Anne Lord Photography - creating family portraits for gift giving or holiday greeting cards.Anne Lord Photography

Outdoor Holiday Family Portraits

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Schools are in session again and Halloween is around the corner. Before you know it the November and December holiday season will be upon us! This inevitably means several family gatherings and opportunities to celebrate with loved ones. Whether you send out holiday cards with a collage of family pictures (including your family pets!) or a single portrait of your family, holiday cards are a lovely way to visually share the latest in our lives.

As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” A picture can tell a story, and by having a professional photographer take your family portraits, your story can be told in a way that your smart phone just cannot capture. A professional family portrait photographer, like Anne Lord in Leesburg Virginia, can help you slow down and truly enjoy being in the presence of the ones you hold most dear. When you look back on these photos years from now, they will stir emotions inside you that make you feel like it was just yesterday!

Gathering family members together is what makes the holidays so enjoyable. It may not be every day you get to see each other, so make lasting memories while in the moment!

When you have a family portrait taken you will be able to look at that portrait and remember the time spent together. The memory of catching up together, who is in school and what they are studying, a new job opportunity, or even an announcement of your family growing—either an engagement or a pregnancy! Anne Lord has the experience and technique to capture your family moments. A long-time portrait, pet and wedding photographer for the Northern Virginia and surrounding communities, Anne loves bringing families together to make lasting memories through her photographs.

Prepare for the upcoming holiday season by gathering your family around for a casual outdoor photo shoot, and don’t forget to smile!

Anne Lord Photography for a fun family portrait session

For holidays, special events, or for creating important keepsakes, only a professional family photographer can bring you the quality you desire. I am scheduling outdoor portrait sessions now for holiday cards. To learn more about your family’s photography options, please contact me at anne@annelordphotography.com, 703-435-5292, or cell phone 703-994-7938.

Pet Portraits by Anne Lord Photography | Leesburg, VAAnne Lord Photography

Entrust Your Family and Pet Photography to Anne Lord. Now located in Leesburg, Virginia!

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Over 20 years ago Anne Lord started her career as a photographer and throughout her career has captured all stages life – weddings, new babies, growing families, career development, people enjoying life with other people and with their pets, too. She has made countless connections with clients— whether through her avid love of pet photography through capturing the unique and special personalities of animals, or snapping portraits of the whole family, learning their stories, and producing beautiful images and memories that will last a lifetime.

Recently, Anne has moved from Leesburg, Virginia to Leesburg, Virginia and is excited to learn the area and meet new families and their pets. If you have the need for a photographer, be it professional business headshots, family photography, a session for your pet, or a corporate event, Anne has the technical expertise as well as the ability to bring out the best in clients during a photo session. 

Family and Pet Photography

As a pet enthusiast, Anne doesn’t forget the furry members of the family! She enjoys photographing pets and capturing their relationship with their two-legged family members and their special quirks as well. Choosing to invest in a family portrait that you can display as art as well as a reminder to you and your family of your memories is important. Anne’s technical expertise and ability to make anyone (including those four-legged family members) feel comfortable in front of the camera is how she produces priceless one-of-a-kind images.

Corporate and Professional Photography

Anne uses her love of meeting and interacting with people to help put subjects at ease and produce complimentary, brand empowering, and professional images of CEO’s, partners, and everyone involved with the team. She is proficient in taking headshots that reflect the personality and professionalism of the individual or group. For information and samples of corporate images for your company, your resume, and everything in-between, view Anne Lord’s Corporate Photography page. 

Choose Anne Lord for your photography needs today

If you would like high quality photographs and a great experience for your photography needs, let’s start a discussion of what you have in mind. For more information, contact Anne via email – Anne@annelordphotography.com – or by calling (703) 435-5292. 

family portraits, priceless memories | Anne Lord Photography Leesburg, VirginiaAnne Lord Photography

Family Portraits – Priceless Memories

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Whether you have a family photography session every year, or once every couple of years, your choice to invest in family photography does matter. Your family portraits bring your family together. It reminds your family of its love for one another, brings joy to each other, and in hard times having a portrait of your family can bring comfort and healing. Also, displaying your family portrait prominently in your home sends the message that your family is important to one another, and honors the memories that you and your family have built together. 

