Linda Crayton Photographer Blog

Alexandria Family Portraits: One wonderful family

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:31:05 +0000

Paula called me early in the summer with her gift certificate in hand (a lovely gift–right?). Her son would only be home from college through August and she would really like to have a session. We talked about what my session is like, and how we could do this with their two children. I suggested coming to her home in the morning and getting a little morning time together–a little fun over breakfast.

I love being with families where the love is so there and present it can’t be missed. And this completely defined this family.

I think they turned out pretty wonderful:

Family Picnics and Summer Fun

admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:39:28 +0000

Deciding to not book any shoots during July and August, while my girls are off of school, was a pretty easy decision. Though I didn’t realize I would be referring out so many potential clients! I am really glad to be with my girls. We’ve devoured to two trips to Conesus (a smaller finger lake) and are getting ready to tackle SF and get some love on with our family.

Drop me an email (and wait patiently for me to get to my computer) if you are looking to book starting September 10th! My calendar for this fall started to book up in January of this year, so call now to book.

Here’s a little piece of our summer. My girls going head-to-head in a pie eating contest:

DC Family Portraits: One, two, buckle his shoe.

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:28:24 +0000

Summer is here, and that means the girls are on vacation, and so am I. I put down my camera professionally and dive into some family time. Here’s a little fireworks from the 3rd (yes the 3rd) at Conesus.

And my last client to squeeze into summer is Declan, this cute little tike, at two years old. I got to meet him a few times, and each times just gets more fun. He has stunning red hair, a fascination with red fire trucks, and the cutest little smile ever…

DC Family Photography: Birthdays and Babies

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:34:23 +0000

I met up with Eliot and his family in January and had a fun, fun session inside their home. They invited me back to shoot his first birthday party. Eliot LOVED the water, and well, wasn’t so sure about the cake.

Can you say ONE:

Our whole family drove in to DC to meet up with Sophie. I got to meet her when she was still a newborn in January. Now my girls got to meet her and they LOVED her. Between Sophie and Hobbs (the cat) they were entertained for hours.

Sophie is the littlest, cutest, most precious, chubby cheeked baby going:

San Francisco Baby Portraits: And so much more than that

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:00:47 +0000

Being an Auntie isn’t new, but being an Auntie to a boy AND seeing my little sister be a Mom is something wonderful. First off, we tend to produce girls. RW (Dad) produced three girls (his payback from the universe, in advance). Then the first four grandchildren were four more girls. All very lovable, and wonderful–and very girl. And now we have a boy. The “Golden Ticket” as our older sister likes to say.

And he is something special. I completely fell apart when I landed back in VA and eventually headed for bed late late the next night. I knew I wouldn’t wake up to baby Drake and put him in the Bjorn and head into the hills for a walk. I knew I wouldn’t be stopping over for a few hours to go let my sister play. I know he’ll be so much different when we see him in August.

Enough of that! I’m welling up all over again.

Got milk?

Great Falls Family Portraits: Times Two

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:34:41 +0000

With summer upon us, families are getting warmed up to get their kids sunkissed cheeks in some family photos. I only wished I lived closer to the beach so I could do these fun, goofy, and real sessions on the beach too.

I hadn’t seen Theo in a couple of years. He blew me away. I have never met a more gregarious, interactive and fun boy. He was absolutely charming. And his sister Madison is no longer a tween, but an engaged, beautiful young woman. She and her Mom are so sweetly in touch, and respectful. I can only hope to have that with my girls. Kudos to this family:

And then Amanda and Sabrina! I can relate so well to this family–two girls, closer in age, and so into that girl world of dressing up (ten times over), dancing, giggling, and being silly. Amanda LOVES my camera and pulled a few poses I won’t ever be able to recreate. Sabrina, much more tentative about her time in the spotlight, sweetly showed me her moves. They are so, so precious. The line of the day from Amanda, “Aren’t you done? We are supposed to go to the Tavern for brunch.” Even the best models have to eat at some point.

Alexandria Family Portraits: 10-years for John and Meghan!

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:33:11 +0000

Meghan and John brought in 10 years together with the sweetest portrait session. I don’t often get asked to do anniversary sessions like this, so I relished in the newness! All five of them in and around their home.

Despite the kitties being less than cooperative models at times, there are some really fun pics. I can’t wait for them to get the rest.

Northern Virginia Family Portraits: 4 times the fun in Mclean

admin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:24:38 +0000

Having never met any of the girls, or their parents, I had no idea what I was in store for at their home. I knew I would meet 4 girls, ages 11 on down. All I can say is–what a load of fun! There was love and togetherness gushing out of their doors. This family has something wonderful in their home. They are all really connected. It is charming!

In true June form, a major thunderstorm breaks on my way across town, so we started inside and then ventured outside. I can’t wait for the family to see all of their shots!

And I tried my myself with a little bit of food photography with Treats by Erica. uh…. yum! Erica is a fabulous woman that is taking the whole home bakery business to a new level of sweet. My kids LOVED her marshallow pops, and Kev loved the bonbon, and I did my best to forget they were in the house. I was very glad to share them with friends, and get them out of my site. Swimsuit season is here–back off candy. Back off.

Harrisburg Pennsylvania Wedding Photography: Jenny and Ryan get married!

admin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:16:43 +0000

I love these families! I have blessed enough to walk into their lives while shooting my cousin’s wedding a few years ago, and I haven’t looked back. They are all wonderful, warm, real, engaging, and most of all–a lot of fun.

Jenny and Ryan were so wonderful to work with during their entire day. They are so sweet together, and totally loved playing with their friends, me and my camera. I love, love some of their shots in and around the Capitol.

Here’s their sneak peek:

Grace United Methodist was very strict on where I could be (balcony or downstairs, but no moving, so I chose the balcony). But my badass assistant Tom Wenger got this shot from his pew with a holga lens on my old 20d. Thanks Tom!

DC Family Portraits: Max and Zoe!

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 17:49:31 +0000

I met Zoe and Max just less than a year ago when Max so, so little and Zoe just about two years old. Zoe is now an independent (fiercely–she is just my little Nut) and charming little girl with best smiling eyes I’ve seen a long time. Max is a delicious new walker, ready to take the world by storm.

I have so many images to share with them that really tell the story of their life at this moment. The chaos, giggles, tantrums, and need for naps. It’s all so perfect–just as it is. One of my favorite images is of Max pulling a pose out of nowhere. He is ready for GQ. Look at this delicious kid: