did you know . . .

annapolis photographer . . . that it’s a national holiday at our house today?  I could tell something was up when there was an-ever-so-slightly-apparent bounce in my husband’s step this morning.  He was awfully happy at 7 am, went outside and hung the Stars & Stripes on the front porch, smiled a lot, and I think maybe even whistled a little, or maybe that was a bluebird sitting on his shoulder?  This is not. the. norm. at that hour of the day.  Wracked my brain a little – it’s September 2?  Yeah, but so.  It’s Thursday? again, yeah, so.  It’s sunny?  plenty of that lately.  And then…it hit me.  And at the very moment he said “you know it’s a holiday today don’t you?” (and I KNOW he never guessed I’d remember, and in fact I didn’t until that very second) and in my best wife-of-the-year-for-remembering-voice I said “I do know it’s a holiday, and I know you can’t wait….the end of the day will be here before you know it!”  (Ha, go me.)

There are some of you reading who have no idea what I’m talking about.  But then, there are those of you who DO.  The ones who learned a LONG time ago not to plan for anything important on a Saturday in the fall, because, well, if you do you’re likely goin’ it alone.  The ones who have learned that when they hear a voice on the couch in the family room, that it’s likely not speaking to you, but instead is likely some form of color commentary (which sometimes involves colorful language).  That’s right.  Today is the start of college football season, and that, in this house, is a reason to be giddy.

This weekend’s Maryland vs. Navy match-up is a bit of a struggle – we cheer for both teams, and John has stood on the sidelines and been part of the locker room at both schools – but this weekend, I’m going with my Terps!  I cheer the Mids all year long, but NOT this game.  Ralph & James, I have no doubt you’ll have a great debut on Monday!

These 3 ladies will no doubt be cheering the loudest!

terps

hc | Terp who cheers for the Mids unless they are playing my Terps

you’d be out of your mind….

. . . . not to enter this contest!  MY favorite Ellen Allen bag is of course the Eastport – it makes schlepping look so un-schleppy!  I use mine for everything, and now that it’s unpacked from pool & beach, it will shift gears to tailgating!  EAA is giving away one of these fabulous bags – stop over and ENTER!

eaaa

have you met laura?

annapolis photographer . . .  how cute is she?  Since last summer, my clients have been lucky enough to have her working hard (in many cases behind the scenes) to ensure that their sessions go smoothly, that they have beautiful slideshow galleries to view, and that their orders arrive to them, beautifully packaged and ready to enjoy in their homes.  I am so fortunate (and grateful) that Laura is part of my team and get to see so much more of her now that she’s in the studio on a regular basis!  We met today, to discuss the final logistics for the “fall calendar” and I realized that many of you haven’t had the chance to meet her in person.  So here she is!  (Yes, I know, you’re still stuck on the part about fall, and we are too, it’s a frightening reality, but we have to gear up now because the mayhem is about to begin!)  As we start to enter the busiest season of the year for us, you may just “hear” from her here on the blog from time to time…stay tuned!

photographer annapolis

hc | annapolis photographer

happy friday | annapolis family photographer

annapolis photographer . . . slowly getting back into the groove of blogging!  Things have been so busy that I haven’t been good about making time to post, but I do love to share my beautiful families with my readers (and the blog gives me “someone” to talk to aside from myself while I’m at my desk).  It’s either blog, or sing, and I can promise for those within earshot they would choose the blog 100% of the time.

Love this family…did someone say Ralph Lauren?  They made the trip around the beltway from Virginia, to come to Annapolis for their family’s portrait session.  The baby is still Mommy’s baby, but clearly his older sister is growing up way too fast!

Have a great weekend :-)

family photographer

kids photographer

hc | annapolis photographer

YAY!

annapolis Photographer .  .  . There is just no better way to put it!  I am thrilled to FINALLY announce some very exciting news and can’t wait to “share this news in person” with everyone on Sunday.  For the past few weeks, we have been working hard moving everything out of (many rooms in) my home and into our new STUDIO in downtown Annapolis!  YAAAAAY!  I don’t have photos yet, but promise to post some as soon as all of our work is completed.  I feel like I searched forever for the perfect space – a place to better serve our clients, and meet with them before or after sessions, a place where all of our packaging and shipping would happen, a place to display my work, and lastly, a place that would truly allow me to separate work and home.  I didn’t dream that my business would grow as quickly as it has; I am so grateful for the support of my family, friends, and clients that have been the reason for that growth.  Our new space will enable Laura, Nikki and Belle to “do what they do” behind the scenes, and will also be a place where I will do some shooting.  The sessions that I’ve had in the studio so far have been a LOT of fun, especially when we watched it rain outside and DIDN’T have to re-schedule (to my fall 2009 clients this will be particularly close-to-home :)

