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Bring these essentials to your child’s session! | Northern VA Family Photographer
Bring these essentials to your child’s session! | Northern VA Family Photographer
As a professional photographer in the Tysons Corner, VA area, we know preparation is essential. Preparing in advance for your child’s portrait session goes a long way toward a fun and successful session!
Think ahead and come prepared. Here are a few tips:
Clothes
We recommend an extra outfit (or two) in case your child gets dirty on the way to their portrait session or while at the session! They’re kids after all! Things happen! You know your child and how likely they are to get dirty so based on that, bring one or two extra outfits. For babies, bring a minimum of two extra outfits and some bibs.
Snacks
Food can save the day! We tend to advise against too much sugar right before or during the session, but bringing your child’s favorite snacks can be a smart thing. Snacks can go a long way toward keeping your child satisfied, as an incentive, or as a reward! Don’t choose messy snacks though!
Also, don’t forget hydration. Bring water or juice – whatever you usually give your child – BUT clear is best to avoid stains!
Toys
Bring a few favorite toys. If you child has a beloved toy, by all means, bring it! It might even make it into a few of the portraits. Aside from that, toys can provide some entertainment during your session. One or two toys are usually sufficient.
Books
If your child is interested in books, bring a few. In fact, bring both a toy and a book!
Wipes
Bring some wipes to clean dirty hands and faces after snacking.
Diapers
This one is rather obvious. If your child is still in diapers, bring along extra diapers.
Patience
Lastly, pack your patience and turn your child over to us. As family photography experts, we know how to work with kids during a portrait session. What’s more, they are more likely to listen to us than their parents during a session! Don’t worry if you think your child isn’t cooperating. We know how to steer and guide them. We’ve seen it all and heard it all so no worries and no embarrassment. Kids are kids, and we love kids – even tired, uncooperative ones!
We look forward to being your family’s professional photographer in the Tysons Corner, VA area. We enjoy working with children and families because it keeps us young and on our toes! Call to schedule your appointment!
Family Photographer, Professional Photographer
Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located near Tysons Corner, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
Professional Photographer
Inside or Outside Portrait Session? | Northern VA Family Photographer
Inside or Outside Portrait Session? | Northern VA Family Photographer
When you call our Tysons Corner, VA area studio, one of the first questions we might ask you is if you want portraits inside our fully-equipped indoor studio or outside in our 2.5-acre portrait park. As a highly-experienced professional photographer, we can do either one. However, if you have any doubts about doing your portraits outside, we can set your mind at ease. Outdoor photography can provide great natural light, more options, and our private portrait park offers complete privacy.
Natural Light
Most photographers will extol the virtues of natural light. Direct sunlight isn’t always the easiest to work with, but natural, indirect light provides the best lighting for photography. An experienced photographer will know what light to expect for an outdoor session at any given time throughout the day, and will plan accordingly. They will know how to manipulate the light for their subject and photograph’s needs, and how to add light when needed.
Private Portrait Park
We are happy to do your outdoor portraits anywhere you like in the Northern Virginia area. The natural beauty of this region provides countless options for your pictures. We are only limited by our imagination and any restrictions on a location. However, we also offer our clients the exclusive use of our outdoor, private portrait park. Our park is an ideal place for family photography. There will be no one else using the park during your portrait session. It will be your family and us with no distractions other than the natural beauty of our park. From the lovely ponds to the wooden bridge, barn, and farm fencing, our park offers a bucolic and tranquil background just minutes from most Northern Virginia cities and towns.
More Options
Portraits taken outdoors can usually be more creative than indoor portrait studio pictures given the variety of possibilities for the background. Most locations offer diverse settings and unique opportunities for exciting pictures. Whether we are in our portrait park or on a farm field somewhere, we are only limited by our imaginations!
Indoor works also
Keep in mind that we don’t want to discourage our clients from doing indoor studio portraits completely! There are a lot of interesting things we can do indoors. Indoor photography lends itself well to artsy black and white photography, for example.
As an experienced professional photographer near Tysons Corner, VA, we encourage you to call our studio with any questions you might have about outdoor vs. indoor photography. We would be happy to discuss your options!
