{Life} Baby on Board

So I wanted to share the exciting news that a little Heather Raeburn Photography assistant is on the way!  This is such a special and exciting time for my family, and I'm really looking forward to all of the unique self-portrait opportunities this will provide.  Self-portraits can really streatch your skills and help you grow.

Of course this does mean that I will have slow down a little, and take some actual time off, but hopefully not too much.  I will be booking sessions up until the weekend of November 16-17.  With the holidays following shortly after that weekend, and the final preparations to be made I will need that time to focus on my growing family.  If all goes well though, I will be booking sessions again in February.  However, while I won't be having any actual sessions during this time, I will still be taking inquiries and accepting bookings for February and beyond during my break, so don't hesistate to email!

It took some time, but the bump has finally appeared!

 

I no longer have my grandmother here to make little baby things for me, however she left me with her skills, so I have been very busy crocheting and knitting.

My husband and I both love books, so we've been asking friends and family to help us build a library of special and classic children's books.  We've also asked everyone to write special messages for the baby inside the covers of the books, this way our child will always know how loved it is everytime it picks up a book.

 

A January baby will need lots of hats and booties, so I am hard at work on a whole collection.

Thank you for sharing this special time with me, just when I thought life couldn't get any better, it did.

{Married} Anne & Ben

Anne and Ben decided on a small, simple, garden wedding, followed by a fabulous dinner.  I have to say they couldn't have executed it any better, right down to the weather!  The forecast called for thunderstorms at the exact time their ceremony was scheduled.  We came up with several back-up plans for photos, but as luck would have it, the sun was out and not a drop of rain came down!  I think it's a sign their marriage is meant to be.

It was so great to see how wonderfully the two families came together for this special occasion.

Anne made a quite a stunning bride.

I fell in love with her combination of orchids and sunflowers.

Showing off the new bling at dinner.

Every bride needs her best friend by her side.

Congratulations Anne and Ben!

It was a stunning day!

{Engaged} Jillian & Steve

Most sessions I do take place first thing in the morning to catch that early morning glow, so I was really excited when Jillian said she wanted to try for a sunset session which I don't get to do very often.  She and Steve really wanted some column pictures by the Jeffereson Memorial so we started our session there.

These two told me they would need a lot of coaching with poses and expressions, however I found them to be very natural in front of the camera.

As we were walking to the parking lot near the memorial we came upon this beautiful secluded area with lovely flowers and benches, and it didn't hurt that the light was shining on it just right.

One of my favorite things about the tidal basin is the gorgeous low hanging trees that create a little canopy over the sidewalk.

Again, over by the Capitol we found the cutest, secluded areas to stop and take some wonderful pictures.

This picture below is definitely in my top 5 favorite pictures I've taken.

Congratulations Jillian and Steve!  You will have a wonderful destination wedding!



{Mini-session: Engaged} Paige & John

Another day and another stunning couple on the blog!  Paige and John are getting married this fall and decided to do a mini-engagement session.  The great hall of the National Building Museum served as an amazing backdrop to their formal session.

These two might be getting married soon, but they talk and laugh together as if they just met.

John is clearly smitten with Paige, he couldn't take his eyes off her, and I have the photos to prove it!

 A true officer and a gentleman.

Congratulations Paige and John!  I can't wait to capture your wedding!

{Engaged} Amanda & Alex

I really am the luckiest photographer! I swear I get all of the greatest couples, and Amanda and Alex are no exception. Such a beautiful couple, both inside and out. 

Amanda and Alex each lived in Georgetown when they first came to DC and began dating, so it is a special area of the city for the two of them, and served as the perfect backdrop.  We had a wonderful Saturday morning wandering along the canal, M street, Book Hill park, and Dumbarton Park.

 We were so lucky to catch M street at a rare quiet time.

These two just radiate their love for each other, and they are constantly making each other laugh.

I think it should be a rule that if you're doing a photo session and come across a swing set, you must hop on for a few pictures.

Congratulations on your engagement Amanda and Alex!  You will have an amazing wedding I'm sure!

{Pet} Meet Copper

So a little over a month ago my husband and I decided that, after years of waiting, we were ready to expand our little family and welcome a furry, four legged guy into our home.  We knew we wanted to rescue an adult dog, so I quickly hopped onto Petfinder and began searching through available dogs with local rescue organizations.  The minute I saw this guy's picture and his description I just knew he would be the one for us.  Meet Copper!

He's a beautiful 3 year old, male, foxhound mix.  He was found as a stray in South Carolina and taken to a high kill shelter there.  When that shelter had to take in 70+ dogs from a hoarder, the organization Homeward Trails here in DC took some of the other dogs off their hands to help adopt them into homes out here.

He is an amazing and sweet boy!  He is normally so calm, and he is so great with people, other dogs, and children that we find it hard to believe he was a stray.  We really think that he sadly had an irresponsible owner that probably abandoned him.  This would explain the separation anxiety he developed a few weeks ago which resulted in some very impressive crate escapes among other things.  Luckily, he is starting to realize that we do come home everyday and we will never abandon him.

Gotta love that sweet wet nose!

I am so happy, and feel so lucky that we found this amazing guy so quickly.  He has brought lots of life to our home!

If you live in DC and are thinking about adopting a dog I highly recommend Homeward Trails at www.homewardtrails.org.  I also encourage giving an older dog a chance, they can be just as sweet and cute as puppies, but have a harder time finding homes.