Today, I FINALLY got to meet Ada and Preston!   I have been anticipating their arrival for a LONG time now… they are babies #5 and #6 in their family… and Preston is the FIRST boy!   He is going to be the BEST boyfriend ever when he grows up!

They are also my VERY first twin newborns…. and they were amazing!   Here’s a little peek into their session!  Ada got all the hair!!! 

Baby noggins + our custom newborn blankets = awesome!

As I was getting everything packed up and Preston was having a little snack, Ada enjoyed a little sister time with Mae and Gwynn.  I told Mel that these were pretty much snapshots… but then I took this… and, while I really did nothing to my settings, etc… I REALLY don’t care… because LOOK!

More to come!

WOW!

What a weekend!

In the best way possible (besides the fact that I had the flu… but I pushed though.. I’m hard core!   HAHAHAHA)!

This weekend, Joanna and Pat got married!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Their wedding was full of amazing detail, set in a barn in the foothills of the mountains… it was gorgeous.  And, most importantly, they SO love each other!   (I saw a similar image and I WISH I could remember who it was so I could give them credit…. but THANK YOU for inspiring this shot!)

On Sunday, I headed to Richmond to shoot Trish and Eytan’s wedding.  I pretty much teared up the entire day.  The love they share, their families, their traditions… the way they look at each other… there are NO words to describe it!

Stay tuned for more!

I have been showcasing these cute babies on my facebook page while my blog was under construction… but the pictures look SO much better on here!  So I thought I’d add ‘em on here tonight for your viewing enjoyment!   Full blog posts on their way!   For now, though, enjoy!

ISABELLE

JULIAN

JACKSON

LUCA

MADISON

MASON

AIDAN, ANNALISE & EVIE

SOFIA

SCARLETT

SAMANTHA

SOPHIE

SO SO many sweet babies! ]]> http://focusphotographyllc.com/baby-mini-peeks/feed/ 0 http://focusphotographyllc.com/friday-randomness/ http://focusphotographyllc.com/friday-randomness/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 17:21:50 +0000 admin http://focusphotographyllc.com/?p=2401 NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

Welcome back, Me!

You know how when there are big projects to get done, it’s so much easier to do the smaller ones first.  Then, the smaller ones end up taking over, and the kids get the flu… and you end up not getting the big one done and then it weighs on your shoulders… and … and … and…

I have NO IDEA how that feels.

HAHAHAHAHA!  Totally kidding, clearly!

Today, I am feeling like there is a big weight off my shoulders because, for the MOST part, my “new” blog is done!  WAHOO!  I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts…. The newly redesigned comment section is just waiting patiently to be used

I’m also feeling flu-ish!

OTHER exiting things?

1.   I FINALLY used my new camera!  I was actually SUPER nervous about it.  It seemed like the changes were pretty big.  And I so love my regular camera (Canon 5D Mark II) I kinda didn’t want to replace it!  And, to be honest, I’m not SURE it will.  But I feel VERY lucky and happy that I have TWO great cameras… so if something happens to one, I will be OK!

Brady was my very cooperative volunteer to practice. HOW cute is he?

2.  This weekend I am shooting TWO weddings!  I have TWO weddings booked for 2012 and they are BOTH this weekend.  It should be SO fun and SO exhausting.  Weddings are so fun and special… and because of my kiddos I only do a few each year!  So they are EXTRA special.

3.  The kids ran the Great Train Race and Caboose Run in Fredericksburg last weekend.  We were SO happy they were all able as the girls battled the flu BEFORE… and the boys came down with it after!  I ran with the girls … and my camera!   I can’t wait to showcase this event on here.  Oh my gosh, I LOVE it. 

4.  I have a zillion cuties to post on the blog coming up!  So many babies too… which leads to me…

BABY MILESTONE PLAN IS BACK!

I used to do one back in the day, but moved away from it over time.  I can’t even remember why!  But I love being able to watch the newborns grow up through my lens.  Get to know them!  And, at the end of the year, give them an incredible album!

5.  ONE more thing… There is a fantastic offer out there for you!   If you and a friend book your session at the same time, you only pay ONE session fee!  The COOL part is, you EACH get your own full session on your own specific date.  So find a friend and get your summer/fall sessions scheduled!  You can book yours for ANYTIME in 2012!

Alrighty, that’s enough randomness right now!  THANK YOU for checking out the new blog!  You can even subscribe to get emails when I update the blog… which is a good thing.  Because summer is coming up, and I’ll be posting some fun activities to do with your kiddos EACH WEEK!

