Watching Them Grow... Hampton Family Photographer

One of my favorite things about portrait photography is being able to watch kiddos grow. I had a session tonight with a family that I just love! We were commenting about how they've grown so much in the matter of a few months. Just last fall they looked like this:



Tonight, when I met with them for a special mini-session... here's what they've grown into:



and then the entire family of course...



It was great seeing you guys again! I hope ice-cream was awesome...!

~ K

Hector... Micayla | Yorktown Portrait Photography

I had so much fun this morning, out in historic Yorktown, hanging out with these two troopers. We arrived at our location around 8:30 this morning and the sun was shining, there was a slight breeze, and we couldn't have been happier. But as the time passed and we moved from location to location, the chill set in... the breeze turned into an all out howling wind... and the cold... oh man the cold... I could barely feel my fingers by the end of our session.

But looking at the images on my computer tonight, you could never tell... these two were absolute troopers. Both are naturally photogenic and seemed so at ease in front of the camera straight-away.

We had a fantastic time!

And a huge thank-you to Erin for coming out and playing too. Photography is such a joy for me... and when I get to shoot with other photographers who share my absolute passion for portraiture and people, it makes it just that much better. Thanks girl, I had a blast :)

Okay. Enough rambling... here are a few.

I had a VERY hard time narrowing down the pics...

Moms... keep an eye on my Facebook page, I'll post more there in the days to come!


Hector. An athletic teen who is a phenomenal baseball player.


Micayla. Another athletic teen who is a phenomenal field hockey player!


Oh wait... and she's gorgeous!


Oh wait... and HE's gorgeous!


And, Erin, hard at work!













We really did have a fantastic time... and I could have kept them out there ALL day. They were that cooperative and beautiful and fun!

Thanks to all who drove, watched kids, and helped all around.

Until next time,

~ K

All Done Up... | Portrait and Model Photography

Several posts ago I mentioned that I was in need of a few models for a little project I was working on... Today, it all came together.

I've been wanting to get together with a make-up artist/stylist to do a shoot that would both showcase her abilities and let me have a little fun with posing and post-processing.

I met Megan via the Peninsula Mommies forum. We met for breakfast one day and, amidst the chaos of chasing our kids around the Chik-fil-a jungle gym, we managed to get the beginnings of this shoot planned out. Several facebook chats and one very successful model call later, today happened. Everything went off without a hitch and the result is stunning.

The ladies and one sweet little girl met up at Megan's Salon, Razzle Dazzle, in Yorktown for some hair and make-up...




This little one was beyond thrilled to have her hair and make-up done... I mean, can you just see the excitement in her expression?! THAT would have been ME at her age... totally.

Once the ladies were done, we made our way out to historic Yorktown for a quick shoot... and it was unbelievable.

All of the beautiful women in this shoot are REAL women, not professional models... most of them have children... and all are absolutely stunning. Megan, you did a fantastic job enhancing these ladies' features and making them look and feel gorgeous.

I'll give you all Megan's contact info in a minute... but take a look at her work first:


'M' here was a natural in front of the camera. She LOVED it!

Megan does Princess Parties for little girl birthdays. Moms & Dads, do you see how happy little 'M' is...!! This could be your little girl :) I love the fact that she had her "make-up done", but looks radiant, cute and still sweet and innocent. None of that overdone make-up on little girls... this is absolutely perfect.

You know... princess parties don't have to be JUST for little girls... I'm going to have a party, invite my friends over and hire Megan to come and do us up... 'Course, then we'd all have to GO somewhere... and DO something... hmm...that probably requires a social life. Eek. Must rethink this...

Next up, Lindsay...


When Megan and I first started talking about this shoot, she said right away, "I have a friend who would be PERFECT!" And right you were... Lindsay, you are absolutely beautiful. I kept drooling over her hair at the salon, "Gosh, I love how you've done her hair!" "You're hair looks so good!" Can you tell I'm growing mine out?! I looove that long hair...

Lindsay is actually engaged... so we brought her fiancee along for the ride :) For the pictures... just the pictures...


They are adorable together...

And... meet Whitney.

Well if you read my blog regularly, you've probably already "met" her. She's been on my blog several times before here and here.


Whitney is probably one of the most photogenic people I've ever met. She looks so sophisticated here... very Anne Taylor!

And last, but certainly not least... Alina... You may recognize her too.


We are channeling some classic 1940's actresses here... Megan went a little more extreme with her make-up... a little more "runway" she called it.

I. ABOUT. DIED.

The color, the lashes, the drama... I knew she'd photograph well because she's also naturally photogenic. But the dramatic make-up kicked it up a notch and was a dream to shoot!

So. If you're booking a session with me and want someone to take care of your hair and make-up so you don't have to, please feel free to call on Megan and see if she can work you in... And she does it all... hair, make-up, manis and pedis. Seriously, she's amazing. AND, she's a busy girl. So get in touch with her soon!

Here's the salon number: (757) 898-6374. She does special event make-up too (weddings, etc) and will travel to you... and those princess parties!

