The Daly Family | Larz Anderson Park, Brookline, MA

There is no better way to start your day than an early morning session with the Daly family. They are so lively, full of positive energy, and their smiles are contagious! I just love them!

Couldn't you just eat little Al up? So cute!

Lieb Family Mini Session | Culpeper, VA

The Lieb family. Photographed at home in Culpeper, VA.

Styled Family Session | Fredericksburg, VA

A beautiful summer day in Fredericksburg, VA with a lovely, photogenic family.

Tirana

It's been nine months since I was in Albania. As I finally sat and edited my pictures tonight, I also read through my journal and experienced the whole thing over again. I remember the exact way I felt when meeting my cousins for the first time. It makes me sad, but it makes me happy at the same time.  I'm so grateful for the many blessings that week and being with Alexandria and Stephanos. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to meet the family that my Baba always told me about. I'm so grateful for the experience. I'm so grateful I wrote it down. 

November 26, 2013; 2:00am

"I was sitting at their kitchen table, dining with them, and casually chatting with them as if I saw them everyday. I thought back to a couple nights ago when I met them for the first time. We met at Hotel Tirana. I will never forget the way it happened and the way it felt; the way they looked, the four of them sitting in the corner and I could see their jittery excitement through the window as they recognized me from the picture. When I walked in to greet them, they jumped and ran at me with open arms and kisses. It was like they had known me and loved me forever. As we talked, I could see Lluka's heart through his eyes as the tears welled up at the corners. The kids were shy and giggled, and gave me the most generous, loving hug. I can't take it. I don't want to leave them. I just want to be with them forever."

Grown at Home

One of the best things about being home in the summer is the abundance of fresh produce and real farmer's markets. In Boston farmer's markets are too trendy and expensive to be authentic. At home in Virginia, farmer's markets are still little huts on the side of the road where local farmers are trying to rid of excess produce before it goes bad. Not to mention everyone has their own mini garden, so if it's not coming from the farmer, it's coming from your neighbor. Fresh produce abounds.

Andrea & Nicholas | A Wedding in Mobile, AL

Now that I am making a much better effort to keep up with blogging, I feel that the Patitsas wedding needs to be shared. Andrea and Nicholas flew me down to Mobile, Alabama to photograph their wedding, which for me, was exciting in itself. Little did I realize that they would serve shrimp and grits at their rehearsal dinner and that almost every single guest would dance the entire reception! Also, it was a Marine Corps wedding in the South. Basically, it was the perfect combination of down-home Southern charm, hospitality and lively energy -a true reflection of Andrea and Nicholas as a couple.

Thank you Andrea and Nicholas for the time together and allowing me to photograph your big day! Many years to you both!