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!

geocaching

January 4, 2009 – 3:03 pm

Today Chris and I crossed #27 - Go geocaching off of my 101 in 1001 list. I’ve been dying to try geocaching for a while now, and we finally went out to do it. If you’re looking for a fun way to get some extra exercise and fresh air, if you love the idea of hunting for treasure, and/or if you have kids, you definitely have to try this! From the official geocaching website: “Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.” So we bought a handheld GPS device (there’s also an iPhone app that can be used), and we set out this morning to find a couple of caches nearby.

Here Chris is using the GPS to locate the approximate spot of a cache not too far from our house:

Both of the caches we found were small Tupperware-type containers with little toys and silly tchotchkes inside.

When you find the cache, you can sign the log to indicate if you took anything and/or left anything inside the cache and to let other geocachers know that you were there. TNLN means “took nothing, left nothing” and TFTC means “thanks for the cache.” One of the caches we found has been there since 2005!

We had a lot of fun! And geocaching can also be really good for the environment - a lot of geocachers take a trash bag to pick up litter along the way. Now that we know how it works, we’ll take a bag next time and do our part. Hiking off-trail was really good exercise, and I’m pretty sure I worked off the cookies that I ate at last night’s wedding with Kate. Those pictures will be coming soon!

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

    OMG this is so funny and cool! My boys would go ga-ga over this but then would want to KEEP the treasure! Who places these things out there? I’m so curious!!! Very cool.

happy 2009!

January 1, 2009 – 8:04 pm

I don’t consider myself to be a particularly superstitious person, but I love fun traditions like eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. Well, I don’t actually love black-eyed peas…in fact, I loathe them. The texture is just gross to me, or maybe it’s the beady little black “eyes” staring at me. But I love the thought of the peas affecting my luck for the whole year. My mom usually served the lucky legumes with our meal on New Year’s Day, but Chris and I tend to just eat an obligatory spoonful, sometimes right out of the Goya can just to get it over with. This year I did put them on a plate with the rest of our dinner (and later photographed them like the dork I am). Do you have any New Year’s traditions?

Wishing you and yours peace, love, happiness and lots of luck in the new year! 

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

    Oh my gosh, I am exactly the same way!! My mom used to always guilt me into eating them, though sometimes I would have rather traded whatever luck they may have brought just to not have to eat any :) Haha. Happy new year, Susan!!

  2. Kim   -  

    Ohhh…I didn’t realize you had this tradition too! I love eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day (not for the taste at all), but because it’s one of the few traditions my family has…and since I haven’t been with them on New Year’s Day in years, I love being able to continue that tradition. :) Happy 2009 Susan!! :)

  3. Casey   -  

    My mom always makes a pork roast with sauerkraut and dumplings. Sounds weird to some people, but it’s actually very good. I think it’s a Midwestern tradition? I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten a black eyed pea… Happy New Year, Susan!

  4. Tonya   -  

    Thank goodness someone feels the same way I do. I was forced to cook those beady eyed peas on New Years Day. I cannot eat anything that is staring at me.

arti & gautam - mehendi and sangeet

December 28, 2008 – 6:41 pm

Last month I second-shot for one of my favorite photographers, Jenn Link, at Arti and Gautam’s mehendi and sangeet celebration before their wedding. And while I want to share a few quick photos here, you simply must hop over to Jenn’s blog to see the full story. She has tons of beautiful images over there.

I’ll start with a few details because the room was just so cool:


Arti’s friends and family were waiting to welcome Gautam:

As soon as Gautam entered, the celebration began!


The mehendi celebration is traditionally where the bride has intricate decorative henna patterns applied to her hands and feet prior to the wedding:

Coming up soon are the photos from their lavish ceremony and reception - it was definitely one of the most fun events of the year!

By susan | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Deanna   -  

    Susan, these are fabulous! I especially love all the details and the amazing colors. Can’t wait to see the rest!

  2. Jaci Clark   -  

    Gorgeous details! Can’t wait to see more!

    Cheers,
    Jaci

making christmas happen

December 19, 2008 – 12:00 pm

As many of you know, my parents moved out to Colorado earlier this year. Chris and I visited them for the first time in November for Thanksgiving. This is actually my first Christmas ever that I’m spending without seeing my mom and dad, and it feels weird! My parents have always had a way of making Chrismas really happen whether you’re in the spirit for it yet or not. If I know them well enough, the house has been well-decorated all month long. The tree and decorations are up, lights are in the yard, and my dad probably gets a Christmas tune stuck in his head every day or so and hums or whistles it around the house. In contrast, my own house shows very few signs of the holidays. I just now put our little Charlie Brown tree up and that’s about it - I’ve just been too busy lately. But my mom still found her way of making sure the Christmas spirit is extended to us, even across all these miles. Yesterday we received a package in the mail with this adorable little ornament, so I’m feeling a little more Christmas-y now (I’m even inspired to get a real tree next year). And in honor of my dad, I’m humming some Christmas tunes around the house today. Love you both!