Thanks Megan for lending us your talent! I'll have the pictures to you shortly!! :)

Until next time,
~ K

Cheryl & Cody | Newport News Portrait Photographer

Cheryl contacted me to take a few head shots for a re-brand she's working on... she's a hard-working, successful mortgage broker... but I'm not going to post any of those pics :) I want the launch of her new branding to be the first time anyone sees those images of her...

BUT...

I did grab this shot of Cheryl and her sweet dog, Cody.



As I was leaving, I leaned down to give him some love...and he kissed me... once on each cheek! Awwww. He's cute AND a European at heart. *Love* that.

Until next time,

~ K

Fierce! | Professional Headshot Portraits

Before we left on vacation, I received an email from Laura. Laura is the older sister of Alys, whom I photographed last summer before her senior year in high school. Laura is entering her senior year of college and is a vocal performance major. Her specialty is... get this... opera. How amazing is that?! In this era of American Idol and American's Got Talent I think it's refreshing to meet someone interested in the artistic side of vocal performance. In fact, Laura's entire family is a musical one... Alys was accepted into a school of music where she'll study piano... and their littlest sister plays the viola and sings as well. I love artists.

In anycase, later this year Laura will be applying to some grad programs and needed some professional headshots.



How fierce is she?!



Laura, I had a great time with you! You are gorgeous in every sense of the word... Good luck this year in your final year of college... and in applying for that program up north! I can't wait to see how far you'll go :) This, by the way, is just a snippet... girl... you don't take a bad picture, I have so many to show you!

Until next time,
~ K

Stephanie & Ricky | An Expecting! Sneak Peek | Hampton Roads Portrait Photography

I had so much fun shooting with this couple the other day. They're young, gorgeous, and excited to be first-time parents to their little girl.

As we were talking I learned so much about them... how they met... what they love...what they do... and it really shows in their photos. This is the part of being a photographer that I didn't realize was so rewarding... the meeting new people part... learning about them and getting little glimpses into their lives.

These two happen to be self-proclaimed beach people and the color scheme in their home reflects it. Cool sea-greens and warm sand colors. Incidentally, Ricky BUILT the house... I was, like, you mean built it-built it? Yes. Everything except a few jobs he contracted out, but not because he COULDN'T do them, but because he didn't FEEL like it. This, ladies is a Jack-of-all-trades, and he is SO taken. :) And the decorations in the house were spot-on. No too much, perfect matching tones and colors. You walk in and instantly feel at home and comfortable. They've really done a great job with their house. That little girl is going to have a warm and loving place to call home when she arrives.

It was a gorgeous day, their windows were open, a breeze was blowing and it was just all-around perfect.

We started out at home for a few shots in their little girl's room...



This one took my breath away when I saw it. It. Is. So. Perfect! There is so much written in the expressions on their faces and their body language. When I chatter on about 'a moment captured' THIS is what I'm talking about.



What's a maternity shoot without a belly pic? And let's all talk about how gorgeous Stephanie looks... she's only about a month away from her due date and, uhm, does anyone else see any stretch marks?! No. I did NOT photoshop them out...this is prime genetics at work here. Let's just press on lest we incite violence among other females...



After hanging around their house, we made our way over to the park for a few outdoor shots.

They are so cute together it hurts. Aches. Pains. I love it.

Stephanie, I'm still working on the rest of the edits, I should be done soon, but I wanted you to have something to look at! I had a great time with you guys... check your email in a few days!!!

Until next time,

~ K

Sneak Peek | Baby Jayden | Hampton Roads Baby Photography

A few days ago I had the pleasure of photographing this adorable baby boy. At about 5 weeks old he wasn't the sleepy newborn we had originally planned for, but he was so much fun to work with nonetheless. And, in looking through all the pics, I really like the awake ones we captured... :)



This sweet boy LOVED his soothie! Noah was a soothie baby too.. for all of about 2 seconds after which he realized it didn't produce milk and then wanted nothing to do with it. I like his half-awake, soothie-coma expression here... it's so very newborn-ish :)



...and then he drifted off...



...and then he was awake...! He was very intent on checking out his surroundings...and keeping an eye on his mom.



Have I mentioned how much I love baby feet?! To nibble them is to experience bliss. Seriously. You should try it. But maybe on a baby you know otherwise the parents might freak a little :)

So mom, sorry this took a while to post... I'm still working on a few more and your gallery should be up soon!

~ K

Sneak Peek | Lisa... | Hampton Roads Portrait Photography

I have an amazing friend (I introduced her to you the other day). When she was planning her visit, she asked if we could go out and take some photos of her... to celebrate, well, to celebrate being an amazing strong woman.

Absolutely, I said.

Photography serves so many purposes for so many different people. For some it's about documenting special events... watching kids grow... capturing the essence of a family.... For Lisa, it's a show of how far she's come in so many ways.

Here you go... just a few for now.



Clearly, I'm the most hysterical photographer in the world. I think I was demonstrating my acrobatic photography skills... the mad dash to get the right angle and shot. OR maybe I was just falling... and getting sand all over myself. Either way, ignore me and... isn't she gorgeous?!



This shot is just so peaceful to me. I love it.



But this is my favorite.

I'm not done editing the whole bunch, your gallery will be up soon!

Love you lady... :)

~ K