Heather Grace Photography

That smile…

May 7, 2013

Oh, that sweet, crinkly-nosed, bright-eyed, sunshiny smile of yours!

Your serious, sweet little blue-eyed face is precious, too…

but that smile: it doesn’t stay hidden for long!

May 7, 2013 · babies, children, families · Show 1 Comment · Add Comment

Mini Session Winner Announced!

February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I used a random number generator to select the winning commenter from our Mini Session giveaway, and I’m happy to announce that the winner is…

Mandy Castillo!

Thank you to all who participated, I wish I could give away twenty mini sessions. Wishing you all a day filled with the joy that comes from loving on others,

Heather

February 14, 2013 · Mini Sessions, news

Hello 2013 and Win a Mini Session!

February 1, 2013

It’s good to be back, friends!

I had mentioned before that there a some new things going on with my business here… now that sweet little Jane has joined the brood I’ve become the mother of four little girls– aged 5 and under– who need (and deserve) lots of my time and attention. As a wife and mother, I’ve decided to make a commitment to making the most of the time I have with my family during these busy “little years”.

As a photographer and artist, I want to make the most of my time with my clients as well. I just love taking photos of people. I love hanging a portrait on the wall, holding a beautiful album, and announcing the birth of a new baby with a lovely little card sent in the mail. I’m so excited to do more of these things this year.

In 2013 I will take only a very limited number of portrait commissions so that both my family and my clients get my best. Please keep this in mind as you may want to book spring, summer, and fall sessions in advance to secure a spot on the calendar. Pricing has been tweaked a little and I am offering more digital options as well! In the coming days and weeks I’ll highlight some of the beautiful new things I have for you.

I’m also excited to announce that my popular mini sessions are now available year-round in Annapolis! Here are the details:

Mini Sessions are 30 minutes long for one immediate family and must take place in Annapolis.

You will receive all images (10-13) on USB drive, and they are yours to print as you wish! Simple and fun.

$400

And now it’s time for the give-away. To celebrate a bright new year ahead of us, and my beautiful new daughter, and the fact that THIS is a good year to have portraits taken of your own family, I’m giving away a free mini session! For your chance to win, follow these two easy steps:

1. Like Heather Grace Photography on Facebook by visiting the page here.

2. Leave a comment on this post and tell us all one thing you love about your family!

One entry per person. Session date is subject to availability. Winner will be chosen randomly from comments here on the blog. I will announce the winner on Valentine’s Day!

February 1, 2013 · news, personal, products

21 Comments

Heather Clement · Posted February 1, 2013 at 1:30 pm · Link

How fun! What do I love about my family? Right now I’m loving that we are local to annapolis and can participate in annapolis things–like this! hope you have a fabulous year with your FOUR beauties!
Amy Noll · Posted February 1, 2013 at 2:23 pm · Link

Well, what I like about our extended family is that there are so many of us! It is such a blessing to be near family, to get to intereact on a daily basis, watch all the little ones grow and learn by watching the other “big ones” parent and grandparent! And it’s so awesome to be able to have that documented in beautiful photos:)
April Wilson · Posted February 1, 2013 at 2:49 pm · Link

I love that our family is so close to each other distance-wise (hi Matt!), and I love our humor It’s pretty fun to be around the family!
Laura D. · Posted February 1, 2013 at 4:03 pm · Link

I love experiencing the ups, downs, twists, and turns of life with family….finding joy in the journey with some pretty cool people, that I happen to be related to!
Susie Hill · Posted February 1, 2013 at 5:47 pm · Link

I love that I never know what to expect. It may be that my girls decide to bake three flavors of cupcakes in a day- all with different homemade icing. Or that my kids start their own businesses the month before Christmas and my dining room turns into a tutu factory. Or I’ll come home to find my son on the barn roof, stuck, because his sister moved the ladder. If there is one thing I can count on, my people will lead the charge when it comes to adventure and I think that is absolutely terrific!
Stephanie C. · Posted February 1, 2013 at 6:34 pm · Link

