50th Birthday Party - Forest, Va

I recently had the opportunity to photograph the 50th birthday party for Randy Gantt. The party was a surprise to him, planned by his wife, Rosie. Considering it was held two months before his actual birthday, you can say it definitely came as quite a surprise to Randy when he came home to more than 30 cars in his driveway and a few dozen of his friends and family. I was honored to be Randy's paparrazi for the evening. I loved being able to document the event which included many, many friends, good food, a great band, and fun times. Below is just a sampling of photos commemorating the special evening.

Ryan and Dylan Photo Session - Lynchburg, Va

Ryan, 2, and Dylan, 5, brought such energetic personalities to our photo shoot Monday. The two brothers had a blast playing on the playground and wandering the lake during our session. They even pulled me into their game of Hide and Seek, promising that if I caught them, I could take their picture. Most of the photos I caught of these two are candid. But I was able to pose them for a couple of shots. I love working with children and often find that just following them while they play is the best way to get the best photographs. Here are some of my favorite photographs from that session.

Summer Photo Shoot with Allie and Amy - Downtown Lynchburg, Va

Recently I met Amy and Allie in downtown Lynchburg, Va for a special photo shoot. This shoot was a secret because the photos were a birthday present for Amy's sister, Stephanie. Stephanie bought Allie this beautiful dress before Allie was even born. And what a perfect dress it is. Allie wore it well. Allie was such a joy to photograph. This little one-year-old was all smiles and happy to pose for me. After taking several shots downtown, we moved on to the Old City Cemetery which has a pond, tree swing and beautiful landscape. I hope you enjoy viewing some of my favorite pictures from the photo shoot.

Pet Photo Tip: Get Close and Get Light

When photographing your pet, get close and get light. Fill the frame with your pet, and leave out the clutter of the house in the background. Use natural light outside, or use the light from large windows or an open door.

Some examples: