Emma’s was accompanied in her senior portrait session by sweet grass, warm sun, and - most excitingly - her beloved horse, KC. I had worked with dogs and cats before, but never a horse, so I was absolutely thrilled to do this session. Emma and KC made for a lovely pair and they absolutely crushed it. Emma’s light blond hair and fair skin contrasted beautifully with…
Read MoreEmory Family // Roanoke, VA
You may not know this about me, but in addition to being a photographer I am also a teacher. I feel so lucky to be at a school where the staff is supportive, close, and just plain fun. Last year was my first year at Cave Spring High School and I spent upon hours proctoring a study hall with Kim. We amused ourselves with tales of student ridiculousness and she taught me so much along the way about everything from teacher work schedules to student relationships and more. Over time, we had a nice little rapport going and, like everything else in life, it got suddenly cut off when schools closed due to the pandemic. So, I was so excited when Kim reached out to me about family portraits. I would finally get to meet her husband and those zany kids she was always telling me about!
Read MoreElla // Maine Senior Portraits
When we were brainstorming locations for her senior photos, I listed out a few of my ideas in the Portland area. I was thinking of some woodsy spots, some beachy stretches. Then, I suggested “What about Mackworth Island?” Something about it felt special. I could tell she felt the same. “Let’s do it,” she said.
Read MoreLacey & Stephen // Roanoke, VA
If you grew up with pets, then you probably know what it’s like to lose one. Lacey and Stephen, a sweet, newly engaged couple, had just received the unfortunate news that their sweet old pup Buddy has a terminal illness. They were also just gearing up to move out of the Roanoke apartment complex they’d inhabited for over six years. When Lacey contacted me to do a sort of “family” photoshoot with her, Stephen, and their pets to capture them together at home while Buddy is still alive, I jumped at the opportunity…
Read MoreKehoe Family // Explore Park, VA
On a beautiful spring evening, I met the Kehoe family at Explore Park just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Chauncey and Nick arrived with their two little girls, Penelope and Lucille, and Chauncey’s parents as well. They were immediately friendly, upbeat, and ready to do some exploring. I knew we would have a great time…
Read MoreMaternity Portraits // Roanoke, VA
This sweet couple is expecting their first baby (a boy!) and I just loved capturing their excitement. We met near the Blue Ridge Parkway in the late afternoon, and the sunlight glowed warmer with each passing minute. The wind was intense, but these two were great sports about it as we wandered around the fields and the woods. It was a beautiful evening for a photoshoot…
Read MoreCarol & Erron // Salem, VA Engagement
Carol and Erron (how cool is that spelling!) are an adorably sweet pair of humans. Before they hired me to photograph their wedding, we “met” via FaceTime, peppering each other with questions and telling tales. Their humor is quirky. They both devote themselves to helping others in their jobs, what with Carol being a Unitarian minister and Erron teaching adult education. Their love for each other is so evident, so delightfully shining on their faces. I fell in love with them on that call.
Read MoreDonahue Family // Roanoke, VA
This family photo session was, more than anything, a chance to document the arrival of the Donahue family’s newest member. Tori and Andrew had just welcomed their first baby, Pearce, into the world. At just one month old, he was wonderfully patient with the rest of us as we changed his outfit and had him striking different poses. As long as he could eat, he was up for anything…
Read MoreEmily & Michael // Roanoke Lifestyle Session
Emily and Michael wanted to capture some photos in their sweet Roanoke home that they’ve cultivated for over six years. Living on the fringe of downtown, these two have lovingly styled and designed their home over the years to be personal and yet also wonderfully trendy. I walked in and was instantly impressed by…
Read MoreForsythias // Roanoke, VA
Forsythias are some of the earliest bloomers. Because they are a shrub rather than a small flower, it’s impossible to miss their explosion of yellow at the start of each spring. They are big plants and they have something to say. That unabashed burst of color heralding the coming of warm sun and lilting birdsong makes me smile. It’s the start of my favorite…
Read MoreVaish // Downtown Roanoke Birthday
On Vaish’s birthday last April, we meandered the streets of Roanoke as we waited to meet more friends for a celebratory dinner. The afternoon light was so gorgeous that I knew I had to bring my camera. I grabbed it on my way out the door, talking to Vaish about where we should meet…
Read MoreCherry Blossoms // Roanoke, VA
If there’s one advantage to this insane global pandemic, it’s that more people are spending time outside. Not just outside their home, because there are a lot of places beyond the walls of our homes that we are not supposed to go, but…
Read MoreEliana // Roanoke Senior Portraits
Senior photo shoots always make me nostalgic. The last year of high school is such a huge turning point in life! I remember feeling so many things when I was that age – feeling impatient about what was to come, sad that I could never again relive what I was experiencing. That combination is what makes senior portraits so special. I was lucky to capture…
Read MoreKayla // Roanoke Senior Portraits
When Kayla asked me about doing a double senior portrait session with her friend Eliana (stay tuned for a post with her photos!) at Roanoke’s Explore Park, I was so excited. With the water, woods, and beautiful views I knew it would be a perfect location for a fun and relaxed photo shoot…
Read MoreHeather & Josh // Peaks of Otter Engagement
It was before sunrise, and I had the road to myself as I wound along the mountain-hugging curves. Light started to seep into the sky as the clouds clung low in the hills. Out of sheer compulsion, I pulled over a few times just to get out of the car and breathe in the cool, still air as the heavens warmed from navy to pink. It was probably the most peaceful I’d ever felt on the way to a photography job….
Read MoreMichaela & Colby // Grandin Engagement
I adore in-home engagement sessions. Capturing engagement photos is already intimate, but doing it inside a private living space is even more so. Beyond just getting to know the couple and their dynamic with each other, I also get to step into their lifestyle and see what they choose to surround themselves with every day. For Michaela and Colby, we extended this personal experience out to…
Read MoreStephanie and Will // Mountaintop Engagement
Beyond the fact that Stephanie and Will are delightful people, I knew this engagement session would be glorious because we are good friends…
Read MoreMaggie // In-Home Boudoir Session
Boudoir photography is special. It involves a vulnerability that requires a certain type of mutual trust between the photographer and the subject. I was so excited for this boudoir session with Maggie Perrin-Key for three reasons:
Read MoreThe Benkos // Explore Park Maternity Session
I was starting to worry that we wouldn’t be able to meet at all. Frances and Mike are both doctors, so that made scheduling a maternity session tricky enough. On top of that, their baby was due in less than two…
Read MoreStyled Fashion Shoot // Roanoke, VA
Since moving to Roanoke, I’ve somehow fallen deep into the dog walking and sitting business. All it took was one dog walking job, and before I knew it I was walking dogs all over my neighborhood. It was great for my legs and my wallet, but there was another lovely surprise…
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