Some of you may have seen on Facebook or Instagram that I just got a film camera. You may have wondered why – I know I certainly did when I first realized how many photographers still shoot film. Why shoot film when digital is so much better? Well, because of this. And this.  And….this. Basically, […]

I have spent the last few days putting together the slideshow for baby Fei’s birth, and as I’ve selected the images to tell the story, I have found myself in awe over this amazing mama and beautiful birth. Despite taking place while Hurricane Sandy raged outside, it was such a peaceful and gentle birth. There […]

I got to step outside the world of birth and babies on Saturday to photograph this lovely family at Meadowlark Gardens. The weather was perfect, the fall colors were amAZing, and we had so much fun. Due to various circumstances our session was only half an hour, but it didn’t even matter…we got a ton […]

Pregnancy is hard, there’s no two ways about it. Even an “easy” pregnancy isn’t easy. From nausea to heartburn, insomnia to back pain, building a new person is not for the faint of heart. But every time I see a pregnant woman I think “beautiful.” I love imagining baby snuggled up inside the round belly, […]

At a client meeting yesterday, I was asked what I am looking for when I shoot a birth. It wasn’t something I’d ever put into words before, and I don’t even remember what answer I stammered out in the moment. I thought about it the whole way home, though, and I’m so glad she asked […]

Less than two weeks after her birth, I got the opportunity to hang out with baby Nathalie, her parents, and her big brother at their beautiful home. Nathalie was very awake, not wanting to miss a moment of her photoshoot. She was also very, very into nursing the whole time – as most newborn babies […]

a week ago, a baby girl was born. she came swift, and mama made it look easy. making a boy a brother, a loving mama and papa parents again. here is her story.   to see more of nathalie’s story and photos, click here.

I’m waiting for a mama to go into labor, so I can tell her birth story. So today I filled up the waiting today: A visit with my best friend, in town from California (including a drive through Northern Virginia countryside.) I made the bed. This is a momentous occasion, people. An impromptu photoshoot with […]

I have absolutely LOVED chronicling the journey of Aaron and Karen and their sweet baby boy. Not only are they super cool people and amAZingly photogenic, their baby could win prizes for cuteness. He has the most awesome head of red hair, and an incredibly expressive face for one so young (he reminds me of […]

One of the best parts about being a birth photographer is following the journey of a family from pregnancy, through birth, to welcoming the new babe into their arms. On Friday I got to hang out with Elden and his family – what a joy! I even got a little nostalgic thinking about how just […]

Quiet. Calm. Trusting. The flickering light of candles. Deep breaths. Support. Hurry up and wait. Hours and yet, Outside of time. Day passes into night, night into day. Discouragement. Prayer. Power. So much love. Swaying hips. Deep breaths. Tired. Overwhelm. Decision. Limits. A change: hospital. Help. Rest. Digging deep. Bringing baby out. It is over, yet just begun. Life. Joy. Peace. :: […]

I can’t. I am. I want to go away.  There is no place other than here, no time other than now. I am too tired.  I continue anyway. Surrender. Groaning, working, rejoicing. The hardest thing and the most wonderful thing. This is birth:: doing whatever is necessary to bring a new life into this world. […]

It took IVF to conceive her first baby, so little did she expect that eleven months later she’d find herself pregnant without even trying. Let me tell you…this kind of story brings SO.MUCH.JOY. Aga is a friend of mine from the violin world (she is a violinist, her husband Josh a cellist), and I am […]

Remember Annie, the mom-to-be with that most perfect belly I had the opportunity to photograph back in June? Well, the belly is no more – baby Eli is here! He “exploded into the world” in a fast 1.5 hours, just minutes after arriving at the hospital. I got the pleasure of meeting him just this […]

  Lots of love, laughter, smiles, hugs, and light – what a great way to spend an evening! I was thrilled to meet up with the Roberts family in Old Town Alexandria a few nights ago. The boys had both grown up so much since I first photographed them almost two years ago. I love […]

I just had a feeling when I saw Karen’s email signature – Spiritual Teacher, Storyteller, Life Enthusiast, Hands-On Bodyworker, Singer, Philosopher, Xenophile – that she would be adventurous enough to brave an early morning wake up call for some gorgeous light. (I’ve been jonesing to do a sunrise shoot for ages now, and let me tell you […]

I think almost every pregnant mama complains about feeling like a whale at the end of pregnancy. I remember feeling that way too – but when I see a woman just a few weeks away from giving birth, her belly swollen with new life, I am in awe of her beauty and vitality. Behind every […]

  I think sometimes that there is nothing more beautiful than a woman expecting a baby. This creating life thing – it’s hard. And yet there’s this way that the pregnant form just glows.  Pamm’s first baby is 17 months old, and she and her husband are already looking forward to baby #2 joining their […]