20 month old Adrianna

Isn't she just a doll?!?!?! The day before Christmas eve I met Adrianna, her mommy and her great aunt Antonella for a last minute session. I arrived just before naptime, but Adrianna took my breath away with every shot, nonetheless! Here's a peak at one of my favorites....

so frustrated...grrrrr.

SO, my ad was flagged on craigslist :( bizarre. I was trying to give back?????? Any ideas?

Breakfast with Santa

This past Saturday I drove my family across the water to meet Santa for breakfast in Newport News.  We sang Christmas carols across the bridge, through the tunnel and all the way down the interstate.  The girls were wearing their Christmas pants and Chance was dressed like the jolly old man himself.  We were super excited!

For breakfast we shared stacks of warm pancakes, then enjoyed a wreath craft, cookie decorating, a story read by Santa and a gift from Santa's sack!  Chance lasted through the wreath craft...he won't miss that morning nap! hahaha

He was so adorable that we had the artist (hired for the party) draw him (isn't he awesome?!) - 

Dreama really enjoyed the book Santa read...

We ended our day with family time at my aunts house (decorated with EIGHT Christmas trees!)  The spirit of the season is definitely alive in my home and family.  Slow down and embrace every moment.  Life is beautiful. Love is beautiful. Family is beautiful.

Giving Is Awesome

It's true!  I posted an ad on craigslist and will be participating in the 'Giving Is Awesome' campaign.  It is a worldwide photography project where photographers can donate their time and art to families in need.  I will be accepting all nominations via e-mail and picking a winner (maybe two ;) by Christmas eve!  I am an 'on location' photographer, so portraits will be done at the winner's home, the beach, a local park, or their favorite place to spend family time - winner's choice.  

Here's a peak at my ad:

Photographer, Kristin Starcher, has joined in the holiday spirit, pledging $150 in complimentary custom portraits to a family who simply cannot afford them this holiday season.  She is taking part in a worldwide photographic effort, Giving is Awesome, to provide deserving individuals and families with cherished heirlooms. Premiere photographers from around the world are giving away over $203,000 worth of artwork, and welcome you to nominate a family who is incapable of paying for custom photography for Like A Dream Photography's prize.

For more information about Kristin Starcher or to nominate a local family, visit her blog and then e-mail your submission to likeadreamphotography@gmail.com.  To learn more about Giving is Awesome, or to nominate a family outside the region, visit givingisawesome.com.

Assisted Living

One of my best friend's mother is a manager for an assisted living facility and invited me to do 'glamour shots' for some of the residents.  Boy, was it a treat!  Most of them had great stories to tell and bubbly, almost childlike, personalities.  I can only hope I am as spunky and spirited in my old age!  Here are a few of my favorites from the day...

A meaningful moment from my day...

Last Monday evening the Cosmos (Dreama's soccer team) had their season-end party at the coach's pizza parlor. I had printed and framed each player an action shot of themselves from the season and Dreama was thrilled to pass them out. It was then that I noticed one player was missing, Jeffrey...my favorite photo of the season ;) Soon after, Carolyn, Jeffrey's mom, called Coach and emotionally said that their family had just been in a car accident, they would not be able to make it to the party and that everyone was okay. Relieved that everyone was fine, we carried on with our pizza, cookies and passing out of the medals.

It was Wednesday afternoon when I read the e-mail from Coach Renee stating that Carolyn Haber had suddenly passed away Tuesday morning due to an unknown reason. Tears fell from my eyes like never before. Did I know Carolyn beyond the field? No. But a photo I had taken during the season said so much about who she was - that I felt like I really knew her.  Immediately I wrote a note of sympathy and included the photo in an e-mail to the team.

Today was the funeral. Carolyn's husband stood tall and strong beside his three young sons, now without their mother. I can't even begin to imagine how their lives have changed and the loss they must feel. All I could offer was a hug to all four of them. Coach Renee showed up shortly after with the photo I had taken in a beautiful frame. She handed it to George and as tears poured from his eyes, he said, "That is Carolyn. Thank you." I just observed the moment...I wasn't in it, but just knowing that I froze that moment in time for his family...meant the world. I love my job. I freeze moments...and it's the simplest that seem to mean the most.

Carolyn and two of her boys on the sidelines during one of our games..........
You will be missed.

Obviously a favorite photo of mine....

