Happy Birthday Isabella!

At the end of February I had the opportunity to visit my best friend since high school, Marie, her husband Mark and their daughter Isabella. I flew out to Washington D.C. to visit as Isabella was turning one! I can't believe it has already been a year since she was born - where has the time really gone? I have known Marie for over half of our lives now, and Isabella feels like my niece, not just a friend's baby. Even though we live half way across the country from each other, through some finagling I had the opportunities to also do Isabella's newborn and six month portraits. After doing both of those, it only seemed right that I finish the series so I flew out for a weekend of photographs and birthday celebrations.

We had to capture Isabella's first cake experience:



She actually seemed to have more fun trying to eat it with her feet:



During the weekend we took a stroll through downtown Old Town Alexandria to capture some family photographs as well. I loved the cobblestone streets with their interesting texture:





The brick in the area provided great backdrops for my beautiful friends as well.








We even got Mark in some of these photos - he had managed to escape me in the past two sessions.






Last, we took a couple of just Marie and Mark in this neat little corridor. What a darn good looking couple!



Marie and Mark, thank you again for having me out for the weekend. It is always such a treat to visit you. I can't wait to see you again!

The St. Denis Portraits and KC Art Museum

While in Kansas City I took a few portraits of our friends, the St. Denis family. It was the first time we met five month old Victoria, who, as Brian and Jan pointed out, is the cutest little crier ever. When she gets upset, she cries through her nose with her mouth shut - it is really quiet and almost like she is humming. When she is happy she is pretty darn adorable too!







A couple of Janice and Victoria together:




And finally, a couple of Brian and Victoria:




One of these visits we will do a real portrait session and get some of the family all together, too!

One of the days we were in Kansas City we also decided to visit the KC Art Museum. I must admit, I took only one picture the entire time. This one of our group:


My husband Joe, for those that don't know, is the guy in the middle with the black shirt on.

But Joe (who is also my second shooter at weddings) took some wonderful photos that I thought I would share. Here is his work:

The Zainy Twins

Zainy - what a great last name!!

Laila and Kai Zainy are the twin babies of Jolene and Heider. Jolene is truly one of the kindest people on earth and Heider can crack anyone up! Honestly, just a fantastic family. Jolene asked me to photograph the twins in early November (yes, I'm still playing blog catch up), when they were about six months old to get some photos for Christmas cards. I happily obliged her.

Laila and Kai are really just adorable. It was still nice weather out, even though it was November 9th, so we took a few outside first.





For some reason, Kai just loved the taste of his mittens.



Laila just played as cute as a button.



We then headed inside to take a few of the twins.




A couple of Kai - I can tell he is going to be devilishly handsome as he grows up, just like his Dad.




And a couple of Laila - who I know will be beautiful just like her Mom. I bet she is breaking hearts already with that smile.




Last, one photo of the family.


Thanks again Zainy family for having me spend the afternoon with all of you!