Have a SUPER Halloween!

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine

When I think of my friend Alena, I think of her contagious laugh, and the way her face lights up when she is talking to you.  She was the first person we met when we moved to Yorktown, and I have loved getting to know her family.  When she asked me to take her family's photos, we started brainstorming some ideas for her session.  I told her that I love incorporating things that really tell the story of each family I photograph, so we came up with the idea of doing activities centered around some of the things her family loves to do most: playing games, and just having fun being together.  In her game room, where she wants to display the photos, she wants to put the scripture up on the wall from the Book of Mormon that reads, "Men are, that they might have Joy."  I am so grateful to Alena for her example of having joy in everything she does- especially in raising her four beautiful children- and the light she is to so many people.

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Gates Family {Alexandria, VA}

It's been a couple years since I photographed this family, and it was so fun to see everyone again!  Susan asked me to travel back to DC to take some pictures of all her kids, celebrating the fact that they would all be in town together for a short while.  We decided to meet up in Old Town, and we just had a lot of fun!  Hanging out with the Gates family reminds me a lot of hanging out with my own brothers and sisters.  It's always a good time.

Wittwer Family {Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria VA}

I love this family!  They are just so fun and completely adorable.  I'm so glad Brooke asked me to come back up to DC to take some pictures of her family.  We met up at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, and even though we had to do a mid-afternoon session, it ended up being perfect with the over-cast skies.  It was so fun to see you guys again!

Washington D.C. temple wedding

A week ago today, my beautiful sister-in-law Becky got married to a wonderful guy in the Washington D.C. temple.  It had to have been the hottest day of the year, with what felt like 100% humidity.  Becky looked beautiful and they both were so happy.  I'm so grateful they asked me to be a part of their special day.  :)

For the ring ceremony and reception, we drove to Old-Town, Alexandria, where we boarded the Cherry Blossom Riverboat along the Potomac River.  It took us on a three-hour tour to the D.C. monuments and back.  

Congratulations, Mr. And Mrs. Chaney!