Another Wrinkle (Northern Virginia High School Senior Photographer, Northern Virginia Photographer, Chantilly High School Pictures, Ellanore C. Lawrence Park)

Don't children know that every year they grow bigger and older that it adds wrinkles to our adult faces.  

This young man is now a High School Senior.  This is very exciting for him BUT at the same time it adds a wrinkle to my face.  You see, I've known him going back 11 years now.  I know I didn't have that many wrinkles back then.  Oh well, I guess I gave a few wrinkles to some adults way back when.

Anyway, it was such a pleasure to know this young boy has now grown into a young man.  I'm very excited for the adventures he has before him and it's been such a pleasure to be a part of his family's life.  

The Sunburst (Northern Virginia Family photographer, Gainesville VA Family photographer, Leilani Mitchell Photography, Northern Virginia photographer)

There's a new trend I've now tried out a couple of times.  I really like the glowing, sunny, warm feeling it creates.  It feels like lying in the sun taking all that energy in.  

I was fortunate to photograph this wonderful family for another year.  There has been a new addition and I would say he's adorable and fits right in.  

Cute Little 6 Month Old (Northern Virginia Baby photographer, Northern Virginia 6 Month Old photographer, Gainesville VA photographer, Fairfax VA photographer, Northern Virginia Family Photographer, Northern Virginia Photographer, Leilani Photography, Leilani Mitchell Photography)

This little guy is quite the cutie!  He has such a precious smile.  He was so good and patient with the outfit changes and was still good to take more pictures. 
I love the location we went to.  It provided such a great backdrop. 
I can't wait to see how much more this guy will grow!  My next opportunity will be for his 1 year old pictures. 

 

Through the Years (Northern Virginia Wedding Photographer, Washington D.C. Temple pictures, Northern Virginia Photographer)

Who know that when I photographed 1 family many years ago that I would be photographing their son's wedding.  I've had the joy of photographing a wonderful family, from there I photographed their son's senior pictures.  That family referred another high school senior to me and I took her pictures.  From there I took many pictures of her family. 

Now, years later, those two high school seniors got married and I was there to photograph it. 

It has been so exciting to photograph them and their families through the years.  Now, here are their wedding pictures.

The Sweetest Little Angel (Northern Virginia Newborn Photographer, Northern Virginia Baby Photographer, Leilani Mitchell Photography)

This little angel was so sweet to me.  I usually plan my newborn photo sessions to last 3-4 hours just because you have to work on the baby's timeframe not mine. 

Well, this little girl just was so awesome, she slept the entire time and let me do my session as easy peasy as it could be. 

I love how the pictures came out. 



Meeting at the Playground (Northern Virginia Newborn Baby Photography, Newborn Baby Photographer Leilani Mitchell Photography, Northern Virginia Photographer)

Who knew when I was visiting with one of my friends at our neighborhood playground that it would turn out to be quite the neighborhood gathering. 

I met up with so many people that I had seen in awhile that it was a nice visit with everyone. 

While there I ran into a friend that I hadn't seen in a little while.  She had a brand new baby boy and I was so thrilled to meet him.  But what was even better is that I got to take his pictures too! 

This little guy is just so adorable. 



Our Updated Photo (Northern Virginia Family Photographer, Northern Virginia Photographer, Leilani Mitchell Photography, Leilani Photography)

You know how you do everything for everyone else but you put off your own stuff.  LOL!  Well, I put it off no longer.  Don't get me wrong, we still do our family photos every year, I was just hoping to get them done a little sooner.

Anyway, without further ado....

Our Family Picture 2015



How I know About the USS Kirk’s Story (Northern Virginia Photographer, Capt. Paul Jacobs)

 

You know, I get some pretty cool experiences being a photographer.  I get to capture unforgettable moments, record stages in peoples lives, meet incredible people.

Well, more recently I spoke with Captain Paul Jacobs of the USS Kirk.  He had an incredible story of his time in Vietnam.  He is in a documentary called The Lucky Few that tells the story of how they saved hundreds of refugees.  He more recently has been included in an upcoming documentary called Last Days of Vietnam.  This movie was directed by Rory Kennedy, who is the daughter of Robert Kennedy. 

As a gift to Rory for shedding light on the experiences there, Capt. Paul Jacobs is giving her a special coin of her uncle, John F. Kennedy. 

Now here's where I come into play, the coin is so small it's hard to see the images.  So, I was asked to photograph the front and back of the coin so it can be seen easier. 

It was a fun experience and an honor to meet Capt. Paul Jacobs and to here is story. 

If you get a chance you can see the Last Days of Vietnam on April 28th at 9pm on PBS. 

 

Here's the coin.....

 

Another Milestone (Northern Virginia Baby Photographer, Northern Virginia Family Photographer, Northern Virginia Photographer, Gainesville Virginia Photographer)

It is so great to watch and capture the growth of a child.  There are so many amazing changes that happen and they happen just too darn fast.  Especially in the first year of a child's life.  I am so lucky I was able to watch the smiley guy grow so much.  Every time I got to photograph him, he just made my day. 

Here's the latest of this little guy reaching another milestone.

 

 

Look how much he's changed this last year!!!!

3 Months Old

6 Months Old

 

 

 9 Months Old

 

 

12 Months Old



Sometimes You Just Can't Sleep (Newborn Baby Photographer, Northern Virginia Photographer, Northern Virginia Baby Photographer, Leilani Photography)

This little guy was so cute and tiny.  When I arrived and held him, I was so excited!  Tiny little baby's tend to sleep a little better and they are easier to work with.  Well this little munchkin was going to prove me wrong!  I guess sometimes there's just too much excitement in the world, you just don't want to sleep through it. 

Even though most the pictures are of this baby awake, I still think they are super precious.   

 



Dad There to Save the Day (Northern Virginia Newborn Baby Photographer, Northern Virginia Baby Photographer, Northern Virginia Photographer Leilani Photography)

This little snuggler just didn't want to sleep for his cute little pictures.  I tried the usual stuff but he wasn't giving in.  Then I used his sweet little dad as a prop.  That's right, I threw a blanket over his dad so that cute little guy could snuggle. 

Once he settled in I was able to get some great shots, even without daddy holding him. 

Just check them out.....

 

 

 



My Boys Another Year Older (Northern Virginia Photographer, Northern Virginia Child Photographer, Northern Virginia Family Photographer)

I know I haven't posted for awhile but I promise I've been busy. 

I took my boys pictures a little while ago for the birthday pictures and now I am just getting to posting them. 

Every year when I look at these pictures it just blows my mind how much they have changed in a year.