Wow.. busy busy few days!

Here’s a peek into my little session tonight!  My niece and nephew recently celebrated their birthdays… Shaili is 3 and Levin turned 1!  After a day of just relaxing together, we walked through Occoquan to do their birthday portraits!  Here’s a little glimpse!

Of COURSE, since my kids were there, they WANTED to be in a picture too!  Funny!  And so, I can’t NOT post one!   My boys… totally spontaneous.  Made me SO glad to have my camera all set and ready when this happened!

Sibling love!  Nothing better!

Tonight I had the absolute pleasure of hanging out with 2 of the happiest babies I’ve ever met!

Emerson is 19 months old and FULL of energy!

And Ethan is 5 and a half months full of calm, nature-enjoying little man!

Hope you guys enjoy these peeks!  Lots o’ blog posts coming up!

Stacy ]]> http://focusphotographyllc.com/emerson-and-ethan-peek/feed/ 0 http://focusphotographyllc.com/dominic-roman-and-preston-warrenton-va-photographers/ http://focusphotographyllc.com/dominic-roman-and-preston-warrenton-va-photographers/#comments Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:29:06 +0000 admin http://focusphotographyllc.com/?p=2153 NOTE: the images in this feed have been downsized or removed for copyright reasons. To see them in their unmodified state, please view the original post by clicking here.

After a few weeks of tying up loose-ends, I got an email about a special little guy, Dominic, and his family!  I jumped at the chance to work with them and we set of a session for just a few days later!   After talking with Margaret and learning that her boys, ESPECIALLY the middle guy, Roman, were into trains… we decided to meet at the train station in Warrenton where I had JUST done my boys Valentine’s Day pictures!  I stuffed my Shoot-Sac with Thomas trains and was ready to go!

All 3 boys-  Dominic, Roman and Preston-  fell asleep on the way!!  Dominic was a little shy for the first few minutes… but he was an easy shell to crack!  He is in Kindergarten and was happy to tell me about school and his friends!  That’s his shy face, below!  So cute! See!?  He did not take long to warm up!  And I am in LOVE with the color of his eyes!!!

Preston, the little guy, was part of my inspiration is my baby model contest!  I just LOVE babies.. and working with him was fantastic!  He was so super snuggly and, at the same time, smiley and friendly!  And.. he ALSO got blessed with these eyes!!  This family should sell their genes for eyes… if they could, they would for SURE be millionaires!

One of the main reasons for this session was that there were no portraits of all 3 boys together!!   I am so happy with these!  This one seems to showcase all the boys personalities:  Dominic was a happy, silly, fun guy!  Roman was the strong, brooding, thoughtful man!  And Preston… well, he was such a friendly, cutie pie!!!    These parents sure do have a lot to be proud of!

One more of the 3!

Dominic took another turn being the center of attention!  I loved out chat!

Beyond having a super cool name, Roman was so much fun to photograph.  He just has this little sparkle about him!  Just LOOK at his expression!  I loooove it!

.and, Roman… HE loves trains!one more of Roman for now!

My goodness!!!  That FACE!

It was pretty chilly and windy, but Preston was ready for his “close-up!” 

I saw in a recent post my his mom on Facebook… Preston got a haircut!  He looks SO much older and OH so handsome!  I’m SO happy i got to take these beforehand, though …  such a sweet baby face!Funny face Preston!

Ah… just love!

The whole family piled on together!!  What a fine lookin’ bunch!

I loved watching the boys play here… mine… and these guys!  It’s SUCH a fun place!  Roman was so busy!

I ABSOLUTELY love…and encourage… families to bring along special items during their sessions.  A lovey… a photo… a blanket… anything.  I was so happy to see that Margaret had brought along this super cool wooden cutout of their families favorite word!   Hope!^^  LOVE!

Some daddy & Dom moments.  So sweet… such a connection!  SUCH a proud expression on daddy’s face!

I asked if Margaret and Harvey wanted a few of them together… and they did!  I love when couples do that!We did one more family picture!WHOA!  Why is that so big???!!!   I REALLY need to get the hang of Blogstomp!  So easy, but doing weird sizing and sharpening things to my blog files

Anywhoo…. As we ended this session, Roman lit up and I couldn’t help it!  That boy… there is just something about him!  And, I’d also like to give a little “shout out” to whoever parked that blue van there.  It made these pictures have a little extra oomph! AHHHHHH!!!  Seriously!  Love it!

Stacy

I can not believe this weather… seriously!

I mentioned in my post on Friday that I would finish it up today… with some of all the kids… instead of just my boys!  These were for their valentines… way back a month ago!

