On Film, With Love is not so much an event as a response to a deep-down feeling that family imagery shouldn't be so complicated. When my clients look at their images, I hope they'll not only see warmth and tenderness, but I a true version of themselves — not perfect, but deeply loved.

This film-only portrait event, held at my home here in Charlottesville, sought to strip family relationships down to their most essential components: love, tenderness, and joy. My goal was to create a space where everyone felt free to be themselves, to show love as loudly or as tenderly as they wanted, and to walk away understanding that the best photos come from simply being together.

The evening was the perfect backdrop for slowing down and celebrating their first year as a family of four. For laughing, playing, cloud-gazing, and showing off classic 1-year-old party tricks (like kicking off shoes and taking off Dad's glasses). For living in the moment.

Like most sessions with a first baby, this one felt so peaceful — more like a hangout where I just so happen to be taking photos while chatting with mom and dad. I think you can feel that sense of peace in their images, as well as the pure joy that can only come from soaking in a baby you've waited so long to meet.

For this session — my third Fresh 48 newborn session with the H family — I knew that we would be mainly photographing by the big window in their family room. Again, the surrounding toys didn't matter. Neither did the still-up birthday decorations. To prepare for their session, all Mom and Dad needed to do was focus on their new family of five and trust me.

You might think that inviting a photographer into your home just a week postpartum sounds ... stressful. Crazy, even. Let this session be proof that just the opposite is true.

Because this was officially a keepsake video session, I shot all of their photos exclusively on 35mm film, so I wouldn't have to bother toggling between the video and photo settings on my camera. Not only did this keep things simple, but it gave us that beautiful, nostalgic feeling that only film can offer.

Ah, it's officially summer. Once I look past the sound of my kids fighting and the messes that pop up endlessly around the house, I am extremely grateful to be able to spend the long days of the season with my boys. After all, it's the only summer I'll have with their 8- and 4-year-old versions. I feel especially excited to do the whole '90s summer thing. You know what I mean — playing outside until dinner, running through the sprinkler, bringing bagged lunches to the pool, p

I took another leap last year and decided to submit a collection of images to The Kindred Path, a photographic journal.

I am so proud to announce that I have been selected as a Featured Photographer for Heartful Magazine's fall issue. This is such an honor!

I was so excited when Chelsea said she would be up for an at-home session, despite worrying that their home didn't get enough morning light.

They laughed, jammed to their favorite Dave Matthews songs, played Dad's guitar, ate homemade cinnamon rolls, and played in the backyard.

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As a mom, I know firsthand how magical (and blurry) the arrival of a newborn is. Those first days deserve to be documented, because one...

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A recap of winter at-home session with the James Family in Charlottesville, Virginia. This post features favorites created with 35mm film.