It’s important to keep childhood friends around you. They are the constant reminders that before you were cool and adult, you wore carpenter jeans and horse t-shirts. That before you knew how to properly operate a straightener and a mascara wand, you surrounded your overly tight ponytail with a ring of butterfly clips and you had multiple flavors of Bonne Bell Lip Smacker lip gloss on a keychain. Oh, was that just me?
One such friend in my life is Susannah, who I have known since elementary school and who moved to DC with her husband right before I moved here to start school. After years of building up her photography business, she opened a studio in Old Town over a year ago. I am constantly amazed at her professional demeanor, her amazing skills, and her really lovely studio. She got some new lights last spring, and I came down for a morning so she could play around with them. 
Usually though, this studio sees a lot better subjects than me. Take a look at some of these cuties.
Or these pretty ladies, though, I realize that some of those shots where in the chilly waters of the Potomoc river early one morning, and not in her perfect studio where there is a mirror that makes you grow 5 inches and loose 20 pounds (I have no clue how — but I do a lot of staring at myself every time I stop in). 
Ultimately, Suze is a great photographer because she loves people, she loves their stories – wherever they are in them.
Which is why I am so happy to have my first giveaway be one that showcases her talent and one of your unique selves. We are giving away one portrait session (you, your baby, glamour shots, etc.) at her Old Town studio.
To Enter:
- Find Alumbra Photography on Facebook and like it.
- Go to her blog and scroll through some posts and leave a comment on your favorite (or all of them, like me).
- Come back here and leave a comment telling me that you did so. Comments must be left here, and not on my Facebook link to count.
- The giveaway will close next Friday morning and I will announce add the winner at the bottom of this post, but please make sure to leave your email in the comment info (not the part that anyone else sees — just for me!) so that I can let you know you won and give you details about claiming your session.
Have fun!
Note: Because the studio is in Northern Virginia, you may only win if you are able to come to VA for your shoot. Anyone is encouraged to go gush at her amazing work. Also, this is not a sponsored post, just me wanting to share awesome stuff with you.
UPDATE: Our winner is Kate! Kate, I’ll be emailing you with details on how to claim your prize. Thanks to everyone who gave Susannah some blog and Facebook love and thanks for participating in my first giveaway on this blog!
The Art in Life 
Where are more of the Sarah as fairy princess photos?? I want to see them all!!!
Also Umm… I kind of feel like it would be cheating for me to win this BUT I TOTALLY WANT THE PRIZE. I love Susannah and her pictures!!
So I did the required steps. And you know my email!
Did it and loved seeing her photography
Liked Alumbra photography on facebook and commented on little Ricardo’s newborn pictures (so adorable)! Thanks for sharing all the awesomeness!
Hannah, have you thought of having your recipes easily available on this blog. I remember you sharing some recipes but now don’t seem to be able to find them. Just a thought. I enjoy your blog.
Hi Laurie! I probably should do that. SOme of my favorites are listed under the Sample page, and you can also click on food, cooking, or baking in the tag cloud to find more. But I will someday get around to just making another page!
Suze, I’m excited about you for your adoption and pregnancy, so much going on! I really enjoyed scrolling through your pictures, you’ve captured some great moments. I have no baby but secretly dream of being a river fairy like Sarah (who I totally had to stare at for a long time to figure out if it was really her) : ) Pick me!
Hannah thank you for sharing the rec for Alumbra Photography, whether I win or not, I have to get my 15 mo old keepsake photos (a potential modeling career might boom!). Susannah is such an artist–and I told her so. I love that she posted a tutorial and, hey! I spotted you from the MayDayParty. P.S. classic strawberry + Dr. Pepper are tied as #1 lipsmakers imho.
THE DR. PEPPER!!!! Do they still make it? Because I could totally go for having my lips taste like pop these days. : )
What a talented photographer! Love having friends that are experts 🙂 Left a comment on her twins photo session and oh my are they adorable!
Really talented photographer! And I realized I’m still a sucker for b/w shots. Anyway, left two comments =)
What a great giveaway with a talented photographer! I liked her on facebook and left a comment on the Lexington, KY wedding. I’m a Northern Virginia blogger myself and love finding new local businesses!
I liked her facebook page AND visited her website and commented — actually, not to sound like a suckup, but I commented on the blog post with your engagement pics. My engagement pics were wonderful but were rural, I would love a CITY session for my husband and I.
Fingers Crossed. She does great work!
Both you and your friend are such talented photographers! I would love to win a session with Alumbra. Plus, my sister lives in Old Town and it would be a great excuse to go visit her for a weekend : ). I liked her Facebook and commented on a post. Thanks!
I’ll be in Old Towne for a few days next month – perfect opportunity to get bridal portraits done with this awesome photographer 🙂
Hannah – the subject is what brings magic to pictures – YOU are beautiful!
Done and done. Such beautiful photography – what a great giveaway!
Just left a comment on Susannah’s latest blog about pregnancy. Thanks for introducing her! What a heartfelt blogger and great photographer. Hopefully I’ll be able to check out her studio since I live in NoVA. Great idea for a giveaway!
LOVE her photos! What an a amazing team. 🙂 Thanks for sending me there! I’ve bookmarked their site for future needs. I’m not too far from NoVA.
Liked her page, commented on the blog, and fingers crossed!
Check check! These pictures make me want to invest in a great camera. I love the details and vibrant colors. I think my sister would love a portrait of my niece.
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