Around Town // Worthington Farm Hike

This transitional period between summer and fall is one of the best times of year to hike. The weather is balmy and cool, with a slight breeze that provokes the half-hearted consideration of a light jacket. The fields and trees still maintain their lush summer greenery, but a few maples have begun their slow transformation into gold and crimson. Here and there, scattered leaves punctuate the still-green lawns, a herald of the approaching torrent of color that will soon blanket the earth.

Last weekend, Mark and I revisited Monocacy Battlefield to hike the trails at Worthington Farm. This past spring, we walked around Thomas Farm and the battlefield welcome center, but we had not yet paid Worthington Farm anything more than a passing visit. In my opinion, this farm afforded walking trails more beautiful and secluded than Thomas Farm, resulting in one of the most enjoyable hikes I've had in a while. Mark and I agreed that the farm is hands-down one of the loveliest places we've found in Maryland. Around every corner, we stumbled upon some brace of trees, river bend, or harvested field that just took your breath away, as if nature had put more effort into this little spot.

I can only imagine how beautiful this place will be once autumn begins in earnest. Mark and I both think the river edge here is the perfect place to relax with a book. It's hard to imagine that land so beautiful was once someone's home.

Monocacy National Battlefield

Worthington Farm

4632 Araby Church Rd.

Frederick, MD 

Park Visitor Center

5201 Urbana Pike

Frederick, MD 

Baby Boy Shower & Bump Shots

This past weekend, Mark and I loaded his truck and drove down to Virginia to shower two of our sweet friends Ryan and Laura Beth Rirchardson. This sweet couple is expecting their first baby: a little boy. Ryan and Laura Beth have always meant so much to Mark and me over the past six years. They were instrumental forces in our dating years and have been such stalwart, generous friends to us, giving freely of their time and love. The little boy who's currently sleeping in his mommy's tummy is beyond lucky to have them as parents. The angel who made that decision chose well. 

Laura Beth was my closest childhood friend. In fact, her parents double-dated with mine. So, she and I were practically required to become friends as girls and then now as grown women. A few years older than myself, Laura Beth taught me some of the finer points of teenage girlhood: how to apply eyeshadow, how to flirt with boys, and how to shave my legs. Not in that order, though. We were so close that we often forgot whether we truly were related or not. 

Funnily enough, Mark and Ryan also grew up together. As first cousins and only a few months apart in age, they learned how to walk, how to talk, how to shoot guns, climb mountains, and get the good girls--all together. Even though I truly had nothing to do with it... I feel special and somehow proud of the fact that my best friend married Mark's best friend. Now that they're expecting their first baby, the special feeling just grows. Life stories like theirs underline the divine hand that governs our lives. 

 As little boys and teenagers themselves, Ryan and Mark loved Jeeps. They spent their summers bouncing along dirt roads, spinning their tires and slinging mud. As long as I've known Ryan, he has owned a Jeep. So a Jeep-themed shower cake was perfectly fitting for this couple.

After the shower, I convinced the couplete to let me take a few "belly shots." I just adore the way they turned out. . Laura Beth knew that she wanted a photograph of Ryan's hands on the tummy. Because he is a diesel mechanic, his hands bear the marks of his trade, a fact about her husband that Laura Beth always says she loves. Plus, there's something special about the mommy and daddy's hands on the expectant tummy. It's as if they're cradling their little baby boy already.

Do you like bump photos? I definitely do. When tastefully done, they can be so intimate and tender. I greatly appreciate the fact that photography and society has moved forward, allowing the artistic exposure female form in this special moment of life. Somehow, this bump shot captures so many feelings, especially the sense of anticipation and love. 

 We all certainly can't wait for Baby Richardson's arrival so that we can finallhy give him some much-anticipated snuggles! Love you guys!

For more maternity-style photography, click here. 

Photography // Baby Girl Harper

In January, I had the honor of conducting this sweet couple's maternity session. Now, four months later, they have a pink-bowed bundle of joy named Emma. Last Friday, we stepped out into the lovely spring weather to capture some family-of-three photographs. These are a few of my favorite images from the session.

