Amanda + Tim | A Historic Williamsburg First Anniversary

It may be summertime, but that doesn't keep me from dreaming of wintry temperatures. (Annnnd all of Hampton Roads throws beach sandballs in my general direction... ha!) We're taking it back to December today with Amanda and Tim's first anniversary session in Williamsburg, and it was a special one... with paper and clocks.

Leaving no detail unnoticed, Amanda dreamed up ways to incorporate the traditional gifts of a first anniversary: mini clocks in her hairpins, handwritten letters from all throughout their relationship, a sundial in the historic area, and of course, the top layer of their wedding cake. It makes anyone who loves symbolism swoon!

We battled out typical winter weather, and they were real troopers since rescheduling wasn't an option for this Tennessee-bound couple. It was an honor to share in such a sentimental vision! And heck, who doesn't love a pair of gingers?! :)

(Do Amanda and Tim look familiar to you? Probably! They were my fab couple for my Brave-inspired elopement session that was also featured on Burnett's Boards in 2012!)

The Christianson Fam | A Mustastic Session

It all started out with the epic Dad mustache during the month of Movember. If you ask one of the boys, you would have gotten different reactions to what they thought about it (hint: it ranged from "I don't like it" to "yeah, it's cool"). So the mustache became a bit of an icon and, of course, had to be incorporated into their winter family session.

Missy secured some fun fuzzy black mustaches so she and the boys could join Stella's natural doggie 'tache and James' seasonal one. Dapperness never looked so good!

However, all awesome things must come to end, and so alongside baking some amazing cookies with the fam, James said goodbye to what was just not to be... at least until next year. I don't think the Momma is complaining though. ;)

Coming Soon... to Heather and Rob.

Last month, we were hanging out in the kitchen at our photo-fam Christmas party, just snacking on cheese and sipping hot cocoa, when Heather said, "So, I have a bit of an announcement." She didn't even have to say anything further as her eyes expectedly dropped down to her tummy. "And we were wondering if you would take a few photos in front of our Christmas tree to help announce it."

Lots of squealing ensued on my part and congratulations spread around from the others. And not too long after that day, we were at their house right before Christmas with the sonogram framed with a "Coming Soon" photo mat. Like all good family portraits, their furbabies, Flapjack and Scarlett, also even made a cameo with their goofy and typical doggie selves. Since their families aren't local, these captures would be even more special, especially since Heather's mom wrote to me just last week and said, "I hope you'll be taking a lot of pictures of Baby Atherton. Sometimes pictures on cell phones are a curse - you can't frame those." :)

(Heart Smile #46- Heather's mom is a frequent email penpal of mine, so I definitely knew she'd be ecstatic about seeing the first glimpses of the new fam!)

Never leaving details untouched, Heather, of course, made her Facebook announcement pretty (as seen below). I admit I choked up and my heart skipped a beat... it was a visual "kapow" that I had the honor of being with them with some very special moments. All the good stuff comes in threes, right? :)




Welcome, Atherton #3! We can't wait to meet you! :)

Caitlin + Ryan | A Williamsburg Picnic Anniversary

She's a photographer with a love for the crafty, and he's a numbers guy with a hankering for fish tanks.

Being high school sweethearts, it was only a matter of time until Caitlin and Ryan's love blossomed into that beautiful marriage talk leading into tying the knot in 2011. Two years later, they purchased their first home in Virginia Beach and began their new roles of homeowner husband and wife. That's a pretty big deal for any couple! So it was extra special to be able to photograph their picnic-lovin' anniversary session this October.

Like most photogs, we can have a little "out of water" experience when being in front of the camera. Well, Caitlin basically dissolved that idea right away, and especially with Ryan around. I kept grinning throughout their session because there really was one particular smile that Caitlin had. And that smile was clearly only provoked by Ryan. It's a subtle smile, but there's a smile that only he can make her do. It is one of the sweetest things to see. No matter how many days or years go by, the love of a growing-old-together marriage is one of the most beautiful moments to witness.

Happy Anniversary, you two! I wish you many, many more fish tanks and successful Pinterest projects in the years to come. :)



























Special thanks to Caitlin's friend Dawn Shane for the makeupness! :)