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Happy June! Where in the world did Spring go?  Summer is here in Virginia and with it definitely came a heat wave this past weekend (hello 90 degree weather).  The arrival of summer reminds us all that its time for flip flops, cooling off by the pool, family vacations, and late night stops for ice cream.  The arrival of summer also brought these beauties into bloom in my yard this morning!

Summer is bringing exciting things into bloom for BeYoung Photography in the coming summer months as well.  This Spring, I had the opportunity to work with some amazing clients as they helped me round out my portfolio in preparation for the official launch of my business. I’ve gotten the chance to meet and photograph some beautiful couples, energetic families, glowing mamas to be, and innocent newborns.  This summer I’ll be compiling my portfolio of images, rebranding my business (big changes coming in August!), and ending my portfolio building sale.

So what are you waiting for?  There is never as good a time as NOW to document your family memories.  I have 5 slots left for June and July sessions to finish out my portfolio building. I am looking fill these spots with maternity, newborn, children, or family shoots.  In exchange for a signed model release you will have your session fee waived and receive 50% off of any collection or product purchases.* Contact me soon if you want to be one of the lucky 5 remaining sessions to take advantage of this fabulous offer.

*Offer good for sessions scheduled to occur prior to August 1st, 2010.

You know that saying, “The show must go on!”? The session I had this week with Kim, Kerry, and her adorable son Alex definitely felt like we were living that saying but the end result was so worth it! Kim contacted me with a great idea for a photo session with her sister Kerry. They are planning to create a sisterly surprise gift for their mom’s birthday this coming fall  (shhhh…hopefully mom isn’t reading this blog post right now…I don’t want to ruin the surprise…).

Kerry and Alex were visiting from out of town so rescheduling our session was not an option, and unfortunately the weather forecast for the afternoon of our shoot together indicated passing thunderstorms and rain.  We tried really hard to schedule around the weather, but unfortunately mother nature had her way with us and we had to find a way to work around her instead.

The rain gave us a great reason to hang out inside the local Barnes and Noble playing trains and reading books and gave me the perfect opportunity to get to know these guys a bit better.  Once boredom hit from being indoors, I was excited that these guys were willing to brave the storms and go out to play.  I just love Alex’s shark umbrella he proudly carried around with him.  It may have been raining, but it did not rain on our parade for this session and we had so much fun despite the weather.

Kim, Kerry, and Alex I hope you enjoy this sneak peek of images from our fun-filled rainy day. You guys were a breeze to work with and I can’t wait to show you the rest of your images soon!

I had a blast this weekend with Harper and his family.  This family was one of my first clients as a new photographer this fall and it’s hard to believe how Harper has grown since then. Here’s the little guy at 6 months and 9 months, and now at 1 year he’s certainly got quite the personality and is one ham for the camera!

For our 1 year session we spent the morning at Manassas Battlefield with the whole family (including the two doggies!) just playing around in the grass.  This little man isn’t running around quite yet but soon enough! Mom and dad report he’s cruising the furniture and he’s taken his first steps so it’s only a matter of time before this little guy is on the move full force.

In true 1 year old birthday fashion we celebrated the momentous day with a first piece of CAKE! Harper wasn’t quite sure what to do at first and thought the cupcake was a nice squishy play toy, but as soon as mom gave him his first lick of that sweet icing it was all downhill from there.  As it should be, by the end of the experience he was a complete mess.

Lis, Chris, and Harper thanks for letting me spend the morning with you (and for letting me make your child a total sticky mess by the end of it all!). I’ve had such a great time photographing your family throughout the year and I hope you enjoy your sneak peek of photos from this session.

BeYoung Photography now offers session albums. Available either ala carte or as part of a session collection. I love the simple yet elegant design of these classic print albums.  The cover is made of warp-resistant double-thick archival board wrapped in premium, European-milled bookcloth and the pages are designed with the finest archival materials in mind. Choose from one of 13 different color options that coordinate with the unique style of your session.  These albums will certainly be a great way to share and display your session images with family and friends for years to come.

This week I got the chance to relax over dinner and a photo walk with 2 amazing women and photographers. We met online via MeRa Koh’s SOAR scholarship only 6 short months ago and my life has been changed ever since. These ladies make me laugh, inspire me, motivate me, and are my photography sounding board. We are all 3 building our lifestyle photography business separately but also side-by-side growing and sharing as we go along.

First, meet Marcia Stuhler of Keller, TX based Classy Kids Photography.  What a great time I had finally getting to know this vivacious, sassy, compassionate friend in person! Up until this week our interactions had been limited to flickr, facebook, and email.  She certainly brought some Texas charm and flair during her short visit to Virginia. Check out her awesome cowgirl boots!

And, meet Kelly of the incredible Kelly Nelson Photography. Luckily she’s only a hop, skip, and a jump away from me in nearby Ashburn, VA.  I’m so grateful to have one of my “Soar Sisters” so close by. On our first coffee date back in January we just clicked (no pun intended) and it’s been a awesome friendship gained.

