Amaya Family - Fall Portraits
Surrounded by Beauty
If you live in an area that has a true autumn season, you know the sort of beauty that can take your breath away. It's turning a corner as you drive to work and catching morning light setting fall foliage ablaze in brilliant warm tones of yellows, oranges, and reds. Here in Northern Virginia, this fall has been stunning, if a bit short-lived. When the Amaya family asked if I could accommodate a date change to fit in family visiting from out of town, I was so pleased I could make it happen. We had already arranged a session at a perfect outdoor venue in Hillsboro, VA - Short Hill Springs. This "new" little farm property is a nod to all things rural (mountains in the distance, a creek running through, cow pastures adjacent to a cute wattle fence, and an ANCIENT oak tree...), and I was eager to capture the beauty of this fall season before it all-too-quickly fades away.
I'll be honest - I LOVE photographing this family! The girls are too precious, and I always have a special treat when the oldest kiddo grabs my hand to walk to a new spot for photos. We chat about life, I answer questions and ask about how school is going, and we giggle about silly things. It's a pleasure to know names as we meet up at the location, to get a hug and to share brief "how are you" responses. The ease of this sort of client-photographer relationship gives me renewed passion and a joy in doing the "work" of capturing genuine smiles. It makes the interactions real, and it shows in the photographs! This time, I was blessed to meet a few new extended family members - a brother and his wife. Everyone came along and we started the session just a short walk in to a beautiful clearing surrounding a 300 year old oak tree. Its presence looms like a guardian, gently encircled by smaller saplings and larger boulders, letting in a filtered light that made the family glow. After a few different groups for the family and the girls, we walked across the meadow toward the newly completed waddle fence that marks the property line next to a working farm. The cows made an appearance over the hill, with mountains in the distance. With the earth toned outfits, everyone complemented the pastoral setting and the focus of the photos, even with the wonderful scenery, rested on the smiles and laughter in their faces.
This session was a perfect pairing of a client and a venue. I love finding the right fit, and these perfectly "fall" photos capture this family in all the right ways! I can't wait to showcase Short Hill Springs more, as the location offers so much (and it's a GREAT elopement or small wedding venue, too), and there will be rows of flowers popping up once we emerge from winter 2024. Thank you, Amaya family, for being so wonderful to work with, and for braving a bit of a chilly morning to come out to meet me for your family session here! I'm looking forward to watching those girls grow and capturing more memories for you!
