Catherine rae photography

Mommy, Me & Baby Makes Three - Modern Maternity Photographer

Hi there!
Miranda here with some tips for moms that are getting ready for maternity portraits.

Plan Ahead. Some photographers schedule 3 - 6 months out for there sessions and are often booked the closer you wait to the day.

Pick your style. If you don’t know there are many styles to photography. You should try to find a photographer that matches your style. Do you like traditional things and style? Or maybe you like a photojournalistic vibe or even more lifestyle to capture you in your element. Classic, modern or funky!

When is the best time? Most photographers will tell you Third Trimester is the best time, usually around 33 weeks. This way there is a room to reschedule if need be and time enough before the baby arrives. Oh and you aren’t completely miserable and can still move around :-).

Read Reviews. See what others have said about their experiences. See if they are a photographer that can grow with your family and continue to take photos as your family grows. Connections are priceless!

Clothing - Look great! Make sure you pick clothing that you feel and look great in. The better you feel the better it will translate onto your images. Don’t try styles that you don’t feel comfortable in. If you have body parts that you aren’t fond of, don’t pick this day to change it up. Also, pick a couple of outfits. Pick items that will compliment you belly and your shape. Your photographer should be able to help you with colors also if they have the experience.

Relax. Remember this day is about making memories and having great images to look back on and to share with your child as they grow. With this in mind, you will want to have plenty of time that day to get ready and have time to relax. The last thing you want is to be rushed because it will show on your images. If you have to get your hair, nails, other children and husband ready, please allocate the time to do so. Also, consider traffic and anything that could happen.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR UNIQUE & AMAZING MATERNITY PORTRAIT EXPERIENCES!

Miranda Drummond is a published photographer in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area.  Her portrait sessions are conducted on location and in her studio in Alexandria, VA.  She also travels around the US and abroad for many of her sessions as well.

If you would me to be your Maternity Photographer, please reach out!  I'd love to meet you, get to know you and capture your best images.  For pricing and availability, please do not hesitate to reach out!

EMAIL: INFO@CATHERINERAEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

PHONE: 240-339-5176

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You Had Me At Holliway - Classic Maryland Church Wedding

To much to say about these two.  I met the bride almost 5 years ago and we have been laughing ever since.  I am so happy that she found her forever love and they recently tied the knot at a local church in Maryland.  The ceremony was very sweet and you could feel the love they have for each other.  We then went out to the vintage Cadillac the bride had to have and headed to the Washington National Harbor.  We had a lovely intimate dinner for the reception and headed out to the water for so intimate photos of the two.

Please enjoy!

Fashionable Couple in DC - Washington DC Engagement Session

Another fun loving amazing military couple is about to tie the knot!!!   I had the pleasure of photographing this couple in Washington DC one EARLY morning.  I love when a couple comes with outfits and has an idea in mind of what they want to do.  Michelle had coordinated the outfits and Dennis went right along with what needed to be done.  We had a great time walking around and getting these fun shots.  

Best wishes to them in their future! 

WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW I CAN CAPTURE YOUR SPECIAL DAY! 

Miranda Drummond is a published photographer in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area.  Her portrait sessions are conducted on location and in her studio in Alexandria, VA.  She also travels around the US and abroad for many of her sessions as well.

If you would me to be your Photographer, please reach out!  I'd love to meet you, get to know you and capture your best images.  For pricing and availability, please do not hesitate to reach out!

EMAIL: INFO@CATHERINERAEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

PHONE: 240-339-5176

BANGIN BIRTHDAY BEHAVIOR - CELEBRATION BIRTHDAY PORTRAITS

There are two great days in a person's life -
the day we are born and the day we discover why.

I LOVE birthdays!!! I celebrate mine the entire month and I let everyone know it is coming up!  A while ago I decided to focus on birthday sessions and offer them to anyone who wanted t kick off their day with a glam portrait session.  Most people think only milestone but you can have a portrait session for whatever birthday you wish...or all of them!  These sessions are customized for you and you can come with a concept and color and we can build it around your wishes.  Teens and adults are welcome and some children depending on the age.   

Tamlynn came through to celebrate her 23rd birthday and had a blast.  All she had to bring was her balloons and everything else was taken care of.  She is a native of South Africa and is here for work.  We had a great time talking about South Africa and her wanting to have her birthday photo session to celebrate her time here in the states.  She came with her bestie and that made it even more fun for the two of them.  I think this is what they needed to kick of the celebration!

Check out the video from her session and some of the images!

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WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR UNIQUE & AMAZING BIRTHDAY PORTRAIT EXPERIENCES!

Miranda Drummond is a published photographer in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area.  Her portrait sessions are conducted on location and in her studio in Alexandria, VA.  She also travels around the US and abroad for many of her sessions as well.

If you would me to be your Photographer, please reach out!  I'd love to meet you, get to know you and capture your best images.  For pricing and availability, please do not hesitate to reach out!