I will share many more details, photos, etc. but wanted to quickly share my news and MOST importantly invite you to our

STUDIO OPEN HOUSE

SUNDAY, APRIL 11th 2 – 5 PM

175 WEST STREET, ANNAPOLIS

I have great neighbors – Lemongrass & Latin Quarter on one side, and Hudson & Fouquet on the other!  And Latin Quarter is celebrating THEIR opening on Sunday as well – from 1 – 8 with salsa dancing beginning at 5!

Here’s a shot from a recent studio session (how cute is she), and another of our sunroom, just because our family is thrilled to have reclaimed this space :-)   I almost forgot what it looked like free of cardboard boxes, paper, ribbon, etc.  Things have been very busy, but next week I’ll also share some images from my recent trip to St. Simons Island, GA (I mean, paradise) – I had a ball there and met and photographed many wonderful people!

child photographer

maryland photographer

hc|very happy annapolis photographer

do you know alexa? | commercial photographer

annapolis Photographer . . . well of course you do (if you’re from around these parts)!  If by some crazy chance you don’t, well, you should.  Because, you see, Alexa is magic.  She can take an aching back, neck, hip, or whatever-ails-you, and turn it into butter in a matter of minutes.  The owner of Even Keel Wellness Spa in Eastport, Alexa has brought together a VERY talented team of massage therapists and estheticians, and created and relaxing and luxurious place for her clients to enjoy a wide array of massage and facial treatments.  Lex is a master of Thai massage and o.m.g. if you haven’t tried that, just stop reading now and call her.  right now.

I had a great time working with her, and realized quickly that trying to get her to sit still is like trying to slow down the energizer bunny (I think she probably gets that a lot, actually).  Her energy level, larger than life personality and HUGE smile made this a really fun session!  TTFN I have a phone call to make….oh, and here’s the link for contact info:  EVEN KEEL

commercial photographer

hc | annapolis commercial photographer

Heather Crowder is a professional photographer specializing in contemporary portraits in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC region.  Heather works with clients in Annapolis, Baltimore, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, Howard County, and the Eastern Shore; she is also available for travel.  Heather’s unique style has been described as “modern, fresh and spirited”; her studio is located in Annapolis, MD.  All images copyright Heather Crowder – do not copy.

from the fall | alexandria family photographer

annapolis Photographer . . . archiving images and just one of the many sessions that still needs to be shared on the blog.  I have enjoyed sharing this little guy’s birthday with him, for the past couple of years, and hope to share many more!  Would love to see him zooming around in his Escalade  (the best dressed kid in town, that he is  ;-) )

old town alexandria photographer

hc | old town alexandria photographer

Heather Crowder is a professional child and family photographer specializing in contemporary portraits in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC region.  Heather photographs families in Annapolis, Baltimore, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, Howard County, and the Eastern Shore; she is also available for travel.  Heather’s unique style has been described as “modern, fresh and spirited”; her studio is located in Annapolis, MD

dear mother nature

I am really sorry that I complained last fall about the rain.  No, really, I am.  You can turn this into rain (well, at least give us a little bit more play time first), but at the very least you can turn the snow machines off.

This fall, when complaining about the rain to my grandmother (who is soon to be 90), let me know on a couple of occasions that I should be glad it wasn’t snow, or we’d be up to our “Ox coccyx”.  Well, needless to say, now we are :-)

snow100206-15snow100206-12

annapolis photographer

expectations | maryland family photographer

annapolis Photographer . . . Raise your hand if your children always do exactly what you want them to do.  Raise your hand if you frequently assume that things will go as you plan them in your mind.  Raise your hand if after having children you realized that the assumption that things will always go as planned is a ridiculous thought and that more frequently, you end up throwing said plans out the window and going with the flow.  There you are!  I knew I wasn’t alone!  Such is the case with some of the family sessions I do when toddlers are involved, LOL.  I have an idea of the way I’d like to approach the shoot, but the wee people don’t always share my vision.  So, rather than all of us ending up in tears, I follow their lead and let them be who they are.  Definitely the case with this session, and I hope Mom loves her final gallery.  As I’m sorting, just couldn’t resist posting this one . . .

maryland family

hc | maryland newborn and family photographer