Earth laughs in flowers -Emerson

     Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that "Earth laughs in flowers". I'd like to add to that. "God laughs in flowers and darling little girls". Poetic, isn't it? Feel free to quote me all you like.  When I drove up to my church (Christ Church UMC) a couple weeks ago, right at the entrance I was immediately captivated by a sea of yellow.  The adjacent field/trail area where they dumped a pile of dirt had sprung up seemingly overnight into a mound of perfect little bright yellow "weeds" in full bloom! All my creative juices were just aflowin' and I knew I just HAD to take photos here.  With rain in the forecast threathening to pelt all these delicate flowers to the ground, I tried to find someone who would be willing to do be my models on such short notice... enter my good friend Amy and her amazing daughter "princess" Ansley.

     I am so blessed to have such a great friend in Amy and the proverbial love triangle going on between Ansley asking for my oldest son and my youngest son saying, "Gabriel loves only Ansley."{a direct quote btw} is quite hilarious! Amy made my heart smile when she told me that before Ansley fell asleep she asked about me and when she woke up from her nap she said immediately, "It's time to see Miss Leigh!" Ansley flits around like a beautiful butterfly and is indeed her Mommy's sunshine.  Serendiptously, I had a chalkboard with "You Are My Sunshine" written on it and that's one of mom and daughter's favorite songs since birth!? These are the moments that I just <3
    Congrats on your new place and I hope that you enjoy some of these wonderful images to adorn your walls :) Here's a select couple of my favorites from our session; many more in your gallery on your disc...

 

Oh The Places He Will Go!

One of my favorite parts of being a photographer is the connection made with clients during the whole process resulting in better friendships & even new friends!  I had such a great time photographing lil’ Gavin for his newborn pics months ago that his mommy not only referred me to some of her friends but also purchased a gift certificate.  I can’t emphasize enough just how precious her gift was to another mother.  As a mother, I am very frugal on budgets, sales, coupons, the whole nine; and FORGET buying or doing anything for “myself”; one of the main reasons, I love when my husband gifts me with massage or pedi gift certificates or even camera equipment (but that’s an asideJ).  Life goes by so quickly; a reminder to collect your memories not things.  Therefore, capturing a moment in time in a well-done photograph, in my opinion, priceless. So, I was very excited when Jess contacted me to use her gift certificate for a mommy&son session with her lil’ gem, Aiden.

Lil’ Aiden & I became fast friends right from the get-go as he toddled across the parking lot to greet me with arms out and an “up”.  As we sherpa’d props around the park, Aiden rarely left my hip. <3 It made me feel so special as my toddler would never go to anyone but me, for this sweet boy to want to hang with me!  As my shutter clicked away, Jess & I also chatted away learning more about one another’s military connection among many common experiences.  Again, just had the best time photographing these two and getting to hang out with them for the morning.  Best part of my job!

Here’s a pic I snapped towards the end of our session as lovable Aiden was squeezing my legs and asking for me to pick him up.  You can see my blurry leg and shoe just in the bottom of frame but this picture just makes me SMILE from ear to ear…

Enjoy a preview of some of my favorite images I selected from your gallery.  Thanks again Jess for entrusting me with your lil’ man and keepsaking these moments for you!!!
 

{Rangel friends and family, if you like what you see, please comment here on the blog, “LIKE” my LWH Portraits page on Facebook, or contact me if you’re interested in a session for your family!}  
 

  

 

Superheroes in the Making!!!

     Have you ever cruised through Facebook or Pinterest thinking, "Wow! How does that woman truly DO IT ALL?"? Well, the verse "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." {Philippians 4:13} echoes in my mind when I think of Monica Reynolds.

    A humble and inspiring woman who would NEVER toot her own horn is sure gonna get a couple of toots here. Can I get an Amen for the Reynolds hard-working family conductor seen here in all her glory? Lol!

The expanse of a heart God has ordained for great things is unimaginable but can be glimpsed in a couple who chooses to adopt. As a woman better suited to tell a story with pictures rather than words, I can best summarize the Reynolds family story in the triptych below. Use the simple math of addition plus a whole lotta love & patience to get the amazing outcome.

        Husband & Wife plus...

"THE BIGS" plus... 

 

"THE LITTLES" equals...

    I had so much fun getting to know each and every one of these seven unique personalities during our evening in the tall grass together. An open field truly couldn't contain them all. To those who aren't familiar with the Reynolds children, I'd like to give you my take. {And for those who are I hope I do them justice ;)}

***The quiet confidence of the oldest, Adoniyas, as he encourages his younger siblings and blazes his own path through adolescence here in a new country.

