Weekly Photo Project: February 2014

February was the first month where we had a full month of subjects for the Weekly Photo Project on Facebook, and I was glad that I was able to submit something for each week. Here's hoping I can keep that up! I really enjoyed the topics this week; they weren't things I would have chosen, so it made me need to get a little creative in my thinking.

Week 4: "Makes Me Happy." I think the picture pretty much speaks for itself! How could this not make you happy?!

Silliness in the Studio

Yesterday's post highlighted the sweet shots that I captured when I put the kids in front of the new backdrop in my studio. Here I show their silly side..I can't decide which I like better!

Sweetness in the Studio

In February I purchased a few new things for my studio, including a new backdrop that I'm really liking. I popped the kids down in front of it with some props, and captured the sweetness that followed.

Flower farm

Here's Part II of summer photos!
Back in December 2013 I posted photos that I took at Great Falls National Park, as I felt like with the cold weather and snow we could use some summery photos. As we're now even further into the depths of winter, I think these bright, beautiful flowers are just what is needed!

Summer zinnias

This weekend we had a glimpse of the upcoming spring, and then sadly it's being taken from us this week with more cold and possible snow! But maybe these lovely summer flowers will remind us of what's to come... 

These photos were taken in August 2013. My family and I spent the afternoon at a farm in Maryland, where there was a "pick your own zinnia" field. In these long, cold, snowy days of February, it's nice to remember that everything will be sprouting and blooming again soon!

Gettysburg in winter

Last month I spent the better part of two days in Gettysburg, PA doing an installation and training for a client (for my full time job). Upon leaving the first day to head back to Leesburg, the sun was setting as I drove past the battlefield. I'd not actually been through the battlefields in many, many years, and since it was pretty much deserted I thought this would be the ideal time. I didn't have my camera with me, but I think I put my iPhone to pretty good effect!

Portraits in the snow

Yesterday morning I took the kids out in the snow for some playtime in the falling snow. This time, I took my DSLR camera and used my rain shield for the first time to protect it. The shield worked beautifully, and I'm so glad to have these portraits of them enjoying the snow!

My daughter, the dancer

 About three weeks ago my daughter had her second dance recital with the Loudoun School of Ballet. On my personal blog, I've already posted photos I took at the dress rehearsal. When we arrived home after the recital, she of course didn't want to take off her costume, and we had some really nice light coming in through my living room window. So, I figured why not set up for a costume photo shoot? As she gets older, she gets better and better at listening when I tell her posing suggestions...maybe we've got a future model on our hands!

Korean figurines

I'm hoping to take a night off from the photo editing, as I anticipate being home for the next couple of days and should have lots of time to get some editing done! So, as I just finished paying bills, and I had this post all set to go, I thought tonight would be a nice night to share it.

Last month while I was doing my 30 day photo challenge, one of the subjects was "Close Up". I used some macro filters that my husband gave me last year, screwed onto my 70-300mm lens, to take a few photos of these adorable Korean figurines given to me by an old colleague who got them for me in Korea. So very cute!

Be My Valentine!

I'm not really a Valentine's Day girl - my husband and I don't do anything for the "holiday", and it's always seemed a little silly to me. However, I have to admit that I do love the color combinations (red, pink, and silver? bring it on!), and with having a girly-girl in my house I thought why not set up a shoot for Valentine's Day? I knew she'd be a fantastic model, and I wanted to try out the new backdrop that I purchased over the weekend. I could not be happier with the results!

 In fact, I'm running a Valentine's Day special - $50 for a 30 minute session, getting 10 photos of your little Valentines! Please contact me if you'd like to schedule a shoot this week.