I love love love when a friend turns into a client. This time it happened unexpectedly. Amy’s dad was about to celebrate an upcoming birthday, and Amy’s mom needed a unique gift… Voila! Amy’s mom turned to me to take professional portraits of her two daughters. Since time was tight and printing couldn’t be done before dad’s birthday, we wrapped up a gift card and a link to the photos and he gets to pick which photos are his favorite from the entire gallery. Who doesn’t love getting a choice between 50 different presents?!
More to share about the gallery gift later — for now please enjoy a sampling of photos of the two adorable sisters!
We’re you one of the hundreds of DC fashionistas who made it out to the sold-out District Sample Sale last night? If not, you missed quite a scene – fab sales, yummy food and pumpin jams. Read all about it on the Examiner.
K Street Kate, CityShopGirl and Marisa Turner Potts make shopping look good.
The Charm jewelry display was nearly always swarmed.
Georgetown Cupcake supplied much-needed clothes-frenzy fuel.
Ladies bidding at the silent auction.
Babe attracts a crowd.
Mark your calendars for next year – it’s sure to sell out again!
It’s not everyday that a portrait client will feed you. I got lucky.
Marissa Bialecki, the Bon Appetite Foodie invited me over for a three-course meal and I got to take some pictures in between. Heaven.
Bon Appetite Foodie blogs about anything related to food that inspires her–restaurant reviews around DC, original recipes, information about food events in DC and more. She prides herself on providing original content on her blog. She also writes for We Love DC, where her main column is Capital Chefs that includes profiles and interviews with chefs in the DC area. Simply put, if it’s about food, she’s interested!
As a lover of eclectic cuisine, cooking and baking, I hit her up with some questions during our fun night together:
Q. If you could only recommend three restaurants to a visiting tourist, what would you recommend?
Tough question since there are so many restaurants I love! I think 1789 is fantastic. Yes, it’s often referred to as a DC institution and some people like to reserve it only for special occasions, but I think it’s a place where you can get a meal that is really special and delicious. Their chef, Dan Giusti, is very talented. I tried escargot there for the first time and to my surprise, I really enjoyed it. So if you’re a tourist in Georgetown, skip the stupidly long line at Georgetown Cupcake and eat something that’s worth it.
You can’t come to DC and not eat at Ben’s Chili Bowl. It’s a rite of passage to eat there and it’s another “DC institution.” Day or night, it’s always the right time for a half-smoke with mustard and chili and a huge plate of chili cheese fries. There are few things better than Michael Jackson’s PYT blasting and some good chili dogs over at Ben’s.
My last pick would be Breadline which is downtown near the White House. I used to treat myself to sandwiches and a walk through the park from there every now and then when I was at GWU. If you’re a tourist on a budget and you want to grab some sandwiches before heading over to the White House or down to the mall, I’d recommend going to Breadline and having a nice little picnic outside.
Q. What’s your favorite food to eat/make?
My favorite food to make is probably Italian. It’s a crowd pleaser when I cook for friends who have different likes and dislikes. It’s a type of cuisine that almost everyone enjoys. That being said, I like challenging myself in the kitchen, trying to make my own Chinese takeout, Indian chicken tikka masala or coq au vin. I’m trying to get more into baking lately and make use out of my KitchenAid Mixer. It’s a gadget worth having in the kitchen. The one food I always go out for and probably wouldn’t bother trying to recreate at home is sushi.
If you’re anxious about cooking, the recipes for the dinner she made are really simple! Her advice is to go for it, learn some basic skills and try your hand at cooking. Marissa hopes her blog inspires more people out there to cook, since it motivates her to try her hand at other recipes and making her own for the blog.
If anyone has any questions about cooking or restaurants they think she should check out, Marissa can be reached at bonappetitfoodie@gmail.com.
For more photos from our night, plus recipes – visit Marissa’s blog, Bon Appetite Foodie.
I have been offering custom designed birth announcements to my clients for awhile now, but I never actively shared them with the public. So behold, samples from my “elegant” collection! Each design is completely unique in colors, text and graphics, depending on the style that’s right for you and your family. Fifty sweet birth announcements, custom designed and complete with envelopes are $100.
I had so much fun spending a Sunday morning with Altan and his amazingly kind family. Altan looked dapper in all of my sleepytime hats and seemed to have the best time simply lounging on his parents bed, posing for the camera. Lucky me, I get to hang out with Altan again this Spring, and also this Fall! Stay tuned for more of this sweet little boy.
Anyone looking for a one bedroom in Arlington? An immaculate, sunny condominium is for sale… and there’s nothing like being a block away from the metro! Contact Diana Rucker of McEnearny Real Estate via her website for more information.
Q. Why do you schedule newborn sessions so soon after they are born?
A. The earlier the better, and I aim to schedule our session between 4-10 days of their arrival! Before babies reach their second week of birth they are the sleepiest, and it is easier to curl them up in cute, snuggly poses. It is definitely possible to schedule a session past 14 days, but your baby will likely be much more active and super curious about the camera. Newborns also start breaking out in baby acne, developing dry skin, etc. the older they get. That’s perfectly normal, but it takes more time to process the photos.
Q. Why don’t you shoot in the studio?
A. New mothers and fathers are most comfortable at their homes, with all of their baby’s necessities at hand. Since the session takes 2-4 hours, I want to make sure they have the opportunity to relax the entire time and take breaks if needed. Shooting in the parents home also helps me get an idea of what style of photographs would look best with their decor. And don’t forget the nursery! At some sessions we will shoot in the nursery, which will add another personal touch to your photos.
Q. Why do newborn sessions take so long?
A. I schedule every session in a 4-hour block because baby portraits are a bit different than every other kind. Newborn temperaments vary greatly each day and I would never force a child to sleep or wake up at my whim. I work around your little one, capturing the precious moments that only come when they are comfortable and happy. I also need the extra time to set up props, meet your little one, and clean as the shoot progresses. All of my props get messy and this is completely expected! Don’t be upset if your newborn has an accident. Since we work without a diaper part of the time, this ALWAYS happens. I haven’t been at one shoot where it hasn’t. My blankets/props go straight into the washing machine when I get home.
Q. Why do newborn sessions cost more than other portrait sessions?
A. Newborns sessions are the most delicate of all. They take longer to photograph, and the photos take longer to process. They also require more props and more prep time, which results in the higher fee.
I was more than happy to take a time off my holiday vacation to visit little miss Sara Eve eight days after she was born. She was the most curious little lady and refused to sleep, even after several feedings – which was fine by me because I got to play with her for for three hours and capture so many sweet expressions! I knitted some new baby hats and headbands for the occasion and they fit her perfectly.
A fun coincidence: as I was wrapping up processing her photos, a Starship song started playing… Sara. (one of the many corny 90′s songs that I can’t get enough of and keep me plugging away late at night) 
I can’t help but love these portrait sessions the most. They will never be this young again and I hope to give the parents a showcase of memories they will cherish forever.
This week is my vacation from everything but: online shopping, blogging, an perhaps, maybe just one newborn shoot. 
I can’t ever take a vacation from those! Here are a few of my favorite things of 2010:
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Right before this year’s first mid-Atlantic cold snap I met the Gavaris Family and had super fun photoshoot with the whole gang. The one word that comes to mind when I think of them – energy! They took me all over their home and never failed to stop smiling. Their little girls are gorgeous… can’t wait to see them grow up!