Family Photographer, Professional Photographer
Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located near Tysons Corner, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
Professional Photographer
Why would you rather be a portrait photographer rather than a photojournalist? | Northern VA Family Photographer
Why would you rather be a portrait photographer rather than a photojournalist? | Northern VA Family Photographer
As a leading portrait photography studio in the Tysons Corner, VA & McLean, VA area, we don’t just do portraits. We build relationships with our photography clients. Getting to know them in the process of doing their portraits is important to us as family photographers who care about our clients.
It’s important that you feel comfortable with us during your portrait session so that we can capture your candid emotions and expressions. Great fine art photography captures what is real and true about its subject. We strive for great every time!
Today, however, we thought we would focus on us just a bit so you can get to know us as well!
Rather than just talk about ourselves, we thought one of us would answer an interesting question:
“Why would you rather be a portrait photographer than a photojournalist?”
In Mindy’s own words:
“In a sense, I feel that I am a little of both – a portrait photographer and a photojournalist – because the emotions and candid expressions that naturally happen as we photograph our clients are very real. It happens right in front of our eyes just as it happens for a photojournalist. In portrait photography, there is a little magic to making people forget that you are there and to feel so at ease that they can express their true emotions. It’s such a privilege and honor to be able to capture those moments for the clients that we love. For instance, during one of my recent sessions, a family of four came in: Molly and Dave with their darling kids Orion and Freya. How sweet it was to watch Orion being such a great big brother and just leaning over and hugging and kiss Freya! Moments like that are priceless! Molly and Dave had the proudest look on their faces because this was spontaneous and showed the loving relationship that their kids had at this young age.”
If you live in the Tysons Corner, VA & McLean, VA area and would like to work with a family-owned, mother-daughter portrait photography studio, call us! You’ve come to the right studio!
Family Photographer, Portrait Photography Studio
Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located near Tysons Corner, VA and McLean, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
Danny Family, Fun in our Outdoor Portrait Park | Northern VA Family Photographer
Danny Family, Fun in our Outdoor Portrait Park | Northern VA Family Photographer
When a family wants to create a wall dedicated to family portraits, it’s only natural that they would invest in fine art photography. When the Danny family contacted us to help them with portraits for their McLean, VA home, as a family photographer we were happy to help!
This young family was full of energy, and spending time with them was a delight!
Autumn Outdoor Family Portrait Session
Alicia told us that she wanted candid outdoor pictures capturing their family enjoying each other and nature’s offerings. She also wanted fall photography to take advantage of the rich cornucopia of colors in Northern Virginia. Her ideas were right up our alley!
We were able to offer them our private, outdoor portrait park for their exclusive use during their portrait session – no distractions and no tourists wandering around! It was just Alicia, husband Josh, and their two young children and ourselves.
Outdoor Portrait Park
Our private park is perfect for young families because it makes it easy to take candids while they enjoy themselves. Whether we use the wooden bridge, farm fence, an antique sofa, or just nature’s background, children can run around and enjoy being kids while we take their photographs. Depending on the time of year, Mother Nature also offers its contribution to our portraits in the park. From spring time’s colorful blooms and the lush green tree canopies to fall’s rich golds, oranges, and reds, you can’t go wrong. The park is yours during your portrait session.
You can see the results of the Danny Family’s portrait park session — the portraits are rich in color, love, and joy! We think we captured this family perfectly. Their smiles say it all. They must have agreed because they purchased a gallery of portraits to display in their home and enjoy for many years to come.
If you would like to work with a family photographer in the McLean, VA area specializing in candid, joyful, and loving photography of your family, please call us to schedule your session!
Family Photographer
Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located near McLean, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
Professional Photographer
Limited Edition Bubblegum Princess, Saturday, July 1, 2017! | Northern VA Family Photographer
Limited Edition Bubblegum Princess, Saturday, July 1, 2017! | Northern VA Family Photographer
Has your little princess ever transformed herself into a Bubblegum Princess based on the book by Julie Gribble, inspired by Catherine (Kate), Duchess of Cambridge? Our leading portrait photography studio in the Sterling, VA and Tysons Corner, VA area is once again offering our popular Limited Edition Bubblegum Princess sessions! This Limited Edition Session is a little twist on this beloved story. Reserve your Saturday July 1, 2017 session now for a fun and colorful portrait experience your little girl won’t soon forget!
