Holland Photo Arts Blog

Third Watch Me Grow sessions are always bittersweet for me, as it’s wonderful continuing to see our friends and their children, but also that it’s our last scheduled visit together. With Allison and Tim, we had first met them for their 2004 Washington, DC wedding and thoroughly enjoyed keeping in touch over the years. They recently returned from a trip to North Carolina and swung through Charlottesville (our fair city) on their way home for Natalie’s 3rd Watch Me Grow session. Now walking, she was eager to explore every facet of her new environment, often prompting her parents to run to retrieve her from whatever precipice toward which she might be heading. I loved our session on the serene grounds of the University of Virginia, and have had a lot of fun catching Natalie’s expressions and tender and fun moments between her and her parents. See below for a few highlights from our recent session. Thank you, Allison and Tim, for continuing to share yourselves and your family with us! We’ve loved being a part of yours.

Every time I think I’ve seen it all with baby and toddler portraits, along comes another little one who is just so funny and so adorable it makes you laugh. When I drove down to Lynchburg recently to see Marcy and Barrett and their little boy Trent for his second Watch Me Grow session, they told me he’s taken a liking to pickles. Imagine my ears perking up at that one, so we had a lot of fun just playing around before the big finale. I suspect this liking takes a little getting used to after the first taste, but sure enough he ate the whole thing and proceeded to polish it off with a big slice of watermelon. It was so cool seeing them all again, and I can’t wait to return in a few months for Trent’s third session when he’s walking and getting into even more mischief. Here are a few faves from our recent session in the meantime:

Eat hand before pickles. Check.

Um, yum?

Yea, grass is good, too. ;-D

We’re delighted to start our September one-year anniversaries off with Monica & Glenn, whose wedding we photographed a year ago today at beautiful Keswick Hall here in Charlottesville. It was hard to imagine a more fun-loving couple that day–laid back and relaxed and just going with the flow. We had so much fun with them and it was great catching up recently to see how they’ve been doing and to ask them about their favorite images. This is what they had to say:

From Monica:

The first time I saw my Dad on my wedding day…being an only child…and only daughter…what an emotional, yet calming moment to see his face and he peered at me…and took it all it.  I could only imagine what was going through his head.  I actually gave him this photo for his birthday in July..and it still brought tears to his eyes.  I’ll always be Daddy’s little girl.

I LOVE this picture….pic of me from the outside through the doors dancing on the dance floor.  This one always cracks me up as I truly thought I was the only one dancing all night long.  From our video that was not the case…but looking at this picture it seems to be the case

Glenn’s picks (as told through Monica):

This is Glenn’s fav pic of me…whenever he looks at this he just says aww….he notes its the perfect embodiment of how I am…this is the way he will always remember me.  You both truly brought out the beauty in me!!!  Thank you

Glenn kissing me during our first dance – what a great picture…it the perfect way to start life together…dancing amongst friends and family…and than having a moment…

Our grand entrance to our reception – don’t we look like rock stars???

From both:

Final Dance – we LOVE this pic….what a perfect pic to close the best day of our lives!!!

Us walking through the flowers – again, what a perfect pic – completely captures the beauty of the surroundings…and well…us too.  This pic is everywhere…our screensavers, phones….we love it!!

Portrait of us in the archway holding hands…a little bit of love…a little bit of pose

Wow…I didn’t think we were going to be able to do it…narrow down only a few favs…as practically every pic you both took of us and our day were our favs.  Something to continue to look at for years and reminisce on the awesome day!!!

Thanks so much, Monica and Glenn, for sharing these with us! It’s always fun seeing what our clients choose as their favorite images.

(Editor’s Note: Friday’s Fab Finds will soon return from its summer break…we know you can’t wait!)

We recently received a wonderful note from Monica and Glenn (check out the blog Sunday to see their favorite images and celebrate their one year anniversary). We always love it when our clients take the time to write or call to tell us how much they loved the images we created and the experience they had with us. We asked Monica if we could share their note with us, and she of course said yes. Here’s what they had to say:

Anne & Bill–

Ahh…where do we begin…

Thank you so very much again for being a HUGE part of our special day. Working with you both pre, during, and post has truly been one of the best experiences ever. You both are such special and wonderful people and friends…and amazing, artistic and professional photographers. We truly can not thank you both enough for everything!!!

We absolutely LOVE, LOVE our album…we never imagined it to be so beautiful and BIG . We have taken it so many places to show off to our friends and family and everyone is just truly breathless as they turn from page to page. Glenn and I still experience the same joy and awe as we continue to look at our amazing keepsake.

No one else, other than you both, could have captured the true expressions, joy, and amazement of our day. We are so lucky to have worked with you both!!

Thank you both so much again!! We hope to keep in touch. And if you ever need a referral…do not hesitate to call. You both are the BEST!

Love, Monica & Glenn

The feeling is very much mutual, you two. Thank you so much for asking us to be a part of your wedding. We can’t wait to help celebrate your anniversary on Sunday!