For all of you that have visited my website, you may recall the first photo in my home page slideshow...a little baby girl sleeping in a man's arms. That photo was taken at Susan and Richard's wedding in August 2007. Her name is Claire. Sarah, Richard's sister and Claire's mother, contacted me via e-mail a few weeks ago in order to book a session. I was absolutely thrilled! There's nothing more rewarding as a photographer than loyal customers and referrals from customers. It had been over a year since I had last seen Claire and the family...I could not wait! ;) Besides, I was told that Susan and Richard would be there as well with their NEW BABY, Stella!

During the session, we read books, played peek-a-boo, ate pizza (yummy!), and just had a fantastic time. Thanks for welcoming me into your home!

Here's baby Claire THEN:



and here she is now (so cute!!!)


Here's her big sister, Kelly (isn't she gorgeous?!?!)



And let's not forget little Aaron (a little stud muffin!)



Here's Susan, Richard and their little bundle of joy! -


And last, but not least...here are all the little muchkins together.... (my fav. of the day!)


Thanks for a wonderful day! Dreama cannot wait to have a play date with Kelly!

meet the Miller's

Kevin, Jackie and Jackson had a session with me on the beach this summer and returned for a Christmas special.  I joke with Jackie, claiming I'm arranging a marriage between her cutey-pie, Jackson, and my Dreama....after they both complete med. school, of course! ;)  hahahaha

This is a beautiful family - they couldn't make my job any easier!  We met at the Chesapeake Arboretum for our session...

i love this moment!

Isn't he a little stud muffin?!

That's right!  Jackson's going to be a big brother!!!!  Congratulations guys!

Mikyla, my youngest cousin.

A few years ago my cousin, Rhonda, asked me to do her maternity portraits.  I was honored - it being my first request from a family member (the ones hardest to convince you're a 'professional').   Anyway, this was my first session with Mikyla, post birth.  (I know?!?!?!  She's two now, what took me so long?! hahaha)   I drove to their new home in Newport News (congratulations guys!!!!) and spent the day snapping photos and visiting.  I had a great time and definitely wish we got together more often.  After all, they are family!  =)

Isn't she adorable?!

Photographing children in a place that's familiar to them is really the key to getting my shots!  They feel secure, relaxed and are quick to 'warm up' to the camera.  Mikyla was no exception.

Don't get me wrong, I LoVE smiles, but this photo just grabs me!  She's so photogenic!

Preston, 5 weeks old

Grace (our three year old) is enrolled in ballet.  A few weeks back, Glenn took her to practice and got to talking with Sharon...a new ballet mom with a 4 year old little girl and a newborn son.  Somehow they got to talking about portraits and he 'slipped in' that we were photographers ;)  The next week, Sharon e-mailed and I was at her house taking photos!   I was thrilled to meet them!  Jenna (her 4 year old) had a little bit of 'new big sister syndrome' but I think it added to the charm of the photos...she wanted to be included, and I don't blame her ;)  While little brother, Preston, filled his tummy, Jenna and I played princess, talked about the Backyardigans and even had time to sing a few songs and talk about all her neighbors and friends.  She truly is one of the sweetest little girls I've met (and I'm hoping to set up a playdate with my girls!)  Sharon claims that Preston usually sleeps most of the day away but for our session he decided to stay wide-eyed and bushy tailed all the way until the end of our session.  That was perfectly fine with me though- I loved those baby blues!!!!  =)

Mommy got peed on several times ;)  What a trooper!

Little Lexie

Meet Lexie...a vibrant, on-the-go three year old with a gorgeous smile.  I met her mom through myspace, so I had the privilege of seeing her before meeting her and knowing that she loves the Wiggles.  She started off a little camera shy, but I quickly warmed her up by playing peek-a-boo behind the lens and daring her "not to smile" (it works like a charm)!  This little girl can't take a bad photo, but here are a couple of my fav's:

Wooooooo who!  My husband is amazzzzzzzzing.  Our six year wedding anniversary is in about 2 more weeks and he surprised me with a brand new shootsac cover that I just fell in LoVe with!!!!!!!!!  Isn't is SMOKIN' HOT?!?!?!  I am so psyched about it!  I borrowed this photo from the shootsac website.  Google it!  I recommend it to all my photographer friends!  It's the BEST bag!  Loooooooooove it!  (Thanks Hunny!)

Woah, two sessions at once!

Sunday I planned on doing family photos for two different very good friends...two of my bests. They aren't really friends themselves, I'm just the commom denominator ;)

WELL, the Hunter family planned on being ready by 2:30 but with kids and naps...nothing ever goes as planned! hahaha Veronica and family were driving from Newport news to meet me by 3:30. Needless to say, Glenn grabbed a camera and I grabbed a camera while our children ran back and forth along the beach between shoots. We 'got 'er done'!  The evening couldn't have been more perfect...the temperature, the lighting......  And not to brag, but I think the photos are awesome. Thanks for 'rolling with it' guys!