As a professional Leesburg, Virginia photographer, Anne Lord, brings her experience to each family session to create beautiful images of the whole family—including your furry ones. She creates priceless one-of-a-kind memories in portraits for families to display in their home as artwork or just to put a smile on the face of each person in the family as they walk by. 

As a family photographer for over 20 years, Anne knows the importance of having recent family portraits. These pictures have the power to allow you to be taken back to an exact moment in time, to remind you of how you felt in that moment. They are also a great way to reminisce and bring the family together. In years to come grandchildren, and great-grandchildren may want to look back at their family history. Having photographs of your whole family can continue your family’s legacy for generations to come. 

Life is busy, but it is possible to make the time to have a portrait session done with those you care most about. Being able to share professional images expressing each family member’s personality and unique relationship to each other is a gift like no other. Being able to see images of your family growing through the years can help family members see how each helped shape the family and each individual person today. As time moves on, it is the priceless memories of loved ones we will cherish documenting the most. So let your family portrait tell your family’s story for years to come! 

Anne Lord Photography for a fun family portrait session

You will always want to take your own photos of your family and friends in the moment. However, for the purpose of creating important keepsakes that share your family’s special story, only a professional family photographer can bring you the quality you desire. To learn more about your family’s photography options, please contact Anne at  anne@annelordphotography.com or 703-435-5292.

Autumn is a lovely time for professional family portrait photography. Anne Lord shares 5 reasons why.Anne Lord Photography

5 Reasons Why Fall Is a Lovely Time of Year for Family Portraits

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The crisp air, the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot, and of course the pumpkin spice latte! It’s fall! The wonderful time of year for bonfires, wearing your favorite sweaters, and getting your family together for a family portrait.

Here are a five great reasons from your Leesburg, Virginia photographer, Anne Lord, on why fall is the perfect time for a family portrait session.

1) Cooler weather and autumn color

Goodbye summer heat and humidity! Standing in front of a camera is instantly more enjoyable when you are not sweaty. It also means not worrying about your makeup, if your eyes are squinting, or if the older members of the family have been out in the heat for too long.

With the cooler weather comes the changing of the leaves. This instantly brings beautiful color and texture to any photo. There are also natural fun props for the whole family. Whether capturing an image of young children, the family pet, or the whole family playing in the leaves, the natural beauty of the outdoors contributes to beautiful images of the family having fun together.

2) Colder weather clothing options can make your portrait pop

You may have heard the line “eyes go where the skin shows.” The option to wear long sleeves and darker pants in the fall can go a long way in making sure your family’s faces are the center of attention in your family portraits. Wearing colors that all go together can help your family look unified and reduce the distraction.

Also, when deciding on what you and your family will wear, imagine where in your home you are planning to display your family portrait. Wherever you envision your portraits being, think about what colors would go well in that space. Generally speaking, the use of neutral clothing colors works great in a wide variety of places and throughout a range of different decor styles.

3) Perfect weather to add your family pet to the photo shoot

As an avid pet lover, family and pet photographer Anne Lord enjoys photographing pets and capturing their unique personalities and special relationships with their family. Most four-legged family members love the fall as much as we do, if not more. It is a wonderful time of year to participate in action photos with your pet, whether chasing a frisbee, jumping in a pile of leaves, or playing fetch!

4) Fall lighting

One of the most important things for a great family photo is the lighting. In the summer, the sun is extremely high in the sky and can be harsh for daytime photos. During the fall, the sun starts getting lower in the sky, making for better lighting in the afternoons. In the fall, there is more of a warm glow that shows even brighter when you have your loved ones around you.

5) Just in time for the holidays

Family vacations, swim lessons, kids’ games, and summer camp are activities that keep people busy throughout the summer months. With school in session again, there is more opportunity to keep everyone in town and schedule a family photo session. With more room in your schedule, and less stress planning around all your family’s activities, a more relaxed and fun environment will bring out those special smiles and moments with your family. You may want to schedule an appointment to have an updated family portrait taken for greeting cards and holiday gift-giving.

Anne Lord: Your Family and Pet Photographer in Leesburg, Virginia

If you would like high quality family portraits, you can get a feel for what Anne has to offer by browsing through her Family and Pet photography portfolio. For any questions or to schedule an appointment contact Anne via email, or by calling (703) 435-5292.

