Sweet Baby Girl {Philadelphia}

I first met her in my freshman dorm. We called her K-dawg, and guy do we have some funny memories. Water-bombing the cigar club's smoke night and subsequently being chased through town, finding my entire wardrobe on the quad, enraging the cleaning ladies with water-drenched garbage bags...the list could go on and on.  But more than the hours of laughter, it was her godly wisdom and friendship that I so valued in college.  And the fact that she had a huge part in my first date with Jake. Well it's years later, and now she's pregnant! She and her husband are expecting a sweet little girl in just two months. She is beautiful as ever, and it was such a joy to photograph her growing belly and spend some time together in Philadelphia. 

Off to New York!

The pretty girl with the purple shirt is off to NYC for college...yep, the one with her tongue sticking out. ;) So a few weekends ago, we gathered with some friends for a farewell party. We also used the get-together as an excuse for a short and casual shoot.  Here is a handful of shots: 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

So it's finally time to announce the winner of the free Willa J photo shoot!  We wanted it to be a truly legit, random drawing. I looked at some options with online drawings, but there wasn't a simple way to put one together with all of the media options. So, we did a good ole' fashioned bowl with names. Yes, welcome to the age of technology folks!

I shook up the bowl and randomly chose the winner (gosh my hand looks old). 

And the winner is {read: building the suspense} 

Congratulations, Chris and Missy!  Shoot me an email (willajphotography@gmail.com) and we'll set up a time!  Thanks to all those who entered one way or another!  I truly wish I could have picked each of you.

I've got some fun shoots to share in the next week or so.  'Til then, Happy Thursday!

Cathedral Gardens {DC Maternity Photography}

A beautiful little girl is due to join the world very soon, and I had the chance to squeeze in a maternity session with her lovely parents this weekend.  This couple was honestly just so easy and enjoyable to be around.  I quickly got the impression that they are kind, wonderful people who will make incredible parents. We met at the National Cathedral gardens and walked around the grounds to capture some photographs of this beautiful, expectant season in their life together. 

Have ya entered the free shoot contest yet? There's still time to drop your name in the hat;).

Finally.

It has been a long week and I am so glad it's Friday. But not just because it's the weekend. I'm also very excited to announce our first contest. You can thank Jake; it was his idea. So, in celebration of Willa J's 5000th blog visitor...

we are giving away a FREE one hour shoot!

with a print release for all the images AND three mini-accordion albums. 

You can enter a variety of ways. The more you do, the better your chances. 

1) Leave a comment on this blog post, telling me what you would use the shoot for--child, maternity, family, yourself, a gift, you get the idea:). This is good for one entry. (You don't have to have a google profile; just leave an anonymous comment and tell me who you are). 

2)  Leave a comment on my Facebook page (you must "like" us if you haven't already) telling me your favorite photograph that I've taken. This is good for another entry. 

3) Share the contest in your Facebook status for a day.  You must link my name (put the @symbol before you type "Willa J Photography" and it should pop up) so that I know you did this. This is good for three entries!

FYI: This shoot is good in the MD, DC, VA and Pittsburgh areas. If you have already scheduled a shoot with me and happen to win, we will give you an additional shoot OR $200 print credit for your scheduled shoot.   

Winner will be randomly chosen and announced in a few short weeks.  

Thank you so much to all of my incredible clients and friends. You all have been wonderfully supportive and I am so grateful to each of you! 

Urban Mama {DC Maternity Photography}

She wanted an urban location in DC, so I suggested a few edgy spots. But in the end, she decided on the Mall...and I am so glad she did! We got some incredible images. It helps that this soon-to-be-mama was super laid back, up for anything, and absolutely gorgeous.  Here are a few of my favorites from the other evening.

Two and Beautiful {Virginia Child Photography}

This little beauty just turned two. She is such a sweet little girl and was an absolute doll to photograph--so incredibly cooperative, fun, and excited.  

 Happy Birthday, little E!

Short & Sweet {MD, DC, VA Family Photographer}

I met my brother, his wife, and their growing family to take a few family photographs last week. It was quite humid and nearing bedtime...so, as to avoid hot, sweaty faces and fussy little girls, we kept the session short and sweet.

Loved seeing you guys!

Oh, and that GIVEAWAY? Still brewing....look for it next week:).