Sarah and Zach’s eSession was done at Mary Washington University and downtown Fredericksburg a few weeks ago. I normally don’t travel too far for an eSession but sometimes it just works out, and that’s great when the location has special meaning to the couple. It’s kind of a fresh challenge for me, too, and a break from the usual scenery.

This one also had a little side benefit for me. I grew up in a little town not too far from there and Fredericksburg was where you went when you needed to go to the “big city”. So, I had to give Sarah and Zack a mini-tour of what I vaguely remembered. We found my old pediatrician’s office and I still got that knot in my gut thinking about the top drawer on the right where he kept all the hypodermics. And I remembered the hilly and historic downtown which I believe was home to the only J.C. Penny I remember being dragged to for clothes shopping as a kid.

Today, Fredericksburg is not the same as it was when I was a kid. But, despite the sprawl and traffic that surround it, I found it to be much more pleasant. The old downtown is interesting and vibrant, the campus was beautiful, I got to meet and hang out with some really nice people, and I even got a bite to eat at one of the old Frederickburg eateries from way back. Most of all, I think it was particularly pleasant because I didn’t have to try on school clothes or get a shot. Yep, much better now :D

Spent the weekend in a PATC cabin by Shenandoah National Park and we had a spectacular sunrise coming through the ice covered trees right outside the cabin on Saturday morning.

…..and here’s the totally freakin’ gorgeous panoramic view from the front porch of the cabin. Just incredible!

Remember Pia from way back when there was a post on here trying to place her in a GOOD home after her not so great stay in a BAD home? Well, I’m happy to report that Pia is doing great. Jack had a sleepover with Pia last night and the two of them had a great time getting reacquainted. So, this morning I took a much awaited opportunity to have a photo session with the two of them. I wish I could do one with all six of them but I’m sure that will never happen. Anyway, here are a few shots from the session and I’m pretty darned pleased. Both of their personalities (which are remarkably similar, but still different) come shining through.

Pia is in the red collar.

It’s really not much. But it just caught my eye.

I like bloggin about fall weddings when it’s 20º outside!

This was a really fun wedding on a beautiful October Saturday at the family’s Botetourt farm. The colors were gorgeous, just enough of that luscious warm golden cast,  and I think I got at least one of my all time favorite ceremony shots under that beautiful old tree in the back yard. Here’s a few.