Anyone who has ever moved their family across the country knows how stressful and challenging a time it can be. While it might not yet be time for me to take down my snarky letter board quote about the chaos of unpacking, NoVA is starting to feel like home. Of course starting school and settling into our new routine is a big part of that, but so is meeting new families and getting ETP up and running again. I had my first Virginia family shoot last weekend and it was the perfect way to get started. I’m so glad that Kristen reached out about some Alexandria family photos!
I met the Fernandez fam bright and early on a Saturday morning in Old Town. This was especially impressive considering Kristen and Wes had to get their three little ones ready and then drive the 45 minutes to Alexandria all before 8:00 AM. Thankfully Nana was around to lend a hand! Mia and Lexi, their twin girls, were happy from the moment I saw them, but it didn’t take me long to figure out that Logan wasn’t feeling it. When I asked him if he was ready to take some pictures, he gave me a stern “no” in the way that only a two-year-old can. (Trust me, I know from personal experience!) That didn’t scare me though, but rather forced me to bring my A game.
We started our session outside the Athenaeum against the big pillars and peachy walls. These colors were perfect for my light and airy style and also coordinated well with the family’s outfits. The girls were ready to go right away, so we quickly brought out some bribes for Logan. Food worked in the short term and then we just followed his lead. He wasn’t thrilled about sitting still and smiling, but he enjoyed flying and being held by his dad. That was fine by me! After lots of family shots there, including some flying twins, we walked down toward the Potomac. It was looking like Logan was done, but our patience paid off. We let him lead the way after we got to the Old Town Alexandria Waterfront and just let him explore. These turned out to be some of my favorite pictures of the day.
I’m so thankful for the opportunity to meet other young families through my photography business. It’s an honor to preserve such beautiful memories, especially when it requires extra patience and skill. Kristen, thank you so much for trusting me to capture this season for your family. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!
If you’re interested in a family session of your own, please reach out to me. I would love to meet you and serve your family too. 🤍
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I HAVE A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR YOU!
I've been navigating military life with my family since 2008. In that time, I went from a full-time classroom teacher to an online course designer to a photographer. Actually, I still teach a little math on the side because I just love it too much!
Through it all, I've discovered how passionate I am about connecting with military families. Whether it's taking photos at a retirement ceremony, coaching a fellow milspouse photographer, or just grabbing coffee with a new squadron friend, I love this community. And as a teacher at heart, I'm excited to use this space to share what I've learned about business and life with you.
I'M ERIN.