Children grow so quickly that their childhoods can seem like a fleeting moment in the scope of our lives. Portrait photography, however, helps you capture those special times and phases of their lives. Our Bubblegum Princess session lets your little girl immerse herself in a silver tub of brightly-color bubblegum balls for a fun and lively portrait! We provide all the props. You provide the princess!
There are only 12 Session Slots Available
:
* Sessions are first come, first serve reservation basis.
* These Fine Art Photography Portrait sessions are regularly $250. Book today for only $99 and receive a $99 credit toward the package of your choice.
WHO:
For the little Bubblegum Want-to-be Princess in your life!
These sessions are best suited for little girls between the ages of 3-9.
WHAT:
Limited Edition Sessions are unique, themed sessions with a limited number of slots.
Once the session slots are filled, the theme is no longer available.
WHEN:
SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2017 only
WHERE:
Our Indoor or Outdoor Studio in Sterling, VA
46506 Oak Lane
Sterling, VA 20165
WHY:
You love your child and want to capture everything you love about them through Fine Art Portrait Photography
BOOKING:
* Once the $99 session fee is paid prior to your session date, your time is reserved.
* Each session is 30 minutes and includes a $99 product credit.
* Print packages are available.
* Each session is limited to 1 outfit which we provide for ages 3 through 9.
Contact our trusted and leading portrait photography studio in the Sterling, VA & Tysons Corner, VA to schedule your little princess’ special limited edition portrait session!
Family Photographer, Portrait Photography Studio
Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located near Tysons Corner, VA and Sterling, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
Professional Photographer
Kaui & Leila, Mother/Daughter Portrait Session | Northern VA Family Photographer
Kaui & Leila, Mother/Daughter Portrait Session | Northern VA Family Photographer
It wasn’t that long ago that we told you about Leila’s portrait photography session in our Tysons Corner, VA area studio. She was a delight to photograph during her Limited Edition Frozen-Inspired session. We wanted to share a few portraits of a follow-up session we did with Leila and her mother, Kaui. We also want to share what her mother purchased to decorate their home. It’s always fun to see what clients fell in love with from their session!
Kaui & Leila, Mother/Daughter Session
If there was ever a sweet smiling face to photograph alongside beautiful pale-blue balloons, it is Leila’s. This little model looked adorable. She was the star of the pictures – the natural focus of every picture we took. The all-white background gives an ethereal impression to her pictures – almost as if she’s floating alongside the balloons!
We followed up the blue balloons with a special mother/daughter session in rich vintage colors. It was a special moment for Kaui and Leila, and beautiful portraits were the result.
As a professional photographer, the opportunity to photograph this mother and daughter was an exciting one for us! Their fine art portraits turned out beautifully and reminded us of an oil painting from one of the great masters. This mother and daughter have a timeless beauty so easy to capture in fine art photography. Achieving multiple looks during their session was easy and worked out perfectly when it came time for them to select products.
Wall Portraits
Kaui chose portraits in a Gallery Wrap Finish to decorate Leila’s room and their home. She also purchased one of our high-quality Legacy Albums for more of their lovely photographs. They will be able to enjoy their portraits from this particular time in their lives for decades and decades to come.
If you would like to schedule your portrait photography session with a reputable and leading studio in Tysons Corner, VA area, contact us to schedule an appointment. Your portraits will be equally beautiful and your photographic session just as memorable!
Family Photographer, Portrait Photography
Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located near Tysons Corner, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
Can we all wear white for our Portrait Session? | Northern VA Family Photographer
Can we all wear white for our Portrait Session? | Northern VA Family Photographer
Before we take your family photos, you will want to consider your outfits and the colors you’ll wear. Let’s talk about the myth of wearing white – and why it shouldn’t be a choice especially with the lush green landscapes of the Waterford, VA and Northern Virginia areas as a background.
As a family photographer, we often discuss with our clients a few ideas for their outfits. We also direct them to our Pinterest boards where they’ll find hundreds of ideas. Your outfits and color choices should do three things:
1. Be flattering to you and your figure – whether you’re male or female, young or old
2. Make you the subject – what the eye is immediately drawn to in the photo
3. Your outfits should not be the first thing you see in a photo.
The Technicalities of White
There are technical challenges for a professional photographer when a client is wearing white – yes, even a bride. White tends to blow out the highlights of a shot and confuse the camera’s internal meter, so it takes a skilled and experienced photographer (like us) to compensate.
