• Three pieces of advice I'd love to give myself when I was first starting as a photographer: 1️⃣ You are not a fraud. People hire you because they love your work, not because you've pulled the wool over their eyes! Stop waiting for everyone to find out that you actually have no idea what you're doing, and put that energy toward something more productive. 2️⃣ Don't be afraid of follow-up! You're not bothering someone to loop back on something they told you they're interested in- selling is serving when the person genuinely wants what you offer. 3️⃣ In the wise words of @jonacuff, "Stop comparing your beginning to someone else's middle." The only artist you should be comparing your work to is the artist you were in the past. Are you better than you were yesterday, last week, last year? Take a moment to celebrate how far you've come instead of constantly stressing over how far you still have to go! From a Paris #abbygraceballerinas shoot with @natalie.onpointe #ballerinasofinstagram #apinkballerina #communityovercompetition
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    Three pieces of advice I'd love to give myself when I was first starting as a photographer: 1️⃣ You are not a fraud. People hire you because they love your work, not because you've pulled the wool over their eyes! Stop waiting for everyone to find out that you actually have no idea what you're doing, and put that energy toward something more productive. 2️⃣ Don't be afraid of follow-up! You're not bothering someone to loop back on something they told you they're interested in- selling is serving when the person genuinely wants what you offer. 3️⃣ In the wise words of @jonacuff, "Stop comparing your beginning to someone else's middle." The only artist you should be comparing your work to is the artist you were in the past. Are you better than you were yesterday, last week, last year? Take a moment to celebrate how far you've come instead of constantly stressing over how far you still have to go! From a Paris #abbygraceballerinas shoot with @natalie.onpointe #ballerinasofinstagram #apinkballerina #communityovercompetition
  • My girl @ashlynscarter. This was our second full-day branding session together and I am absolutely obsessed with shooting for this brilliant friend of mine. She is a DREAM client- she knows her brand front to back, inside and out- the shot list I dreamed up for her was THREE PAGES LONG. We captured an insane amount of content during our time at her home in Atlanta- given how thoroughly she’s been implementing the gallery we shot last June, I can’t wait to see how she uses this newest collection of brand imagery!
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    My girl @ashlynscarter. This was our second full-day branding session together and I am absolutely obsessed with shooting for this brilliant friend of mine. She is a DREAM client- she knows her brand front to back, inside and out- the shot list I dreamed up for her was THREE PAGES LONG. We captured an insane amount of content during our time at her home in Atlanta- given how thoroughly she’s been implementing the gallery we shot last June, I can’t wait to see how she uses this newest collection of brand imagery!
  • *18.* That's how many mamas donated milk to keep our little buddy fed throughout his first year!! Felix had his last bag of frozen breastmilk last week, and I'm just in awe of the generosity of these women. Matt and I joke that with all the antibodies from so many different mothers' milk, he's going to have the immune system of Captain America 💪🏼 I got a lot of questions about this last year, so for anyone who's curious- we didn't set out with the intention of doing donor milk (we were just as happy planning for formula life!), but after a friend offered some of her stash the week before Felix was born last year (really, Flo- this is all because of you!), I figured there wasn't any harm in asking. A fellow adoptive mom directed me to the Human Milk 4 Human Babies group for my state, and after one post (thinking we'd maybe get a couple weeks' supply?), I was overwhelmed by the number of people offering up milk for a child they had never met. We spent a few afternoons driving around northern Virginia and DC picking up donations (and realizing we needed to buy a few more travel coolers...), and were incredibly fortunate to link up with two mamas who were gracious enough to continue donating long-term. Kaitlin & Katrina gave literally *thousands* of ounces each over the course of the last year. Flo, Cassie, Jen, Heidi, Trisha, Sarah, Tiane, Jessie, Laura, Jamie, Lauren, Lisa, Holly, Katrina, Kaitlin, Adrienne, Katherine, and Ashleigh, you helped my son grow big and strong, and I'm forever grateful. They say it takes a village, and I'm so thankful you all were part of ours for this portion of the journey! Photo by (you knew it already) @emilygeraldphotography from Felix's one-year session! She's SO GOOD!! #springmannjourneytobaby #donormilk #breastmilkdonation #milkdonor #hm4hb #adoptionjourney
