The details
You will receive a complementary 1-2 hour photo session in Carriere, MS and 3-5 8x10 digital images from the session for your personal use, at photographer’s discretion. Prints are also available.
Over 18 only, if high school junior/seniors are under 18 years old they will be accompanied by an adult for the entire session.
Must sign a model release.
No fee for the session.
You must be willing to attend, in person, a 1-2 hour portrait session in Carriere, MS.
Session is limited to 1 person and 1 escort.
Outdoor studio, all COVID precautions taken.
No nudity will be required.
Limited studio wardrobe will be available.
All images are for use in the photographer’s portfolio and may appear online or in advertisements.
Session is not redeemable for money or goods, session is not transferable or expandable.
https://www.facebook.com/freeakinsportrait
301-392-7344
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https://www.navy.com/about/gallery
https://www.annapolis.gov/876/Historic-Preservation-Division
https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/index.php
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There is so much to do and see and Washington DC; one of my favorite places is the Library of Congress. I didn't have to do much convincing to get Karlena and Daniel to agree to have engagement photos taken here. It was a chilly morning and there were DC issues all around; finding parking, Metro delays. I was able to take get them into some of the spots I love and we finished with the flawless elevator kiss.
https://www.loc.gov/visit/
https://www.wmata.com/schedules/trip-planner/
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]]>October 1 & 2 2016
Muddy was the word of the day. We had a lot of rain in Southern Maryland the week before WineFest. I had to be pushed out of the parking lot thanks to my front-wheel drive mom van (its dad’s car). Sotterley grounds keepers made a valiant attempt at combating the mud by laying down straw but boots was the word of the day. See the full gallery here http://www.freeakinsphotography.com/p589925095
http://www.sotterleyplantation.com/winefest-sotterley-plantation.htm
http://www.cygnuswinecellars.com/cwc/
http://www.dffarms.com/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.fuzzyfarmersmarket.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FreeThinkersBrewing
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The session with Bianca and her son was almost rained out. But as luck would be the rain passed though quickly and left us with an amazing cloudy morning. KyShawn, like all toddlers, did not like the stranger at first but quickly warmed up. What an adorable baby. Independent and likes to hold mommies hand. Perfect.
Molly Bears http://mollybears.com/
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When I looked up Waldorf Walkers it was purely for me. We have an old cat and we were going on vacation for a week. In the past we asked the neighbors to take care of her. But, as always, thinking about the bigger picture I realized how useful a service like this is, for every pet owner, for the everyday and special occasions. If you need a pet walked or fed while at work or if you can’t take your pets on vacation. Owner, Jennifer Mummert of Waldorf, has a staff of several walkers and pet care specialists that can meet almost any requirements for your furry babies from an in home visit, to taking your pet to the vet, and nail trimming. Jennifer and company also make homemade doggie biscuits.
I’m going to borrow this next bit from their website because they say it perfectly:
Waldorf Walkers & Pet Sitting, LLC is the premiere concierge pet sitting and walking service in Southern Maryland. And, we believe, if you are anything like us, you have an incredible connection with your dogs and cats. When you’re out of town, you want to make sure they’re with someone who will love them just as much as you do. Waldorf Walkers & Pet Sitting gives you peace of mind while you’re on extended trips away from Fido and Fluffy. So, leave them in good hands and enjoy yourself. All of our team members are bonded and insured, have basic pet first aid knowledge, are experienced with oral and injected medications, and have a passion for pets. Together we have over 30 years of pet care experience!
Waldorf Walkers, LLC. https://www.waldorfwalkers.com/
On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/WaldorfWalkers/likes
3 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Per Sitter https://www.waldorfwalkers.com/freebies.html
On Yelp http://www.yelp.com/biz/waldorf-walkers-and-pet-sitting-llc-waldorf
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A little chilly but still a nice day to meet a new family for a portrait session in the park. A new baby brother will be here in a few weeks and the perfect time to have family photos taken. Early spring in the park is great, too soon the weather will be warm and these few days in between winter and spring are forgotten. I guess it’s something I keep from growing up in a very cold state, the subtle changes in weather when you can get outside and feel the sun. There are only a few days like this in Southern Maryland, spring happens very fast here.
