Today’s tidbit: “Where there is love there is life.”— Mahatma Gandhi

I have done a few family shoots now, each of which I have enjoyed! It is both challenging and fun working with different age groups. You can go to a studio and get those formal family portraits, but I personally think you can’t beat outdoor lighting, landscape and nature (and of course those little details). Being able to really capture a feeling… those candid moments that really show off personalities. The shots that are totally unplanned and just happened naturally. That is what I love and want to share!

Onto this shoot… Lindsey and I met in college and became close through graphic design classes. Not only is she super creative and a talented designer but she is one of the most thoughtful people I know, and look up to. Since graduating our friendship has only grown! Lindsey had professional pictures taken when Blake was a baby but wanted some natural family shots done for the holidays. We got lucky with a beautiful warm December day to explore the preserve.

Sneak peek image:

Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy!

{shoot location} A few months ago, Lindsey and Bill moved to a new spacious apartment that backs to the Winkler Botanical Preserve. Talk about an amazing find and back yard view! It creates a quiet and serene escape from the hustle and bustle. I hadn’t been here before the shoot, but it is definitely a hidden gem! Along with a charming log cabin complete with an amazing porch and adirondack chairs, there are also many paths through the woods and along a large pond which has a natural water fall!

{a little background} Lindsey & Bill met at a house party in Alexandria the Spring of 2005. At the party, Bill made all of Lindsey’s friends’ cheeks hurt from laughter. As Lindsey told me, he was charming and witty but didn’t make direct eye contact with her at first… so she had no idea he was interested in her. Little did she know, he was on a mission and this was his master plan all along. That summer, Bill confided in his sister that he intended to propose to Lindsey before the year was through. And THAT he did! On New Years Eve, 2005, Bill took Lindsey to Vegas and even hired a helicopter to fly them into the Grand Canyon for his grand proposal. She joked about the photo line-up from that morning… cacti, squirrel, red rocks, DIAMOND ROCK! Talk about a memorable proposal!

Nearly eight years later, it was fitting to have a photo shoot a few miles from their first meeting spot… and with a new member of the tribe, Blake! Lindsey was pregnant with Blake (although then it was baby Smith as they didn’t find out the gender until birth) towards the end of our senior year at GMU and during my summer internship at ASCD (where she works full time) after graduating. I saw Blake a few weeks after he was born and can’t believe he is now almost 2.5 years old! Time does fly.

Onto the pictures of this beautiful family, and of course some detail shots. Enjoy!

{porch + adirondack chairs}

{exploring the paths}

{pond + waterfall} The sun came out and the lighting was gorgeous.

{Lindsey & Bill} Lovely couple!

Blake sandwich!

{exploring the woods} along the pond

As we were leaving we stumbled upon an unused Taylor-Dunn so decided to let Blake have some fun.

Such a sweet, beautiful little family! Have a wonderful weekend.