Name: Ever After Portraits
Price range: $$$

Capturing the Pages of Our Lives Through Portrait Photography | Northern VA Family Photographer

If you display family pictures in your McLean, VA area home, then you understand and appreciate the power of portrait photography. Photography gives us a real picture to what we store in our memories. At times, it fills in the blanks created by time or loss.

The Pages and Chapters of Our Lives

Portraits are like the pages and chapters of our life stories. As a professional photographer, we understand that the work we do isn’t just a consumer product. It goes far beyond that. Our portraits document moments within our clients’ lives like pages within a story – their unique story. When viewed collectively, those moments just like pages create chapters. When a client regularly invests in portrait photography, they are visually writing their stories. Their children’s lives are played out in touching imagery to be enjoyed and appreciated well into the next generations.

Priceless Photography

Today’s portraits are priceless in the future. If you’ve lost someone in your life, then you understand this. Their portrait serves a far more touching role now that they are gone. The person you’ve lost lives on not just in your mind and memories, but in their treasured portrait.

Children and Grandchildren

If you are the parent of grown children, then you too understand the value of portrait photography. Your children’s childhood portraits remind you of just how small and precious they once were. And, in your grandchildren’s faces, you see or will see your adult child’s face. Your grandchildren’s portraits will one day remind you of what once was.

We are good at our work because we love and appreciate what we do and the role it plays in our clients’ lives. It isn’t a job for us. It is a passion. As a mother and daughter team, family photography has a personal meaning for us. That is to our clients’ advantage!

Contact us if you’d like to begin documenting those moments in your family’s life through portrait photography in the McLean, VA area. We know you won’t regret it decades from now!

Family Photographer, Portrait Photography

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

Photography Tips & Tricks: 6 Tips for Creating Memorable Disney Park Photos | Northern VA Family Photographer

Portrait photography in McLean, VA isn’t quite the same as photography on vacation. With summer holidays upon us, we thought we’d offer a few tips on how to take memorable photos at somewhere as eye-popping as Disney World. (We love Disney!) But you can apply our tips to wherever you go this summer!

Camera settings!

1.Rather than a lesson on how to shoot on Manual, if you don’t already know how to do it, we’d advise you to shoot on Auto “A.” If you do shoot on manual, practice before you go if you haven’t shot in awhile and aren’t an expert. Whether you shoot on Manual or Auto, you need to feel comfortable with your camera’s settings including the flash. The lighting in Disney World could throw you off if you’re shooting into the light or your subject is backlit either from natural or artificial light. At a minimum, know how to turn on your flash even on Auto. You might need to override the Auto settings and activate the flash to ensure your subject is visible in the photo.

Batteries!

2. Make sure you charge your camera each night or carry an extra battery. You don’t want to run out of battery in the middle of the day! Remember, if anything goes wrong and you find yourself unable to use your camera, purchase a disposable one inside the park. It will do in a pinch.

Equipment!

3. Any professional photographer will always check their equipment before they head out the door. You should as well! Also, give some thought to how much equipment you really want or need to lug around on your vacation!

Think out of the box!

4. Portrait photography can be powerful, but it needs to be well thought out and clever. Don’t just pose your family in front of a pretty view and shoot! Get goofy along with Goofy! Do the unexpected in your pictures and with your pictures. Don’t just stand in front of the castle. Look for unusual angles from which to shoot. Look for quirky things which symbolize the spirit of the park, whether it’s a sign or an unusual or unexpected backdrop.

Think details!

5. We tend to get so excited in beautiful places that we forget that the devil is in the details. Some of the most beautiful pictures capture not the overall picture but the detail of something. Yes, the castle in Disney is stunning. But one feature of the castle, such as a grand turret, can give you an equally lovely photo.

Before you shoot…

6. Look through your lens and carefully compose the shot. A closeup can usually best capture someone’s expression. Imagine photographing your child’s face when they first see Mickey or on a thrilling ride. Those types of pictures can be the most memorable. Take your time composing the shot if you have the time or try to anticipate the shot. Most importantly, always be ready to shoot!