In a sea of wedding vendors this one posting on a Facebook wedding consignment page jumped put at me. Cello, string quartet. Two things make me happy dance; ballet and classical music. I had to introduce myself and ask – beg, if she would do a photoshoot with me. Last Friday I attended rehearsal with BMS Belcanto Strings at Bella Music School in Leonardtown, MD. I was very excited to watch this group practice Pachelbels Canon in D. I'm really looking forward to working with this group. If you have never heard classical music performed live, you don't know what you are missing. It is a rare treat. BMS Belcanto Strings is available and booking weddings through 2017.
Bella Music School http://bellamusicschool.com/
Bella Music School on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Bella-Music-School-146932162036732/?fref=ts
Bride's Guide To Classical Wedding Music https://weddingmusicproject.bandcamp.com/album/brides-guide-to-classical-wedding-music
Complete Guide to Wedding Music http://bridalguide.com/planning/wedding-reception/complete-guide-to-wedding-music
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How do you pick a photographer? Do they have a business website or just a Facebook page? Professionals will have a website with a portfolio, amateurs photographers will generally stick to the free options of Facebook or Instagram. Do you like the photos in their portfolio? If you don't like the photos chances are you will not like your photos either, so don't choose a photographer because they are a deal or cheap. If the portfolio consists just of outdoor settings, seated or standing chances are this is the photographers comfort area. Pay attention to the outfits, location, hair and makeup. If the majority of their work is outside in natural light then your session will most likely be early in the morning just after sunrise or late afternoon just before sunset. That means getting up before the crack of dawn, getting, dressed, doing your own hair and makeup, getting your family ready, and driving to the location. If their models or customers look amazing, have amazing dresses and accessories, chances are the photographer has a professional hair and makeup team and offers wardrobe styling and might have a studio wardrobe for their clients to use. What happens if the weather is bad on the day of your session? Can your photographer move the shoot indoors to a studio or make you reschedule your session all together? You don't need a full, professional studio to shoot indoors but your photographer needs to know how to use natural light indoors or have artificial light. A professional photographer doesn't just show up with a camera and take pictures. They ask questions and offer an experience. What kind of photoshoot would you like to have? Getting up before dawn, spending hours on your hair and makeup then only having an hour with your photographer before the light isn’t good. That’s if the weather is good that day. Or getting up at a normal time, bringing all your outfits to the studio, relaxing for the first hour while you have your hair and makeup professionally applied, poring over our outfits with the photographer to decide which ones will be amazing for you, getting to see the amazing accessories and dress your photographer made just for you, then having a fabulous photoshoot? If you want to experience a 1photoshoot with my team call today 618.659.4876 MD | DC | VA.
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I am not a shopper and I really don’t like the mall. I can count on one hand how many times I’ve ventured past the food court; its’ a straight line in and back out. For the most part, I have a well cared-for wardrobe that I gently tend for to preserve as long as possible – yep.
I don’t like shopping at the mall, everything is over-priced. Even before I had young kids and shopping became a utility, must get diapers, must have healthy food, must have chicken nuggets, must take care of these mini humans, and they grow so freaking fast. My son – oy vey – changes shoe sizes 3 times a year. Before all of that, I never enjoyed shopping. In recent months, I have started looking for items that will look amazing on my clients, building a studio wardrobe. I did not want to spend a fortune, this is what my mind jumped on first, and it will cost a fortune to just outright buy the dresses I want. Despite my not liking to shop I tend to have expensive taste. I started searching in the thrift stores and initially had some success with an amazing cocktail dress but that was all.
