Lara Swanson Photo » Nontraditional, Offbeat and Alternative Photographer

I wanted to make a really special album for Jessie and Ismael in preparation for the arrival of Isabella, so I put together a coffeetable book with really cool textures and patterns based on their style and personalities. Check out some of the pages:

The album came just in time for me to photograph Isabella! Check it out:

Side:

Full-bleed front and back:

Inside:

I ordered a book with hinged pages, so there’s a gutter, meaning that each page would have less cut off on the inside. This is better to do when you don’t have panoramas spreading across two pages:

Remember Jessie and Ismael’s gorgeous maternity portraits? Well meet Isabella:

I had the privilege of hanging out with this beautiful family at Arlington Hospital last week. Here are some more of my favorites:

I just need to post this. I (heart) this portrait of Suzzanne and Nate.

Richard Avedon is one of my favorite photographers. I asked Suzzanne and Nate if they were willing to take a few Avedon-inspired shots. Here are my favorites (ours on the left, Avedon’s on the right!)

Jessie is the cousin of one of my favorite brides (slash bridesmaids) ever, Jenn! When I heard Jessie was pregnant I secretly hoped they were looking for someone to document this very special time in their lives – boy was I in luck! Jessie and Ismael met me for a cute maternity portrait session in Old Town Alexandria, VA. Can’t wait to meet your daughter – hopefully very soon!

Liz and Nick opted to do their couples portraits after their wedding, to capture their time spent in DC. Nick is leaving for Afghanistan this week (Liz to follow soon!) and so we had to sneak in some time before he left. Buckle your seatbelts for this incredible shoot.

First, Einstein, Nick’s childhood hero.

My goal was to capture a ton of laughter at this session – I think we got it.

We also went to the Botanic Garden – I’ve never shot a couple there before! It was amazing. So much green.

Okay, enough green! How about some magenta?

HOT.

Last but not least, we headed to Eastern Market for some not-green, urban landscape photos.

This is my favorite from the whole afternoon. I think we got you, Liz and Nick!

Last week Brad and I went to see his friends in Halloween, Alaska play at IOTA in Arlington, VA.

It was awesome.

For the geeks – I shot with my Canon 5D Mark II at 5000 ISO. Five. Thousand. Using my 85mm at f/1.8 or 2.0. I love this camera.