Here are a couple...more to come!

November sunset....

Here's Veronica's crew (i love the colors she chose!)...

Benjamin (isn't he a stud?!):

Joe (little cutie pie!):

 and, The Hunter family:

my little love bug, Kyle (just look at that bright smile!)...

and here's Megan with her favorite boy =)

meet Tanisha & Brian...

Tanisha and Brian are referrals from my old friend, Cora. Any friends of hers are friends of mine! They've set their date for October 24,2009 and boy am I excited for their wedding!!!

We decided to meet at City Center in Virginia Beach...I had a vision of them surrounded by the chaos and movement of the city. Unfortunately, I wasn't thinking about the city being completely quiet on a SUNDAY! ah! Tanisha and Brian are a beautiful couple though...we could have been at a landfill and I could have gotten beautiful photos of them! They just radiate FUN and LoVe.

Here's one of my fav's...



Aren't they gorgeous?!

Rest In Peace*

The obituary reads...

"Nicole “Coley” Jackson
&
Hayden Tyler Jackson

Hayden and his mother “Coley” were escorted by their guardian angels from their earthly life into eternal life with their Heavenly Father on November 5th and 6th 2008. “Coley” was a very special woman, kind hearted, warm and loving and her family meant everything to her. She loved children and had a very special way with them. Her nieces and nephews were the light of her life, but the one thing that she wanted more than anything was to be a mother. The eight months that she carried Hayden were her happiest. “Coley” was a very active person; she loved to bowl, fish and shop but not necessarily in that order, she also loved animals, especially her dog, Brynn. “Coley” was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Betty Moon.

Left to cherish her memory is her mother, Sandra Moon; father, Donnie Jackson; brother, Nicklas Jackson; sisters, Bridget Weber, Britney Edwards and husband, Phillip and Jaclyn Miller and husband Kevin; maternal grandfather, Robert Moon; paternal grandparents, Elbert and Shirley Jackson; nieces and nephews, Natalie and Megan Weber, Isom and Talon Edwards and Jackson Miller; and her best friends, Kathleen, Lisa and Alicia.

A memorial service will be held for “Coley” and Hayden on November 13, 2008 in Rosewood Kellum Funeral Home with a visitation from 9 – 10 AM"




*I apologize, I am behind on editing. I took time out to edit photos and create a slideshow for Coley and Hayden's family. Please keep them in your prayers during this difficult time. Thank you.

The Starcher family's 2008 Christmas card (drumroll please...)

SO, I attempted to take a Christmas picture of all three of my munchkins sitting together, but let's just say that I couldn't salvage even one....the baby was crying or Grace was sticking out her tongue or Dreama was blinking-they weren't pretty ;) I decided to just take some individual snapshots and create a card with three separate pictures...I think it turned out beautifully! (And yes, Glenn is a paperboy seven nights a week. So I guess I'm in love with the paperboy! haha These cards were made for his route.)

Tim and Allie <3

Tim and Allie are getting married in June 2009 and I adore them. Glenn and I drove to Richmond for the afternoon to meet them and shoot their engagements at one of their favorite places to spend time and relax together- Belle Isle. The park was breath-taking (it didn't hurt that it's autumn and gorgeous reds, yellows and oranges are bursting from the horizon in every direction)! Afterwards, the couple treated us to lunch at one of Richmonds best 100 restaraunts...I think it may have been the best meal I've ever had! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! It truly was a treat!

Tim and Allie simply bring out the best in eachother...they just glow. I have no doubt that their love will last a lifetime. We first met a few months ago and I have anticipated this session ever since! The photo's are stunning. Here are a few of my favorite's so far...

I told them to think "Old Navy" ad...I think we achieved the look ;)

SUPER star!

I take my camera everywhere, so naturally I whip it out during every soccer game.  Today when uploading Saturdays photos, I couldn't help but notice that Dreama was in almost every shot and seemed to dominate the ball!  Watching the game through my lens gives me 'tunnel vision'.  I follow the ball with the camera and just snap away...cheering for whoever has the ball, but never really absorbing the moment until later when I have the images up on my computer screen.  I freeze moments, and that's what I love...I'm able to hold onto them forever.  Here are a few of my fav's:

Go Dreama!

...and to think I was never into watching soccer until we signed her up!

she's only four, but already plays so hard!

...and here's, Jeffrey, another of the several super stars on the team this year.  I love it!

Gooooooooooooo COSMOS!