Lizz, Richard, Bella and Natalie have been coming to me for family photo sessions since the very beginning of my photography journey and I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to document their lives. The girls are so full of life and joy that happiness fills anyone in their presence. The adoration that they have for their mom and dad is reflected right back to them; you can see the love in the whole family’s eyes.
We’ve done their family sessions everywhere from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, to the beach in Ocean City, to their home. This year, as we thought of possible locations, Lizz suggested Old Town, Alexandria. Lizz and I went to high school together (what feels like many years ago) in Alexandria, Virginia, and Old Town’s cobblestone streets and local shops and restaurants bring back many good memories. Lizz, Richard, Bella and Natalie live in Northern Virginia and so using this quintessential Northern Virginia town as their backdrop for this years photos was a wonderful idea.
Our session started on a rainy Sunday, but the weather cleared just in time for us to take advantage of the cloud covered skies. We started on Prince Street, using the colorful row homes of Captain’s Row to create some beautiful memories. Then I knew we had to wander to the waterfront public art installation, a temporary installation (go now! November 2022 is the last month!) that according to the City of Alexandria, Virginia website “captures public imagination in a celebration of friendship and camaraderie in the heart of Alexandria.” If you live in the D.C. area, you know that “Virginia is for Lovers” and this family truly exemplifies the spirit of this state, so while timing their photo session while this installation was there was purely serendipity, I cannot imagine having missed the opportunity to have taken their family photo in front of the colossal letters spelling out “I Love You”.
We took a walk down to the waterfront, where other families and friends were enjoying this beautiful Sunday evening. The water, the parks, the colorful restaurants provided plenty of beauty to observe as we walked along chatting and enjoying each others company. There are many parks in Old Town, and we strolled through Founders Park to peek at the greenery and beautiful flowers growing near the river.
We ended our session with a special treat for the girls at Pop’s Old Fashion Ice Cream Co, because there is truly no better way to end a session.
Keeping our sessions relaxed and fun means the world to me, and lets me capture your family’s personality and love just as you truly are. Lizz and Richard, thank you for continuing to choose me to document your family moments. Bella and Natalie, thank you for making me feel so special every time I see you! I could not ask for a better way to spend a Sunday evening and appreciate your friendship more than words can say.
