Smithberger Family | Towson, Maryland | Family Lifestyle Photographer

“You’ll need coffee shops and sunsets and road trips. Airplanes and passports and new songs and old songs, but people more than anything else. You will need other people and you will need to be that other person to someone else, a living breathing screaming invitation to believe better things.”

— Jamie Tworkowski

I had the privilege of photographing my sweet friend Andrea and her beautiful family on a warm, cloudy day a couple of weeks ago. She is one of those friends described in the above quote that I have needed over the last few years. You can read more of her story and her insightful writing on her blog “How the Light Gets In.” Our story is one only God could write and it is another example of how He orchestrates things far beyond our understanding. Her family has become absolutely dear to me.

I want to share a snippet of the story of how God brought us together a little over 5 years ago. When our oldest was getting ready to attend Ridgely Middle School, Wes and I approached the Young Life (YL) area director about starting a division of YL in the middle school called WyldLife. When we met with him he encouraged us to pray about this ministry because he really felt like God was doing something in the community. Little did we know another Ridgely parent had approached him about the same thing:) You see Andrea’s oldest daughter wanted something like YL at her school so Andrea set up a meeting with the YL area director. Since that initial meeting we have prayed, launched and watch God grow WyldLife in a way that is difficult to comprehend.

Walking through life with Andrea and watching the way she and Jason lead not only their family but their friends has been an inspiration. I hope as you look through this gallery of pictures from our time together you see their love and joy-filled spirit shine through the most…

Cox Family | Towson, Maryland | Family Lifestyle Photographer

“Every day God invites us on the same kind of adventure. It’s not a trip where He sends us a rigid itinerary, He simply invites us. God asks what it is He’s made us to love, what it is that captures our attention, what feeds that deep indescribable need of our souls to experience the richness of the world He made. And then, leaning over us, He whispers, ‘Let’s go do that together.’”

— Bob Goff

This family reminds me to love well and have fun in the process! Will is the Area Director for Young Life and Janis works behind the scenes to help Baltimore County Young Life run smoothly in addition to caring for their two adorable little boys. Wes and I have had the privilege of being led by Will as we serve as leaders for Young Life’s middle school ministry WyldLife.

I met Will and Janis and their boys at the Hampton National Historic Site in Towson on a beautiful spring evening. We had to reschedule once due to rain and chilly weather so we were thankful for the sun and warmer temperatures. I shot Griffin’s lifestyle newborn session over 2 1/2 years ago so it was time to update their family pictures!

It didn’t take long for the boys to realize that this evening was going to be an adventure. This is one of the things I love about lifestyle photography. I may direct and guide their play but ultimately I let kids be kids. And at a place like the Hampton National Historic Site there is plenty of room to explore. There are rock lined pathways, old stone buildings, lovely gardens, historic trees and plenty of benches to stop and rest.

I think the boys loved the lower garden behind the mansion the best. Running the stone lined pathways was so fun. Running free and rocks…what more could little boys want?! Enjoy this collection of images from our time together.

Comment below with your favorite picture from this session! Contact me here to learn more about scheduling your family session.

Exciting Feature on Clickin Moms Blog...

This photo was recently featured in an article entitled…Photographing Kids: 41 images that will inspire you. I have learned so much through the Clickin Moms community over the years so this is an absolute honor! And I want to let you in on a little secret…this photo actually includes #all4boysinoneframe and their dad so it’s extra special to me!

Here is the link to the article

https://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/photographing-kids-41-pictures-inspire-you/

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Hofler Sweet 16 | Towson, Maryland {Baltimore Photographer}

I knew after just a few minutes on the phone during the inquiry that this was a session I wanted to be a part of. Crystal called me and explained that she wanted to do a photoshoot of her three girls that are “almost triplets” as a way to honor her mom. You see every year since the girls were little Crystal’s mom, the girl’s grandmother would take them to get photos during the time of the year they were all the same age. Crystal described the photos always had the actual number of their age in the photos somewhere. Ever since her passing, Crystal hasn’t been able to do it…

Until this year, the girls are 16 and she wanted to honor her mom with a photoshoot. We started brainstorming different ideas of how to include the number and decided on a banner. Crystal ordered a banner but it wasn’t delivered in time for the shoot so she had the girls create one…another special touch that made this so incredibly special.

We met on a day that was grey and overcast but the sun peeked out just as we started shooting and made for a beautiful session with these girls. Hannah, Madison and McKenna Happy Sweet 16! I am so thankful to have been a part of your special celebration!

Houseknecht Family | Towson, Maryland {Baltimore Family Photographer}

I loved meeting this family! Jake contacted me after seeing the JMP ad in the latest issue of Towson Lifestyle . He and his wife Stefanie wanted to capture some fall photos of their family. They moved back to Baltimore from San Diego a little over a year ago to be closer to family.

We met on the Hampton Mansion Grounds in Towson, Maryland on a windy, cold day. It may have been cold but the fall colors were absolutely stunning as the sun set during our session. The girls were troopers. We took breaks to warm up in blankets/jackets before shooting some more. Enjoy a sneak peek into our lifestyle family session.