How Does It Work?

You have options and we'll guide you to the best location for the type of photos you're looking for. We have a small studio in our home nestled in the trees which gives us great variety all in one spot but we also have several favorite photogenic locations around the Montgomery/ Howard County area that our clients love. 

We have fun at our sessions!  People are often surprised that they actually enjoy having their photos taken.  It’s relaxed.  We let kids get the wiggles out and we capture the giggles. That’s why we block off more than an hour for every session.

Yes, I love helping to elevate other businesses and give people a polished, professional portrait that sets them up for success. You can learn more HERE.

Weather happens so I keep my schedule flexible.  If you have an outdoor session set and it’s pouring rain, we can move inside and shoot in the studio, or we can simply reschedule.  I suggest putting two dates on the calendar right from the start, so we have a rain date already set.

We all use digital printers in our daily lives, and they’re great for everyday printing. But they are ink on paper which will scratch and fade. True photographic printing is light on paper, so with proper care, the image won’t fade or deteriorate. Check out the comparison chart at the bottom of this page to see how this sets me apart from other photographers today, as most are now using digital printing to save money. Need more convincing? Check this out: Digital Difference

In our digital age lots of people think of themselves as photographers.  However, professional photography requires both an artistic eye and technical training and ability. I am formally trained, have over a decade of professional experience and take continuing education courses all the time. I am a portrait artist, and it shows in the way I take and edit your pictures – and yes, I personally retouch every photo you see after your session. I use professional equipment and professional photographic processing and printing.  Take a look at my images and decide if my vision fits yours!

Yes and yes! We keep everything above board.

I use professional Canon cameras and lenses.  My bag contains multiple cameras and a variety of lenses.  I use various lighting equipment depending on the session.  In the studio, I have Profoto strobes, large soft boxes, umbrellas, etc.  On location, I have multiple remote flashes, umbrellas and reflectors.  If I think I might need it, I bring it!

Of course! Please let us know ahead of time how many people will be in the pictures so we can plan accordingly. Large family groups are awesome but require extra planning, coordinating, lighting set ups and time, so I charge a little extra based on the group size.  My studio is small, so we typically do large groups outdoors.  I’m also as creative as I can be with a large group, but it is a different look than an intimate family portrait so ask for examples to make sure my style is a good match for you.

I will be there!  I am the lead photographer and this is my vision.  I also work with my mom. She’s great at posing and being silly to make kids laugh.  She’s also an awesome second shooter, so you might see her behind the camera too.  I have a lighting assistant that sometimes comes along especially with large groups.  We are typically an all female team and keep it small so you don’t feel like you have to impress a crowd.

I take all the final retouched photos from your session or event and carefully set them to music and produce a beautiful video in 1080p hi-def so you can relive these memories over and over. The final video is loaded onto a custom wrapped 7inch tablet. Want to see a sample? Send a quick e-mail from my contact page.

Seeing all your photos for the first time after your session or event is exciting!  It can also be overwhelming trying to decide which ones you want.  I will assist you in figuring out the best collections for your home and walls.  I even have a program that I use where you can actually see your photos right on your walls!  You can see how they will look at different sizes over a sofa, on the mantle, or above a headboard. I'm not just your photographer, I'm a home decorating consultant too.

I’m sorry that happened to them, sadly not all photographers are full service and lots of people have ended up with pictures lost on a disk somewhere because of it. People hire me for more than a bunch of files because they know I’ll take the time to guide them through the process of selecting the perfect products for their home.  You’ll leave with something real, something tangible to enjoy and pass down.  It will also be artfully edited and professionally printed. Check out the Digital Difference 

Of course, we don't hold your pictures hostage and actually have several options for purchasing digital copies. While the files aren't included with our sessions you can always purchase a digital album set to music with all the photos from your session or you can purchase individual digital files.  My goal is to provide you with beautiful true photographic prints that you can hang on your walls and pass down from generation to generation. Digital images deteriorate, can get corrupted or lost, media formats change, but true professionally printed photographs last.  We also give you a personal mobile app with social media ready files to match every printed piece you order from us. Check out the Digital Difference

There are a ton of options available to people online, as a professional photographer I have access to different companies and product lines that are of a significantly higher quality than consumer labs offer. I create beautiful, lay-flat, true photographic albums.  I personally design the albums, so a lot of time and care goes into each one.  Then they are professionally printed, photographically, so they are not digital prints.  The albums will be heirlooms and won’t fade. Those less expensive albums you find online are printed on flimsy paper that will crease, tear, fade and smudge; but mine are heavy, lay-flat pages that are then beautifully bound by hand, made in the USA with sustainably sourced materials.  This is definitely one of those items where you get what you pay for.

I offer a full service, boutique quality experience. Sadly, most photographers today don't have a sustainable business model and go out of business within the first 3-5 years or are just looking to make some extra cash on the weekends. This is my full time job and I'm passionate about what I do. I feel confident that the final product reflects the difference in both quality and reliability. Every client gets my full creative attention, careful post-production and editing of all your photos with the skills and experience learned over more than a decade in business. I also help you select your favorites for the wall and design memorable heirloom albums and prints for your family to cherish for generations to come.

I work out of my home in Silver Spring (Ashton) Maryland and I would be happy to meet with you anytime.  I also have a small display of my work at the Sandy Spring Museum on Olney-Sandy Spring Road (Rt. 108), where I am their in-house photographer.  I take photos all over the Metro area, Montgomery County, Howard County, Northern Virginia and D.C., and I am happy to meet with you in your home and bring some samples with me at a pre-session consultation.

Yes. I have been honored to have a number of my portraits and fine art photographs featured in multiple publications across the country, and was the featured cover artist for the local edition of a national magazine for two years.  I have also done food photography for local restaurants, being featured on their websites and in marketing overseas.  I even received a special honor when two of my photos were selected by Axe for an ad campaign that were on a billboard in Times Square, New York City.

Absolutely!  I have event packages for as little as $500 for special days like that princess party. See more information about my party packages HERE.

**While we hope to add parties back soon, we are NOT currently offering event photography as part of our response to the Covid-19 pandemic. See our detailed policies below. A special portrait session for the party VIP(s) makes a great alternative and can be done before the event or given as a gift to commemorate the occasion.

While I photographed weddings for many years, I have hung up that portion of my business to focus on my main passion which is portrait photography. I love a good love story so I still offer engagement sessions and bridal portrait sessions separate from the wedding day. I am happy to help refer you to some great local wedding photographers for your big day!