Sargent Family Session

There isn't a single thing I didn't love about this family session/six month milestone shoot. I've known this mama since we were in elementary school and was so excited to catch up with her and meet her sweet boy, Grady. She came prepared with a pinterest board full of ideas and a crate (literally) full of props.
We shot at Blandy Farms in Winchester, VA in the earlier morning  hours. The light was just so soft coming through the trees and glowing over the fields... the weather was absolutely beautiful. One of my favorite things about this session was, although we had a ton of "poses" none of the images really look posed. Which of course is my favorite. Natural posing and tons of emotion. That's exactly what this family did without any direction from me.

And I love the result.

I'm looking forward to hopefully catching up with this sweet family again when it's time to celebrate Grady's first birthday. In the meantime I'll just have to swoon over those big blue eyes from his six month session.

xo

Justyn

Six

I have been subconsciously speeding up this child's life. If you had asked me how old she was five months ago, I would have answered "almost six". Which I suppose is technically true, I could have also answered "she just turned five" - which would have been about the same as almost six I suppose. But never would I have just answered five. And then within the last month when asked I automatically answered "she's six". 
Why?
Why do I do this?
Today she is six. And now I am feeling as though I have squandered away her last days as a five year old, telling the world she was already six. I can't turn back time, but I can say - this little girl, who acts as if she is six going on sixteen, will in fact BE SIX until she turns seven.
No more speeding up time, it's slipping away from me fast enough as it is.
Happy Birthday to my baby girl who is wonderful in every sense of the word.
My "fanciful, adventuresome, silly, comforted by familiar things, and boldly curious about the new" six year old.

xo

Mommy

Alexis & Austin :: Engagement

This session is from a couple of weeks ago - things have been busy with Kaelyn starting school and blogging hasn't been a priority as much as editing my recent sessions and spending time with my kids - but I have been wanting to share these pictures since I took them!
This couple is just absolutely gorgeous. And so in love. They were amazing to work with, and Alexis {the bride to be} had so many cute ideas - and props! - it was one of my easiest sessions. We shot at  Stonewall Farm - one of my favorite venues - and took advantage of every backdrop. From their courtyard to the open field with horses, and my favorite rustic barn - this couple was up for anything. Not pictured was their adorable Min Pin, who got in on the shoot as well, Reese. Might I add, a much better behaved Min Pin than my own Dori dog. We were also able to get a couple of shots with the horses, although they scared the be-jeezus out of me. Don't get me wrong, I love horses. Horses are beautiful land majestic creatures - they're just also huge and intimidating. I digress.
I didn't share any black and white images, which is odd because you all know how much I love a good black and white, but the colors came out so well I wanted you to see just how beautiful the shoot was! I wish that they were getting married in North Carolina so that I could capture their special day, but regardless am honored that I was able to capture their engagement!
Congratulations Alexis and Austin!

xo

Justyn

Caleb :: Cake Smash

This little guy stole my heart when he offered me some cake at his one year session. He was such a trooper, obviously ready for his morning nap. And how cute is his outfit?
I love cake smashes because no two are ever a like. Some kids will just go for it - like little Catherine who had no time for nonsense and picked the entire cake up. Then some kids need a little coaxing - like little Caleb here who wasn't quite sure how he felt about this polka dotted dessert placed in front of him. Luckily it didn't take him long to find the icing and proceed to smear it over every visible area of skin.
Who doesn't love a cake covered baby?
Exactly.

xo

Justyn

Tori & Stephen :: Engagement

As I continue to find my photography niche, I can't help but think it might be engagements. Although this was only my second engagement session, I am totally in love with the way these photos came out. Of course it helped that this couple is adorable and so totally smitten with each other - capturing that affection was easy.
I met these two a couple of weeks ago when Tori was referred to me by my hair dresser (who also happens to be amazing), wanting to discuss wedding photography. I can't even explain how excited I was when I got her email, literally jumping around my kitchen with joy. I emailed her back right away requesting a meeting. One of the things I strive for as a photographer is a personal experience, I want to know my clients, I want to be able to give them the best product I can. Planning a wedding is no small feat, choosing a photographer is a huge decision. That is why meeting them before discussing details or pricing was so important to me. I wanted to make sure we could actually work together. I'm a pretty easy going person, but having a photographer you don't like shoot your wedding...well that just doesn't work.
Needless to say, we hit it off right away, and I am honored to be the one capturing their love for each other.

xo

Justyn

One

A year ago today, we welcomed this handsome little boy into the world and into our hearts. He completed our family without even knowing that we had been missing a piece to our puzzle. He is SO FULL OF LIFE - which is surprising because he still refuses to sleep through the night. I never imaged there was enough room in my heart to love another child as much as I love Kaelyn but, Colin has proved me wrong.

Every day is a new adventure.

Every smile is a treasured memory.

Happy first birthday to the most amazing little boy I have ever known.

xo

Mommy (Justyn)