Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Engagement

On a recent rather hot and humid afternoon, an amazing couple braved the weather and met me at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for an engagement shoot.  I’d never been to the gardens before and if you haven’t gone, finish reading this post, and you’ll have to go!  It is a beautiful treasure tucked in Anacostia with many ponds filled with aquatic plants and wildlife.  Just in the short time I visited, I saw fish, tadpoles, frogs, turtles, a raccoon, a heron, and dragonflies!  I highly suggest going when it’s just a tad bit cooler than the typical DC summer heat, as the friendly Park Ranger told me the flowers open more.  Jessica and John are a couple filled with laughter.  For the entire shoot, John somehow kept Jessica smiling and laughing throughout the heat.  The love they share for one another is certainly evident within the photographs.  They plan to get married in August and I am thrilled to be photographing their special day, so be sure to check back mid-august for that blog entry!  Otherwise, relax, take a glimpse at our day, and get out to the aquatic gardens when you have a chance!

 

A Green Space within the City

I had the amazing opportunity to do a family portrait session for an adorable family.   In brainstorming locations, Mom suggested the Rosedale Conservancy which is a tucked away area within DC, that is supposed to be quite, sunny, and green(we all know, green space is hard to find living in such a metropolitan area!).  I wasn’t quite sure I had heard of the conservancy before so I got on Google and began to search and right there it was nestled into a neighborhood in Northwest DC.  We met on a very sunny Sunday morning, and to my surprise the conservancy was empty, and had plenty of parking to spare! Mom, Dad, and two precious kids loaded out of their car and the fun began.  We explored through the beautiful green space, and I must admit, those two kids were sometimes hard to catch on camera!  I’ve never seen so much energy and excitement to run up and down the grassy hills, play in the huge weeping willow, and explore the huge roots of trees.  It was a time, in such a beautiful space and with such a photogenic and kind family.  Take a look through the lens, these precious faces will certainly put a smile on your face.

Retirement Celebration

My mom has been a teacher for over thirty years.  It’s been a long haul and a journey that my sister, father and I have traveled with her.  Between checking papers, calling out scores, entering scores into the grade book, and making the “OMG it’s Mrs. Foy’s daughter!” appearance at her annual good work ticket party, I can only say yes at times it was annoying and boring, but looking back, I wouldn’t change it for the world.  I mean, really, the answers you see students write on some of those tests!  Then there’s the constant questioning when her students see you for the first time, “did you really not get to watch TV on week days?!” “which daughter are you?”, and then many more questions that never cease to entertain.  It’s been a whirlwind and I must say, I greatly appreciate my Mother for telling me “I will not help you with your college education if you intend to be a classroom teacher.” so I responded “how about an art teacher?” and she said “well, okay, that’s not too bad.  No standardized tests, no intense grading papers, okay that’ll be just fine”.  Both my sister and I work with children and greatly enjoy inspiring, and giving youth experiences and power of expression that they may not have had otherwise.  I’d like to think all those years of sitting around my many younger cousins, and watching my Mom in her classroom(where she made us go after middle school every afternoon, ugh, BORING!) that my sister and gained this love and passion for educating and working with kids.

On May 15th, over 75 close friends, family, and staff gathered at a local restaurant to celebrate her retirement.  She knew some people who were attending but many were a surprise including her childhood friend who she grew up with in Hancock, MD.  She had friends from the first years of teaching up through the newest members of her current school.  Below are some pictures of just a few of the many guests, smiles, and laughter that filled the celebration.

Introducing: Baby Samuel!

I got up early one recent Sunday morning to spend some time with three month old Samuel, and proud parents Becky and Joe. I was introduced to the family through a mutual friend, who at brunch one day said  “my friend Becky has the cutest little baby!” and I jumped on the opportunity and responded “Does she need family portraits taken?! Would she let me do it?!”.  Well, two weeks later I found myself sitting at Starbucks with Becky, Joe, and adorable Samuel.   Becky and Joe hesitantly told me when we first met to discuss their hopes and dreams for the session that Samuel was happiest at around 7:30 in the morning.  Now, I understood their hesitation because usually, teachers enjoy sleeping in and sipping their morning coffee in silence on the weekend (Becky knows this, she’s a teacher too) but how could I pass up the opportunity to capture the family at Samuel’s happiest time?!  So I drove over, and they couldn’t have been more right, he was full of smiles, and even a little bit of talking here and there.  Take a peek through the lens at my morning with this adorable family.

 

As you can see, it was an amazing day full of giggles, smiles, and even the dog behaved for photos!  What an amazing family!  Thanks so much Becky, Joe, and Little Samuel!