By susan | Posted in Uncategorized | 6 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Jenn Link Photography   -  

    Great post Susan! This will also be my first year of not seeing either of my parents for the Holidays. It feels strange to me too!

  2. Kim   -  

    I love this post too!…and I really love that ornament. So cute! I absoultely *love* the photos you took of it. I’m visiting my parents now, but I’m leaving before Christmas so this will be the first time I’ll wake up on Christmas morning and not open presents with them.

  3. Jaci Clark   -  

    I love the snowman ornament. He’s so cute! We’ve been busy around here too and I haven’t gotten much decorating done either. Tomorrow, I’ll do it tomorrow. Better late than never, right?

    Hope you guys have a great holiday.

    Cheers,
    Jaci

  4. laura kay photography   -  

    hi susan!!! just like you and jenn this is my first christmas away from my parents and sister ever! on a side note these pics are great and if you shot this with the lens i think you did i am getting it tomorrow! your shots are amazing and i would be ecstatic to take a shot half as good as these. have a very merry christmas!!!

  5. emily   -  

    what a beautiful entry… I wish you a merry christmas and a happy holiday — Susan may you and your hubby be blessed this year like none other!

  6. Eileen Broderick   -  

    Aww…how sweet. Your post and the ornament! Great shots. Hope you and Chris have a cozy and happy holiday. =)

fire school live burn

December 14, 2008 – 6:21 pm

Today I had a unique opportunity to photograph something very different and new to me. My new friend, Corey, (who is dating my very dear friend, Coelle) had one of his “final exams” this morning and I volunteered to take some photos for him and the other students. Final exam to me usually means a pencil-and-paper test, but Corey’s final exam happened to consist of entering a burning house and extinguishing a fire. Corey is a volunteer firefighter in the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, and today was their live burn practical exam. I totally love that photography allows me to learn more about various things - to be honest I had never really thought about how fire fighters practice putting out fires. Today I gained up-close insight as to exactly how that practice takes place. I hope the company enjoys having these photos, and I hope that in a very small way I was able to give back to these brave men and women who put their lives at risk for the good of the community.

The live burn took place in Vienna, at a home that was scheduled to be demolished.

Dozens of firefighters and EMTs were involved in the activities.

Students (in the red hats) took turns working on teams for each burn.



This is Corey, hamming it up a bit for the camera:

Corey, explaining the various pieces of gear:


This was one of the last burns of the day:



Coelle pointed out this cool silhouette in the doorway:

All smiles during clean-up:

“And these are my gloves…” (I love how the kids are completely in awe!)

By susan | Posted in volunteer work | 12 comments         Add a Comment
  1. amie   -  

    These are great–what a fab opportunity! I love the silhouette in the door and the photo of Corey explaining his gear. Really nice!

  2. marlene   -  

    wow these are hot shots (pun intended!) :) i love the one where the fire seems to be attacking a chair inside the house and also the last photo with the kids! what a cool experience for you!

  3. Corey   -  

    Thanks again susan, these pictures came out amazing can’t wait to see what you get next weekend!

  4. Coelle   -  

    Amazing… I am always in awe of your work. THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE!!

  5. Dan   -  

    Hi Susan, I’m one of the students from yesterday’s burn (the guy hosing the side of the house in the pics). These are some amazing photos you took and I’m looking forward to seeing the rest. Thanks for coming out!

  6. Elizabeth   -  

    Susan, these are fantastic. I love the colors, the water, the shots of the flames in the window…so scary. You can almost feel the heat. And that last one with the kids is a classic. If I were doing PR for that fire department, I’d make sure to use that one! Great job.

  7. Armin   -  

    This is a cool post, nice to shoot something different from time to time. Great coverage here!

  8. Nate   -  

    Dan, I cannot tell that you are in those photos. I think you are making it up so that people will think you are cool for being a volunteer firefighter. Or maybe you are using it as a way to pick up chicks. :P

    Nice photos Susan!

  9. Eileen Broderick   -  

    These are awesome! Really powerful. It must have been crazy to be there in person. My dad was a professional firefighter so I know a bit about what they go through while training. tough stuff. These people ARE heroes. This is just cool on so many levels. The shot with the kids made my day. :)

  10. Kristen Gardner   -  

    Susan! These photos are so cool! What a neat experience. I love the picture of the firefighter talking to the kids. Precious.

