mess around’ and paint with light! I had the magnificent mom-to-be, Claire, come in for her first baby’s maternity session this week. I have not edited the photos yet but have some favorites that I must show! It renewed my interest in these ‘belly sessions’ and I hope to do more this winter when environmental sessions are non-existent in this part of the country! Time flew — Claire was here nearly 2 hours and I had no idea! She was a superior subject and to think, days before, called me panicked — thinking she would cancel as she thought she was too big and unattractive for this type of session! HOGWASH! Kudos to you Claire for going for it!

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