Hey there lovelies!  I’ve finally gotten my 2011 mini sessions announced!  I really hope you can come out to help me raise funds for my 2012 return to trip to Ethiopia.  To hear about what I do there, visit my fundraising page here.

Each mini session lasts about 20 minutes in an outdoor location in Baltimore or Annapolis.  You will receive 5-10 proofs to view in an online gallery & a choice of one complimentary digital image for personal use.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezie!  Get an updated photo, make a $100 donation to Doctors Giving Back, and have some fun providing clean water & medical attention for villagers in Ethiopia.  Details below:

To reserve online, click on the following links:

Annapolis – October 22

Baltimore – October 23

Annapolis – November 19

It’s so awesome to get to second shoot with great photographers more than once!  That’s actually how I got started in this biz.  You learn their style, their needs, their preferences – and you being to compliment one another on what can sometimes be a high-stress day.

Natalie asked me to assist her on a wedding of two just absolutely sweet, down-to-earth people in Baltimore.  Justin & Katharine…*sigh*  Utterly calm, friendly, & genuine.  They threw a great celebration.  Head on over to Natalie’s blog to see many, many more amazing photos of their wedding day at Tabrizi’s.

Here’s what I saw…

(oh, hi, Natalie!)

I absolutely love it when I get to meet clients & see them through some wonderful life changes.  Like when a couple goes from this….

….to this!

I first met Mike & Rachel while shooting their engagement, and then again at their wedding.  And I was so thrilled when they asked me to come and meet little Silas!  What a sweet baby boy!  He’s a big guy, just like my oldest was, but I like ‘em that way!  I think he was just too interested to try to be shushed to sleep, but we did manage to get him to snooze a teeny bit.  Regardless, his expressions were just lovely.  And I’m happy to say I’ve gotten my baby fix…for now!  Thanks again for having me Rachel & Mike, and congratulations on becoming parents to a wonderful little man.

I’m thinking ahead to my week & what I have to prepare for and I realized I haven’t really showcased pets too much in my photography.  This weekend I’m getting the fantastic opportunity to partner with Dogs Around Town for their first ever Yappy Hour at the Rodgers Forge Apartments.  The apartment complex is having a community yard sale, and Jared – Dogs Around Town owner – came up with the awesome idea of a pet friendly day included in the fun.  Jared has arranged a pet trainer to be on site for some talks & demonstrations, as well as ME!  I’ll be taking photographs of pets & their owners.  I’ll call them pet portraits!  Pets & their humans!  We’ll be uploading the digital photos to the Dogs Around Town Facebook Page as quickly as possible after the event so that owners can show of their little furry loved ones.

And what is Dogs Around Town?  Well, let me have Jared explain it best:  Dogs Around Town provides walking and pet sitting services for Baltimore area dog owners. It’s that simple.  People love their pets, but they still have to leave them to provide for them.  That’s where Jared comes in.  He provides a brief, as-needed love session for your pet while you are away.  It’s so simple, but so needed.  And I’m excited to participate this weekend.  So tell your friend, bring your pets, and come say hello!

Here are a few pets I’ve crossed paths with over the year…

I was thrilled to hear from Meghan Ashley when she asked me to assist her on Jason & Emilee’s amazing wedding at the Engineer’s Club in Baltimore.  She had so many exciting things to tell me that they had planned – a Hindu ceremony, Jason arriving on a decorated horse, bag pipes & Indian drums, bright & beautiful colors, and on & on.  It was a feast for the senses!  Check out Meghan’s blog post for more wonderful images of the day.  I decided to blog many of the wonderful details I saw that day.  And congratulations to Jason & Emilee – two of THE sweetest & kindest people I’ve met.