hi there!

So, this is the spot where you'll find my latest photography work, my news, adventures, travels, and random thoughts. I'm a professional photographer living in Northern Virginia and I specialize in creative and modern lifestyle portraits and event photography. I love trying new things and have had many hobbies, but photography is the one thing I've stuck with for years and years. I absolutely positively love it.

Other things I love: I adore my husband, family and friends. I love animals, reading, reality TV, pretty much any kind of music, and chocolate. On the other side of the coin, I hate bugs, mayonnaise, and super early mornings. I'm creative, silly, friendly, sensitive, expressive, talkative and curious. There - that's me in a paragraph. To get to know me a little better beyond a blog bio, read on. And if you have something to say, please feel free to leave me a comment or send me a note!

alicia & adrian - engaged!

March 7, 2010 – 10:19 am

I honestly feel so lucky to get to do what I do as a photographer, and when I meet the sweetest, cutest people like Alicia and Adrian, it just reminds me WHY I love it so much! We spent the afternoon yesterday exploring Old Town Alexandria, chatting, and taking some engagement photos. We had a really really beautiful day even if it was a little on the chilly side, especially for these two since they hail from Houston! King Street was alive and buzzing even more than usual (everyone must have been alleviating their cabin fever), but we managed to sneak away on some of the quiet side streets for some really fun spots. And for those of you who know I have a thing for interesting doors and doorways, you know I have a good time wandering Old Town. Okay, enough of my babbling - onto some my favorite the images!

I feel like it’s a tad cliche to say this but they both have the most amazing eyes, seriously. And Alicia, I’m pretty jealous of your hair - it looks totally perfect even though it was windy!




So incredibly sweet!



I’m pretty sure I squealed when we found this. How cute is that?! It’s like a little heart thought bubble.



The colors around Old Town are amazing and so fun. I love both of these:

Alicia and Adrian - thanks so much for hanging out with me yesterday! You guys are so much fun and I’m really looking forward to your wedding in June, which I can pretty much promise will be much warmer weather for you! :) See you soon!

By susan | Posted in engagements | 5 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Cindy   -  

    What an adorable couple! She is absolutely gorgeous and you’re right…. Her hair and eyes are amazing. Of course, he’s pretty cute too!

  2. Andrea   -  

    Beautiful engagements! Beautiful couple! I love all the colors you found…and love her blue tights. You’re amazing as always!

  3. Alicia   -  

    Thanks Susan!! We love the pictures!! It was really great to meet you and we are excited to see you again at the wedding!!

  4. Elizabeth and Frank Myers   -  

    Susan,

    Very cool session with a cute couple, well she’s cute and he’s manly. You made great use of the light and really captured great emotions.

    Congrats on another great shoot!

  5. Renee Tiedemann   -  

    What a gorgeous couple! You found some amazing doors and gates - especially the heart above the one door, so perfect!! Another great shoot :)

3rd annual movie day

February 26, 2010 – 9:00 am

This is the third year in a row that Chris and I have pledged to watch all of the Oscar Best Picture nominees before the awards show so that we can make an informed decision on which movie should actually win. You know, in case the academy asks for our humble opinions. In most cases, the nominations are movies that we wouldn’t necessarily choose to watch, so this tradition is sort of a way to stretch our cinematic palette, if you will. The tradition of “movie day” was born when we found a movie theatre that was screening all five of the Best Picture nominees in one day and we decided to buy an advance pass. When we arrived that day, it was totally packed and all of the good seats were taken so we just decided to wait and watch the movies when they were out on DVD. And we’ve done that three years in a row now. The academy expanded the Best Picture category to ten movies instead of five this year, which means we definitely have our work cut out for us. So a few weeks ago, we set aside an entire Saturday to watch several of the films: The Hurt Locker, District 9, Inglorious Basterds, and A Serious Man. We gathered up some of our favorite movie candies and popcorn, and we spent the day screening the noms from the comfort of our living room.