I love the bond that our family shares. Our 3 little girls keep us on our toes and life can get very busy, but we try to use every moment we can to make memories because we know it goes by so fast! Soon we will turn around and our “little girls” will be little “women”. (It would be great to win a photo session so we could capture the phase and moment we are in now
Sophie · Posted February 1, 2013 at 9:12 pm · Link

Ooooh oooh pick me, Heather!!! I love my family’s sense of adventure and love of travel. I love the sense of closeness we feel when we’re traipsing around some unexplored part of the world, that we feel “at home” as long as we’re together. (Though I must say I’m glad to be back in Annapolis!)
Laura A · Posted February 1, 2013 at 9:31 pm · Link

I’ve always been so close to my sisters and extended family which has been special and fun through the years. Now it’s just my husband and I and I have loved making new memories and carrying on old traditions from past generations. I’m praying someday God will grow our family and will bless us with many children!!
James D · Posted February 1, 2013 at 10:59 pm · Link

Steve’s sideburns
Barbara · Posted February 1, 2013 at 11:02 pm · Link

Grandchildren! Lots of grandchildren…some born on the same day, in the same year! Pick me, Pick me!
Alison · Posted February 2, 2013 at 1:57 am · Link

I’ve liked you on facebook for forever

The one thing I love about my family is that we have two girls close in age that seem to be becoming friends – and that makes me thankful!
Kristen · Posted February 2, 2013 at 3:08 pm · Link

Each day when I open my eyes I am amazed at the wonders the Lord has blessed me with. He has gifted me with a handsome boy who loves life and turns anything black & white into a color filled situation. I love my two beautiful girls who are so different from each other but are becoming the best of friends. I love the joy of expecting a new little one and the wonders of what it will be life to hold a new little one again. But what I love most about my family is my husband because without him, this life as I know it would not exist. Without him, life would be boring. Without him, I would be lost. He is the anchor and rock in our family and each day as he is gone 12 hours and comes home, life happens. For that I am extremely thankful! I am amazed each day, that the Lord knew that children and family are the blessing of life and has given me that very gift! Heather, what a fun giveaway! Many blessings as you balance this new season of life with 4 little beauties! They are each precious, enjoy these moments, because as you know they grow up quickly. And thanks for the opportunity to perhaps have our family captured in this precious season of life. It would be a precious memory of our time in Annapolis.
Lauren Murphy · Posted February 2, 2013 at 7:20 pm · Link

I love that our family now includes our daughter and we get to watch her grow and learn as she experiences all the new things in her world! i also love that my “family” includes all of my dearest friends and their growing families … Like you!!! What is it now – 23 years and counting?
Kevin & Krista Jones · Posted February 2, 2013 at 7:32 pm · Link

Heather, I found your blog through my husbands brother, Jeff Jones on facebook. Turns out I also know your cousin, Mandy Castillo!! I am actually quite dumbfounded about this really random connection! (I lived with Rachel Steifel at JMU, Mandy’s close friend.)

Anyway I love your dreamy, airy, light filled photography! You capture the essence of that newborn glow wonderfully.

What I love about my family:
I love that on Sunday mornings we wake up, make a pot of coffee, while my husband strums the guitar and we sing hymns. My little one and a half year old will dance, grab his own instruments, or simply sit at his daddy’s feet. To me there is nothing sweeter than lovin’ on some God together as a family.