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    *18.* That's how many mamas donated milk to keep our little buddy fed throughout his first year!! Felix had his last bag of frozen breastmilk last week, and I'm just in awe of the generosity of these women. Matt and I joke that with all the antibodies from so many different mothers' milk, he's going to have the immune system of Captain America 💪🏼 I got a lot of questions about this last year, so for anyone who's curious- we didn't set out with the intention of doing donor milk (we were just as happy planning for formula life!), but after a friend offered some of her stash the week before Felix was born last year (really, Flo- this is all because of you!), I figured there wasn't any harm in asking. A fellow adoptive mom directed me to the Human Milk 4 Human Babies group for my state, and after one post (thinking we'd maybe get a couple weeks' supply?), I was overwhelmed by the number of people offering up milk for a child they had never met. We spent a few afternoons driving around northern Virginia and DC picking up donations (and realizing we needed to buy a few more travel coolers...), and were incredibly fortunate to link up with two mamas who were gracious enough to continue donating long-term. Kaitlin & Katrina gave literally *thousands* of ounces each over the course of the last year. Flo, Cassie, Jen, Heidi, Trisha, Sarah, Tiane, Jessie, Laura, Jamie, Lauren, Lisa, Holly, Katrina, Kaitlin, Adrienne, Katherine, and Ashleigh, you helped my son grow big and strong, and I'm forever grateful. They say it takes a village, and I'm so thankful you all were part of ours for this portion of the journey! Photo by (you knew it already) @emilygeraldphotography from Felix's one-year session! She's SO GOOD!! #springmannjourneytobaby #donormilk #breastmilkdonation #milkdonor #hm4hb #adoptionjourney
  • @marymarantz's new book, Dirt, officially releases today, and you absolutely must get a copy of it! Rest can feel really hard to come by during the frenetic, often-chaotic season we're in right now (just to be clear, this photo? It's a self-portrait from last February when we went to @getawayhouse!). I’ve known Mary for almost a decade now, and any amount of time spent with her always leaves me feeling more alive and less afraid of the muddy parts of my own story, because that "messy middle" has forged so much of the grit and gumption that helped shape who I am today. Reading Dirt has been such a source of rest for me, reminding me that every piece of my story has purpose, and that greater, more beautiful things are yet to come. The book officially hits shelves today, and I could NOT be more proud of you, @marymarantz! Link in her bio to grab your copy! #thebookdirt
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    @marymarantz's new book, Dirt, officially releases today, and you absolutely must get a copy of it! Rest can feel really hard to come by during the frenetic, often-chaotic season we're in right now (just to be clear, this photo? It's a self-portrait from last February when we went to @getawayhouse!). I’ve known Mary for almost a decade now, and any amount of time spent with her always leaves me feeling more alive and less afraid of the muddy parts of my own story, because that "messy middle" has forged so much of the grit and gumption that helped shape who I am today. Reading Dirt has been such a source of rest for me, reminding me that every piece of my story has purpose, and that greater, more beautiful things are yet to come. The book officially hits shelves today, and I could NOT be more proud of you, @marymarantz! Link in her bio to grab your copy! #thebookdirt
  • "I just hope, when he kisses me... my foot pops!" Isabelle & Jason, living out every millennial's Princess Diaries wish of a foot-popping kiss! After two reschedules of their wedding day, these two decided not to wait another minute to be married- with just a handful of friends and family in tow, they tied the knot at Meridian House on the most perfect day with the most perfect micro wedding! We'll see each other again next year for a bigger fête, but their August nuptials reminded me just how very sweet a silver lining can be. The most important thing for these two was to be *married.* So, married they became! And the world is a more beautiful, magical place because of it! Isabelle & Jason, your love is SO sweet to behold!! Design + coordination- @adominickevents Venue- @meridianhouse Floral- @sophiefelts Dress- custom silver gown by @kelsey.randall Hair/Make up- @amiedeckerbeauty Video- @bowenfilms Paper- @emilybairddesign Calligraphy- @lhcalligraphy Catering- @spilledmilkdc Plates- @emersonjamesrental Rentals- @selecteventgroup @latavolalinen
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    "I just hope, when he kisses me... my foot pops!" Isabelle & Jason, living out every millennial's Princess Diaries wish of a foot-popping kiss! After two reschedules of their wedding day, these two decided not to wait another minute to be married- with just a handful of friends and family in tow, they tied the knot at Meridian House on the most perfect day with the most perfect micro wedding! We'll see each other again next year for a bigger fête, but their August nuptials reminded me just how very sweet a silver lining can be. The most important thing for these two was to be *married.* So, married they became! And the world is a more beautiful, magical place because of it! Isabelle & Jason, your love is SO sweet to behold!! Design + coordination- @adominickevents Venue- @meridianhouse Floral- @sophiefelts Dress- custom silver gown by @kelsey.randall Hair/Make up- @amiedeckerbeauty Video- @bowenfilms Paper- @emilybairddesign Calligraphy- @lhcalligraphy Catering- @spilledmilkdc Plates- @emersonjamesrental Rentals- @selecteventgroup @latavolalinen