As a portrait photography specialist in McLean, VA we love working with our clients in and out of the studio. Our blog serves as a way to stay in touch, provide helpful tips for photography, and provide information about our work and how we can serve our clients. We hope you’ll follow us here on our blog! Contact us is you would like to discuss our photography or schedule an appointment.

Other posts in this series:
Photography Tips & Tricks: Lighting tips for family snapshots
Photography Tips & Tricks: Get natural smiles from your kids!
Photography Tips & Tricks: Underwater Pictures
Photography Tips & Tricks: Pets
Photography Tips & Tricks: Confidence is key

Family Photographer, Portrait Photography

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

Cuppernull Family, Multi-Generational Portraits | Northern VA Family Photographer

Some of the most precious moments we experience are with our families. You could say that capturing a few of those moments is what we do as a family photographer near Great Falls, VA and Tysons Corner, VA.

The Client

Last year, Carolyn reached out to us. Her family, including her parents, would all be in one place for the Thanksgiving holiday. She saw a window of opportunity! Carolyn asked if we could do multi-generational portraits for them. Can you guess our answer?

We understand how difficult it can be to gather family members – especially multiple generations – in one location long enough to take portraits. We were happy to work with the Cuppernull Family! As a family photographer, we know that today’s photographs are tomorrow’s precious memories.

The Portraits

In discussing the portraits, Carolyn mentioned that her mom Peg had strongly hinted at the idea of doing a family portrait during an upcoming visit. (Way to go, Peg!) Carolyn ran with the notion! She contacted us, she and Gary met with us at our studio for a consult, and arranged for a portrait session. Carolyn had never done professional photographs with her parents. She wasted no time in making arrangements to change that.

As family photographers, we love multi-generational portraits, and we were ready for:

* two busy and gorgeous young-adult daughters: Courtney and Caylee;

* two grandparents: Peg and Dave;

* two parents: Carolyn and Gary;

* and (last but certainly not least!) two beautiful Labradors: Amstel and Stella!

Courtney and Caylee are close to their grandparents, having vacationed with them every year. It was wonderful to see the closeness Peg and Dave share with their granddaughters. Capturing them together was poignant and our pleasure! These amazing girls have such a bright future ahead of them, and, oh, the places they’ll go!

Carolyn and Gary are a lovely couple and a true pleasure to photograph together. This couple is amazing and deal with all things, big and small, with such grace and graciousness. It was a such a pleasure to meet them and to photograph their family.

Carolyn’s main request was for outdoor fall portraits of the family and that we capture all of those family faces. Not a problem for us! Manipulating nature’s kaleidoscope of fall colors and muted light is one of our specialties.

We discussed the importance of coordinating outfits for a larger group, and Carolyn and Peg incorporated our suggestions perfectly. (We’ve blogged about this before because well-coordinated colors in a group portrait can have a significant impact on the final result.)

The Results

The results, as you can see, speak for themselves. The three generations of this family look stunning, loving, and joyful – just as in real life. Oh, yes, and the doggies look great, too! (Amstel had an especially great time as he jumped into the pond before the session; he looked so happy afterward, mud and all! But a little mud wasn’t going to hold any of us back, and after a bit of a cleanup, both he and Stella were perfectly poised for the spotlight!)

Working as a family photographer in the Great Falls, VA and Tysons Corner, VA area is truly an exercise in satisfaction for us. We treasure the opportunity to document memories for our clients through portraits. We would love to hear from you if you would like to work with a fine art photographer in Northern Virginia.

Family Photographer

Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located near Great Falls, VA and 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

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

A Special Gift, Portraits with Mom! | Northern VA Family Photographer

Have you thought about gifting your mom, wife or grandmother with a priceless portrait? To make your mom (or the mother of your children) very happy, here is an idea for a terrific gift: an Ever After Fine Art Portrait or a gift certificate for a portrait! Imagine your mom’s face when she unwraps a beautifully crafted museum-quality portrait of you and your children or a gift certificate toward a portrait of her choosing. Fine art family or children photography can make a treasured gift that will touch any mother’s heart! Our Sterling, VA area portrait studio is ready to work with you on a special gift this year.

