LaMartina Photography

Motherhood

2011-05-10T17:20:00.005-04:00

Don't get too excited. I'm not back yet as a fully functioning studio. April kind of.. slipped away from me. It happens. Life gets crazy.

Which brings me to the subject of my post: Motherhood. And more specifically, my entry in this week's iheartfaces Photo Challenge.

Me and two of my babies- my 11month-old human child, and my Canon.

Fresh from the bath. The baby, that is. Not the Canon. Never the Canon.

Check out the other entries here!

It's coming...

2011-04-14T03:12:00.003-04:00

In case you missed the news, LaMartina Photography has made some big changes. The biggest change is the move to Canada. That's done. We're here and we're allllmost unpacked. We've survived our first Canadian winter (no small feat, let me be quick to assure you!), and the smaller changes- like new colors, new logo, new camera, new website, new level of AWESOME- are still underway.

Keep checking back. I'm still working out the nitty gritty, but I've got big plans for the spring.

Big plans.

Vacation {Outer Banks. North Carolina Beach Photographer}

2010-10-04T00:26:00.004-04:00

Even on vacation, when I see a cool chair I've just gotta put a baby on it. My husband didn't even blink an eye when I said "You know, I would really love to bring this chair out on the beach one day this week."

Unfortunately the weather would not cooperate, and an actual beach shoot was not possible due to crazy crazy wind and rain. But still we brought the chair up (from the basement) to the third floor deck and did a quick couple of shots.

And so, a few of the cutiest girlies around. But of course, I may be biased...

Little Brother {Springfield Virginia, Newborn Photographer}

2010-09-25T11:53:00.003-04:00

I'm heading out the door for our family vacation, but I had this shoot with Mr. A (and his big brother C) this morning and I couldn't help but post a couple of my favorites before we leave. Thanks for letting me come by! We'll see you guys soon for a playdate!

Just shy of 4 months {Burke, Virginia Baby Studio Photographer}

2010-09-18T23:41:00.004-04:00

This afternoon I had a shoot planned with little miss M and her mama. We scheduled it for noon.-ish. (I'm serious, that's what it says in the contract!) Babies can certainly be unpredictable, especially once they get out of that brand-new, sleep anywhere and everywhere all the time phase. Flexibility is KEY in getting the images you want from them. This little lady is just 3 days younger than my own chickadee, so it's an age I am currently very comfortable photographing!

She made us work for it, but we got some really nice images out of today's session. It was lovely meeting you today, and I can't wait to see you guys for your next session, when we get to bring big sister along, too! Enjoy your sneak peek!

We have babies, I guess that means we're grown-ups? {Reston Virginia, Newborn Photographer}

2010-09-06T13:28:00.006-04:00

Way back when, before I had babies and a husband and a dog, I had roommates. My roommates were all, of course, in similarly single situations. As the years pass, an increasing number of my past (All from craigslist, I might add. And only one complete housing fail among them!) roommates have joined me in the married with babies club.

This morning I was lucky enough to go hang out with one of those ex-roomies and his wife and their little baby girl, who isn't even a week old yet! Little S was sooo awake (and hungry!) for most of our session, but we were definitely able to capture some great moments. Here are a few of my favorites-

Baby girl in the crib that was actually handmade for her daddy by her grandaddy. I love photographing newborns with family heirlooms like that. It's so special to have that story.

And to think, they were worried that they weren't photogenic...

I do love a good baby on a couch!

Thanks again for having me into your home this morning, and many thanks for the coffee!!! I look forward to doing dinner sometime soon and introducing your little one to my girlies.

One Week {Centreville, Virginia Newborn Photographer}

2010-09-02T13:56:00.004-04:00

Much has happened since my last post here on the blog. But instead of doing a big long catching-up post (which I actually have half-finished, saved as a draft), I will just jump right in with a sneak peek from my most recent shoot.

My husband's cousin had her little girl just last week. We visited a few days after they took new baby K home, and then I went over yesterday (with my two assistants- at 22 months and 3 months old, it's a good thing this shoot was for family!) to do the newborn session.

We got some really great awake shots, and had so much fun that I just may have to go back next week to get some more shots while she's still all squishy and new! Here's a few of my faves from the shoot.

Looks like Daddy is already wrapped around somebody's little finger...

Snoozin'

Mama, looking like a cover model just a week after having a baby.

Thanks again for letting me come over and meet the newest member of the family! I can't wait for our beach vacation- we'll definitely have to do portraits on the beach!!!

15 months {Burke, Virginia Studio Photographer}

2010-03-16T17:03:00.004-04:00

Today we had a really fun session with H and his mama... they're family friends and we have been trying to get together to do this session for forEVER. Today he turned 15 months old, and we finally did it.

We had fun and got some great images. Since this was more of a playdate/photo session, there was a second little one toddling around trying to steal the show... but we managed to keep her occupied and out of the way MOST of the time.

Thanks for coming today, you guys! Here are a few of my favorites from the day, the rest will be posted online real soon!!!

Mini-Session Day Two! {Fairfax Virginia Children's Photographer}

2010-03-16T16:44:00.004-04:00

Sunday brought our last and final participants in the Love for Haiti Fundraiser- we had a fun time with little Miss S and got some great images. Here's one of my favorites...

Thanks again to everyone who was a part of this- we have raised over $250 so far, and I'll be able to let you know the final grand total once all the orders have been placed. To put that $250 in perspective, let me remind you of these numbers-

"Thirst Relief's cost to build, deliver, and install a concrete Biosand water filter is $50-70, which in turn benefits on average 10 people in need. Our cost to repair an existing broken well hand pump is $300-$800, which in turn benefits 500 to 1000 people in need."

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your help and generosity, you really have made a difference in the lives of many many people.

Mini-Session Day! {Fairfax Virginia Children's Photographer}

2010-03-13T18:10:00.004-05:00

Day one of our Love for Haiti mini-sessions was a resounding success! Thanks to everyone who participated, we all got some really great images while coming together for a really great cause.

Your portraits will be online soon, but in the meantime, here's a sneak peek from today because I tend to be impatient and get excited to show you the work...

Looking forward to our final sessions tomorrow! Thanks to everybody who came out today in the icky rainy weather!

Haiti Mini-Session Update

2010-02-18T12:59:00.003-05:00

Hey everyone. I hope you all have finished digging out your cars and have not lost any small children in any snowdrifts... Looks like we're over the worst of this insane winter weather. Due to the storms in the past few weeks, we were forced to reschedule the Haiti mini-sessions for March 13th. The good news is- I've still got a few openings left, so it's not too late to sign up!

Here's me and my babygirl having fun in the snow! Hope you all remembered to get out there and enjoy it instead of just becoming stressed out!!!

Love for Haiti Mini-Sessions

2010-01-28T10:37:00.013-05:00

Details, details!

Alright everybody, I've ironed out nearly all the details for the Haiti fundraiser mini-sessions. Here's how it's going to work.

The mini-sessions will be held February 13th at my in-home studio. Since it is just the one day, session times ARE limited, so sign up ASAP to reserve your slot. Each session will last about 30 minutes. Within a week of your session, 5-10 of your images will be posted in a password protected online gallery, for your ordering convenience . The cost for all this is only $50, and your ENTIRE session fee will be donated to Thirst Relief International's Haiti Water Project. In addition, 50% of the proceeds from the sale of any prints will be donated.

To give you an idea of just how much good you can do with just one little session fee, check out this blurb from Thirst Relief's website.

"The Simple Solution for $5/Person

In most third-world applications, the solution to the clean drinking water need is found in the Concrete Biosand Filter. The Biosand filter has the ability to produce safe, clean drinking water from both contaminated surface water and ground water sources alike. As a result, this simple yet effective technology provides a long-term, sustainable, and economical drinking water solution for those in poverty stricken areas around the world. Where non-contaminated ground water sources are a viable option, Shallow Water Wells equipped with hand pumps provide an equally economical and sustainable clean water supply to entire villages. In addition, Hand Pump Repair of existing wells with broken hand pumps serves to multiply the production of clean water throughout a region.

Thirst Relief's cost to build, deliver, and install a concrete Biosand water filter is $50-70, which in turn benefits on average 10 people in need. Our cost to repair an existing broken well hand pump is $300-$800, which in turn benefits 500 to 1000 people in need. Our cost to drill a new well is $2,000-$4,000, which in turn benefits 500 to 1000 people in need. For less than $5 per person, we can provide the basic necessity of clean drinking water to those in need around the world."

Did you catch that? For only $50 (which happens to be the exact cost of your session) they can build a filter that will provide TEN people with clean drinking water. Not for a day. For good! Ten people! Ten people that YOU gave water to. How amazing is that?

So, call me. E-mail me. Hell, stop me if you see me at Target. Do what you need to do to book your mini-session today. This Valentine's day, let's show Haiti a little love. Let's do all that we can to help.

ps. Want to be a part of this but you don't live in the DC/Northern Virginia area? Be sure to check the Photographers for Haiti website for a participating photographer closer to home!