A few weeks ago I saw a post on Facebook about amazing dresses on sale at Rue21. I said wow that’s awesome you found that…never registered there was a Rue 21 at the mall that is less than 2 miles from my house. Never say never, getting out of my mindset of aversion and avoidance lead to a very happy discovery - sales. Lots and lots of sales; jewelry for $3, tops and dresses for $8, and really cute kids clothes for cheap. For the first time ever, a trip to the mall was refreshing and I was giddy for my finds. I didn’t think I could have a studio wardrobe right now, I like being wrong – sometimes.
Rue21 http://www.rue21.com/store/
St. Charles Towne Center Mall http://www.simon.com/mall/st-charles-towne-center
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/
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]]>The Reel American Heroes Foundation is a 100% volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that works with both military hospitals and military bases to provide recreational therapy to our nation's wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Disabled and Combat Veterans.
RAHF was started to thank our wounded heroes for their service to our country and to provide them with much needed recreational therapy. RAHF is currently listed as the top Veteran nonprofit foundation in the country by www.greatnonprofits.org. http://www.reelamericanheroes.org
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Saturday morning playing with the kids…well one of the kids. The other two were being a little bratty. Enjoy.
Upcoming Trunk Shows & Events in the DMV
Dates provided by Ultimate Affair Weddings
July 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th
Wild Wedding Wednesdays at Soliloquy (discounts on gowns samples, jewelry and sashes)
http://www.soliloquybridal.com
July 3 – 25th
Ti Adora by Alvina Valenta at Garnish
http://www.garnishboutique.com
July 10 – 11th
Jim Hjelm at Francesca’s
http://www.francescasbridal.com
July 24th – August 1st
Amsale Best of at Garnish
http://www.garnishboutique.com
July 24 – 25th
Alvina Valenta at Katherine’s
http://www.katherinesbridal.com
AUGUST
May 1 – August 1st
On going spring/summer sample sale at Betsy Robinson’s
http://www.robinsonsbridal.com/
August 7 – 9th
Angel Rivera at Soliloquy
http://www.soliloquybridal.com
August 14 – 15th
Sample sale at Francesca’s
http://www.francescasbridal.com
August 21 – 23rd
Eugenia Couture at Soliloquy
http://www.soliloquybridal.com
August 20th
Styling Night at Hitched
August 21 – 23rd
Nicole Miller at Lovely
http://www.lovelybride.com/blog/
August 28 – 29th
Maggie Sottero at Katherine’s
http://www.katherinesbridal.com
August 28 – 30th
Soft by Rosa Clara at Lovely
http://www.lovelybride.com/blog/
SEPTEMBER
September 11 – 12th
Modern Trousseau at Hitched
Blue by Enzoani at Francesca’s
http://www.francescasbridal.com
September 18 – 19th
Anna Maier at Hitched
Jim Hjelm at Francesca’s
http://www.francescasbridal.com
September 24th
Styling Night at Hitched
OCTOBER
October 9 – 24th
Ti Adora at Katherine’s
http://www.katherinesbridal.com
October 16 – 17th
Allure at Kathertine’s
http://www.katherinesbridal.com
October 20-31st
Amsale at The Wedding Suite at Nordstrom Tysons Corner
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-shop?origin=srcontent?keyword=wedding+shop
October 23 -24th
Alvina Valenta at Katherine’s
http://www.katherinesbridal.com
NOVEMBER
November 1st
Amsale at The Wedding Suite at Nordstrom Tysons Corner
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-shop?origin=srcontent?keyword=wedding+shop
November 6-8th
Marchesa at The Wedding Suite at Nordstrom Tysons Corner
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-shop?origin=srcontent?keyword=wedding+shop
November 20-22nd
Rosa Clará & Two by Rosa Clará at The Wedding Suite at Nordstrom Tysons Corner
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-shop?origin=srcontent?keyword=wedding+shop
DECEMBER
December 4-6th
Hayley Paige at The Wedding Suite at Nordstrom Tysons Corner
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/wedding-shop?origin=srcontent?keyword=wedding+shop
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Angela didn't think she photographed very well and brought her son and husband and wanted to just get a quick family photo instead of the whole makeover. I knew there would be a lot of moms that freaked out about getting their picture taken and asked her to trust me. While she was getting her hair and makeup done I took some photos of her adorable son playing. He reminds me so much of my oldest when he was two. They both have the blond surfer boy hair and with a little chocolate bribery he sat for a few minutes with his dad too. I love his expression, he is so intent on his task. I hope Angela loves her portraits as much as I do, she is such a nice lady.
