It’s been a whirlwind of a spring – portrait work in and out of town, an event here, an event there, a couple of weddings… you get the picture. So in the interest of catching up far better than I would if I tried to blog everything separately, I offer you a sampling of my latest sessions. Enjoy!

Triplet Love:

Golden Sunsets:

Sailor Dresses:

DC Family Fun:

I am so happy that this couple won my silent auction package at the SMYAL event a year or two ago… they are absolutely the sweetest, easiest-to-photograph duo you could ask for! And so clearly in love – it comes through so clearly in the images. We had a lovely visit while we walked around the park, and I love the photos that we captured. Enjoy the preview, guys – I’ll be in touch soon…
- RD

Once again, wonderful repeat clients, this time with a new baby! I loved seeing them again – it’s so much fun watching babies grow up into big siblings! I also have to thank them for showing me a beautiful new location for my DC people.
Thanks for a wonderful session – enjoy the preview!
- RD

We all have people who come into our lives at different times, for different reasons, who become like family to us. This group shares a special connection to me, through special friends who are like family to both them and me. I have so loved watching this little one grow up through our mutual friends, and I am so glad that we have a connection in common. This session took over a year to finally come to fruition, and nearly didn’t happen – but what should have been a rain-out actually resulted in gorgeous even lighting. Thanks for being such good sports about the weather – I am so glad we went ahead with this and didn’t postpone!
Enjoy the preview:






And finally, I couldn’t not add this out-take… I think I found my new assistant.

This had to be, hands-down, one of the most fabulous weddings I have ever attended – as a guest OR photographer! From the decor to the dress to the details – it was all just magical. Combine that with the greatest bunch of people to work with, and you have a wedding that is just about perfect. The clouds parted just in time for the rooftop ceremony, and the Capitol dome lit up like gold in the background – Oh what a night!!

This is one of those sessions that is a follow-on to a follow-on to a follow-on, and it’s what makes this job so much fun. This mom was my son’s 2nd grade teacher. I knew her before she was married, and did her engagement photos, her wedding day prep photos, her maternity photos, and now…
TA-DA!!!
Beautiful Baby A is here!
Enjoy guys, I will have your gallery done soon – just couldn’t wait to show these off.
RD

This little beauty was absolutely precious, and also boasts one of my favorite girl names in the world… though I won’t share it here, I will tell you that it starts with a C and was almost my Maddie’s middle name. What’s more, the name we finally chose for Maddie’s middle name is ALSO this little girl’s middle name! So not only do these parents have a beautiful little girl, I also happen to think that they have amazing taste in girl names!! Enjoy your preview, the gallery is in process!!

Absolutely some of my favorite clients, and they don’t even live here! Meet my Miami peeps – I adore spending time with them when they are in the DC area, and always look forward to our sessions. Next up, we have to figure out how to coordinate some sessions in their neck of the woods! Enjoy your preview, guys – hope you had an easy trip back!
RD

So, this is exciting… I have teamed up with a bunch of my very favorite portrait photographers – seriously, some of the very  best in the biz – from all over the map, to bring you a revolving series of articles on all aspects of custom portrait photography. From what to wear, to how to prepare, to things you might never think of – you’ll see it all covered in our “blog carnival”! So here’s how it works. First, check out my blog post “It’s Not the Camera!” At the end of my post, you will see a link to another great article, by another great photographer – Carrie Steffe, New Jersey child photographer extraordinaire.
The fun continues through a string of highly informative posts from some of the biggest names in the child portrait industry – one blog linking to the next. You don’t want to miss this!!!

It’s Really, Really NOT the Camera

My dear dear clients and friends. I love you. But OK. I am going to let you in on a little secret. Professional photographers (and by professional, I mean those who know the technical aspects of photography, and who know how to shoot in manual and expose a photograph properly -  not just anyone who hangs out a shingle and says “I’m a Photographer”) hate it when friends, family, and acquaintances look at our finished images and say “I wish I had your camera so my pictures looked like yours”. It’s not that we don’t appreciate having good equipment, because we do. But we have worked HARD to learn the technical aspects of photography, and the camera can’t do it on it’s own.

It IS nice to have a good camera. And I have three “good” cameras and some darn good lenses, too. But having a good camera DOESN’T make you a “photographer”. I would venture to say that if you hand an amateur a fancy SLR and tell them that they have to shoot it in manual, you have probably just made them a WORSE photographer than they were with their trusty point and shoot. Because in order to use a fancy SLR – really USE it – you have to know the technical aspects of lighting, composition, and camera settings. You have to know that you need to raise your ISO in low light, and that you need to open up your aperture to get that creamy, blurry background that everyone loves so much. You have to know that you can’t have both a very fast shutter speed and a very high F-stop in low light situations. You have to know how to position your subject for the most flattering angle, how to turn your subject into the light so that there are no hot-spots or harsh shadows, how to avoid color casts and how to adjust your white balance, and how to meter for every tricky lighting situation. Among about a thousand other things that you have to figure out on the fly. Every. Single. Time. You. Shoot. And it takes time. And patience. And lots and lots of trial and error.

I have images that were taken with a cell phone that are quality images. I have images taken with an old point and shoot Olympus that are some of the best in my portfolio. On the other hand, the internet is rife with new “photographer” (or “fauxtographer”) websites chock full of images taken with the latest and greatest equipment which are poorly exposed and/or out of focus.

Think of it in terms of swimming… you can buy the $1200 speed suit, but if you never learned to swim you are still going to dive in and struggle not to drown! Whereas there are people in 5 year old Walmart bathing suits swimming beautifully. They may not have the ultimate advantage of the suit that gives that little extra burst – but they are still beautiful swimmers who know their strokes. And you can tell, regardless of their equipment.

So just know – we love you. We love to show you our photos. We love to talk about cameras, and most of us would even be happy to show you how to meter in manual… but we don’t love explaining, over and over and over again that “it’s really not the camera!!”

Until next time, Happy Photographing!!

NOW! To continue the fun, visit Carrie Steffe’s blog, and her fabulous post about the importance of keeping safety your foremost priority when posing and photographing newborns and small children.
CLICK HERE:  Carrie Steffe – EMA Photography – New Jersey Child Photographer – The EMA Photography Blog

What a great session with a beautiful grad student from Howard University. This was the nicest day of the year so far – the crowds were out in Georgetown, the birds were singing, the lines for cupcakes and froyo were a mile long… Just a great DC spring day.

Enjoy your preview, Miss Marita! We loved working with you!