This weekend I had the pleasure of heading out once again with the fabulous Kelly Nelson of Kelly Nelson Photography, but this time for a session with her gorgeous family.  Our morning together brought us to a lovely tucked away farmhouse and store in Purcellville, VA. The Hen House at Morning Way Farm is owned and operated by a close family friend of mine and I was thrilled when she offered it as a location to shoot.  It may have been a hot and buggy start to the day but the Nelson kiddos were content to explore the barn, open fields and buildings with mom and dad. There was much laughter, singing, and smiles during our time together and we had a lot celebrate as it was not only Father’s Day weekend but K. and D.’s 11 year anniversary as well.

Kelly, thank you for entrusting me with capturing your family images, the pressure is certainly on when you’re capturing a session for a fellow photographer! I hope you enjoy your sneak peek, I had a hard time choosing what to include here.  There were so many favorites and  I can’t wait to get your family the rest of your images soon!

This past weekend I got to spend a lovely time in Tampa, Florida with two of my favorite people.  Erin and I used to teach together here in Virginia but  unfortunately for me marriage took her away last summer and transplanted her in sunny Florida with her husband Minh.  Lucky for me I was able to arrange a visit to see them both recently and they asked me for  some photos to celebrate their one year wedding anniversary.

We ventured out to both the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Greek Community and the downtown Curtis Hixon Memorial Park to capture some fun images.  Erin and Minh are two of the most genuine, friendly, and happy people I know and they are just the cutest couple.  Congratulations you two on your first year of marriage. I know there many more happy years ahead for you both!

Many of you who watched me begin my photography journey in March know that my love for this art sparked from something called Project 365. The 365 project is one where you take a photo a day for an entire year and share them via a photo blog, flickr, facebook or other online source.  My interest in the 365 peaked as I saw my friend curiousillusion go from taking good pictures to taking GREAT ones in the span of about 2 months. The term ‘practice makes perfect’ really held true with this project. As you start taking a picture a day you start to see the world through the eye of a camera lens. You learn rather quickly what works with your camera and what doesn’t. And you can go from good to great in a matter of months.

With curiousillusion’s encouragement I started my 365 March 1st 2009. I was incredibly inspired by all the artists I met on flickr, I made some amazing new friends during my journey, and I even inspired 3 friends to take the plunge and start a 365 of their own. I reaped many rewards from this project, but in June during the midst of morning sickness and early pregnancy I just couldn’t keep up and I stopped my 365.

I really regret not sticking it out.  The perfectionist in my wanted a perfect shot every day.  And eventually, as my well of photo inspiration ran dry and the pregnancy took over my body, I gave up.

Now as a new year is about to begin and a fresh start is on the horizon I am on the fence about whether or not I want to pick back up the project I was unable to finish last year. The perfectionist in me is scared that I will once again get wrapped up in taking a superb picture every day and stress myself out to the point of quitting.

But, on the other hand, stepping away from the project last year allowed me to see my final product from quite a different point of view.  I love that I now have a visual diary of my life from March – June of 2009. My memories of this past year are so much more vivid because of those images. I remember the exact day things happened because of those pictures. It doesn’t matter anymore if it was a good or bad shot. For that moment in time it was me. My life. My emotion.

I am still on the fence about whether or not I want to commit myself to a project this big again but I am 99% sure I am going to take the plunge. I surely know if I do it this year I need to do it not for the glory of the perfect shot. I need to do it to record the moments of my life. The little ones and the big ones I can’t get back but can remember through my images.

Anyone else starting a project on Jan. 1 (photography related or not)? Anyone want to take the plunge and start a 365 with me?  I think you’ll find it to be one of the most worthwhile self-exploration projects you’ll ever do finished or not. I know that was the case for me in 2009 and I want to say I reached the finish line this time in 2010.

10 days ago you might remember I was diligently working on a video that means a lot to me.  I applied for photographer Me Ra Koh’s SOAR Scholarship, an amazing opportunity that will give 3 lucky, talented and deserving women the tools needed to launch a photography business in 2010.

If you haven’t heard yet my video is now posted and ready for view on Me Ra Koh’s website. If you want to see my submission just click the link below to check it out. If you feel so moved you are welcome to leave your comments of support as well. When my video loads, if you do not see comments on the right side of your screen just click the ‘show details’ button at the top of the page and the comments should appear.

Beryl’s SOAR Video Application

But don’t just watch my video.  Please please please watch the others.  Start watching the them all and you’ll quickly see so many other inspirational stories.  The judges start reviewing videos soon and mine is one in a sea of 255 amazing applications. Stories of hope, fear, tragedy, motivation, determination, and excitement about what 2010 may bring.  These women will be my anchor next year. Keeping me grounded and focused on this journey.

Thanks to Me Ra’s encouragement we’ve already started talking, commenting, and conversing. On the SOAR site, Facebook, Twitter, via email, our blogs.  And it’s only been 10 days since I shot my video and 4 days since my video went live on the site!  It’s incredible to see the photography revolution Me Ra has begun from one small spark of inspiration.  And the conversations I am having with these fellow photographers, who all share my passion, and my fire to learn, and to grow, and to dream, and to become. It’s amazing.

And it’s only just begun.

“A single conversation across the table with a wise person is worth a month’s study of books” ~Chinese Proverb

When work, commitment, and pleasure all become one and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible.

~Nancy Coey~