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LYNCH FAMILY
The Lynch family stopped by for family portraits. Love the mommy and daughter portrait, it's my favorite. I used the new damask background; I have several new backgrounds for spring portraits.
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Fiona
The portrait session this week is with Fiona, a lovely lady from Greece. Makeup provided by Delaney Burgess and I styled her hair. Enjoy!
Alicia + Baby Reece
What a beautiful fall afternoon Alica picked for her maternity session. Alicia wanted a fall themed maternity shoot to celebrate baby Reece and so I suggested this quaint walkway in the woods.
The next time I saw Alicia was the day after baby arrived at the hospital. Quiet, happy, sleepy baby. Just the way I like them.
Perfect 10 little toes and 10 little fingers.
I love when family can be in the photo especially Grandparents.
Baby Reece was about 5 weeks old when I was finally able to, safely, finish his home session. It took almost a month to get over laryngitis and the flu. Baby boy was wide awake for the whole session. I knitted the basket fill he's lying on. I try to make something for each of my newborns. In the end he got a little fussy and just fell asleep while I was taking the last few photos.
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Shelby Rose
Shelby Rose from Florida (a different Shelby) was my second portrait session. She's in the Navy and also a photographer.
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Shelby
I want to master portrait photography and I will do it on my own terms. I asked for real women to be my models. Shelby was my first model. I did her hair and makeup and styled her outfits and incorporated her Tiffany blue stethoscope.
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]]>Everyone starts somewhere. My first shoot with a real live model was December 2013 in Annapolis, MD with David Blecman. This was a lighting workshop and I was so energized. Had no idea what to tell the model so I took the poses she gave. Discovered I have stage fright, I lock up around other people. Um move to your um, whatever. Your left, my right, what? We got 5 minutes to shoot for each pose and I wasted half of it trying to figure out what was left & right. Over that now and over the stage fright, thankfully.
But when I got home and downloaded my images... I was so happy. With just little bit of direction and perfect light, wham no longer a photo, it’s a portrait. I love shooting in a studio. A lot of photographers are natural light and that's fine. But what makes someone versatile and well rounded is becoming comfortable in any situation.
There are a few things my husband and I both feel very strongly about. We are both Air Force veterans; I served 8 years on active duty and deployed several times to “the desert”. Todd’s last deployment was to a base in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and his squadron lived in Khobar Towers. June 25, 1996 a truck, full of fertilizer and kerosene, exploded parked in front of Khobar. Blowing-up three quarters of the dormitory housing many of the 58th Fighter Squadron from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. My husband was sitting on a couch in his room when the aftershock ripped through the building. He received a Purple Heart. My last deployment started March 2003, 2 weeks before we invaded Iraq, I was a command and control journeyman assigned to the CAOC/JSRC as the Search and Rescue Coordinator.
Three years ago Todd found a local fishing tournament , Reel American Heroes Foundation, that takes wounded vets from Walter Reed fishing. Every August he donates his boat and takes a wounded warrior fishing for the day.
RAHF gives all the warriors tons of gear. The list of supports over the past four years has grow, in 2014 it wasn't just sponsors donating gear the President & CEO of Lew's Fishing personally handed out fishing rods.
Fishing Pros Tim Horton , Shaw Grisgsby , and Paul Elias came out to support the 2014 tournament and take a few lucky warriors fishing. I was a little star struck when I pulled up to the hotel to find my husband having a beer and talking shop with Paul Elias. Yes, I watch the fishing shows with my husband because at one time, before kids, we used to fish tournaments together. Paul asked me to take some prom photos of his new engine but things didn't work out and we missed each other the next morning.
