It was chilly and rainy outside the day I came to play, kind of a bummer for a spring time toddler shoot.  But if I’ve learned anything from the four hundred times I’ve read The Cat in the Hat aloud over the past few months, its that you don’t have to go outside to have fun.  (Not to gloss over some very valuable lessons about leaving your children unattended or allowing strangers into your home : don’t plan on eating the cake you baked and your fish will likely need therapy, among other potential mishaps and dangers.  But let’s focus on the indoor fun part of the book.)

Tracy and Pierre give Thing 1 and Thing 2 a run for their money.  As I wrote to Pierre in an email following our session, every kid should be so lucky when it comes to the parents they inherit.  Tracy and Pierre are, without a doubt, one of the most dynamic duos I’ve ever had the pleasure to witness and document.  Its no wonder that Julien is such a loving, inquisitive and intelligent child.  He’s learning from the best.

Music is a big part of this family’s life and so is family band time…

Not to mention dance parties…

One of Julien’s favorite things to do is play run-around-the-kitchen-island, I love how every family makes up their own unique games.  Here’s the gist:  one parent chases Julien around the kitchen until he dives into the lap of the other.  It sure looks fun and I’m pretty sure the parents win that game every time.

Don’t forget hide-and-go-seek…

And yes, fellow photogs, I was aware of the garbage can in these photos.  But if I had moved it, what would Julien have hidden behind?  I think its OK to throw out the rules sometimes, no pun intended.  Well… maybe it was.

We tried to get outside, we blew some bubbles on the back porch…

We also hit the playground across the street though it was a rather short lived visit.  Julien told us it was too cold for him and there was no arguing with that.  At least there was enough time for me to see some mad soccer skills!

It was such a fun day.  Here’s a slideshow with my favs and to see all the fun, check out the gallery with all the goodness I couldn’t quite squeeze in.  My hope is that these photos spark a little something in  you.  I know its been a lousy day at work and I know how worn out you are feeling at the end of the day.  But when its time to go home tonight and shed your heels or tie, cast your weariness off along with them and make the time to play.  The turn-off-your-phone and throw-it-in-a-drawer kind of playing.  Go outside, throw a ball, blow bubbles, make up a new game, dance a dance, draw a picture, make a music video singing into wooden spoons while playing air guitar.  Silliness is the free gift thrown in with the commitment of parenthood, you are allowed  - encouraged – to be a kid again.  So do it up, full throttle.  It might just make tomorrow a better work day, especially when your coworkers find your music video up on YouTube.  (Free bird!)

Posted by Mel @ 3:51 pm, in Portraits, Wee Ones | No comments | Permalink

Eli, has it really been a year already?

If there’s any measure of how much can change in a mere year, its a baby.  Look whose walking…

And awesome at high fives…

White and yellow lanterns still hung from the ceiling on the first floor of the house, decorated for his party the week before.  A banner that Amber made along with a beautiful antique high chair that she painted yellow just for the occasion remained as well.

We decided to take that chair with us on an adventure so we packed up the car and went off to the local arboretum to get this shot:

I was happy to get these shots of our little nature boy as well:

While my trip began bittersweet (my last shoot for Eli’s first year documentary, sigh), the end was just plain delicious.  On our way home from the gardens we stopped and grabbed cupcakes for the purpose of reenactment.  Everyone was very enthusiastic about this particular photo project, especially Eli…

I was the lucky recipient of a cupcake myself and scarfed it down with comparable enthusiasm before I could even pull out of their driveway… there was no way it was surviving the drive.  Sweet, indeed.  To Amber and Justin, thank you so much for sharing this very special year with your adorable son.  And to Eli, Happy Birthday to you and I hope to see those baby blues again sometime soon!  Here’s a slideshow and the gallery too…

Posted by Mel @ 7:21 pm, in Portraits, Wee Ones | No comments | Permalink

Tina and Duncan had the quintessential Richmond wedding.  The day began at the Linden Row Inn where everyone got ready before heading to the stunning Cathedral of the Sacred Heart for the ceremony.  Before the reception we stole away to Libby Hill Park for a few photos before meeting everyone at the beautiful and historic Bolling Haxall House where the reception was held.  And after a bubble send off, everyone including the couple walked back to Linden Row for an after party, undaunted by the rain.  Somehow these two managed to pull off a wedding that was elegant, classic, personal, fun and laid back all at the same time.

Every detail was so lovely from the bridemaids’ champagne colored dresses to the peonies in a hue of deep pink I’ve never even seen before.  But it was Tina and Duncan themselves who really drew us in with their joy.  Talk about two of the nicest, easy going and gracious people we could ever want to shoot for, they had us at hello.  And we weren’t the only ones feeling the love that day but I think the pictures tell it best.

So here you go, the slideshow with some of our favs… We love their song and only wish it was longer so we could cram some more imagery in!  But you’ll get the gist.  And if you would like to be notified by email when the gallery with all their images is available for viewing, click here.  Congrats, Tina and Duncan!

Posted by Mel @ 7:40 pm, in Weddings | No comments | Permalink

It seemed more like summer than spring when we met up at Maymont to take a walk amidst the pretty flowers.  Tulips should have been in bloom but it seems that everything these days, with the exception of me, is ahead of schedule.

I can’t believe how much wee little Lucy has grown!

First, Lucy struck a pose.  Then Trey decided to join in…

Then there was a little peek-a-bench…

I have such a soft spot for Trey, he’s so sweet and curious and he loves trucks almost as much as my boy.  OK, probably just as much.  And like my son, he’s still getting the hang of blowing bubbles.  I asked him to blow so many that he ran out of wind and had to sit down for a few minutes to catch his breath!

Luckily, he had a buddy to sit with.

We found a shady spot to sit, play, and enjoy the buttercups.  Trey wanted to count them all but decided to play ball instead.

Trey is such a good share-er:

In fact, there was just a whole lot of love all over the place…

It was such a great day with such a great family, here’s a slideshow set to a perfect song and here’s the gallery if you would like to check out the rest.

Posted by Mel @ 8:15 pm, in Portraits, Wee Ones | No comments | Permalink