Eden {Portraits}

I'm sharing a few more photos of the incredibly adorable Eden! I seriously cannot look at this photo and not smile :)

This dress is simply beautiful!

Just look at those almond-shaped eyes - It kills me!

A few more with mommy :)

Leslie & Corey {Preview}

Leslie and Corey will be welcoming Isabella into the world in a few short weeks!  They're ready to roll and excited for their new addition. 

Cute little baby booties!

One of my absolute favorite photos from the day...  I am so grateful to witness, and photograph, these special moments.

 

Eden {Preview}

Eden is such a sweet, happy little girl!  She lit up my day with all of her smiles :)  It was an absolute pleasure working with Eden and her family, everyone was so warm and welcoming.  No wonder she's such a happy little baby! 

Eden and her beautiful Mother.  Two lovely ladies with contagious smiles!

Tamika and Fam - More to come soon!

Just Because...

I believe that "just because" flowers are the best.  Especially when paired with a note that reads "I saw these and thought of you."

The Philly Experience

One of my favorite cities, Philly. I had never visited until my boyfriend, Reggie, started attending Temple University... Well, that was 7 years ago now and I have made many, many trips back.  You just can't keep me away.

I love the diversity, energy, history... everything about The City of Brotherly Love! My friend Natasha and I went down for a short over-nighter last weekend. She had never been to Philly so I got to be a tour guide (with a handy list of must-see places from Reggie).  Most of the places I had seen, but there were a few new stops.  Either way, it was a wonderful trip!

This was the view from our hotel room at The Lowes Hotel. We were on the 31st floor! Great job Natasha on hotel arrangements :)

After throwing our stuff into the hotel we decided we wanted the notirous Philly Cheese Steak from Genos Steaks right away... we just couldn't wait!  Apparently neither could everyone else.  The line was crazy!  Like, 45 minutes crazy...

Pat's Steaks right accross the street from Genos.  I have had Pat's before, and I acutally think I like them more (by a very small margin).  Pat's meat is shredded vs. the sliced meat of Genos.  Although, Genos did have AMAZING Cheese fries!

Natasha enjoying her first "authentic" Philly Cheese Steak.

We continued on our walk to China Town and passed several cool little parks.

We stopped in Old City for a couple pictures. 

Such a beauty, this one!

The Irish Memorial at Penn Landing

Philadelphia Downtown to the right, some awesome and modern looking condos to the left.

The weather was 70 degrees!  So happy!!

A little panorama action :)

Back in the hotel resting our feet we discovered every floor of The Lowes Hotel has an awesome sitting room, library, and free fruit baskets.  Natasha was head over heels with delight that they had her favorite - green apples!  Hey, it's the little things in life :)

In action

The view right before heading out to experience the night life.

Because Natasha is a photog I actually have a few photos of myself for once.  Could it be?!

Magical Botanical Gardens

It was my first time seeing the DC Botanical Gardens and, well, I'm in LOVE!  I walked in and was immediately surrounded by color, texture and inspiration.  Lots and LOTS of other photographers there - everyone trying to capture the beauty of the delicate plants maintained in the facility. 

We had to stay inside - it was a terribly rainy day - but my favorite soft, overcast light was illuminating the gardens perfectly.  One of my new favorite places.  No doubt I'll be back soon to check out what's going on outside the arboretum :)

A bunch of photos to follow... didn't have a pen on me so I couldn't take down notes, so I'm not sure of most of the plant names. 

VERY color happy here!!! We've got Green:

Yellow:

Purple:

Blues:

... I think the drab winter may have taken it's toll on me!

Check out the area to walk around above - so much exploring to do just on the inside of the arboretum!

I found these flowers to be absolutely beautiful. 

These little guys look like something out of a Dr. Seuss story.  So strangely magical.

The next two are the epitome of the word delicate, shot with the 100mm Macro lens:

They have a wonderful Orchid Exhibit taking place through the end of April. This was the main display - with orchids of all different types around these pools - topped off with a beautiful Chinese Dragon.  Awesome!

My friend Jackie saw the photos after I left the gardens and told me these flowers remind her of the 1951 Disney version of Alice in Wonderland.  One of my favorite movies!  I REALLY liked Tim Burton's but the 1951 version will always hold a special place in my heart.

This really takes me back

The next three photos were one of my favorite spots in the gardens. So pretty and picturesque - throw a happy engaged couple in there and you've got engagement session MAGIC!

More color and texture :)

I have a thing for repeating patterns... although, I've been told this is a little too much and can make you dizzy - be careful!

I didn't need a sign to tell me the name of this guy - Bird of paradise flowers are so COOL!

Go to the DC Botanical Gardens before the Orchid Exhibit is over! It really is an experience worth seeing. 

I hope everyone has been able to enjoy the wonderful weather we've had lately.  I was visiting Philadelphia this past weekend and we couldn't have asked for better walking conditions.  We were able to see SO much of the city!  Photos to come shortly... of course!

Cheers,
Heather