And with that, I’m hereby crossing #77 off of my 101 in 1001 list: Spend a whole day seeing movies (about 4 films) at a theatre. Now, I know it says “at a theatre,” but I have officially decided that I love watching movies at home 1000 times better than at the movie theatre. Don’t get me wrong, we have a Fox Cinemas close to us that is brand-new, huge, clean and offers very comfy seats in their stadium theatres. But (crankypants warning!) every single time I have been to the movies in the past couple of years, I always end up sitting next to someone who talks through the entire film, and it just ruins my experience. At home, it’s so nice and quiet and if Chris and I want to comment, we can always push pause (which of course also works for bathroom breaks!). :)

We have a few more movies to watch before we can declare our official picks, but in the meantime tell us what movies you’ve seen! Do you have a prediction for any of the Oscar award categories?

By susan | Posted in fun stuff, my life | 4 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Eileen Broderick   -  

    Love it! Sounds like so much fun. I may have to talk to Tim about this. =) The last several years I have seen none of the movies in time for the Oscars! Of course, I haven’t watched the Oscars either but I used to love to. I just haven’t had the time the last few years. I had no idea there were 10 nominees?! I’m not sure how I feel about that. Anyway–have fun! I can’t wait to hear what you thought of the movies.

  2. Cindy S   -  

    great idea! I’ve only seen one of those and it was Hurt Locker. It was very good but sad. I can’t stand Quentin Terentio (sp) so Inglorious Bastards will not be seen by me. I started watching District 9 and it was so horrible that after 5 minutes I had to turn it off. Serious Man… never heard of it. I will be anxious to hear what you think! Enjoy.

  3. Coelle   -  

    What a fantastic idea! I love it!! So what was your decision?

  4. Heather   -  

    Can’t give you any great recommendations, but I will second that I love watching movies at home so much more than in a theatre! Your pile of popcorn and candy is making me hungry…

obsessed

February 14, 2010 – 2:57 pm

I think I have become a little obsessed with winter-weather photos these past few weeks. In all fairness, this has been a very unusual winter for us, and I’m just kind of fascinated by the weather in general. One last shot (for now) of the residual ice from the big blizzard. This was taken yesterday in the morning - I guess maybe this little holly busy was under a bunch of the icicles that were dripping, and the water re-froze overnight:

Happy Valentine’s Day, by the way! Hopefully your Valentine is keeping you warm and cozy today. :)

By susan | Posted in fun stuff, my life | 7 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Kate   -  

    beautiful!

  2. Coelle   -  

    So pretty!! :) I am obsessed with the beauty of the snow, too. :P

  3. Susan   -  

    Awesome picture! I’ve become obsessed with the huge icicles outside my window…it’s all your fault after you posted the cool drippy picture!! :) It’s made me notice this cute little bird that comes to hang out every so often. He sits and watches me, but leaves every time he sees me reach to open the blinds!

  4. Kristen   -  

    Susan, I love all of your winter photos! So beautiful.

  5. Cindy S   -  

    This is so purty! Your snow pictures have been crazy! I hope it is thawing a bit there this weekend.

  6. theresa choi   -  

    This is such a gorgeous photo! You inspire me to actually make use of my macro lens, though I still don’t see it happening for awhile, I need to get used to hand holding it without the hassle of a tripod! Great work! :)

  7. Renee   -  

    Love your work Susan, those winter photos are amazing!

blizzard aftermath

February 8, 2010 – 12:30 pm

Hopefully you’re not tired of seeing snow pictures yet! Here are a few from the days after the snowstorm finally stopped and we were left with well over two feet of snow. I’m not sure what the official total was, but I think we were near 30 inches!








By susan | Posted in fun stuff, my life | 6 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Coelle   -  

    these pictures are amazing, susan!! And look!! there are cars under some of those mounds of snow!! :P

  2. Reina   -  

    What pretty pictures! I can’t believe that the area is able to handle that much snow. Where do you put it all?

  3. Brianna Phelan   -  

    Holy cow! The shot of the the street view is crazy.
    Happy shoveling!

  4. theresa choi   -  

    I love these photos! I’m especially digging those last two images, amazing! I’m glad the blizzards are over! :)

  5. Cindy S   -  

    that’s insane! And I thought we got snow. Whew!

  6. Eileen Broderick   -  

    It’s about time i checked these out. I was away the week you got hit so I didn’t have my computer…These are crazy!! I can’t believe the shot from above of everyone digging out their cars! Hilarious! Love this last shot with the drip in mid-air–nice!! You must have Ninja reflexes!