seeing beauty again | #gratituesday

These dogs have been less than enjoyable for me over the past year (maybe two?). I have had little to no compassion for them, very short patience, and quiet honestly, I think they have felt the same way about me. If it wasn't for Tommy, they probably would have run away forever and ever. (Instead they would run off during the day and come home at night to hang out with him. Every single day, guys. Every day.)

We finally invested in an invisible fence and they have learned their boundaries. They have stopped ignoring my commands and what do you know... I happen to give them bones a lot more often than I used to, too! Things are looking up!

And they are pretty good with Sunday, too. Hawkeye can't lick her enough and Traveler just avoids her (which is much better than the other option of telling Sunday how she really feels).

This past week my intern, Chelsea, snapped this shot of Traveler and posted it to Instagram. As I scrolled through my IG feed, it suddenly took my breath away. I forgot... how adorable she is. How much she is very much alive and well... and needs love and attention, too.

So this week we reached out with a little more effort. We've had a lot of doggy cuddling time and extra bones have been given during the day. Our relationship is on the upswing again and I'm feeling really good about that.

I'm grateful for these pups. They are so good... obedient, patient, and loving. Far from inconvenient or a burden - truly. I have a hard time remembering that. I'm thankful for my new perspective this week.

Join us for Gratituesday at heavenly homemakers!

The Earl Family | #sincerelylizphoto

I met Allison through The Motherhood Collective last year and she quickly stepped in as Sunday's nanny when we were on the hunt for someone trustworthy, reliable, and who would truly care for our baby girl. Something I really value is that our parenting styles are similar and the interaction between Sunday and Aiden is just the icing on the cake!! It makes my mama heart smile so big to know that Allison and Aiden both enjoy hanging out with Sunday two afternoons a week. You should see the two share hugs and kisses… it kills me! This family is so, so sweet. Greg works his tail off in law school (he graduates soon and is whisking them out of state for work! :() and Allison is a true role model wife and mother. She nurtures their home, cooks healthy delicious meals, leads an active lifestyle and just radiates in her roles. I admire her so much! It is an honor to call her a friend.

So needless to say, I was more than happy for the opportunity to capture their little family for a few minutes in downtown Lynchburg this past fall. Their session was so quick and easy! Aiden was a little ham and had a ton of fun in front of the camera. We shot for about twenty minutes and Aiden even hung in there at the end for a clothing change for the gender reveal pictures! I wanted to hold off on sharing this session until they shared their news publicly, so check out the reveal at the bottom! :)

And.... they are having....!

A girl! I am SO excited and happy for Allison to have a sweet baby girl!! I think it's also kind of fun that Aiden has been practicing having a little girl around for a few months now... he's going to be a great big brother!

Equipment used for this session:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 50mm f/1.2 lens // canon 70-200 f/2.8 lens

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Liz Cook is the owner and photographer of sincerely, liz: photography. She is a virginia wedding photographer and virginia portrait photographer who loves virginia weddings, family portrait sessions and couple photography.

To see more of Liz’s work, check out her latest work as well as some of her favorite weddings. To hire Liz, simply fill out this form.

Time on the trails | #Gratituesday

Well, it's about two years overdue, but we are finally trekking the trails together.

Tommy has been on his trail running journey for a while and I am finally dipping my toes into it this year. This past week we have been out on the trails three times as a family. It. is. awesome.

Sunday absolutely LOVES being out there. She is never more content and satisfied as she is when she's on Tommy's back and out in the woods. She inspires me so much. I try to not let the weather dictate our days together. It's been a goal to bundle up and go outside every day - in some way. It definitely doesn't happen every day, but setting the goal has helped make it happen a lot more often than it used to.

And I'm loving it. Fresh air and sunshine is so good for the soul. Uninterrupted family time, with no TV or laptops or work tempting our attention is so good for our family.

Here's to many more hours, days, even weeks spent in the great outdoors with each other!!

Join us for Gratituesday at heavenly homemakers!

Kellen & Ashley Maternity | #sincerelylizphoto

You may remember this sweet couple from their engagement session and wedding. I met up with them the morning of New Years Day, despite the rain (seriously, it always rains on their session days!) and we had a lot of fun just walking around and capturing this time in their life. I posted my favorite picture from their session at the top (totally out of order which messes with my perfectionism!!) because I want to talk about how stinking beautiful I think they are.

These two are truly best friends and such good people. Like - really good, quality, lovable people. They always find the good in others, they let go of the past, and don't do "drama." Together, they make a fantastic team. They go out of their way to make each other happy and they laugh together, a lot. I love being around them and I am so excited that they are procreating and on their way to making more little Kellen and Ashley's! This world needs more people like them. I say that genuinely. We need more people like them!

I'm honored and grateful that they continue to hire me to capture such special times in their lives. Okay, enough of my chatter. Here they are…!

Equipment used for this session:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 50mm f/1.2 lens // canon 70-200 f/2.8 lens

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Liz Cook is the owner and photographer of sincerely, liz: photography. She is a virginia wedding photographer and virginia portrait photographer who loves virginia weddings, family portrait sessions and couple photography.

To see more of Liz’s work, check out her latest work as well as some of her favorite weddings. To hire Liz, simply fill out this form.

Lines | Fredericksburg Maternity Photographer

The lines and shape of a woman with child are so very beautiful to me. Christina has been following my work for years so I was so happy to finally get her in front of my camera. And to celebrate such an incredible milestone, too! Is she not just strikingly beautiful? The contrast, her flawless skin, and all of the lines in these images have made these some of my favorite maternity portraits I've ever shot.

Equipment used for this session:  canon 5d mark ii // canon 50mm f/1.2 lens // canon 70-200 f/2.8 lens

—————–

Liz Cook is the owner and photographer of sincerely, liz: photography. She is a virginia wedding photographer and virginia portrait photographer who loves virginia weddings, family portrait sessions and couple photography.

To see more of Liz’s work, check out her latest work as well as some of her favorite weddings. To hire Liz, simply fill out this form.