Posing the family picture

Admit it, somewhere throughout your family pictures, there's that Christmas card of your whole family lined up on your steps in your favorite sweaters or (even worse) white/red t-shirts and jeans. I totally understand this because hey, photographers CAN be pretty expensive and you gotta do what you gotta do. But this year, I challenge you to break out of that same old mode and spice it up a bit. For our family picture this year I knew we weren't going to have time to do an actual shoot because of everyone's schedule. My brother was home for one afternoon, and it was now or never. I texted the family members ahead of time to let them know what we were wearing so we wouldn't clash, I told my brother to "Not wear the same shirt he always does" and we made it happen. :) I staggered everyone on our front steps (In September while we still had some color on our skin. ;) and incorporated something that we all have in common. Photography. Big shock, I know. ;) Except for James, my older brother, we all have our own Nikon's, but James rocks his android cell phone camera. I thought about giving him another Nikon (we had a D200 on loan) but that's not James. I stuck with that I knew we all used. Our picture was taken on a regular point and shoot (because we didn't have a DSLR to spare) we only took one shot, and I really, really love how the picture turned out. Not into photography? Have each family member pick their favorite thing and use that. (Maybe have a girl wear an apron if she loves cooking, the boy hold a basketball if that's his sport of choice, mom hold her favorite magazine, dad hold is favorite power tool or book....) Have your pictures tell a story about each person, not the story of "Hey look how good our Mom is at color coordinating our entire family with the SAME exact shirt for each person!" ;)

I hope this helped a little with your Christmas picture pursuit. :)

Stay Beautiful,

Anne

Senior {Julie}

Julie is one of my most closest, dearest friends. We have both lifted each other up during very serious, hard times. We have cried together, held one another, ate together, danced together, laughed, and spent endless moments together. I would not be the person I am today without a friend like Julie. (And my room wouldn't be the same either! ;) She is so constant, so beautiful, so faithful.... Her faith & friendship inspire me. It was such an absolute honor to take her senior pictures and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. :)

Julie is no stranger to this blog and photoshoots, but I was so surprised at how amazing she did. Lately posing has been a challenge because it's not just posing, it's physically having to tell people where to put their hands, how to position their head, and different faces to make. Julie just got in front of the camera, owned her inner Tyra Banks, and worked it like the fiercely beautiful woman that she is. Loved doing these!

Half of them are candids. I'm known for talking a lot on shoots, so most of these are her responding to what i'm saying or laughing. So gorgeous!

Julie & I share the same birth year, and our actual birth "days" are only 1 day apart. Needless to say, we do a lot of things together. :D

Shut. up. & She makes a mean Tiramisu as well. Double threat. ;)

One of my favorites from the day.

So stunner! Just throwing out the fact that Julie's make-up of choice is chap stick. That's right people, this was an all natural shoot. Which just makes it 10x better. <3

Like her hair? Totally did that myself with ONE clip, and pretty proud about it. :D

This is just cute

*Swoon* I know i'm saying all of these are gorgeous, but when they actually are AND it's one of your best friends, I become a little biased. ;)

Dad & I were both saying how we could have shot Julie all day.

Julie, I love you, I love your pictures, I love that you love me, and I love you for every prayer you have said for me, every hug you've given during my most hardest days, every food item you've made for me because you know my love language is food and hugs... Ah, I could keep going. But you shine, Julie dear. You shine so bright. You are and will continue to do amazing things with God helping you along the way. This is just a start and I cannot wait to see where God takes you. <3

Stay Beautiful,

Anne

Josh & Jessica {Engagement shoot}

I've known Josh & Jessica since I was 15 (which was just sooo long ago, right?) and watched their little crush turn into a courtship, and then an engagement. When I was at one my favorite places (Pop quiz, guess that location! haha) Jessica asked me to take their pictures I was so happy oblige. We went to Harpers Ferry, which is one of my faaaavorite places to shoot, especially during the fall seasons. :)

Love the golden hour of fall that is known as 5 o clock. They look so amazing with the warm light. ^_^

Favorite.

I'm such a sucker for a sun flare picture. "Guys guys guys!" "Anne Anne Anne!" "Hahaha we have to shoot here! Like, right in this spot. It's perfect."

My new signature couple shoot pose is the guy spinning the girl. I find myself going to this pose a lot during these kinds of shoots, because the expressions are just so good! :)

Looking good for being really winded from walking up the huge hill, yes? *Jessica and I taking deep breathes* Josh: "Guys, this is nothing." Me: "Says the eagle scout! haha"

That's the look of love right there.

Loved this shot from Dad. :)

You good looking woman, you!

Guys, thanks for walking all over and supporting all my ideas, it was so great!

Much Love,

Anne