Photographers for Haiti

2010-01-25T11:58:00.005-05:00

Eight glasses a day. That's how much water "they" say you should drink. I don't know about you, but I'm forever forgetting. Around 4 o'clock in the afternoon I start to complain that my head hurts, and my lips are chapped, and I'm tired, and I just don't feel right, and my husband always asks me, "How much water have you had today?" Most days I think for a second and say "uhhh, none." Then I head over to the cabinet, grab a pint glass, and pour myself a nice big cool glass of water from the Brita filter in the fridge. Such an easy solution. So simple, and basic, and free!

But stop for a second. What if water was a luxury? What if you were really really thirsty, and so you headed not to the fridge, where a cold pitcher of clean water awaits you, but down the dusty road to a dirty stream and that was your only option? There are people that live like that. All over the world. Nearly 2 million people die each year due to waterborne-related disease (90% of which are children under the age of 5).

Even before the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti on January 12th, 80% of that country's population lacked access to clean, safe, drinkable water. Now their country is flooded with earthquake relief efforts, among those the work of Thirst Relief International. They will continue to be there long after the dust settles, working to bring long-term, sustainable, clean water solutions that will serve as a building block for the future of the Haitian people.

I am proud to say that we here at LaMartina Photography have, through an organization called Photographers for Haiti, joined in those efforts. We will be hosting a day of mini-sessions, and 100% of those session fees will be donated to Thirst Relief International and their work helping the people of Haiti.

I'm still working out the details, so check back real soon to find out all the specifics. I am very excited about this project, and hope to get tons of participation!

Christmastime {Fairfax Virginia Studio Child Photographer}

2009-12-15T14:58:00.005-05:00

This morning I was ready for a challenge. Miss R was coming to the studio, and though this was our first session together, this was actually her 4th attempt at Christmas photos. The first three did not go well, I hear there was a collision with a door, a time she was sick, and even a time she was so scared of the photographer she threw up on him! Luckily for me, I'm not a man with a beard, so (with the help of some apple cinnamon puffs) we had a fabulous shoot.

Had fun with you this morning, ladies! Here's your sneak peak!

Staying inside on a cold day {Fairfax Virginia Family Photographer}

2009-12-12T13:13:00.006-05:00

We had our first official shoot in the new studio space this morning! Little Miss L was quite the patient lady, she let me keep taking pictures of her for over an hour, with minimal tears... And just look at those big beautiful eyes!

Great meeting you guys today! Enjoy your sneak peak!

Sunday Morning {Arlington Virginia Family Photographer}

2009-10-28T00:42:00.007-04:00

After having to reschedule our original shoot date due to icky gray rain, we had an absolutely GORGEOUS day for my shoot with the F family this past weekend.

They wanted to get some journalistic, day-in-the-life type of images, so the day started with everyone still in their pjs... they played, read stories, roughhoused, and generally had a typical Sunday morning while I hung out on the side of the room and snapped away. Once everybody had gotten dressed and was ready to go, we headed down to the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria for some fun playing in the park pictures.

Thanks you guys for a wonderful morning! Can't wait for you to see your images, so here are a couple of my favorites!

Nostalgia

2009-08-24T15:25:00.010-04:00

This marks my first actual entry into the i♥Faces weekly contest. The theme this week is:

Nostalgia.

The story behind my photo is simple. This is a photo of my daughter, Fiona, in her baptismal gown. The gown was purchased by my mother in 1983, as a baptismal gown for myself. I always knew that when the time came that I had a child to be baptized, (s)he would wear this gown.

In my parents' living room, there is an entire wall of baby girls wearing this dress. Some with the bonnet, some without. Some of the babies are old enough to stand, some are still being propped up to sit, some have nearly outgrown the dress. There is a lot of variety, since there are twelve of us kids in total. It's long been a game that whenever a new person comes to the house, they try to match the baby photo to the correct sibling. The majority of them are obvious, because while we are all wearing the same dress, each has their own distinct personality. I'm looking forward to adding my daughter's picture and personality to that wall, and to giving the dress back to my mother so that she can have my youngest sister's (who is nearly a year old already!) photos done before she outgrows the dress!

Check out the rest of the entries at:

Bubbles!

2009-08-20T12:03:00.004-04:00

Recently I got into reading this photography blog. Every week they have a photo challenge, and I've been thinking about participating for awhile now. I didn't read this weeks challenge until this morning, so I missed the deadline to actually enter this week, but I thought I'd post my photo for fun anyway. This is actually an old photo of the little girl I used to nanny, from about two years ago. In the photo she's about the same age Fiona is now, come to think of it.

This week's challenge?

Bubbles!

Be sure to check back next week, I'll be posting my photo for the challenge on either Monday or Tuesday!

Moving is ROUGH. {Burke Virginia Studio Photographer}

2009-08-17T15:21:00.001-04:00

Alright. We have officially moved, and after a super super busy summer filled with loads of travel, the studio has FINALLY been set up.

