CRAZY BEAUTIFUL | Goodhart Photography, Modern Teen Portraiture in Loudoun County

These two girls were simply stunning. Vibrant and energetic, and so easy to photograph!





I love the backlighting below...

SUCH TROOPERS | Goodhart Photography, D.C. Metropolitan Family and Child Photographer

Aren't they beautiful?  The eyes on these children were STUNNING....



And here they gathered for a playful piggy back shot...




They were such troopers, schlepping around in the ice and snow, but I think these photographs were worth it! Don't you agree?

SNOW GLORIOUS SNOW | Goodhart Photography, Nature and Environmental Photographer

So beautiful today! It's been snowing since 9 am this morning! I grabbed my camera and took a few photographs in my yard...everything looks magical in the snow.

BUSY BUSY BUSY! | Goodhart Photography, Family Portraiture

I printed the above storyboard as a 10x20 canvas gallery wrap and it looked FABULOUS! I should have taken some photographs before I delivered it. I loved it so much I made one of my own kids to bring as a sample to show clients.

I appear to be obsessed with the 10x20 format! But it just looks great, and it's a little different than a standard 8x10 or 11x14.







Can you tell what a precious imp she is? Just adorable.
And just LOOK at the grin on the newborn below - like he was in on the joke!





Tonight I hope to finish up my maternity shoot from a few weeks ago. I am running at about 2.5 weeks for getting proofs to families....

CHILLIN' | Goodhart Photography, Loudoun County Family Photographer

This was a fantastic photoshoot! Look at that view, and my gorgeous subjects who are "chillin'" in those 50 pound adirondack chairs.

We drove around in a golf cart looking for prime locations, and found plenty.

And another panoramic shot...

THINGS | Goodhart Photography, Loudoun County Portrait Photographer Who Still Photographs Things...

I was asked recently if I still photograph "things." And the answer is, unfortunately, not as much as I used to, but I still make an effort to point my camera towards subjects other than people. Here are images I took a few days ago, in about 5 minutes in my yard.







And, in an effort to prevent the cobblers' kids from going shoeless, I got this image minutes after riding a bike was mastered....

BEAUTIFUL IN BLUE | Goodhart Photography, Loudoun County family and child photographer

These photographs were taken on the first sunny day after two days of rain, and this family's back yard was pretty much a swamp! I am perched on a sled which happened to be under their deck, giving my stomach muscles a workout as I lean way back to compose this shot. It is one of my favorites of the session!

And another family portrait, including their adorable dog Snickers.....



Lots more great shots to come! Proofs should be ready in three weeks.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS | Goodhart Photography, Northern Virginia Maternity Photographer

It was my first official maternity shoot today, and WOW did I have a great time! This beautiful couple is expecting their first baby in the next few weeks. The camera just loved them and I can't wait to develop the rest of the photographs!!

I have to digress to say how much I love word wall art now. I think it adds so much to the portrait above!

Anyway, here is your sneak preview; you'll see the rest in 2-3 weeks...

NEWBORN BLESSING | Goodhart Photography, Loudoun County Family Photographer

This morning I photographed this serene little blessing, fresh from God...



This little sweetie never napped, he was wide-eyed and alert...

I didn't have Daddy's ring available, but I used Mommy's ring and love how this shot turned out...



More to come!

FAMILIES AND FALL FOLIAGE | Goodhart Photography, Northern Virginia Photographer, Babies, Children, Teens, and Families

Before I left for Nashville for a photography workshop, I had a fantastic photoshoot with this lovely family. They are good friends, and willing to try anything, so it was really quite fun. I did have to resort to a few bribes though, especially for the little E who has a mind of her own. But look at her grin below!



And here is another photograph - I have a soft spot for the walking away compositions....



I also finished developing the images for this family, and created a video for them:

I think the videos would be great gifts for grandparents! I will be offering them for sale soon. The versions I will offer will be DVD quality and the quality/clarity will be much better than on my blog.