White or Color for a Group
When you select white, you create an immediate magnet for the viewer’s eye. Rather than looking at your lovely face or faces, the eye goes to the white clothes! Some families want to wear white tops and khaki pants for their family photos. But, unless you want to look like you all work at Walt Disney World, or somewhere else with a uniform, we recommend you shy away from this!
It’s best if you select two coordinating colors and then mix and match them across the group. Don’t put everyone in the same tops of the same color – that’s too matchy-matchy!
If you must wear a white shirt, add a pop of color whether it’s a simple scarf, tie, or vest. Just keep in mind not to wear too many accessories. They, too, will draw the eye away from you as the subject (and star) of your photos.
As a full service portrait studio, we will work with you to choose flattering clothing for your family portrait!
Want some proof of not wearing white? Next time you’re watching a news broadcast, look for reporters wearing white tops. You’ll likely see very few people wearing only white. It’s too distracting to the camera.
It’s important to select an experienced and skilled photographer for your next family photos in the Waterford, VA region. They will need to know just how to coordinate your group, advise on outfits, and produce the spectacular portraits you deserve! Contact us if you would like to schedule portraits with our trusted and reputable mother and daughter photography team.
Family Photographer, Family Photos
Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located near Waterford, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
Professional Photographer
Limited Edition Carousel Dreams, Saturday, June 3, 2017! | Northern VA Family Photographer
Limited Edition Carousel Dreams, Saturday, June 3, 2017! | Northern VA Family Photographer
Announcing our Limited Edition Carousel Dreams portrait session! Scheduled for Saturday, June 3, 2017, our Carousel Dreams sessions transport your little girl into a magical world of carousel horses and sweet dreamy dress-up! As family photographers in Sterling, VA & McLean, VA, we only offer 12 slots for these coveted sessions – which fill up quickly!
Our daughters don’t remain our little girls forever. In the blink of an eye, they are all grown up and no longer enchanted by the charm of a beautiful carousel horse! Capture the sweetness and innocence of your little girl in one of our limited edition Carousel Dreams portraits.
WHO:
These portraits are for the little girl between the ages of 3-9 who still believes in carousel magic, flying horses, and all things frilly and pretty. These sessions are best suited for little girls
WHAT:
Limited Edition Sessions, which are themed events, are unique,
won’t be repeated and have only a limited number of slots. Once the slots are filled, the theme is no longer available.
These portraits result in timeless images of your little girl. You will cherish these images for many years!
Also included in your session is the use of our customized costumes and props, so all you need to do is show up and we will take care of the rest.
WHEN:
SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 2017 only
WHERE:
Our beautiful Indoor or Outdoor Studio in Sterling, VA
46506 Oak Lane
Sterling, VA 20165
WHY:
Because you love your little girl and time moves so fast —photography stops it! These very special portrait sessions for little girls with special clothing on a unique set are unforgettable!
These sessions are perfect for the parent or grandparent who values one of a kind portraits of their cherished little girl! Portraits from our 30-minute sessions make the perfect gift for mom, dad and especially the grandparents!
BOOKING:
* Once the $99 session fee is paid prior to your session date, your time is reserved.
* Each session is 30 minutes, and includes a $99 product credit.
* Print packages are available.
* Session is limited to one outfit which is provided for ages 3 through 9.
* You are more than welcome to schedule two back-to-back sessions if you prefer each child to experience the full 30 minutes.
ORDERING:
* Ordering takes place at our studio, on a specific date two weeks after the session is photographed at a time we choose together.
* At least 20 images to choose from will be available at your Ordering Session.
* All decisions must be made at this time and are final, so we encourage all decision makers to be present.
* Unordered images will be deleted after your ordering session.
* Layaway, no-interest payment plans are available.
PRODUCTS:
* We make available special products and offer a package pricing for our Limited Edition Sessions. This includes beautiful Wall Art perfect for your home, office, or your child’s room! They also make wonderful gifts for family.
* All our prints are art mounted and textured with Linen, except wallet size. In addition, all the prints are coated for durability and protection from fingerprints and the elements. This prints will last for many decades.