Hope we make it into the drawing! Thank you!
Mandy Castillo · Posted February 2, 2013 at 8:55 pm · Link

I LoVe how we might not look like we all go together BuT.. We make the perfect team and we’re each others biggest fans!
Mandy Castillo · Posted February 2, 2013 at 9:02 pm · Link

Ps. Hi Krista!!!!! Haha what a small world .. Congrats on the little guy!!
Mindy P. · Posted February 6, 2013 at 3:39 am · Link

The one thing that I absolutely LOVE about my family is watching my two little ones loving each other more and more every day. Alexis is learning to walk and Joey has such a fun time trying to motivate her to chase him around. Hearing the two of them giggle and squeal is music to my ears and I’m so blessed to have my two little angels. With them 21 months apart, I know they will always be best of friends. I cannot believe its been almost a year since Alexis was born. They grow up so fast and with Joey starting preschool in the fall, I want to catch as many moments of the two of them together as I possibly can.
Amy C · Posted February 7, 2013 at 7:57 pm · Link

liked you Surprised I hadn’t already done that!

I’m stealing part of Kristen’s answer I love my kids, especially the moments when I see one of them totally loving on the other. BUT, I love my hubby the most! He is awesome and I would have very few of the good things in my life if it weren’t for him (and God’s blessings, of course).
Sandi Cooper · Posted February 8, 2013 at 3:42 am · Link

What I love about my family is that we support each other through it all! This year has had it’s ups and downs and we are stronger then ever! But I also learned that “family” can be true friends that are also there for you!
Melisa Louis · Posted February 8, 2013 at 5:57 pm · Link

Well … since it took me a long time to find a good man to settle down with – – (Love my Hubby Ted), I had kids late in life. I’m now 45 with 2 boys 7 and 3 – yowza. It took quite a while to get pregnant, but I am now blessed with 2 healthy happy kids who give me tons of joy. I love the uniqueness of each individual personality that makes us a family and the competitive spirit that my boys have. PS – Heather is such an awesome photographer !!!
Jessica · Posted February 14, 2013 at 1:43 pm · Link

One of the reasons I love my family is because when my husband who is a chef by training makes dinner at least twice a week , all five of us sit down, enjoy the meal, and have great conversation. Sometimes we are at the table for 2-3 hours with no cell phone, computer, etc. There is an old Italian saying that translated means, “Time stops at the table.” The times and conversations we’ve had together are some of the best memories I have now that my children are 17,15, 13. I look forward to many more meals together with them and their children.

Caitlin & Luke | a wedding

July 13, 2012

Caitlin and I first met at College, and she quickly became the kind of friend that you want to always be around. I could fill a blog post with her praises, but one of the biggest compliments that I can give her is that I am sure she is going to be a wonderful friend, help mate, and wife to her new husband Luke. I was absolutely honored when Caitlin asked me to be her wedding photographer, and was blessed to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the love and respect they have for each other. Their wedding day was a celebration of God’s purpose in marriage and His goodness in giving Caitlin to Luke, and Luke to Caitlin. Thank you both for inviting me to play a special role in your beautiful day. I also have to note that the bride and many of her talented friends and family filled the wedding with DIY touches and Cait’s own gorgeous style– everything was beautiful!

Some details:

Venue: Glenview Mansion in Rockville, Maryland

Dresses: JCrew

Earrings: Marolsha on Etsy

Bracelets: Frosted Willow on Etsy

Flowers: Channing Baker

Food: Spilled Milk Catering

Decor: the bride combined items from IKEA, antique stores, and Paper Source

July 13, 2012 · wedding

For the Mothers

May 11, 2012

I’ve met many beautiful moms over the past year, and became a mom to a third precious girl myself.

Motherhood is a hard job but a wonderful privilege. It can be exhausting and invigorating; some days full of laughter while others are full of tears; it can come as a long-awaited answer to prayer or as an unexpected blessing. Whatever part of the mothering journey you’re on now, I want to encourage all of us moms with this reminder from Jim Elliot: Wherever you are, be all there. Let’s make the most of every moment!

Here’s to wiping little faces, gifts of sticky kisses, learning to let go a little, and celebrating the little everyday moments that make it all so worth it. Happy Mothers Day to all the moms I’ve had the honor of photographing since May 2011, and to all who stop by to visit this little blog of mine.