Capturing Life's Moments - A Professional Photographer's Personal Opinion | Virginia Photographer
Virginia Photographer | Professional Photographer | Photographer Education
I’m pretty biased (duh), but I truly believe in the bottom of my heart photographs are essential in life. Whether it’s from a disposable camera, a cell phone or taking the time to hire a professional photographer, photographs are full of history and are treasures themselves.
In the last 12 years, I’ve had the privilege to photograph some extraordinary people through all kinds of journeys. While I have learned my heart sings when I am with a couple in their element, I recently discovered with my photography mentor, I’m drawn to creating a lifelong experience for my clients. Both as a destination photographer and a Virginia photographer, I want the chance to photograph a milestone and then choose to follow them through many more. Getting personal, my mom took pictures ALL the time when I was a kid (and she still does). She would cut our heads out of images, the composition was nonexistent and she would print all of them. That’s right… ALL. OF. THEM. My parents house is full of photo albums. But having those tangible moments hanging on their walls and sitting on bookshelves surrounds my family with memories. Pictures of me holding my brother when he came home from the hospital on a floral couch, grinning ear to ear. Pictures of us splashing in the pool to where you can practically hear our laughter captured. Family pictures on the beach. Their wedding photos. MY wedding photos. All snapshots of stories we don’t want to forget.
Often times, my clients rave that I truly show how much I love my career as a professional photographer not only because of my attitude, but because of my reaction after capturing something worth squealing over. But bringing it back to reality, memories last forever and sadly, the people we love and cherish so much do not. Each day is a gift from God and when the time comes to remember, I want to know there’s something to hold onto. No moment is too small to remember. That’s one of the reasons why I’m a huge advocate for taking the time to capture a moment.
Senior Portraits
An accomplishment everyone strives for. Whether its graduating from high school or college, senior portraits document a journey and well earned education! Senior portraits are full of personality, creativity but also poise. Fun fact, while I am mainly a Virginia photographer, I met this sweet girl in Cabo San Lucas and we decided to create some magic!
Proposals
The moment most girls wait for… the proposal. Before I got married, I too dreamed of the moment it would happen and I’m here to say, HIRE A PHOTOGRAPHER! This story is one of the most important of your marriage journey and having a proposal photographer to help document it is the best decision you can make! Men, take notes and ladies, tell your men!
Couples
Whether you’re enjoying the dating life, on cloud 9 during engagement or celebrating an anniversary, taking time to have photos of the two of you is vital. During my couple’s sessions, I love exploring new places and diving deep into activities you do together to recenter ourselves on what matters most, love. The in between moments you see with a couple are what light my soul on fire. The way he holds your waist. What featured do you look at first when you see at him. Capturing that magnetic bond you two share with one another.
Boudoir
Although these moments are probably not sitting publicly in a family photo album, this is an opportunity I offer to my brides exclusively. This not only provides a gift for their man on their wedding day, but is meant to empower any lady for any occasion. With a classic and sophisticated vision, these moments are to make the eye wonder and indulge in imagination.
Wedding / Elopement
It’s pretty obvious by now, but having your wedding photographed is not only normal but truly is a necessity! However, do not let budget get in your way of having a good photographer. This is the one area you truly need to budget for because as I mentioned earlier, memories last forever and sadly, the people we love and cherish so much do not. Your wedding day involves your favorite people and you want to make sure you have good lasting memories for your entire family and friends and not “what if” scenarios. Always always always hire a professional photographer to capture your wedding! When I first started out as an amateur photographer, I sought out a photographer mentor. Now, I am offering my own services as a photography mentor because we all start somewhere…. but a wedding is not the place to start. If you need a professional Virginia photographer or a destination photographer, cough cough…. I know one!
Gender Reveal
Gender reveals are becoming more and more popular and is definitely a moment worth capturing. Not all people want to hire a professional photographer to capture this particular moment in time and prefer to use a cell phone. However, the creativity some people have to announce their babies gender is pretty freaking incredible and I’m all for confetti guns, smoke bombs, smashing eggs filled with paint on your forehead and more!
Maternity
Honesty time, maternity portraits are one of my favorite moments to photograph. While it’s the end of being a couple, two hearts beating as one, it’s a new adventure into being a family. We’re back to centering ourselves on what matters most… love. When dive deep into full fledged emotion, knowing an incredible blessing is on it’s way!
Family
Families… celebrating that incredible blessing that finally arrived! Starting with newborns and following you up until senior portraits of your little ones, these are the moments you should stuff into photo albums and bring out at parties. Moments that capture their littleness, their missing teeth and their temperaments - yes, this Virginia photographer photographs it all. Because every moment is perfect in its own way!
1 on 1 / Headshots
For those who want photos professionally or personally but don’t want to celebrate an occasion or need a couple of images to represent themselves or radiate confidence, I photograph that as well! Indoors or outdoors, my goal with individuals is to embody their spirit. Wear your favorite outfit, bring your pup, dance in the glowing sunset… these 1 on 1 sessions are catered to YOU!
For those who are looking for more education, more experience or are on the fence about certain things in your photographer path, I encourage you to find a photography mentor. I currently am offering services as a professional photographer and would love to connect to help you branch into the brand you aspire to be!