It’s been a wonderful 3 months since our newest baby made her entrance. She is healthy, glowy, sweet and ultra-kissable. I just wanted to drop a line from the front line because there’s no sign of my maternity leave ending real soon. The transition to Austin has taken much longer than expected. Everything seems to be humming along smoothly at this point but it will be awhile yet before this rider is truly back in the saddle. Until then, thanks for your patience…I’m still out there!

The national city guide website  GoCityKids has crowned me Austin’s Best Family Photographer for 2009!

http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/parents-picks/austin-tx-usa/best-places-austin

Check me out! I’ve been nominated for Best Family Photographer in Nickelodeon’s Parents’ Picks Awards! I need your help to win! You can vote for me once a day, every day, from now until July 15 at http://gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/parents-picks/austin-tx-usa/best-austin-family-photographer. Thanks for your support!

For some official sounding wedding advice from your favorite photographer (that’s me) check out my sage words of wisdom in this recent article, “Five Myths about Wedding Photography.”

http://www.ispwp.com/five-myths-about-wedding-photography.html

Check out these two winning images that placed in the International Society of Wedding Photographers contest! To link directly to all winning images for this contest: http://www.ispwp.com/contests/ispwp-wedding-photo-contest-winners-winter-2008

It’s been toooo long since I’ve updated my beloved blog! The move from the east coast to Austin has been very long and arduous. I actually can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but believe you me, it’s still not a very bright light.

In the meanwhile a few of my wedding images placed in the top ten in an international competition and I was nominated by Nickolodeon for the Parents’ Picks Awards as the Best Family Photographer.

As some of you know, I’m unofficially on maternity leave. Or maybe officially? I’m in the final stretch of pregnancy. For all of my future Austin clients, I’ll be available beginning in the fall of 2009. For all of my previous clients, if you need anything give me a shout. Turnaround is slower but have no fear.

This year’s holiday session was held at my good friend’s office space on Capitol Hill. It worked out perfectly!

Laura & Ed were married one year ago on a fabulous island. However, they forgot to fly me in to shoot it and the pictures didn’t turn out well. So, they wanted to do an after the wedding session to make up for it. Ed’s attire was beachy and it’s freezing out nowadays so he wore a suit. Laura braved the frigid weather like a champ in her sleeveless dress. We were at Brookside Garden on a Sunday. Note to self – note to all – don’t go there on a Sunday! This was the most challenging session ever because there were people  everywhere! Like Disneyland style everywhere. It was outrageous. But we got through it and the results were great.

Heather and Mark were married a few weekends ago at Mount Vernon Inn. The weather report predicted rain, but we skated by without spotting any of the stuff. The fall foliage was stunning – totally in full color that weekend and just breathtaking. The ceremony was at night and matched with the old fashioned setting, really set a mood. The reception was an affair of the children who all had a really good time dancing all night long. Oh, and they had the best DJ ever – John Paul Berry at Absolute Entertainment. Seriously, people, this guy knows his stuff. He travels the world in search of local, new music and his depth of knowledge on every type of music is amazing. I had fun picking his brain and listening to his travel stories. He goes somewhere fabulous every year and picks up new music. I want to be him!

This family session was of an established client – with the most beautiful girls ever. It was gorgeous out – the week before we lost all the foliage completely. I loved the brown dresses – they were absolutely perfect.

Since September I have been in the weeds. This month I haven’t been able to even keep up with blogging. So, today I’m going to rock out and get all the work I’ve done this month of November up on the blog. Ready, set, go…This session was a family portrait out in McLean, VA.

Recently I was accepted into the group www.ispwp.com (International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers). This organization has a selective application process and I was happy to get in. I entered my first contest with them shortly after joining and the results are in! I’m number five overall in this international competition. I received 3 first place placements – so exciting! Here is the link to the contest page: http://www.ispwp.com/contests/ispwp-fall-2008-photo-contest

Dana & Jeff were married at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, VA. I came to know them through my good friend’s Lori and Eric back from the Texas days. Eric is Dana’s sister. So, I knew I’d love this group – and I did. For me, the most memorable part of the evening was the off-the-hook musical talent. Jeff plays the bass guitar and as Lori told me yesterday Dana is a major music fan. (Me, too!) A chill affair, laid back couple, friends in attendance – and a great second photographer, Mark – all made for a marvelous evening. Congrats to Dana & Jeff!

So I was out in McLean, VA photographing this family a few days ago - grandparents, siblings, grandchildren – we packed a lot in from a group portrait down to a newborn session and everything in between. Another beautiful, fall session!

I spent the most lovely afternoon in Georgetown a few days ago with this gorgeous family. The weather was perfect and Georgetown perfectly picturesque. It was a relaxed, fall session with a super nice, laid back family. Good times!

Erika & Jonathan were married this Saturday at Hollin Hall in Alexandria, VA. The most memorable aspect of this wedding, for me, was the incredible warmth radiating not just from this stunning, sweet couple, but also that of everyone in attendance – the bridal party, the guests, everyone! The weather was perfect, the garden ceremony enchanting and the evening filled with perfect music. Congratulations to the most lovely couple ever!

It is with privilege and excitement that I am posting today’s wedding. This weekend my friends Susannah and Ed were married at The Meridian House in downtown Washington, D.C., which I had the honor of photographing. We met beforehand for an adventurous experience at the Jefferson Memorial. I have gotten to know Susannah and Ed over the past year or so and over that time have become fast friends. Susannah is a warm, hilarious, no-nonsense Brit and Ed deeply kind with a healthy dose of silly. They both have a fiery passion for life and each other. They are so dear to me indeed! Congratulations to the wonderful parents of the amazing JJ, my dear friends and an awesome couple!

I just realized that I made the top 50 photographers of the year (I’m number 41) in the www.agwpja.com for 2007. Now, I realize it’s SEPTEMBER of 2008 right now, so I’m a little late in the game to have noticed, right! Nonetheless, I’m still super enthused to realize I’m among a group of photographers whose work I very much admire. Top 50 – in the world! That’s, like, crazy, man.

http://www.agwpja.com/contest-top-photographers.php

Stacey and Peter were married at Dumbarton House in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The wedding was a smooth ride and went off without a hitch. It was just a pleasant, beautiful wedding day with great, nice people. I didn’t notice until I popped out of the reception after nightfall that it was a full moon. Love in the air, a full moon, in the city, photographing sweet people and at a charming venue. I wish Stacey and Peter a life together as peaceful as their wedding night.

Bouquet tossing Olympic event…

The garter is *almost* in his hand. Awesome!

 My favorite picture of the night! I feel sorry for this waiter, but this is too funny!

Jennifer & Jason were married this past Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church near Baltimore and then went on to their reception at Hunt Valley Inn. The weather was dramatic due to Hurricane Hannah. There was sideways rain, downpour rain, shifting rain and sprinkling rain. The day ran a tad behind (really, a miracle, considering) but that meant we didn’t have time for pictures at the church – our only hiccup. The bride was one of those picture perfect brides. I heard one guest saying, “She could do this every day…” Jennifer glowed from the inside and out – the hurricane wind and rain didn’t seem to phase her at all. It was ear to ear grinning and happiness all day – such a sweetheart! Congratulations to Jennifer & Jason!