Harper Maternity Session

Last Sunday, I ventured out into the January chill to conduct a maternity session for my sweet friend Lindsay and her husband. Lindsay was one of my first Maryland friends. Those of you who have ever moved far from home know the value of making a friend in your new place. So, when I learned that Lindsay and her husband were expecting their first baby, offering a maternity session just made  sense. What a privilege to document such a happy, loving couple at such a special time in their lives.

These images are some of my favorites. I feel like they truly capture this couple-- the fun they have together and the tenderness they share--as well as the unique beauty of a mommy-to-be.

Around Town: First Snow of 2015

Yesterday morning, the annoyingly happy jingle of my iPhone alarm jarred me awake. Blurry eyed, hair plastered to my cheek, I groped in the dark for my cell. After some failed fumbles, I managed to tap snooze and sag back, face-first, into my pillow. Was it really already time to wake up? I moaned...And then realized that, for a Tuesday morning downtown, the streets were awfully quiet. The rush of cars outside our window was absent. In fact, everything sounded hushed and muffled.  Dragging myself from the warmth of the covers, I pulled back the curtains and squinted outside.

Snow.

Snow blanketing every surface and still falling gently. For those of us who work in academia, this wonderful occurrence meant either a delay or, if the weather persisted, a snow-day. Even in the muffled fog of half-sleep, I managed to think, How ironic. I just blogged about snow-days yesterday.

By ten o'clock, the snow had only intensified. So, this lucky girl was able to spend her day trying out some of yesterday's snow day suggestions. (Although, I did cheat and do some laundry and cleaning.) By far the best part of the day was strapping on my snow-boots for the first time and wandering out into the fluff to take pictures of our downtown.

This snow was the powdery, fluffy kind. Good for snow-angels but a bit too weak for snowballs. Kicking the snow-plow drifts sent plumed fans into the air, which Solo eagerly chased, open-mouthed and tail-wagging. The powder coated every surface, light like confectioner's sugar. The streetside homes seemed like frosted cakes, precisely arranged in a baker's display case.

Snow days are different. It's early enough in the season yet that we enjoy the snow, rather than moan its arrival. Now, the snow makes everyone happy. It softens our footfalls and quiets the earth. Streets typically nosy with business echo with children's laughter. Everyone seems a little more likely to smile and, maybe, to play.

Have you had your first snow yet?

P.S. Don't you just love the photo of Solo in the snow?

4 Favorite Instagram Accounts

Too often, when I can't sleep at night, I find myself scrolling endlessly through Instagram, jumping down rabbit hole after rabbit hole of hashtags, likes, and "oooh that's pretty where is that" moments. Sitting there in the dark, bundled in a wool blanket, with my glasses perched on my nose and my hair in who-knows-what-state-of-mess, I end up muttering things like "we need to go to Glacier Park" or "we need to visit Iceland. I've always wanted to go to Iceland...right?"

While my late-night Instagram wanderings may deprive me of some sleep, they do afford a good bit of inspiration for photography, home renovations, and outfit ideas. The thing I love the most about this Iphone app is that it gives you a glimpse into other people's worlds, into their perspective on life. While some photos are clearly styled and staged, the effort and editing still reveal that ordinary, everyday life can be beautiful if just viewed in the correct light and from the correct angle.

Here are four Instagram accounts that I have been loving recently.

@3pitsinachair As a pit bull owner and lover, I had to include one pittie photo-feed. However, this account isn't just a slobbery mess of doggy photos and fetch videos. This photographer manages to very artistically capture her three pibbles (and one kitty!) posing, rather uniquely, with an old ratty chair and a mountain backdrop.

@mattlowden This account is probably my favorite of these four. He definitely captures and entices my wanderlust-bug with his sweeping mountain views and alluring woodsy realms."Deep roots" was the title of this shot.

@benjaminhole If you want a dose of Great Britain farming, bouncy lamb videos and sleepy sheepdog images, this is the account for you. Seriously. Sometimes the cuteness is just too much. 

@absinthemindedswede The dusky and warm "Iphoneography" of P.J. Bowman makes me want to bake pastries and drink espresso all day. A no doubt unhealthy desire which would lead to dangerous sugar and caffeine highs. 

Check them out for yourself. If you have any of your own favorite Instagram accounts or hashtags, please share! Or follow me on Instagram, and let me know there!