Golden puppy sitting in grass | Northern VA Family Photography | Anne Lord PhotographyAnne Lord Photography

Tips for Including Your Pet in Your Next Family Photo Session

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With any photography session, there are simple preparations you can follow to ensure a fun time and successful results. The same holds true when you want to include your pet(s) in your family portraits. Family and pet photographer, Anne Lord, is an avid pet lover and enjoys including furry 4-legged family members well! 

With over 21 years of experience in photography, Anne has a few tips and tricks up her sleeve to help you prepare your pet for your next family photo session.

Practice commands and tricks 

When planning a photo-op with your pet, it is always great to brush up on commands your pet knows to helps things run smoothly. Although not entirely necessary, a “sit”, “stay”, or “down” can go a long way with helping the success of a portrait session.

If your pet has a special trick or cute pose, you may want to include it in photographs as well. Practicing it with your pet beforehand will keep the trick fresh in your pet’s mind.

Golden puppy leaping from stone wall | Northern VA Family Photography | Anne Lord Photography

Exercise your pet before the session

It is so important that your pet, especially dogs, have an opportunity to release their energy (some people call it “zoomies”) to get it out of their system before the session. Long walks, a jog around the block, a chance to run around at the dog park with other pets, all can make a difference. This will help your pet to relax, be focused, and not bounce off the walls in excitement.

Owners also should prepare for the session

Animals are very sensitive to our emotions and attitudes. If owners go into a session with a calm, positive state of mind, it will set the stage for how your pet and the rest of the family will respond. One thing to remember is to be flexible. It is ok if things don’t go exactly as planned. If you go with the flow, your family and your pet will too. Anne also has the experience to bring a level of calm to the session, which will help as well.

Whether you are preparing for a pet, family, or combined session, you will probably already have picked out your outfit or a family theme. If you are also including your pet, you will want to also prepare his or her “look”. Start with a good grooming, a bath and/or trim if possible. Clear any debris around the eyes of your pet, especially breeds that get tear stains. If your pet tends to get dandruff or shed, give them a good brush over before your session. 

Golden puppy running with purple toy | Northern VA Family Photography | Anne Lord Photography

Bring toys and treats

Another way to prepare your pet for a session is by bringing their favorite treats and toys. It is great to bring those special treats, the delicious ones that your pet may not get very often. The kind of treat that your beloved furry friend will want to work for as a reward. If your pet has a favorite toy, bring it. Sometimes the best images can be of your pet enjoying that special toy! However, if your pet is very toy motivated, wait until your photographer asks you to bring the toy out. Otherwise, your pet could lose all focus and motivation.

Using a squeaker toy, or a toy that catches your pet’s attention can be very helpful to capture those head tilts and great expressions. However, you may want to use sparingly. Just like the favorite toy that could cause your pet to lose total focus, overuse of a squeaker toy or trigger phrases like “want to go outside?” or “where is mommy?” can cause your pet to become disinterested. 

Capturing expressions and interactions

Golden puppy on woman's shoulder | Northern VA Family Photography | Anne Lord Photography

Leesburg, Virginia photographer Anne Lord knows sometimes it is important to get down at eye level when posing clients with their pets to capture those special interactions and moments. If you are unsure what to do with your hands, pet your furry friend! A gentle hand on a pet looks great and is a natural interaction that can be captured and enjoyed for years to come. After all, the important thing is that your family and pet are captured forever in those happy moments between pet and owner, where tails are wagging, and smiles are from ear to ear.

Contact Anne Lord Photography for a fun, creative, family and pet portrait session

Immortalize your family with your special furry family member! View our pet portrait gallery and to learn more about your family and pet photography options, please contact Anne at anne@annelordphotography.com or 703-435-5292.

Anne Lord Photography - fun family portraits for holiday cardsAnne Lord Photography

Family Portraits – More Than Just Pictures

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Pictures share our stories and as the old saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

At the end of it all, what we have created and leave behind matters. Family photos are one of the most cherished treasures we can possess. They can stand in as reminders of good times and bad when our memory fades. They can connect us to those who came before us and help connect us to those who will come after.

With a focus on relationships and connections, Anne Lord, an experienced family and wedding photographer in Leesburg, Virginia, creates images that remind you of how sweet each season of life is; as well as a few reasons why to invest in family portraits.