*** To Sidise for continuing her role of family nurturer in midst of her own middle-school self-discovery this year. My wish for her is that she can see the beautiful, handcrafted woman God is making that I see through my lens. Here's one of her favorite ones that didn't show her teeth, but I have one that I like even better that does & I'll give it to her mom ;)

    

*** David's vibrance and thirst for life is happily contagious! I'm glad he really enjoyed the flowers during our shoot?!?

***Christian with matching hawks like his older brothers, has a more reserved beauty filled with admiration & love for his siblings. Truly a complete pleasure to photograph with such ease translating naturally through the lens.

***I enjoyed Misgana's sassy take no prisoners attitude and her smiling eyes despite the tall grass itching & scratching at her bare legs. The trooper in the bunch for sure!

     At the heart of this family God is so evident. There's a loving rock-solid marriage, "The Bigs" and "The Littles" that combine and interact so beautifully that make this family function & thrive. Monica, I wish I had your gift for writing at this moment, but this post will have to be my best testament to your exceptional family; truly God's Superheroes in the Making!

                                                                                                                                               

              

Green Spring Gardens with the Kellys

 

A growing family to me is one of the most precious times of life and therefore one of my favorite & most fun for me to photograph. It is my honor & joy to make a keepsake to treasure forever that captures the love, laughter, and emotion at this moment. The warm-n-fuzzy kind of love, unlimited patience, and easy-going nature of the Kelly family last week made my "job" a complete pleasure. It's wonderful when a "client" becomes more like a friend during the process; indeed just what happened here.

Check out some of these additional photos that haven't made any appearances yet on Facebook ;)  A second sneak peek, if you will. 













Meet Georgina. This little lady can carry a conversation for hours while curiosity had her roaming all over the garden areas. The blanket, not a fave spot. The bench, she stayed a split second longer. The toddler-sized stool? Nope. The white gazebo by the brick walkway? Score. In fact, this was where she decided to stay; at home & happy in her "White Castle". {burgers & fries with that?}  Check out the "out-take" picture to the left that epitomizes most of our shoot at her white castle.

While Georgina found another lil friend to run circles around White Castle, I took this opportunity for maternity pictures of mom. The anticipation of knowing another little precious blessing is awaiting in your womb to make her big arrival soon is difficult to capture on film. However, I sincerely hope that the love and connection a mother has with her cherished baby can still be felt through some these photos.

 

 

  

 

 

                                                         



As you can see by the expressions in photos posted below, Dad is   completely beaming while Georgina takes flight and as his three leading ladies lay with him in the grass. {I love the tenderness of his hand on her belly <3} How could he not beam, with such a ray of sunshine running around him nonstop & the promise of another so arrive so soon!?!?

                                                                                             

 

I've finished your gallery Kelly family and am looking forward to meeting sweet baby  Kelly soon as the newest edition to such a remarkable family!

White Sands at the Pier

    Our last assignment we were stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, FL. We return every summer for 2-3 weeks to enjoy the beautiful beaches and our beloved family & friends. It was my honor & pleasure while visiting to take my good friend's engagement pictures for her to include in her wedding invitations.
    I met Kelly during new teacher orientation at Bay Haven Charter Academy and we immediately became good friends. Almost eight years later, we make sure to have our adult time & our kids still look forward to hanging out together every moment they can. Thanks Kelly for being such a fantastic friend and best wishes for a marriage full of much joy, love, & laughter! 

As we Walk in Fields of Gold...

     The actual historic Barrett House in Lorton, VA is certainly in dire need of some TLC but the wide open fields dotted with colossal maples that surround it are a photographer’s dream especially at golden hour.  Of course, the elusive “golden hour” this time of year creeps in around 8pm and for just a half hour which makes little Alex a rock-star for staying out late with his ‘rents.  There’s something about a toddler and a mini-me chair just their size that’s like moth to flame.  Hungry Alex camped out in his old man rocker eating Cheerios, watching bubbles, & picking flowers in the tall grass. 

   
 

     One of my favorite moments came as I watched Alex’s dad throwing him up high into the air, hearing squeals of delight as he descends quickly back into daddy’s capable waiting arms.  All the while, mom is repeating the mantra, “I’m not watching. I can’t watch. I don’t see this.” Not until I got home and began perusing the images did I truly see how absurdly high-flying Alex had been since I was tunnel-visioned through the lens. The pure joy captured on both father & son’s faces are the epitome of why I love my job.  Enjoy some of my favorites from this sweet family's session.