Baby Mabel is only 5 weeks old in these shots and she’s cute as a button.  We caught her on a sleepy growth spurt day: she had slept all morning and we were still keeping her up!

While everyone hopes their baby will be all smiles and happiness during a photo shoot, that’s rarely the case, its just Murphy’s Law. But fussy feelings give me the opportunity to document parents in action as they sooth and calm their babies and Ashley and Mike are already great in this arena:

Ashley and Mike wanted to be surprised and didn’t find out the baby’s sex until the big event.  Mabel’s super mod, gender neutral nursery is way hip.  The room is bright and baby appropriate with all kinds of interesting things to look at without being cutesy, I’m especially fond of the super wide rocker and yellow and white patterned crib bedding.

I’m excited to return and take more photos of Mabel when she’s about six months old, it won’t be long now because time flies when a small being enters your life.  Here’s a slideshow of the shoot and if you would like to access the online gallery of photos, click here.  Congrats to Ashley and Mike on such a beautiful baby girl!

Posted by Mel @ 12:29 pm, in Portraits, Wee Ones | No comments | Permalink

Laura and Tom’s wedding brought us back to Williamsburg, Virginia on a beautiful, sunny day.  The ceremony took place at St. Bede’s Church with a reception at Ford’s Colony Country Club.  

While all the bouquets were shades of white, each bridesmaid had her own bunch of one particular flower, all of which came together to make up Laura’s bouquet.  It was such a subtle but beautiful and symbolic detail.  Laura also made table assignments for each table with framed black and white shots from their engagement session with us last fall, they really looked great!  Check out this swatch:

We may have underestimated the dance party that was before us as the reception got started.  Laura and Tom kicked if off with their first dance: while its not unusual for a couple to work on a choreographed dance routine for their first dance, dancing to M.C. Hammer’s classic “Can’t Touch This” is definitely pretty unique.  Having given it some thought, perhaps Hammer pants (aka parachute pants) and wedding dresses aren’t so dissimilar?  It was pretty amazing, I really hope someone got it on video and puts it up on YouTube!  (If you do, tell me because I want to link up)

As the evening went on the dance party evolved into a dance frenzy, it was really fun to photograph.  We can’t wait to share all of what we got since it couldn’t all fit into this slideshow with some favs from the day.  If you would like to be notified by email when all the photos are available for viewing, click here.  Congrats to Laura and Tom, it was a blast!

Posted by Mel @ 8:27 pm, in Weddings | No comments | Permalink

Baby Caroline is sitting, crawling and even pulling up a little so walking can’t be too far down the road!  She confirms what parents everywhere know: that no matter how many brightly colored, noise making, education toys family members buy for your child to litter your living room, the most entertaining things to play with are never toys at all.  Caroline especially loves shoe laces on sneakers and a set of plastic University of Virginia keg cups (much to her parents’ approval).

I just love this shot of Caroline in her preppy blue dress and pink nursery, learning what to do with just two legs is quirky process:

I can admit that I Photoshop a lot of drool out of my photos but I had to keep it in this time for a dribble worthy action shot:

I love the resonance between Caroline’s pink hair bow and the bumper ties on her crib:

Caroline always has a bow or barrette in her hair, this one has a C just for her:

We got some cute mommy and me shots while Caroline played on the bed…

After some play time in the house we packed up and went to the park for some afternoon activities.  The swings are always fun…

Here’s a slideshow of the session and if you would like to view the online gallery, click here.  I’m already looking forward to our next shoot!

Posted by Mel @ 4:58 pm, in Portraits, Wee Ones | No comments | Permalink

Natalie and Dave were married at Historic Mankin Mansion here in Richmond under fully sunny skies.  Prior to the chuppah ceremony, the men gathered for a ketubah ceremony after which the mothers were invited inside to break plates.  We didn’t have time to ask about the plate breaking, that was new to us!  Then the men sang their way to the main house where the bedeken ceremony was to occur and everyone gathered round to watch Dave veil his bride while the family bestowed blessings.

Guests traveled from all over the world to attend including Canada, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the UK.  The reception was celebrated underneath a tent on the mansion grounds with a bar beneath the pergola for cocktail hour.  Votives in glass bowls lit pathways and porches.  Check out this swatch to see how it all came together:

The party was amazing and the day was full of emotion - there’s just too much good stuff to include in a slideshow but we tried nonetheless!  If you would like to be notified by email when their online gallery is available for viewing, click here.  Congrats to Natalie & Dave and thanks to the Graham and Goldberg families for their hospitality, it was a beautiful day.

Posted by Mel @ 8:45 pm, in Weddings | 5 Comments | Permalink