When Katie reached out to me last summer for an outdoor maternity session, she mentioned that she lived in the Northern Virginia area. I found out soon after her inquiry that she lived in Alexandria and wanted to travel to meet me for her session! What an honor! We decided to meet in Charlottesville at this whimsical field and I had a lovely time capturing her beautiful family (and their first baby - Benny!) during this short and sweet season of life.
I first met Marilyn at Tyler & Chelsea’s wedding back when I was super duper pregnant with my youngest, Izzie, and I was waddling around from location to location to capture their wedding day. Marilyn was the wedding planner and she did an amazing job shooing people on and off the party bus while helping me make the most of our tight timeline. She mentioned she was impressed with my flexibility and wanted to book me for her own engagement + wedding pictures! What a huge compliment!!
Jayna & Evan
Mommy & Me Session
This mommy and me session photographed here in my studio near Lynchburg, VA reminded me why I do what I do. The connections captured in these images reignited my passion for this amazing work that I do and helped me reach my "click point" here in the new studio space. I can't wait to photograph more mamas and their babies together!
Both Jayna and Evan are wearing tops from the studio wardrobe which is available to all clients.
Enjoy a few of my favorite pictures from our time together in the studio!
When you take away distractions and simply let a baby be... the beauty of their personality and the connection they share with their people is enough to create the most beautiful art. I am in love!
Mama and baby clothing are both from the studio wardrobe. If you'd like for me to capture the genuine connection you share with your little one, please do not hesitate to get in touch!
When we were planning their engagement session, Ashley mentioned she didn't care when or where we did their session, she just wanted to make sure it wouldn't be too cold. I did my absolute best weather dance before the weekend they were scheduled to travel from Charlotte, VA for their session. I must be a terrible dancer, because when we hopped out of our vehicles at 8 o'clock in the morning, it was a brisk 45 degrees!
When I received Melissa's initial email about her plans for her secret elopement at Smith Mountain Lake, I literally took a screen shot and sent it to Tommy with the following message:
"ahhhsdfsgs#$^$%YESSSSSSSOT&T^$@#$!!!!!!!"
Ha!!! FOR REAL.
There is something so special to me about being invited into a private space to capture a lifetime of memories with my camera. I KNOW it's not personal... it's not ME who is "special enough." I KNOW it's just that I have a gift with a camera and it's the pictures and the memories that are the important part.... but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy every single solitary moment of being present. Weddings, births, surprise engagements, all of it is SO exciting and to be the one invited into my client's space to capture these events just never EVER gets old!
So yeah... needless to say I was SUPER excited!
Melissa and Tim's short ceremony and photo session left a HUGE impact on me. Something about the two of them staying true to who they are as a couple... they aren't afraid to live life differently, to follow their hearts. He loves her for who she is, for what she wants, and for who she will become. And she loves him for the very same. This was SO apparent as I photographed them throughout our time together.
This secret elopement was a compromise and it was truly inspiring to see their sacrificial love blend together to create the perfect day for the two of them. What a beautiful way to begin their marriage.
Each and every element of their day had meaning behind it. The setting, her bouquet, her dress, his suit, their song choices, their rings. Every decision was intentional and it made everything about their day not only so much more special, but it helped bring in pieces of their history together that represented the important people in their lives. It was so neat - even though the people weren't present, their spirits were, through the elements Tim and Melissa brought to make up their day together.
How stinking cool, right?!
Tim and Melissa,
THANK YOU for inviting me to be present to capture such a huge day in your lives! I hope putting up with my quirkiness for even just an hour was worth the photographic coverage you received. I know the imprint you all left on my heart and the inspiration you sent me off with will last far longer than our short time face-to-face. I adore you two and I hope you cherish these pictures forever!!
Sincerely,
Liz
Okay, enough from me... here's the pictures!!
I had such an AMAZING time photographing these two and their intimate, private wedding that I created an elopement package for any future inquiries I receive. Just because you aren't having a big party doesn't mean your special day isn't worth photographing and remembering forever! If you or a friend are newly engaged and feeling overwhelmed by wedding planning, please get in touch or share this with your friend!! I'd love to chat with them about a less-intimidating experience!
“Liz Cook is an incredibly talented and attentive professional. Her sweet and gentle countenance is paired with her ability to capture the most tender and joyful moments of the births that she photographs. Liz’s photos will bring you years of enjoyment as they draw you back to the delight and bliss of your birth experience.”
