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!

BABIES!!!!!!!

A few months ago, you may remember my post about the maternity session I had with an old friend, Julie.  Baby Kaylynn is now five weeks old!  I was delighted when Julie called and asked if I'd come over and photograph the little munchkin :)  Julie's best friend, Nicole, had a baby boy a couple weeks earlier, so we invited little Cam to the session as well.  I am an "on location" photographer, so I mostly have sessions at the beach, park etc, but it's always extra special, and extra personal when I'm invited to do a session in a client's home.  There's nothing better than a portrait done in the comfort of your own home.  Here are a few of my fav's from the session:  (note:  purple/pink logo=Kaylynn, blue logo=Cameron)

She was bright-eyed when I first arrived!

Then baby girl got a little fussy and fell asleep with Mommy's touch :)

As soon as I entered the nursery and noticed the deep window's I knew I had to get this shot!

Julie claims she's never slept so sound!

Then Daddy got home!  Just look how tiny she is in his hands!

Grandma (Matt's mom) dropped by during our session and I snapped a few candid moments with her, but this one is my favorite...it just makes me smile.

Poor little Cam fell asleep while waiting for his turn!  I used the deep window again with him, but turned most of his portraits black and white since we were using Kaylynn's bright pink and yellow nursery.  (I think he'll appreciate it later ;)

He moved in his sleep and we all darted to catch him, but it was only his chubby little arm that fell!  He's so adorable!!!

Good morning, bright eyes!  Hahaha, the poor little guy woke up to my giant lens in his face!  But just look at those gorgeous eyes I caught on camera!  Beautiful boy!

updates, updates :)

I have finally finished editing Brittney and Zander's engagement session and am excited to show off just a couple of my fav's =)  I was tempted to blog them ALL!   What can I say--they're total hotties ;)

Here's one more from the steamy library ;)

...a sweet moment on a city bench.

Zander is a photographer for the military, so he has an eye for detail as well!  We just couldn't get enough of all the 'hidden treasures' of Norfolk, so when Zander saw this set of doors, he pulled Brittney over to them and they had a moment!  No posing for them, they're naturals.

I love Zander's eyes and dark lashes!  So striking!

While playing with my camera settings before our session, I accidently snapped a photo of these news stands, "poof" that's where this idea stemmed from!

The day was a blast!  Of course we couldn't end our shoot without a photo with one of the infamous mermaid statues that are scattered throughout the city!  Thanks Brittney and Zander, I know your wedding day will be filled with laughter, passion, romance and the sweetest simple details.

And as promised here is part two of Charles and Karen's session...

Glenn (my hubby and partner) had this idea of Charles and Karen playing 'hide and seek' in the bamboo.  It was cute and we all had a good laugh while they were attempting, plus I got this really cool shot of Karen 'hiding'.  hehehee

Aw, he found her!

These two are so in love.  This makes me melt like chocolate (yumm-O)!

Okay, I must admit that with this photograph I could not pick just one fav. from this series....I am totally in love with every shot by the yellow flowers...please do your eyes a favor and check them all out in the gallery ;)

Ah, a little edge to shake things up a bit =)

This photo makes me *blush* -- but I got exactly what I was going for...a little 'edge'! Brittany and Zander are newly engaged and have set a date for January 2009. When we initially booked the engagement session, Brittany had her mind set on the Botanical Gardens. Yes, the gardens are gorgeous but I had more of a 'kicked up' session in mind ;) Once the city of Norfolk was mentioned she was game! She and Zander really knocked my socks off...I think they are "America's Next Top Model: The Couple"!!! Seriously, these two were naturals and made my job pure heaven. Glenn, my hubby and partner in crime, came with me to take a few shots and be an extra pair of eyes for ideas around the city. I found the Library, he came up with the idea for the photo! We make a great team ;) (Gosh, I really do like those smiley faces, don't I?!)

My favorite photographers, Jessica Claire and [B]ecker, never cease to awe me with their brightly colored backdrops, relaxed sessions and pure emotional "UMPH".  [B]ecker often says, "I'd rather apologize than ask permission".  As we went so boldly into that library scattered with security cameras, that's what gave me strength to just go for it.  I thought for sure we'd be booted out, and most likely would have been turned away after asking permission, so I told Brittany and Zander to go for it and I'd snap away.  Before getting kicked out, I'd for sure get that lucky shot.  Fortunately, I'm pretty sure everyone in the library knew what we were doing but everyone was super cool and never said a thing.  We stayed quiet and hidden, so I think that they let us just 'do our thing'.  I was ready to break out of my comfort zone and go BOLD (maybe mimick some of Jessica and [B]ecker's flare). Proudly, I think I achieved that =)  Before today, never would I have imagined me doing something so baaaaaaaaad to the bone!  haha!   MORE to come!

Maymont Engagements with Charles and Karen...possibly the coolest couple EVER ;)

Charles and Karen have set their wedding date for August 2009, and BOY am I excited! They are such a fun couple that have a hard time taking a bad picture ;) I have edited more than usual for an engagement session and still have many more to go! Like I said, I'm not done editing yet but I just couldn't wait for you to see! Enjoy!

meet Karen and Charles:

rawr!

hahaha! Karen, don't be camera shy!

Isn't she angelic?! The camera loves her!

I highly recommend Maymont park for pictures...gorgeous!

This photo is one of my fav's so far...the lighting is pure magic.

Part two still to come!