Will & Leisha | Fredericksburg Engagement Photographer

When I heard these two has gotten engaged, I was so giddy for them! Will is the brother to my college roommate, Sarah. I was in Sarah’s wedding last summer and I brought along the Snapshot Studio as a part of our gift for her wedding. That night, Will and Leisha became the subjects of some of my FAVORITE pictures ever taken in the Snapshot Studio. Seriously - look how adorable they are!!

So, when Sarah contacted me about their wedding I immediately jumped at the opportunity to get them in front of my lens! :) We got together about a week ago and they just turned up the cuteness while I snapped away. It was a chilly day, but the sun was shining and they were glowing in their love for one another. They are getting married so soon! This coming weekend, actually! The anticipation in the air reminded me of those last few months of my engagement to Tommy. There is nothing that gets me more excited for a couple than when I can see, feel, and truly understand the thoughts that are passing through their minds as they cuddle up to one another and recall the days, moments, and kisses that brought them to this day.

Breathtaking. And these two… they have it. That spark that takes your breath away. Love them. Love these pictures.

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Equipment used for this session:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 50mm f/1.2 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.

I Dream of A Wedding | #sincerelylizphoto

Last Thursday, Valentine's Day, was the Second Annual I Dream of a Wedding event sponsored by Hill City Bride. This years couple, Gabe and Erika, were absolutely adorable, sooo in love, and super laid back... a perfect combination for planning a dream wedding with various preselected vendors! I was honored and excited to have been selected to shoot Erika's bridal portrait session on the grounds of the West Manor Estate. We met up last fall for this session so I have been holding onto these pictures for a LONG time. I'm super excited to share them with you! Thanks again to Jennifer, the heart and soul behind the I Dream of a Wedding project and for inviting me to be a part of the big event again this year! To see more from their wedding and planning adventures, check them out on Hill City Bride!

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

Ed & Kat | Romantic Lynchburg Portraits

'Tis the week of LOVE! Chelsea and I have been churning out lots of fun things for you all for this week! I'll be posting Chelsea's first blog post here in the next few days and I'm really looking forward to sharing her heart with you all. In the meantime, I wanted to kick off this week of romance with an adorable couples session. I picked this one especially because I think the love between these two is completely contagious!! Katharine and I met when I worked at Lynchburg College a few years ago. I adore this girl. She is a graphic designer and so full of talent. I have high respect for her and her work (and I think that's saying a lot because I am kind of a design snob). She has won numerous ADDY awards and has been one of the only graphic designers at Lynchburg College for years. She is also an animal lover and has the sweetest heart towards her own pups.

When Katharine told me she was engaged I was so excited for her, naturally! Then, having the opportunity to meet Ed and shoot their engagement session made my heart grow even more fond of Katharine, Ed, and their relationship. I just love it when the heart of a groom simply says "Whatever makes her happy." That is love, you know? This is 100% Ed's heart. He lights up when Katharine smiles and they have the best energy when they are around one another. And she feels so safe with him. Gosh... feeling safe is something a lot of people take for granted. I think it is one of the most beautiful testimonies of love.

Sometimes I feel like a broken record on this blog. "I LOVE these two! They are so in LOVE and HAPPY and it's BEAUTIFUL!"

But you know what? They are. And it's true. It's true every time. And I really do get ridiculously giddy in the middle of sessions when I am able to zoom in close and see and FEEL their chemistry. I am sure I look so silly in my bursting-with-excitement-moments... but I can't help it. It's just pure joy, you guys. And this was absolutely the case during Ed & Kat's session. Of course now I cannot wait for their wedding in May!!

Okay... here are their sweet images! If you love them and you would like a couple's session of your own, check out the Valentine's Day date-night sessions I'm offering! Details here.

Happy Week-Of-Love!! We've got a handful of lovely posts coming at you this week!

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

Rosy Baby | Lynchburg Newborn Photographer #sincerelylizphoto

Gosh, there has been so much stuff going on behind the scenes here at Sincerely, Liz, and I wish I could tell you guys ALL about it! We are currently working on a new website, preparing to announce a super-special Valentine's Day opportunity, preparing for the 2013 wedding season, and so much more! I am loving all of it! In the meantime, I still have a ton of sessions to share with you guys. While I'm sharing about my paleo challenge (journey!) over here, I will be posting some more photography related things here on the main part of the blog for a little while. First up - sweet baby Callie. Callie's session is the first of many newborn portrait sessions on the calendar this year! And of course I was totally fighting baby fever after spending the morning holding and cuddling her. I know everyone talks about that "baby smell" that new babies have. Okay, well mothers talk about it. And before I became a mom I could defnitely identify the scent of a newborn baby. But, now that I have held my own babe for hours on end... I not only idenfity the scent... I feel like I am swimming in it when I hold a newborn these days!! Am I alone here? It's just this... BAM... here's a NEWBORN! "I smell like sour milk but isn't it the best smell in the whole world?!" Yes, baby. It really, really is the best smell in the universe.

Oh dear... I am in for some trouble this year! Haha. Okay - onto Callie!!

Callie's big sister, Olivia, made her debut on the blog a few years ago. So of course I was honored to have the opportunity to photograph Callie as well. Just like big sis, Callie was a most excellent model. I am loving the rosy rompers mama bought for her session, too - so, so perfect! Here are a few of my favorite pictures from her session:

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Equipment used for this session:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 50mm f/1.2 lens // canon 35mm f/1.4 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.

Discovery | #lifewithsunday

In the past week two people I know have been diagnosed with cancer. Two healthy, strong, living-life-to-the-fullest people. In the past six months that number adds up to like, 6. Ugh... that's a lot. Cancer is a mean beast. And I pretty much hate it. So what do I do?

I turn my eyes to my daughter. Yesterday, we went to the park to celebrate the gorgeous weather. I watched her explore, discover and observe. I wanted to just be that mom holding her hand as she went down the slide and introducing her to new things… but I was so inspired by her I kept picking up my camera and pulling out my phone to snap pictures and take videos. The look on her face… the awe and wonder. It is just beautiful. I love it. I love her… I love the experiences I gain by watching her grow.

Sunday, baby... your favorite thing in the entire world (aside from nursing) is being outside and people watching. Doing both at the same time is heaven for you. I was almost brought to tears yesterday watching you discover people, colors, patterns, textures... personalities and interactions. It is the most touching thing, watching you learn. It brings me so much joy. Joy, despite the hard things swirling around us right now. You are this little light of mine. xoxo. I will always love you. Love, Mama

I am grateful for distractions. For beauty amongst the pain. For joy interwoven into the reality of living in a fallen world.