Together on Fourth of July | Personal | Hampton Roads, VA Photographer

This Independence Day, we finally ventured out as a full family to see the fireworks!  Independence Day 2010...Noah was a newborn, and Seth had returned to Italy.  I am pretty sure I went to bed early that night.  The next year, Noah and I went to Roanoke to be spend the 4th with family, and Seth was still in Italy.  We drove out to a park to watch the fireworks, but by the time we got out and walked to our spot...Noah was fast asleep!  Just a year old, and he slept through the entire thing!  Last 4th of July, Seth was finally here with us, but Noah went to bed early again, and he missed the fireworks!

FINALLY this 4th, we got to see the fireworks on the beach, and we got to see them together and with good friends.  Noah loved it!  He talked to Grandma on the phone for a few minutes while the fireworks were going and told her how "AWESOME!!!!" they were.  I am really glad he finally got to see them, and next year....we will be seeing them again! :)

I snapped a couple of photos of Seth and Noah before we left...

Then I handed my camera to Seth to get some of Noah and I.  Look at that....getting his sunflare on! 

Ooh...and we saw this little guy as we were leaving the house!  Noah thought it was SO cool!  Okay...so did I...hence why I felt the need to take a picture of it!

So this was the first 4th where I have a nice camera!  I brought it with me of course.  I really wanted to try some longer exposures to capture the fireworks!  First time....so hope ya like!  

I shot these with a Canon 5D Mark II & 50mm f/1.4 @ f/3.2 and 0.8 of a second. 

Happy Independence Day, everyone!  Hope everyone had a fun and safe time!

Ellie + Bryson | Family | Norfolk, VA Photographer

I met up with Ellie and Bryson in Norfolk at a cute little spot just minutes away from my house! How did I not know about this quiet little beach?!  Bryson is just so adorable, and he sure loves puppies, eating rocks, and looking for airplanes!  He's a little studmuffin, and you're going to be in trouble Ellie!  I love this little family, and Ellie is a beautiful, wonderful mommy!

How patriotic!  Even though they love the Nats, I still love them! 

This is such a "cool-guy" moment!  Only thing that is missing is Bryson throwing his fist in the air with a little bit of Simple Minds playing in the background!

Shooting at Sunrise: Rachel R.

I applaud any and all photographers who have the motivation to wake before the sun rises. I know it is because the lighting is amazing just after the sun comes up; I know this because I decided to try it out! Let me tell you, I think I prefer the light after the sun comes UP over the light just before it goes DOWN! 

Last weekend, I tore myself from my warm, comfortable bed to drive to Virginia Beach, pick up my model, and get us to the beach! We made it in time, and it was so worth it! The lighting really was amazing, and while it was a bit cold and windy, Rachel was a trooper and gave me some great shots! This won't be the last time I do this to a model, but I can tell you...it may be a while before it happens! Check out some of my shots, and let me know what you think [if you so wish to do so]!