Portrait

For a truly meaningful gift (not to say diamonds aren’t significant, of course) you can have a portrait done with us and have it back in time to give to your mom or wife.

Our upcoming Divas and Darlins Limited Edition Session on April 1, 2017, is a perfect opportunity for a mother and child portrait you could give to your wife, mom or grandmother. The Divas and Darlins Session is a beautiful celebration of mothers and children, and is a Limited Edition Session offered only once a year.

If you know a mom-to-be and would like to give her a priceless gift, you can give her a gift certificate toward a Newborn Portrait Session or an even more precious and generous gift would be our Bebe Coterie plan. Both offer a new mother (and father) a priceless gift they will enjoy for many years.

If you prefer, you can instead schedule a portrait session for an individual or a family portrait. It’s entirely up to you. As your family photographer, we are here to collaborate with you on what works best for your family and what you think your mother will love most!

Gift Certificates

There are a couple of possible scenarios when it comes to an Ever After Portrait Gift Certificate.

Let’s say you do portraits with us but aren’t sure which one your mother would like as wall art. Giving her a gift certificate allows her to select the one she prefers.

You can present her with a gift certificate for a portrait session so that she, rather than you or your family, can do a portrait. This way you will have a beautiful, archival-quality portrait of her. Or perhaps a portrait of a grandmother with her grandchildren surrounding her would be just perfect!

Our gift certificates are available in any denomination.

This year, as a special gift you can opt for one of our fine art portraits created with archival-quality materials or a gift certificate toward a portrait in our Sterling, VA area studio. We will be happy to discuss what best meets your needs if you have any questions. We have almost two decades of experience as trusted family and children photography experts in Northern Virginia.

Family Photographer, Children Photography

Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located in 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

Which should you choose, Black & White or Color? | Northern VA Family Photographer

As a busy portrait photography studio in the Fairfax, VA and Sterling, VA areas, clients often ask us which is better: black & white photography or color photography. Great question! Complicated answer!

Color is Great!

Color photography can convey the vibrant colors of an image. A floral bouquet comes alive in a photograph. A rainbow cuts colorfully through a landscape in a color picture. For some photos, the color contributes to the story. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to convey the same emotions.

But Black & White is Drama!

Oh, the contrasts provided by black and white photography! Gone is the distraction of colors. The eye focuses on the imagery instead. The play of light and shadow provide intensity, and the viewer is drawn into the drama of the picture without distraction.

Which is Better?

As photographers, we’ve just laid out the simple descriptions of both styles, but we haven’t answered which is better. That’s because we can’t! There is no standard answer. We believe that most of the time, the picture itself can help you decide.

Photographers will tell you that most photos will lend themselves to either black and white or color. Removing the color from an image means removing color as an element of the story. On the other hand, if you remove color from a picture and it’s bland, flattened by its lack of color, that’s your answer. That particular photo needs to be in color because the color was too important to its story.

With black and white portraits, you can still capture intensity and drama – you’re just doing it without color! You can compensate for the lack of color by adjusting some of the contrast and shadows for depth and interest. Black and white photography is raw. Great black and white can capture a subject at its most colorless but its most interesting. Many photographers choose to specialize in black and white photography because they believe it best draws a viewer’s attention to that which is relevant in the picture.

So although there is no standard answer, it all depends on what you want the focus to be in your portrait! Some portraits lend themselves to color and some to black and white. At times it comes down to simply a matter of your personal choice.

With almost two decades as a leading portrait photography studio in the Fairfax, VA and Sterling, VA areas, we’d be happy to answer your questions about black and white photography versus color for your own family portraits. Contact us today!

Family Photographer, Portrait Photography Studio

Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located in Sterling, VA near Fairfax, 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

« Older Entries

Next Entries »