* Digital images to share on social media are included.
* Digital images with print rights are available for purchase.
Contact the studio for more detailed pricing of our products.
Only 12 Session Slots Available!
Sessions are first come, first serve…portrait sessions are regularly $250 — book today for only $99 and receive a $99 credit toward the package of your choice.
Schedule your next portraits or your daughter’ Carousel Dreams Limited Edition session with one of the top family photographers in Sterling, VA & McLean, VA area. You’ll cherish the portraits for many years to come!
Family Photographer
Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located in Sterling, VA, near McLean, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
Professional Photographer
Key elements when choosing an Outdoor Photographer | Northern VA Family Photographer
Key elements when choosing an Outdoor Photographer | Northern VA Family Photographer
With indoor and outdoor studios near McLean, VA & Waterford, VA, we are extremely versatile as family photographers. We can do portraits either inside or outside in our private portrait park. Not everyone is equally versatile, so when you are choosing an outdoor photographer, there are several things to keep in mind.
Lighting
Photographers working outdoors need to have the correct professional equipment and know how to adjust exposure to meet the surroundings – whether indoors or out. It’s not as easy as it sounds! Outdoor natural lighting can be your best friend or your worst enemy if you don’t know how to manipulate it best. Be certain the photographer has plenty of experience shooting outdoors. Ask to see their portfolio of outdoor portraits. If you don’t like what you see, move along.
Personality
We always recommend working with a photographer you feel comfortable with, and you like. Talk to them before you book the appointment! We believe it’s important that everyone – photographer and client – feel comfortable throughout their session. It can make a difference in the results! If a client is uncomfortable during their photo session, they won’t relax, and that will come across in their portraits.
Specialty
Search for a photographer specializing in the type of photography you need. Look through their website, and you should see evidence of their specialty. Some photographers, like us, specialize in a particular genre such as family photography. Within that specialty, you’ll note we photograph various types of family portraits from engagements to maternity to baby photography to large families.
Take your time selecting an outdoor photographer or any photographer. Look through their website carefully as it’s a glimpse into their world, their style, their specialty. Don’t be shy about discussing their fees. A great photographer isn’t cheap but will be worth the investment and time.
We have built a regular clientele in the Northern Virginia area, including McLean, VA & Waterford, VA, through hard work, skill, and versatility as photographers. We will happily work with a client in our indoor studio or out in our private portrait park exclusively available to clients. Contact us to book your summer photo session!
Family Photographer
Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located near McLean, VA and Waterford, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
Professional Photographer
When should you schedule Senior Portraits? | Northern VA Family Photographer
When should you schedule Senior Portraits? | Northern VA Family Photographer
High school tends to be a whirlwind of college entrance exams, tours, and applications. Somewhere in the midst of all that are the all-important senior portraits – one of the most memorable takeaways from any senior year. As a portrait photography studio in Northern Virginia near McLean, VA, we are seeing more families turning to having fine art senior portraits. But some are unsure as to when to schedule them. So, when is the best time to do your high school senior portraits?
Senior Portrait Season
The summer after your junior year is the start of the senior portrait-taking season. There are several good, practical reasons for this. Doing your portraits in the summer before your senior year means you’ll have them back in time for your last year of high school. Many families use them for various purposes including seasonal cards, presents for family and friends throughout the year, and, finally, for graduation invitations or announcements. Students tend to use their senior portraits for social media and other opportunities throughout their senior year.
When to Schedule
If you want to be one of the first to have your senior portrait in hand, you should plan early! Start looking for a photographer by March during the spring of your junior year and be prepared to select a photographer months before you want your actual appointment. Summer can be a very busy time for portraits of any kind especially if you want to do outdoor portraits.
The earlier you schedule, the more likely you are to have the pick of good time slots. Late spring or early summer can be a very good time to do outdoor portraits. Waiting until the end of the summer could mean battling summer’s heat and humidity.
Contact us!
If you’d like to discuss your senior portraits, contact our portrait photography studio in the McLean, VA area. We’d be happy to discuss our services, products, and pricing as well as any ideas you might have for your unique senior portrait.
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Family Photographer, Portrait Photography Studio
Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located near McLean, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!