Kellen & Ashley Maternity | #sincerelylizphoto

You may remember this sweet couple from their engagement session and wedding. I met up with them the morning of New Years Day, despite the rain (seriously, it always rains on their session days!) and we had a lot of fun just walking around and capturing this time in their life. I posted my favorite picture from their session at the top (totally out of order which messes with my perfectionism!!) because I want to talk about how stinking beautiful I think they are.

These two are truly best friends and such good people. Like - really good, quality, lovable people. They always find the good in others, they let go of the past, and don't do "drama." Together, they make a fantastic team. They go out of their way to make each other happy and they laugh together, a lot. I love being around them and I am so excited that they are procreating and on their way to making more little Kellen and Ashley's! This world needs more people like them. I say that genuinely. We need more people like them!

I'm honored and grateful that they continue to hire me to capture such special times in their lives. Okay, enough of my chatter. Here they are…!

Equipment used for this session:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 50mm f/1.2 lens // canon 70-200 f/2.8 lens

—————–

Liz Cook is the owner and photographer of sincerely, liz: photography. She is a virginia wedding photographer and virginia portrait photographer who loves virginia weddings, family portrait sessions and couple photography.

To see more of Liz’s work, check out her latest work as well as some of her favorite weddings. To hire Liz, simply fill out this form.

Gratituesday: The anticipation is behind me

This week, I am grateful that the anticipation of my sister and her family moving halfway across the country is finally behind me. They have made the move. The ugly grey cloud that hovered over me has now moved on and things aren't so bad. I'm going to be honest. Their impending move felt like preparing for a deployment. Only it was worse because they won't be moving back in a year. Nor will it be the highlight of their days to Skype with me. Instead they will start a new life in a new area with new important people. They are happy and excited. And in true Liz (middle child) fashion, I was totally pouting.

When I think of life here without them I feel anxious and depressed. Those kids... their whole family... they are a light in my world. A big one. My sister's home... with acres of land surrounding it, no internet access and the living room view of solitude... It was a vacation home for me. Peace lives with them. And it goes where they go.

I guess it's time I work on creating my own peace to carry with me, eh?

In trying to think about the positives of the whole situation, I am reminded that there's always skype. And how amazing will it be to visit Colorado?! Plus, my sister will still be home to shoot every wedding with me. And since she will be living so far away, I expect our time together to be of higher quality since we will make the most of our time together versus our quick chit chat now between the busyness of our lives.

I used to love change. But the older I get and the more settled I become, change is proving to be challenging. Maybe it's the mama in me. Sunday needs routine and familiarity and maybe her needs are growing on me. I'm afraid of how things will be different with my sister's family, but maybe, somehow, this will be better for us, too.

In any case - I am so glad the anticipation and anxiety is behind me and we have stepped into this new chapter. The grey cloud is gone and so far, everything is just fine.

On January 1st, our last day together as a family before they moved, we all stuck out the frigid temperatures and took some family portraits. I will cherish these pictures for years to come. I love all the pink noses that depict how chilly it was…!

Equipment used for this session:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 50mm f/1.2 lens // vivitar universal wireless remote // vista explorer lightweight tripod

—————–

Liz Cook is the owner and photographer of sincerely, liz: photography. She is a virginia wedding photographer and virginia portrait photographer who loves virginia weddings, family portrait sessions and couple photography.

To see more of Liz’s work, check out her latest work as well as some of her favorite weddings. To hire Liz, simply fill out this form.

kellen & ashley | fredericksburg engagement photographer

This is one of my favorite sessions from my session-marathon back in October. During that time, I had 17 sessions and two weddings all within 14 days. It was crazy... but crazy fun! These two finished off my two weeks of traveling with a fun-filled session. The rain had been threatening us all day so once again I had clients preparing for a session in the rain. And once again... the rain gave us a little break and even allowed a bit of sunshine in on this session. I was so grateful! I love the emotions captured in these pictures. Kellen & Ashley are So in love and have such great chemistry! I am super excited to photograph their wedding day next fall!

This Little Man | Fredericksburg Portrait Photographer

He has the cutest dimples

And the most charming smile.

He is the most laid-back child I have ever met.

He really only ever wants one thing:

To be held and cuddled each and every day.

He loves his momma

and trucks.

He is a loved little man.

The cutest, most loved little man on Downstream Court.

Sneak Peek: Miss Addison | Fredericksburg Baby Photographer

Ahhh what an easy model Miss Addison was! As always, I had a great time with her family and capturing her personality at this stage of her life. She just smiled away and gave me lots of fun expressions to photograph. I giggle as I go through her pictures from her session - you can just see her joy and innocence beaming through her smiles! Here are a few of my favorite photos to hold mom and dad over while I finish up the rest.

look at this face!! makes me laugh every time! haha :)