The Nashville convention was a lot of fun, it was just fascinating to learn how other photographers set up and grow their businesses. There are as many different approaches as there are photographers! And certain things really resonate with me, so there will be a few changes in the upcoming months.

It wasn't all business and marketing though, there were several workshops on the technical aspects of photography, such as using ocf (off camera flash) and managing workflow.

I also purchased some gorgeous products that you'll be seeing in custom designed albums and story board panels. And some absolutely stunning backdrops that I will be using during the winter months when it is too cold to go outside. I will have some special offers to test out my mini-studio set-up in early 2010, so stay tuned!

SO PHOTOGENIC!! | Goodhart Photography, Loudoun County Family and Teen Photographer

So many gorgeous photographs from this family! I had a wonderful time photographing them. Here are a few more photographs from their session...

MORE AWARDS!! | Goodhart Photography, Northern Virginia Family Photographer

"Patty Cake"

So last night I entered 4 images in the Loudoun County Photo Club competition, beginners division, and incredibly they all got ribbons! Above is the first place winner in the colored photography category, and below is the second place winner in the same category.


"Wait For Me.."

And here are my two entries in the monochrome categories, the first photograph took third place and the last one was an honorable mention.


"I Can Do It!"


"Happy"

The images were cropped or edited so my logos didn't appear; they were all anonymous until after the judging.

The judge, when evaluating my photographs, said she liked my compositions and the way the photographs drew her into the image, that they told a story. I am also certain that my completely adorable subjects didn't hurt - Loudoun County grows some of the most precious children ever! Anyway, I loved hearing that from the judge because it is exactly what I try to do with my "paparazzi" shots -- (which I take after the more formal family portraits are completed) -- I try to capture interesting and unique views of children that reveal something true and authentic about their personalities.

FANTASTIC PHOTO SHOOT | Goodhart Photography, Northern Virginia Family Photographer

This family was so photogenic and energetic! And the clothing they selected harmonized beautifully. Here are a few more from the shoot yesterday...







And I'm closing with one of my personal favorites...

FIRST PHOTOGRAPHIC SLIDE MUSIC VIDEO | Goodhart Photography, Northern Virginia Family Photographer

This is a video of some of my portfolio shots...

WITH OR WITHOUT FRAMES | Goodhart Photography, Northern Virginia Family Photographer

I personally love photo frames and special effects! But I know they are not for everyone. What do you think?? Below is the photo without a frame:

FROM FAIRIES TO TEENS | Goodhart Photography, Northern Virginia Family Photographer

What a great day I had yesterday! I started out photographing this family of butterflies and fairies - I love how mom wore wings outside with her wee one.

Next I had the pleasure of meeting this gorgeous family below:






Then I wrapped up my day with this family.  I thought this photo might look nice with a funky frame:



And here is a close up...





So that wraps up my sneak previews from the weekend! I had a great time photographing everyone. Your proofing galleries should be up within 1-2 weeks, and I will be in touch.

DOWN BY THE RIVER | Goodhart Photography, Family Photographer, Leesburg Virginia

Today I had my second shoot with this wonderful family. I've used the girls on several of my publicity pieces, and I know I'll be using more photos from this shoot as I am so pleased with the way many of the photos turned out. We went down to the river and took several shots. There was strong backlighting on the river, so I compensated with off-camera flash - this time using an assistant - and I must say I really LIKE having an assistant!

Anyway, here are additional shots from the shoot. I love the one below:

BUSINESS LAUNCH PROMOTION! | Goodhart Photography, Child Photographer Northern Virginia

I am getting ready to officially launch my photography business! I've been busy ordering samples and preparing my business cards and special offer postcards. Here is the promotional postcard I will be e-mailing to my portfolio building clients to send to their friends. 



I am working my price list and website and hope to have that completed by Monday!

LUCKY ME PART 2 | Goodhart Photography, Families, Children, Teens Photographer Northern Virginia

A couple more from Thursday's photography session. These were shot with natural light and some on-camera fill flash.