Megan | Golden Hour Portraits in the Shenandoah National Park | Blue Ridge Mountain Photographer

I met Megan years ago, she was dressed as Cruella De Vil, with the long cigarette and long fur coat. She was obviously incredibly elegant, down to the way she spoke, but then she made a huge impression on me that night as one of the funniest people I had ever met. I honestly don't know how I could ever explain Megan, but I was so thrilled when she asked me to take her portraits so that maybe I could capture it on camera.

We met up for some Chai tea, then drove on up to the Shenandoah National Park and spent the rest of the evening, until the slightest drizzle started, just exploring and finding lovely little spots along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Having a photo shoot like this, just for fun, and just for her, was just so good for the soul. Going out, exploring, playing with light and wind and hair, wearing a beautiful velvet blue dress (from Anthropologie, nonetheless) and just laughing and having genuine fun in front of the camera - it was so wonderful and makes me love photography and the memories it can make and save even more.

Rachel | In-Door Portraits

“We are mosaics, pieces of Light, Love, History, Stars - glued together with Magic and Music and Words.
”

— Anita Krizzan

Rachel is a music teacher and actress and friend, and she is moving to Denver. I took pictures of she and her love early this year, and of she and her parents just a few weeks ago, and so we snuck in some time to take a few portraits before she ran off. She let me get way too close to her face, and we played with the light, wind, and fog, upstairs and down, all in one house. 

Rae | Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan | Adventure

I traveled up to Michigan to photograph a wedding a couple weekends ago, and I got to see friends who I haven't seen in almost 7 years. It was an incredible reunion, and the wedding was so beautiful. After, I rented a car and traveled to Northern Michigan and stayed in a little hostel with Rae, who I had met in Virginia at a dance class last year. She moved up to Michigan and has been going to school working towards her masters, while also modeling! I had never been to Michigan before, and so I had no idea what to expect. These dunes, I definitely did not expect these. This was one of the, hands down, coolest experiences of my life. Hiking through woods to find myself at the top of an incredible dune. A sign warning that the quick hike down the dune would result in over 2 hours back up, or a high fee for a rescue. So, we didn't risk it. But we hiked through more forest and sands and found ourselves at even more dunes that we explored. To get back to the trail, you run recklessly down the sand into cool, tall trees. The next morning Rae and I returned, waking up at 4:30 so we could get lost a little, but still end up seeing a glorious sunrise. One of the most exhausting, incredible days of my life. I can't wait to go back. 

Thank you Rae for throwing yourself around these dunes. You're are truly badass.