“One look at you
My whole life falls in line
I prayed for you
Before I called you mine
Oh, I can’t believe it’s true sometimes
Oh, I can’t believe it’s true
I get to love you
It’s the best thing that I’ll ever do
I get to love you.”
– Ruelle Back in January strolling around the Magic Kingdom for their Disney World Portrait Session, they shared that a few of these photos would be used for their adoption portfolio, since they were starting the adoption process in hopes of growing their family. If there’s anyone out there who you’d wanting raising your kids, it’s this family. There’s such a natural sweetness, peacefulness, tenderness, patience, and intentionality that exists in their relationships. I’ve always admired the way they love Henry and feel like I take dozens of mental notes watching them parent every time I’m around them. Now, 10 months after they mentioned they were starting the adoption process, their sweet Zella girl was entrusted to their home and hearts by a birth mama who loves her so dearly. Zella is a “wildest dream come true” right in front of your eyes. She’s the good, the joy, the hope that exists in this crazy world. It was the biggest honor getting to document their first official portraits as a family of 4!  this purple set was chosen specifically for Zella by her birth mama, and I love that she was represented and “present” in that special way during this session!  you’ve never seen a boy more smitten with his baby sister. The love he has for her is beyond precious! Every time he glanced at her, it was like he was seeing her for the first time all over again. “Aww! Look! Isn’t she the cutest baby in the world?!?” Melt. My. Heart.  I’m telling you, so much tenderness and love in this sweet family. It’s just natural, and so beautiful to document! one of my faaavorites! their hands reaching for each other. those puckered up lips. his gorgeous eyelashes. this little lady is so lucky to have him for a big brother!

What: One 15-20 minute mini portrait session, resulting in 15 high resolution edited files available for downloading with a print release- perfect for holiday cards and gifts!

**UPDATE: all mini sessions on both days are SOLD OUT! You can email to be placed on a waiting list in the case of cancellations**

Option One: Fall Mini Portrait Session in Leesburg VA on Saturday October 17, 2020 between 7:40-9:00am and 2:00-5:40pm (rain date is Sunday October 18th)

Option Two: Christmas Tree Farm Mini Portrait Session at Snickers Gap Tree Farm on Saturday November 7, 2020 between 7:00-8:20am and 1:00-4:20pm (rain date is November 8th)

**We have to start the morning sessions so early to take advantage of the best light that happens as the sun is rising. The big time bonus for getting the first spot or two of the day? You also get the best light of all the morning sessions! :) **

Cost: $275- includes up to 5 people, $20 each additional person.

Who: Anyone wanting updated portraits and holiday photos for cards or gifts! I’d love to see some of my wedding clients come out for portraits together too! All children should be at LEAST four months old to participate. No pets, please.

Appointments are open TODAY and will be available ONLY to all PAST clients, and then any remaining time slots will be opened up to new clients starting on Friday September 18th! Email jessicasmithphotography@gmail.com to reserve your session!

In your email please include your name, how old your children are, and your top three preferences of date and time slot so I can match you up as close as possible!

In the past, Christmas tree farm mini sessions have included a few sets and props. Since there is no way for me to safely sanitize everything between each family, there will be NO props provided this year. If you have something special for your family that you’d like to bring and use, you’re welcome to do so!

I look forward to seeing so many of you! :)

“And I could’ve been another minute late
And you’d never would’ve crossed my path that day
And when it seems true love is hard to find
That’s when love comes along
Just in time…
It can happen so fast
Or a little too late
Timing is everything”
-Garrett Hedlund

The theme of this day? Timing is everything. Timing of Ryan and Anna Maria finding each other. Timing of waiting for just the right person, and being patient enough to do so, knowing that by saying “no” to other options, you’re opening the door for the best that’s still yet to come. Timing of the worlds worst Amtrak ride up to NYC where after 3 seat changes, landed me sitting right next to Anna Maria who just so happened to be looking for a wedding photographer at that exact moment. Timing of having to reschedule the day you’ve dreamed about due to a global pandemic, and realizing that at the end of the day your marriage will always be the top priority. Timing of waiting through the CRAZIEST weather day I’ve ever experienced to find the rainbows after the storms. Timing of knowing that in the end, it’s all SO very worth the wait… in every possible way. how perfect is this ring box that Ryan’s son Logan made for their rings?!Timber Pizza catered their rehearsal dinner the night before, and thankfully they still had some left over! While we waited for the rain to go away, everyone enjoyed the best kind of wedding day snack! :) We waited for the rain to subside, and of course as SOON as they walk outside for their first look, the heavens open again! Ryan had scoped out the best spots for photos near their airbnb, and I’m glad we at LEAST got to do a few first look photos there before we all ran for cover! it DOWNPOURED during their ceremony, but then as soon as it was over, you would have thought it was the sunniest day of the year! that’s gotta be the best kind of good luck, right?? :) They opted to do a modified reception/cocktail hour at The Black Sheep Restaurant, and of course, as soon as we arrived to do wedding party photos, those storm clouds rolled in AGAIN! We did all of their wedding party photos in about 8 minutes total! whew! but can you see that sun starting to peek through again?? the sun decided to come out AGAIN right at the end of their wedding party portraits, and we just KNEW there was going to be a rainbow. everyone was on high alert looking for it, and the reaction when we spotted it was priceless! totally worth it! Congratulations to you both!! xo! 

“What a perfect moment when the stars aligned
when you put your hand in mine
and every day of my life has led me to
that perfect moment with you.”
– Darden Smith

I’ve got a fun one for you today! Jonathan called me a few months ago wanting to plan the perfect way to propose to his girlfriend, Sarah. She had just graduated with her masters, and because of covid she wasn’t really able to celebrate the accomplishment in any of the typical ways. No ceremony, no parties, and she deserved to have something fun to mark the occasion. He wanted to surprise her with a graduation portrait session, to get some updated portraits and some in her cap and gown. We chose one of their favorite spots, Stone Tower Winery, and we knew it would be the perfect backdrop for the surprise! So she got all dolled up, and we met up for some special graduation portraits… with a fun surprise! :)  she and I had talked about “I mean, maybe we can include him in a few photos… like 25% or less” :) little did she know!  also a big thanks to Melissa Franklin for doing a stunning job on her makeup, and Jenny’s Salon for styling her hair for the occasion!  You see those two teeny tiny white spots in the far right middle of the frame?! That’s where they were busy setting up for the proposal while we were doing portraits! :) sneaky sneaky! a quick change of clothes, and I told them I’d meet them by the stone wall to continue the session. This is what was waiting for them: thankfully, she said yes :)  I thiiiiink he was just a little excited :)

Congratulations again!! xo!

“for here you are, standing there, loving me…”
– the sound of music As much as I hate that covid has forced so many couples to alter their wedding day plans, I will always have a soft spot in my heart for these micro weddings! I’ve always said that I’d want to elope one day if I ever got married, so these small, intimate days feel so so special to me. It’s the biggest privilege to get to be a part of them! I loved Adam and Monica as soon as I got on the phone with them to hear about their relationship and they day they were planning, and their ceremony was just as beautiful as I knew it would be. Hearing their vows to each other left me with tears in my eyes, and seeing how they care for one another made me fall in love with my job all over again.

Thank you again for letting me be a small part of your day! Congratulations to you both! why do pockets make a dress so much more fun?! :)