  • ^When your *outtakes* are this good, you know it was a killer branding session. 🔥 If you haven't met/aren't already following @terribaskin, you're missing out. Terri has this infectious energy about her that permeates any room she's in- she's fun, hilarious, and is a *wildly* talented wedding photographer here in the DC area with a gift for evoking such joy (with the most stylish, glam clients!) She serves her couples with such warmth, and shooting branding portraits for Terri was truly a window into why her couples pick her. She has this way of making you feel completely at ease from the moment you walk in the room, making our time together all the more of a delight!! Terri, thank you so very much for allowing me to shoot these for you- time spent with you is a gift! Beauty by @glam_qui, styling by @katherinebignon #abbygracebrandportraits
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    ^When your *outtakes* are this good, you know it was a killer branding session. 🔥 If you haven't met/aren't already following @terribaskin, you're missing out. Terri has this infectious energy about her that permeates any room she's in- she's fun, hilarious, and is a *wildly* talented wedding photographer here in the DC area with a gift for evoking such joy (with the most stylish, glam clients!) She serves her couples with such warmth, and shooting branding portraits for Terri was truly a window into why her couples pick her. She has this way of making you feel completely at ease from the moment you walk in the room, making our time together all the more of a delight!! Terri, thank you so very much for allowing me to shoot these for you- time spent with you is a gift! Beauty by @glam_qui, styling by @katherinebignon #abbygracebrandportraits
  • "Yer ticket fer Hogwarts," he said. "First o' September. Kings Cross. It's all on yer ticket." ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The train leaves at exactly 11 o'clock- remember your dress robes, owl treats, and Firebolt, and don't forget that Quidditch trials take place next weekend. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And no matter what else 2020 might throw at us, don't let the Muggles get you down. Happy first day of school! Which House did the sorting hat put you in?
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    "Yer ticket fer Hogwarts," he said. "First o' September. Kings Cross. It's all on yer ticket." ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The train leaves at exactly 11 o'clock- remember your dress robes, owl treats, and Firebolt, and don't forget that Quidditch trials take place next weekend. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And no matter what else 2020 might throw at us, don't let the Muggles get you down. Happy first day of school! Which House did the sorting hat put you in?
  • One year. Little buddy, you've been in the world for one full year, and the bright, shining hope you represent hasn't faded an ounce! I was worried that with time, I'd forget the weight of the enormous blessing of your arrival, that I'd lose some sense of the heart-wrenching gratitude I feel when I hold you close and you lay your head on my shoulder. But here we are, 366 days later, and when I look at you, I see promises fulfilled. I see the answer to thousands of prayers, I see God's fingerprints all over your story. The squeaks and babbles that drift down to my office during the workday forever make me smile- sometimes, I still can't believe you're here.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I look at you, and I can't help but feel hopeful! Because no matter what situation life might throw at us, Felix, you are PROOF that our God loves us far more than we could ever deserve, and that where he calls us, he will be with us. You are a gift, dear boy! And I will never get over what an honor it is to be your mama!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Happy first birthday, buddy! You Dada and I love you 3000, and we can't wait to celebrate your life today!
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    One year. Little buddy, you've been in the world for one full year, and the bright, shining hope you represent hasn't faded an ounce! I was worried that with time, I'd forget the weight of the enormous blessing of your arrival, that I'd lose some sense of the heart-wrenching gratitude I feel when I hold you close and you lay your head on my shoulder. But here we are, 366 days later, and when I look at you, I see promises fulfilled. I see the answer to thousands of prayers, I see God's fingerprints all over your story. The squeaks and babbles that drift down to my office during the workday forever make me smile- sometimes, I still can't believe you're here.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I look at you, and I can't help but feel hopeful! Because no matter what situation life might throw at us, Felix, you are PROOF that our God loves us far more than we could ever deserve, and that where he calls us, he will be with us. You are a gift, dear boy! And I will never get over what an honor it is to be your mama!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Happy first birthday, buddy! You Dada and I love you 3000, and we can't wait to celebrate your life today!