I was kinda just being silly while waiting for slow-poke Bryar who was “getting ready” inside… so I snapped this of Sage!  Too bad it was super sunny.. because it would have been even cuter if Sage wasn’t squinting!   I love the goofy mouth, though!

We have this drainage ditch near my house… that I LOVE.  So, that’s where we did the pictures of all the cuties!  Of course, these are MY kids… so full-cooperation from all 4 at the same time…waiting for their mommy to get one of them all … LOOKING at her… AGAIN… was just not in the books!  But I love them anyway!  (The pictures AND the kids!)

I think they were all “sleeping” in the picture above on the right!

See.. FULL cooperation!    Ha!  But they all blew kisses!  So we’re good!

After the kiss picture, all fell apart.  But, though the images below are far from perfect in any measurable way… they are ABSOLUTELY perfect and priceless to me!  They are perfect because they show connection… they show love.  They show relationships forming and getting stronger by the day.  They show happy… and they show goofy.  They show “I’m too cool to smile for pictures.. but I can’t help it”.  They show my kids.

And I SHOULD “give up” on asking for full-cooperation… a few times a year.  I shouldn’t yell and grouch “JUST ONE PICTURE.. PLEASE”… because I always end up loving the silly ones.    But I’ll still do all that… because a GREAT one of all 4… every once in a while… is worth it!  My poor kids!

I feel like I shouldn’t show many of Bryar… you may be sick of her in the next week or so.  I have 2 Bry blog posts coming up… her 5 year pictures form 2011 and her 6 year ones from SUNDAY!    But I will post a few of her anyway.. because… well… she’s adorable!

… and Sagey-Page!  She is so pretty… I love her grown up teeth!    I can’t believe she HAS grown-up teeth already.  WHY do babies grow up so fast!?

When I see her silly faces… I see SO much of me.  Except she just looks CUTE when she does them!That girl!

She has this special little relationship with Rowen, lately. 

I was hoping for ONE more of all the kids… yeah, right!  They ran as SOON as I set it up!

Note Chase’s face, above.  Happppppppppy!  As soon as we were done, the kids all went off to play with friends.  I don’t know what Chase decided to sulk about… but I look over and this is how I found him.He was not sad… he just “does” this now… if something is slightly wrong, he makes this sad, sulky, scowl face.  It only takes 1 second to crack him up from this “mood”… but I had to capture it first.. because it’s SO him right now!

If you take anything away from this post besides how adorable my kids are (HAHAHAHA!)…. it should be this:

Pictures are important.  ANY pictures…. so be sure to snap away… all the time.  Use your cell-phone cameras (I do ALLLL the time).  The smiles are awesome.. but so are the other millions of expressions and interactions.  So capture them…  share them.   PRINT them… hang them up.  (I need to follow that advice myself!).

A quick little “peek” post for 2 fun families!!

We met in Fredericksburg right on the river…. it was SO so fun to play with these babies and their families!  I’m sure the fisherman were super thankful for us!  HA!

Isabella is 10m old! 

,.. and Jackson is 8 m old! 

More ridiculous cuteness coming soon!!

..and so is a milestone plan!

Stay tuned!

A few months ago, I ordered a new lens.

Ordering a new lens is exciting.

Ordering a new lens is scary!  They are not pennies, that’s for sure.

This specific lens I ordered because it was a macro lens.  And that was something missing from my repertoire… something that comes VERY in handy for any details shots… especially weddings and newborns.

I was super excited to get my delivery… promptly opened my box… and then.. didn’t touch it.

So, as spring started to, well…. spring!  I decided I should probably bust it out and give it a whirl!

I have never used a macro lens before and expect to get better and better with more practice.  But I thought, HEY!  Why not share a few from my 1st attempt!

I THINK this is a plum tree… not the kind that makes fruit, though!   But I love the little flowers that blossom before the leaves!

So…. this is the ring I wear.   It was kinda  joke!  I haven’t been able to wear my engagement and wedding rings for YEARS…  since the birth of my first daughter.  I suddenly became allergic to the gold!   I missed wearing my rings.. but didn’t think it would be possible at ALL to reset them in platinum!  So… I told my husband that for now, I am super happy just to have a ring.. any ring!  So we settled on this stamped silver one.  I love it.  not sure what kind of flowers these are either. They are supposed to grow in rocks… so we have them all around our mailbox.  I hope they fill in the whole space. 

So.. there it is!  My first macro attempts!  I can’t wait to practice more!

Always learning…. always learning!