Virginia Photographer

Sister & Brother

stephj — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:38:19 +0000

I photographed this family a couple of years ago and was so excited to see them again, as their love for each other is a joy to be around. Great to spend time with you guys again S family!

Sweet newborn Harper

stephj — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:25:22 +0000

I love working with the same families over the years and documenting their families as they grow. I photographed big brother Nate almost 2 years ago and was excited to meet new baby sister Harper! Congratulations J family on your perfect addition!

Newborn Emma

stephj — Sat, 12 May 2012 00:38:39 +0000

Emma was a sweet little model, much like her sister was almost 2 years ago. What fun life will be with these 2 darlings! Congratulations S family!!

1 year old Cameron [northern virginia baby photographer]

stephj — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:53:53 +0000

I was so honored to be able to photograph another beautiful child for the DSANV Calendar this year. This was my 4th year participating and I’ve met many wonderful families. Please consider purchasing a calendar later this year and supporting the DSANV!

Cameron was the sweetest, happiest baby and was a joy to photograph. He had me giggling during the session and I smiled the entire time I edited his portraits! It was wonderful to meet you P family!

Family of four [northern virginia family photographer]

stephj — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:09:45 +0000

I photographed this family 6 months ago for Adam’s newborn session and really enjoyed hanging out with them in a different environment for a family session. We had a gorgeous day, perfect weather, happy kids, can’t ask for more! It was great to see you again C family, I had fun with your wonderful family!

12 day old newborn Caleb [northern virginia newborn photographer]

stephj — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:33:42 +0000

Caleb was just a dream, sleepy easy-going guy. I wanted to just eat him up with his sweet dark hair and the beginnings of some chub. How lucky are mom & dad that they get to snuggle him whenever they want?! It was great to meet you K family, congratulations!!

1 week old newborn Landon [northern virginia newborn photographer]

stephj — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 03:28:04 +0000

I love watching the families I photograph grow, new babies, more joy, more chaos too but wonderful chaos. It was great to see you guys again B family and meet your new addition, sweet Landon!

BabySnap 2011 Slideshow

stephj — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:50:19 +0000

My 2011 slideshow is a little late this year, but I had fun making it and seeing all of my clients from last year again. Last year marked my 5th year in business which was a great accomplishment to me. When I first started this business in summer of 2006, I saw a statistic on a photography forum and it was something like “90% of photography businesses will not make it to 5 years”. I don’t know how accurate that was or how accurate I’m remembering it, but that really stuck with me. I’ve certainly seen many come and go over the years. Celebrating 5 years in August felt awesome. I started a business from scratch, with the help of some amazing mentors I grew it and fine-tuned it, I established a high standard of services so that my clients had the experience I envisioned, I even figured out book-keeping, taxes, found a (life-saving) accountant (he’s Sam Foltz if you need one!) and met 5 years with success. My business remains small, as I still have a little one at home, but I am so grateful for consistent business, and that my job is to spend time capturing moments for families. Being a business owner and a mom has taken many late nights and much stress, but also a lot of joy and a huge sense of pride. I look forward to the years to come, as my business shifts and expands, meeting new clients and seeing the same faces again!

So anywho, here’s the slideshow, every client from 2011 makes an appearance in it! Enjoy! (it’s around 5 minutes I think, long but not too excruciating lol)

2011 Slideshow

WPPI 2012 wow…

stephj — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 04:18:54 +0000

Wedding and Portrait Photographers International- Convention and Trade Show.

This was my third year going, but I considered not going this year, was just kind of “blah” about it even though I loved it the past two years. None of my local photographer friends were going this year, my roomie of 2 years was busy with a newborn and my other roommate was ready to give birth any time (so happy for them but thank goodness it wasn’t me again haha). Then my friend Dorie said she’d go, so we decided to do it! Sooooo glad we did. Every year I’m so amazed by how great it is to be around so many photographers from all over the world. I don’t go to WPPI to party (ok I did end up partying some), I really do go to learn. I LOVE learning, love sitting in those classes and soaking it all in. I can find something relavent in any class, even if it isn’t life-changing. And then some things are life-changing. I have learned things at WPPI that have changed my workflow, my productivity, my business plan, my goals, my inspiration and eye, even my heart. I just thrive in that environment, love being around “like-minded” (crazy? artistic, open-minded, passionate) people who can talk for hours. Over 15,000 of them, wow. When I’m there, I’m just Stephanie, photographer, business owner, artist (not mom, yes I miss them but I also enjoy it lol). So, another fabulous week at WPPI, another year that I’m still inspired enough to continue this journey, not lose my passion for photography in the midst of managing a business, another year of working with wonderful clients and striving to reach professional and personal photography goals. And this year I WILL complete a personal photography project, if I commit to it here I’ll be accountable right?

So, next year when I’m overwhelmed with the fall madness, I’ll come back and read this post so that I don’t even consider skipping WPPI 2013 for a second.

Here are a few (iPhone) pictures of our trip!

This is part of the view from our balcony and Dorie & I heading to class

Jesh de Rox speaking and then us having a Jesh pow-wow

Tamara Lackey speaking and part of the ginormous tradeshow

Awards ceremony the last night and Dorie & I having giant drinks with new friends (not the guy behind us, he was rude lol)

Onto another year! 2011 slideshow coming soon (very late)

10 day old newborn Avery [northern virginia newborn photographer]

stephj — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:26:34 +0000

Avery and his big brother were both so stinkin’ cute and very cooperative for their session. Congratulations M family, it was great to meet you!!

Blake loves giving his new baby brother kisses!