The Best Western Aquia/Quantico Inn give the out of town anglers a really good deal on rooms. They have an amazing breakfast, and I say that as a mom that brought 3 kids and a mother in law.
Hope Springs Marina in Stafford, VA has graciously hosted the event and Billiken’s BBQ Company has catered.
I am excited to announce a partnership with Shoots for a Cure (formerly known as Think Pink Photography). Think Pink Photography was founded in October 2007 to support individuals and their families who have been touched by breast cancer. We are a charitable organization that serves two main purposes – celebrating life and supporting the cause. Recently, we changed our name and our support. We now want to support ALL cancer patients, not just breast cancer.
PRESS RELEASE: Through our professional photographer network, we are helping cancer patients to celebrate life with charitable photography sessions. Individuals may choose to document their fight against the disease before or during treatment, or prefer to capture their victory by scheduling a session within 12 months after treatment is completed. Photographers world-wide are now available to donate time and talent to celebrate life and support the cause. There is no cost or obligation to the cancer patient. Clients participating in a Shoots for a Cure session will receive a complimentary photo session, as well as a set of 10 small prints from the session. They will also receive a discount on any additional portraits they wish to purchase, although there is absolutely no purchase required at any time.
To support the cause, we donate and fundraise for The American Cancer Society and the Susan G Komen Foundation. All funds generated through donations and various fundraising efforts are paid directly to The American Cancer Society, the Susan G Komen Foundation, in our name, or used 100% for marketing and awareness of our program. Please subscribe to our blog (on the Shoots for a Cure website) and tell your friends and family about Shoots for a Cure. Awareness is everything and we can’t be successful without you.
I encourage you to view our website, make a donation, or hire a photographer that supports Shoots for a Cure! If you hire me, mention Shoots for a Cure and I will make a personal donation to the organization. If you, or someone you know, would like to schedule a Shoots for a Cure session, please contact me for details.
I am very proud to be a network photographer with Shoots for a Cure, and am anxious to get the word out about this amazing program. For more information, you can contact me, or you can visit the Shoots for a Cure website at http://shootsforacure.com
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Current High School Juniors (class of 2016) from SOMD, DC & NOVA, both girls & boys, can apply to be a Free Akins Photography Spokes Model. We are taking 2 high school Juniors from each area school, applications are due by February 28th, 2015 and you must, must, must have your parent or guardians consent. Also talk to your parents because one will have to accompany you to your photo session.
Like my Facebook page www.facebook.com/freeakinsphotography to receive latest promotions & deals and follow me on Instagram at #freeakinsphotography. I also have inspiration boards on Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/freeakinsphotog.
Here's the link: http://www.freeakinsphotography.com/senior-rep-program
All of my reps will also get the chance to be published in a magazine! I submit all of my reps to Senior Style Guide Magazine! The lovely ginger in the photos below was in Issue 13!
This year, and last year, has been all about family. May 2013 we welcomed baby #3 and I finally wasn't stress out - kind of the opposite reaction. I adopted the mantra "A clean house is the sign of a wasted life" oh well if something didn't get completed. I am spending time with the kiddies, enjoying my family, and not thinking about the dishes in the sink or any of the dozen other lurking projects. I took time for myself every morning (while I was on maternity leave) and read through a photography magazine or book and dedicated that time to completely learning my camera and "coming off Auto" as they like to say. I literally took hundreds of photos of my coffee cup and breakfast while mastering aperture and shutter speed. I slowly, and ever so cautiously, launched first a business Facebook page, then launched a website, became obsessed with Pinterest, and slowly built and re-built my brand until I was happy with it - for now. Over the last year the kids all had birthdays, baby did all the baby things, and the world didn't come to an end because the house was a little messy. I think, a little clutter and a little mess actually makes you a better parent - who cares what anyone thinks it's not like my house is going to be on the cover of a magazine. xoxo
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