ou’ve gone out of your way to book a photographer, either to photograph a special occasion or to capture an ordinary but intentional moment that you want to treasure forever. So why haven’t you taken the time to print those photos? You’re not alone, my friend. About half of my clients never take the time to have photo prints prepared. While the digital age has done so many amazing things for our world, this lack of photo printing hurts my photography-loving heart. Why? I can’t imagine growing up without these photos. To this day they’re my treasured keepsakes that represent memories of my childhood and the people I love.

Wedding planning is stressful, and never more so than when you’re discussing budget. According to theknot.com, in 2020 photographers accounted for the fourth most expensive wedding vendors for an average sized wedding of 131 guests. Only venues, catering, and live music ranked above photography in terms of expense. And yet, there are few details as important as photographing the cherished moments you’ll want to remember for the rest of your life. That’s why I advise my couples to consider hiring a second shooter for their wedding day…

While I love a big party, I can’t help but feel that COVID has brought many of us back to where we belong, shifting our focus from extravagant celebrations to intimate occasions full of meaning, and most importantly, the people we love. Few weddings have reminded me of that shift more than Mackenzie and Micah’s intimate coastal cottage wedding…

While I am a firm believer that the people who participate in your wedding day matter more than the stuff you choose to include, I understand that many couples today work diligently to curate special details to set their weddings apart. Whether it’s an heirloom ring box passed down through generations or a handkerchief you’ve had specially made for your mother to dry her tears during your ceremony, those details matter! And one of the things that sets EmmiClaire Photography apart is my ability to capture those heartfelt heirlooms so you can cherish them for years to come!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but there truly are no words to describe the lasting magic of a family portrait session. Why? Because family portraits are still-framed memories captured for you to cherish for the rest of time. Whether you look at your family portraits 1 year or 50 years down the road, you’ll be transported to that place, that time, those people you love, and that morning spent together as a family.

Breoyna is a beautiful high school senior at Clover Hill High School in Chesterfield County, Virginia. I had the privilege of photographing her senior portrait session back in April. I truly cannot remember the last time I photographed someone as confident as Breoyna. Most clients need a little coaching before they’re truly comfortable during their photo sessions, but Breoyna came to life in front of the camera with little prompting!

When Christina and Preston described their wedding as “rustic,” I knew it was going to be full of fun, but I had NO idea how beautifully they’d infuse southern, romantic charm into every single detail. From the stunning rustic backdrop of the open air chapel and event barn at Alturia Farm to the wood flowers handmade by the bride and her sister, every detail of this southern wedding was dripping with personality!

2021 has been a strange year for all of us (thanks, COVID). But it’s been even stranger for high school seniors. If you’ve been to high school, you remember the anticipation of senior prom, spirit week, class competitions, and the long anticipated high school graduation. I can’t imagine attending all of my classes virtually, missing […]

Styled shoots can be a bit of a crapshoot in terms of how they develop. Sometimes one vendor has a vision for the shoot and they execute that vision to a tee. Other times, that original vision morphs into something entirely different thanks to collaboration with talented vendors with style and design visions of their own. And sometimes, there is no overall concept for a styled shoot, just the knowledge that you want to work with specific vendors who you trust to create a beautiful concept and execute it flawlessly. And, yes, sometimes styled shoots are a combination of all three – a vision, a collaboration, and a desire to work with specific industry professionals. The latter was much the case for Tatiana Sizemore, owner of Simply Charmed Weddings and Events, for her most recent styled shoot at Avonlea Farms.

Popping the question is one of the biggest moments in a person’s life, and one most couples don’t ever want to forget. While I’m a fan of proposals in any form – spontaneous, semi-planned, meticulously planned surprises – I LOVE when I’m brought in to capture that moment! Luke reached out to me this April because he was planning to propose to his lovely girlfriend (now fiancée), Ashley. Ashley’s only request for the proposal was that a professional photographer be there. I’ve got to give Ashley props on communicating that desire to Luke. While proposal photography has become popular in recent years, hiring a photographer may not immediately come to mind, especially with so many other details to consider and plan!

Waiting for Spring to Burst Into Bloom Every year, I anticipate the blooming of the cherry blossoms here in beautiful RVA. It’s one of the first signs of spring after what is inevitably a long, dreary winter. But this year, with COVID still looming heavy in the chilly air, winter was particularly isolating. So I […]

Breathtaking. I’m not one to use this word lightly, but when Meredith used it to describe her elegant, traditional black-tie wedding at The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, I couldn’t think of a better choice! Overcoming all of the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, these two celebrated their love in an intimate and heart-stirring […]

I had just moved to California on October 3, 2015, and while applying for jobs I decided I would investigate Price is Right tickets. To my surprise, they were free! So I signed up for some. I absolutely love the Price is Right. I have watched it for as long as I can remember and […]

You may not know it, but my dad is a photographer himself and he inspired and encouraged career choice from a young age! With such a strong familial connection to photography, I absolutely love shooting family portraits and immortalizing those beautiful bonds. When I connected with the Donnellys about taking their family photos, I knew […]

Virginia is a beautiful and diverse state that offers so many options to capture you in your perfect environment. However, choosing the perfect space for your portrait session isn’t always the easiest. There are several factors to think about when making the decision, and finding just the right spot may be harder than you think. […]

As a Virginia branding photographer, I was so excited the day I got the opportunity to work with Southern Marsh! Getting to connect with such an iconic and timeless brand was like a dream come true. Theirs is a brand committed to honoring Southern culture and inspired by the balance of urban life and outdoor […]

In honor of my 32nd Birthday, I’m sharing 32 facts about me. After all, it only seems fair, right?