Maybe it’s the teacher in me. Maybe it’s because it reminds me of living in Montana. Or maybe it’s a little bit of both. But whatever the reason, I love a good snow day! And in many cases, I would be all for braving the conditions and having an epic family photo session outside. BUT, with two kids under two, that didn’t seem like a winning strategy. After having already postponed this session once because of the weather, we opted to pivot to an Alexandria lifestyle photography session instead of postponing a second time. So, on a very chilly and snowy morning, while base and school were both closed, I hopped onto the nearly empty roads and drove to the Downalls.
The first thing I noticed when I entered their home was the Christmas tree. It was the middle of January and Savanah quickly apologized for it still being up. Are you kidding me? I’d leave mine up all year long if I could! The tree was also perfectly placed next to their living room windows, so it was going to be easy to incorporate while also taking advantage of the natural light pouring in. A win-win!
While sleepy baby James was a champ the entire time, it took Diana a little bit to warm up to me. As soon as she figured out that I was going to let her play with her favorite toys though, I was in. Her dinosaur and ball captured her attention for awhile, but her name puzzle turned out to be the favorite. She held the pieces, brought them to me, and even tried to eat them a couple times! Throughout it all, her parents played along with her and it was clear she loved every moment of it.
I love lifestyle sessions because the photos serve as a reminder of exactly how life is in your home right now. The toys. The books. The chaos. It’s all fleeting, but capturing these details now will serve as a beautiful memory in the years to come. If you’re interested in an Alexandria lifestyle photography session, please reach out to me. Let’s work together to document this season!
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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.