ody McKitrick is a lifestyle portrait family and child photographer located in Northern Virginia.

Apples and Grandma’s Quilt

10.29.2010

“Childhood is the most beautiful of all life’s seasons.”
~Author Unknown

Lifestyle Photographer in Arlington Child Photography in Northern Virginia Father and son photograph

Who: The “A” Family Photo Session :: Where: Arlington, Virginia

This is my second time shooting these kiddos and the first time shooting the whole family. They were such good sports about me dragging them back and forth across the park to find the best light. Thank you–I know it probably didn’t make much sense at the time, but I’m so glad you humored me. I loved watching the kids interact, play, and laugh with one another. I could already see A being the protective big brother and for good reason, she looks like a little angel.

And thank you also for being my first repeat family! I can’t wait until the next time! xoxo

by Jody M

2 comments

add a comment

link to this post

Janel - October 30, 2010 - 9:55 pm

Jody, we had so much fun working with you and we love our pictures! Thank you!:):)

lindy - November 18, 2010 - 8:41 pm

so sweet..wonderful shots.

sneak peek: i ♥ home sessions

10.26.2010

I have three sessions to edit right now that I am so excited about. They all take place at the families homes. I LOVE these types of sessions and really hope to do more. Home is where everyone is most comfortable. The kiddos want to show you their rooms, their favorite toys, and aren’t distracted by a new environment. You can really get their undivided attention. In addition, the parents aren’t stressed from rushing to be somewhere and can sit back and relax while I run off with the kids for a while. Just think of it as me coming over to babysit! I also love capturing the home environments. Having moved constantly while younger (thirteen schools by the time I was a high school senior!) I really wish I had photos of our different homes. I think families will cherish these types of photos even more in the future as will the children someday. So, here is a quick sneek peek of one of the sessions: my nephew in his backyard. And yes, he is that cute! You can see his sister here.

by Jody M

4 comments

add a comment

link to this post

Autumn - October 26, 2010 - 9:23 pm

forget it. this almost embarrassing he looks so hot, i mean cute. <3

Shelley - October 26, 2010 - 10:20 pm

I agree Aut…I foresee many a girl crushes and heartaches over him; I can’t believe how grown up he looks here! Jody, it is insane how well you captured his expression, the light, and the definitely a glimpse into his (and mama’s) future.

Megan - October 27, 2010 - 11:21 am

LOVE this Jody. What a great mood you’ve set here.

lindy - November 18, 2010 - 8:39 pm

gorgeous.

More Firsts!

10.26.2010

“There’s nothing like biting off more than you can chew, and then chewing anyway.”
~ Mark Burnett

My photographer friends will probably recognize this beautiful lady as Rashmi Pappu a very talented photographer whose work I have always admired. I have wanted to do a family photo shoot for as long as I can remember (since Stella was a baby) but I always had excuses as to why I couldn’t get it done or why I should wait. After reading this post on Deb Schwedhelm’s blog about “the perfect time” I knew I had to stop making excuses and just do it, so of course I contacted Rashmi. I love her clean style, her use of light, and the natural moments she captures. To my surprise she suggested we trade mini-sessions and we arranged for a very quick session the next day. Yikes! Photographing another photographers family AND a mini-session? I didn’t know if I could pull either off, but I really wanted Rashmi to do our photos so I nervously agreed. I’m not sure most non-photographers know how nervous some photographers get before their sessions. It’s like doing that speech in front of your high school class nervous. And then to photograph another photographer’s family? That’s like doing the speech naked in front of you high school class. Rashmi and her family could not have been any cuter though. They were so much fun to photograph. Being a photographer she knows what do to get those great photos… love on your family, cuddle, tickle, laugh, wrestle, and maybe every once in a while take a look at the camera. And, the girls were, of course, adorable. I just love their pointy toes in the family photo and their infectious smiles. And the cherry on top? I have some amazing family photos of my own now that our family will always cherish. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

by Jody M

4 comments

add a comment

link to this post

Leilani - October 26, 2010 - 1:11 pm

Such a gorgeous family! Lovely images as always!

lindy - October 26, 2010 - 1:25 pm

LOVE! Keep doing what you’re doing cause you’re doing it juuust right! love your work.

jodi - October 26, 2010 - 6:45 pm

love these jody… love the giggles and love you captured here. and now where’s the link to the photos of YOUR own family? need to see those too…

Rashmi - October 26, 2010 - 8:12 pm

Oh Jody! I will say it again, we LOVE these photos. I love that I am actually in a photo for a change… like you, i had made one too many excuses for not being in a photograph.. but really, there is no time like the present. Thank you so much. You are so full of talent. I can’t wait to see you soar.. and I can say ‘i knew her first!’. xoxo

the lotus flowers photo session

10.16.2010

“A lake carries you into recesses of feeling otherwise impenetrable.”
~ William Wordsworth

I love collaborating on photo sessions so I was thrilled when Ana-Maria said she wanted to incorporate lotus flowers (a symbol for life) into her maternity session. The wheels started turning and I did a little happy dance when I found these floating lotus flowers online. Now I wondered… would Ana-Maria like them and could I convince her to actually get INTO the water? As you can see the answer was yes! As it turned out, Ana-Maria was up for just about anything. She was so at ease in front of the camera and she just… glowed. I know, I know… it’s a cliche to say that about pregnant women, but it’s true!

At the end of the session, Ana-Maria sat in the sand and wrote messages on a chalk-board. Ana-Maria’s husband, Brian, has been stationed overseas and won’t be returning until a few days before her due date. She wrote a message to him and then to the nuns who prayed for her. At this point, I actually got a little teary eyed. A little silly? Maybe, but I was thinking of so many things… how hard it must be to have your husband so far away, how loved this baby was, and seriously… how amazing would it be to have nuns praying for you? I’m not even Catholic and I think that is pretty intense.

I loved meeting you Ana-Maria and I can’t wait to someday meet Brian and your beautiful blessed baby boy.

(And just a side note to myself: Wading waist deep into water to “save” lotus flowers from floating away while holding $3000 equipment… really not your best move.)

by Jody M

2 comments

add a comment

link to this post

Brandie - October 19, 2010 - 6:55 pm

These are beautiful Jody!!! LOVE the closeup of the flower against her belly.

Susan - October 20, 2010 - 12:06 pm

Beautiful maternity session. Your processing is gorgeous. I love the first one…so peaceful and beautiful. And the shot of the lotus flower is perfection!

October Light

10.11.2010

“In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.”
~ Aaron Rose

Just a quick post with a few photos from our weekend. The light was so yummy yesterday. I was driving Jake crazy with my “Oh my gosh. The light is amazing!” comments every five minutes. There were times when I just stood with my camera in my hand trying to figure out how to photograph the light with young children running in and out of it as it bounced through the trees, across fields, on the water, and shone through the barn.