  1. Time passes whether you document it or not

Families grow and change for reasons such as marriage, birth, loved ones passing, and others moving far away. The days when family all stayed within a few miles of each other are gone. Take advantage of the time you have together by creating a sweet reminder of life lived together with a professional photographer. Every moment that you have together as a family is priceless, so don’t forget to capture these memories with a photo.

  1. Your relationship with your family is captured forever

A great family photographer can capture the whole story of your family, and that includes you! We have all said it in one form or another, “just get the kids, I don’t need to be in them.” Sometimes family life is messy and chaotic, and it is easier to be the one behind the camera. However, with a professional photographer, you get an amazing gift of being in images of real moments interacting with your family.

  1. High quality photos to last a lifetime

While at the time you might not care about the photos of you, your family will be overjoyed to have pictures of you to remember you by. During family celebrations, whether you have gathered for the holidays or to celebrate a growing family, old photo albums tend to come out. A professional photographer will have the training, equipment, and experience to produce gallery quality portraits. With an experienced family photographer in Leesburg, such as Anne Lord, you can expect images with great lighting, details, and softness that a point-and-shoot camera or smartphone cannot. By using an experienced photographer for your family portraits, you can get finely tuned, high end, striking images that display you and your family’s personality and bond.

Anne Lord Photography for a fun family portrait session

You will always want to take your own photos of your family and friends in the moment, but for the purpose of creating important keepsakes, only a professional family photographer can bring you the quality you desire.

I am scheduling portrait sessions now for holiday cards. To learn more about your family’s photography options, please contact me at anne@annelordphotography.com or 703-435-5292.

Anne Lord Photography

3 Reasons To Schedule Your Pet For A Portrait Session

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We all love to take pictures of our family pets when a cute or playful moment presents itself. However, high end photography is hard to achieve when taken with your personal camera or smartphone. It is also impossible to achieve the same quality resolution that a professional photographer can.

Anne Lord is not only a Leesburg, Virginia wedding photographer, but an avid pet lover, who enjoys photographing pets and capturing their unique personalities. Here are three reasons to schedule your beloved pet for a portrait session.

1) Your pet is a part of your family

Pets – they grow up with us, share everyday with us, they are a part of us. Whether you want to capture your playful puppies or kittens before they grow up (which they do all too fast) or have a portrait taken of a faithful pet who is nearing the rainbow bridge; have a professional photographer capture your furry family member’s image.

We all like to get professional photos taken with loved ones, like spouses or families. So why not also capture your beloved pet with a quality shoot as well! If you are usually the one taking the pictures of your pet, sometimes it is hard to be in the photo yourself. Having a pet photographer gives you an opportunity to be participate in the picture and your relationship with your pet be the focus. Pet photography may seem like a little bit of luxury. However, once you capture those special moments and bit of personality with your pet, you will have value them forever.

2) Gallery quality pet portraits

With professional family photos that include your special pet, or portraits of just your four-legged friend, you can have unique and personalized decor for your home. There is no store-bought photo that can mean more than having a custom-made piece of art that is of your cat or dog.

A professional photographer will have the training, equipment, and experience to produce gallery quality portraits. With an experienced pet photographer, such as Anne Lord, local to the Leesburg, Virginia area, you can expect images with great lighting, details, and softness that a point-and-shoot camera or smartphone cannot achieve. By using an experienced photographer for your pet portraits, you can get finely tuned, high end, striking images that display you and your pet’s personality and bond.

3) Priceless memories of your pet that are forever

When we feel nostalgic, we like to return to our photos. Memories are priceless. They tell the story of our lives, and our animals are a part of our lives. Animals do not last forever, no matter how much we wish they did. It is great to be able to get photo opportunities while we have these special family members with us. Why not get a new photo shoot done with your pet every couple of years, when they are still strong and healthy, so that when they do pass, you will have those precious moments from every phase of their life.

Anne Lord Photography for a fun, creative pet portrait session

You will always want to take your own photos of your pets in the moment, but for the purpose of creating important keepsakes or immortalizing your special furry family member, only a professional pet photographer can bring you the quality you desire.

To learn more about pet photography options, please contact me at anne@annelordphotography.com or 703-435-5292.