  11. Jaci Clark   -  

    I know you were talking about doing this on the forum but I didn’t think it would be this cool! Awesome shots! Great work.

    Cheers,
    Jaci

  12. Susan D   -  

    Your pictures never cease to amaze me!! I love them!! I haven’t been out to take pictures since my photography class ended, but looking through yours makes me want to go out and see if I can capture a moment as well as your pictures do!! Keep up the amazing work :) Miss you!

“ooo, it’s really muddy!”

December 13, 2008 – 7:30 pm

Today I was able to cross #28 - Go hiking off of my 101 in 1001 list. Chris and I went to Hemlock Overlook Regional Park based on one of the trails listed in the Hikes in the Washington Region book that I picked up at Eastern Mountain Sports last weekend. I honestly had never gone hiking “for real” before, wearing proper shoes and navigating a trail map. We had so much fun! I know it might sound a little crazy that we went in 37-degree weather, but it was perfect considering my main concern about hiking: bugs. I didn’t see one bug. We saw a few other hikers though, so it wasn’t so crazy that we were out there. The trail was rated as moderately difficult, and I feel like I did really well with the 3.3 miles of it (I only tripped a few dozen times). I commented on how muddy it was (see post title) and Chris said I was probably the only person there today that said that. I’m a beginner at this outdoorsy stuff! I get the appeal of it though - it was so peaceful and nice to be disconnected for a while, and the fresh air was good for me. I only brought the little point-and-shoot camera along since my main purpose was to watch my footing, but we did take a few pictures:

My fearless guide:

Hiking along the creek:

The expert and the newbie (I feel like I look wide-eyed in surprise or shock or something):

It may have been cold, but it was a gorgeous day.

My cute new hiking shoes before they got muddy (I’m proud of getting them muddy!):

The bit of the trail where I burned off my entire lunch. I thought the hill would never end!

Stopping for a photo op about half-way through. I wanted to make sure there was proof that I really did go!

Chris exploring a creepy Blair Witch-like structure. Actually, it’s the remains of Virginia’s first hydroelectric plant.

And a nice little message on a building back near the parking lot as we were leaving:

By susan | Posted in my life | 6 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Jaci Clark   -  

    YAY! WTG! Not sure I could have done 3.3 miles in 37 degree weather. And you look so cute in all your “real” hiking gear. Congrats!

    Cheers,
    Jaci

  2. amie   -  

    Eek, it was cold yesterday! Looks like you had fun! Congrats on crossing off items on your list—I need to do one of those :)

  3. emil   -  

    what an adventure… love it! you’re so beautiful susan!

  4. Sarah Hodzic   -  

    Ok, could you be cuter???
    If you guys ever want to go for a hike at Sky Meadows, Joe and I would love to go! :D

  5. Eileen Broderick   -  

    Bravo! You really are the cutest. I love your commentary and your pics! When I read about all of the stuff you cross off your list I just feel like a total failure! LOL.

  6. Eileen Broderick   -  

    P.S. I totally thought “Blair Witch” before I even read it!

will pose for ice cream

December 8, 2008 – 12:30 pm

I met an absolutely adorable family at the Belmont Country Club clubhouse yesterday for a holiday family portrait session. Originally we planned to do the pictures outside, but the day was just completely blustery so we took it indoors. They arrived all decked out in holiday colors (seriously, how cute are they?!); even two month-old Ryan was looking festive.


Evan (5), really perked up after we started discussing his post-portrait session treat: ice cream.

I love pictures of kids just being kids:

This is a behind-the-scenes look at Dad and Evan trying to get Ryan to laugh. They were successful a few times!

And one of my favorite images from the session, just a nice quiet moment with Mom before baby Ryan decided he had had enough of taking pictures.

By susan | Posted in families | 5 comments         Add a Comment
  1. Deanna   -  

    How cute they all are! I love it! Looks like a super nice and fun family to work with. I’m sure they are thrilled with these!

  2. Chantal Stone   -  

    Aww, Susan, you did a great job…..they are going to cherish these photos forever!!!

  3. emil   -  

    cute cute cute! LOVE that family portrait - gorgeous!

  4. amie   -  

    What a cute (and coordinated!) family! I love it when families coordinate their clothes rather than match exactly–looks soooo good! You did a great job, as always :)

  5. Eileen Broderick   -  

    Awesome session! Love the shots of Evan–so cute. And this last one of Mom and baby is so simple and beautiful.