It's still in the early stages, I need to figure out what I'll be doing for flooring, and if I want to splurge on some new lights (well, I know that I do, it's just a matter of when...) but it is set up nonetheless. My best assistant and I were down there just this morning trying it out-

Here she is, helping me meter the light. Correct exposure is KEY, momma.

She did wander off the backdrop and get a little distracted by Daddy's video games for a bit...

But all in all, I think I'll keep her on.

If you're interested in coming by to play in the new studio space, just let me know! I'm in the process of putting together an official "Help us celebrate our new space" promotion, but if you can't wait for that, just shoot me an email and we'll work something out. See you soon!!

One month is for sleeping. Six months is for drooling. {Alexandria Virginia Newborn Photographer}

2009-04-30T22:34:00.009-04:00

First of all, I want to send a big THANK YOU out to everyone who voted for Kennedy in the National Charity Model Search. She finished in third place for the DC region with a total of 288 votes, which means that we raised $288 dollars for NowILayMeDownToSleep. I'm super super pleased with the results, and very much look forward to participating again next year!

I've been taking a bit of personal time recently, which is why you haven't seen too much happening here on the blog... a good friend of mine passed away recently, and that coupled with some health issues have made this a pretty tough spring to deal with. But I have lots planned for both the blog (more entries!)and the website (new colors!) and the business in general (new logo and possibly picture parties!), so keep checking back to find out what's new with LaMartina Photography.

Yesterday I had a shoot for some good friends of mine- they had a darling little baby girl last month, it's hard to believe she is already a month old! I brought my own little 6-month-old helper as well... she's not convinced yet that being my assistant is lots of fun-

Even so, we did capture lots of beautiful images of baby Josie, including some real nice ones of her and her mama. I look forward to continuing to photograph Josie as she gets older! Here are a few of my favorites from the day-

Kennedy!!!

2009-03-16T16:39:00.007-04:00

Kennedy and her mama came to my house yesterday for our rainy day photo shoot. We originally wanted to shoot outside, but it was so miserable and cold that we moved it into the warmth of my rearranged living room... we had an excellent time.

Kennedy is my first model to be entered into the National Charity Model Search. Her portrait will be up on the website for voting soon, so keep checking back. Time is quickly running out, if you want to enter your child, call now to book your session! It was really hard to choose favorites from the day, I love so many of them! Check 'em out-

Is your child America’s Cutest Kid?

2009-03-06T11:28:00.005-05:00

I am super excited to announce that LaMartina Photography is participating in the National Charity Model Search to select "America's Cutest Kid" and to raise funds for charity.

We're looking for cute children ages 18 months to 14 years old to model for a portrait to be entered into the contest.

Model Search Special:
$50 entrance fee, which includes a 30-minute model session and one image submitted to the national gallery.

Finalists will be determined by online votes. Anyone may vote. Each vote is $1, and all proceeds from votes benefit the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.

Grand prize national winner will be determined from the 50 city finalists. Winners selected by photography and industry experts.

If your child is selected the national winner, you'll receive many prizes, including a $5,000 US Savings Bond and a Canon PowerShot G10 digital camera.

If you're interested in entering your child(ren), please give me a call at (703)879-6085. For more information about the contest, go online to www.sandypucmodels.com

Sessions are limited, and voting closes April 2nd, so call today to book your mini-session!

A Baptism and a Lesson. {Fairfax Virginia Baptism Photographer}

2009-02-28T19:20:00.010-05:00

This morning I had a baptism shoot to go to. I got to the church early, took several shots of the interior and exterior of the building, of the stained glass windows and the statues... then I realized that it was about 5 minutes before the baptism was scheduled to start and there was nobody there but me. Hmm...yep. Definitely went to the wrong St. Mary's.

Luckily the correct church was only a 5 minute drive away, and I somehow managed to hit green lights the whole way, so I got there in time.

Baby O was so well behaved during the entire baptism service, I never heard her make a peep, even when they poured the holy water on her head. She looked gorgeous in her baptismal gown, and big sister I was also extremely adorable- and very interested in my camera.

The photos will be up in a few days, but I just had to post a few of my favorites now.

And what did we learn today, class? ALWAYS CONFIRM THE ADDRESS!!!

13 Days old and SO alert! {Manassas Virginia Newborn Photographer}

2009-02-22T15:12:00.011-05:00

Little baby J was super adorable and fun to work with. We spent the whole morning on our photoshoot, and J was a perfect model. Mom and Dad were both clearly in love with her.

The gallery will be up soon, but until then, enjoy a few of my favorites-