EMAIL: INFO@CATHERINERAEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

PHONE: 240-339-5176

ENGAGEMENT RING EXCHANGE CEREMONY - MUSLIM EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY

Culture, culture, culture!  Love it and everything surrounding it.  The bride called me to come and photograph the ring exchange ceremony in Virginia and we hit is off immediately.  She wore a pink all over lace tea length gown that she had specially made for the evening.  On the table you could see all her jewelry displayed for the wedding on Saturday at the home of her cousin in Virginia.

The ring exchange happens before the wedding and is a change for both of the families to get together before the big day.  The mothers and family gathered in the living room and the moms handed the rings to each of their children to place on their fiance's hand.  The moment was very celebratory and filled with love.  All of the parents, siblings and cousins were there to celebrate this joyous occasion.  After the ring exchange we snapped a few portraits and then we were ushered to the food.  The food was a full spread of Middle Eastern cuisine and I was not allowed to leave until I ate.  The aunt made sure of this and I could not be disrespectful for I complied and loved every bite.  

See some of the images from the evening below:

BALTIMORE MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY - FALL OUTDOOR GLAMOUR

Revisiting some of my sessions that I didn't get to post and this was one of my favorites.  A glam maternity is always liberating for a mom to be!  I think it gives women a chance to just let go and have fun right before the big day...at least that is what this mother said to me.  The chance to be outdoor and just to relax and just be was a great feeling.  She came out and was gorgeous with her hair and makeup and then her outfit just topped of the looks.  Once hubby jumped in and the couple shared their excitement for the new arrival it was a wrap.

Check out the images from the session with Ayo and Keinde!

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WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR UNIQUE & AMAZING MATERNITY PORTRAIT EXPERIENCES!

Miranda Drummond is a published photographer in the DC, Maryland, Virginia area.  Her portrait sessions are conducted on location and in her studio in Alexandria, VA.  She also travels around the US and abroad for many of her sessions as well.

If you would me to be your Maternity Photographer, please reach out!  I'd love to meet you, get to know you and capture your best images.  For pricing and availability, please do not hesitate to reach out!

EMAIL: INFO@CATHERINERAEPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

PHONE: 240-339-5176

TESS & LEIGHTON'S BEACH WEDDING - MARYLAND PHOTOGRAPHER

     Where do I begin with these two?  Well first off I have grown to know and love them over time and it all started with the surprise engagement session that Leighton planned for Tess on the beach last summer.  Now if it is anything with these two the locations are always an ADVENTURE!  The proposal was at Assateague Island on the drive on beach and if you didn't have 4x4 you couldn't get to the location.  That should have been a hint for me then...LOL.  On to the engagement session; where we went somewhere way out in the mountains of Virginia! Yes, we got amazing portraits and we had a great time and I learned even more about the two but yes, it was another hike.  
     Then they start planning the wedding!  I couldn't wait.  I knew it was going to be amazing and gorgeous.  Tess was so excited and Leighton was as well.  Tess found her dress immediately and it was the first one she tried on....blush pink!  Oh but wait where was it going to be?  DC, Maryland or Virginia...none of the above!  They picked the Outer Banks in North Carolina and yes it was another drive on beach!  Let the adventure begin!!!!  The weekend was overcast to say the least with a mist all weekend but it didn't stop these two love birds and their friends and family from having their beach wedding.  The weekend was filled with family, wine and flowers.  Tess was a DIY bride and did a lot of the decor herself.  We sat on Friday night and put bouquets togethers and had a great time.  The morning of started with hair and makeup and load of family portraits and first looks with the dads.  
     Once the wedding started, so did the rain, but everything went ahead.  Umbrellas went up and the vows went on as planned.  The I do's were exchanged and sealed with a kiss and we were on to the party.  Formal portraits were taken and then the bride changed into her less formal dress and the guys changed out of their tuxedo vests to their floral shirts for the reception.  A informal reception with good old fashioned bar-b-que was the meal and the dance party got under way! All in all I think the guests had a great time and the bride and groom are now sharing in their happily ever after!  Best wishes to them and I look forward to watching them grow!

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HAWA & JUSTIN FRAZIER - MARYLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

May 20th was a perfect day for an outdoor Liberian-American wedding ceremony at Lucien Manor in Berlin, New Jersey. I have know the bride and groom for quite some time know and was eager to partake in their big day along with the family who I have learned so much about.  The wedding ceremony was a traditional ceremony with the gorgeous bride and handsome groom. The vows were sweet and tear filled. The first kiss was full of love and passion.  The couple then transitioned to their reception at Lucien Manor, with full formal and plated dinner.  Then half way through the ceremony the couple acknowledged the bride's Liberian family root by having a wardrobe change.  This is when the party went through the roof.  We had money dances, a grand march and also a tribute to the mother's where all the women danced around them in a circle to the song Sweet Mother to honor them for raising their children and all they have done for the families.  It was a great wedding and I wish Hawa and Justin nothing but the best in life!

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