Friends

I don't know about you but I love it when I am able to see old friends. Even with all the marvels of modern technology you sometimes lose touch with friends. How wonderful is it then when you can catch up, see how one another's families have grown and even better, capture the family dynamic? Amy and I met while we were both living in the Middle East. The minute we started talking there was just a click... it was a friendship where you completely understood one another and had numerous aspects of life in common. Though she was married with two kids and the third on the way and I single, it was as if we had known each other for ages. Don't you love it when you have an instant connection like that?

We both returned to the States at different times and didn't keep in touch all that well until I sent out an email about my business and we discovered we were only three hours apart. And so I drove up to DC last weekend with the main intent of shooting Amy and her family. We caught up on our lives (both now married, 4 and 1 children/child respectively) our future plans, our struggles as moms and more. I fell in love with her boys (as will you when you see them) and it made me anxious for a little boy. Here's to great friendships and memories!

Suzanne+Drew - DC Maternity Photographer

I have known Drew for eight years now and am still somewhat amazed that we have kept in touch somewhat throughout the years. Drew and Suzanne married a few years ago and are now expecting a little boy this summer. It was so much fun to meet up at the National Cathedral and do maternity shots with Suzanne (and a few with Drew). It made me sad that I don't have any good pictures of me with Ella... a mistake I will not make with baby #2. Congratulations to Suzanne and Drew! So many new adventures await the two of you.

See more images at:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Lexington-VA/Abbie-Rufener-Photography/61743459054

Coleen + Jeremy + Baby

I met Coleen in the most interesting way. Over a year ago I started a photography blog to display many of the pictures I had taken while traveling in Europe. My good friend Danielle had my particular blog address posted on her blog. Coleen, meanwhile was browsing her friend's blog, a girl who was friends with Danielle and who had Danielle's blog address on her blog. Coleen clicked on Danielle's blog, saw a few pictures I had taken of Danielle's newborn daughter and contacted me. Confused yet? :)

No matter how we met I am glad we did. Coleen and I have already swapped baby stories and tips and she informed me about a Mommy/Baby swim class which we are now both signed up for. Spending the evening yesterday walking around outdoors and taking pictures of their happy, beautiful family was such a joy and made me grateful for this chance I have to meet wonderful people and capture the special moments of their family together.

See more images at:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Lexington-VA/Abbie-Rufener-Photography/61743459054

Kate + Nate

Kate and Nate... I didn't realize the cuteness of their names said together until right before I met them at the Washington and Lee ruins. With a wedding date set for October, Kate and Nate wanted some engagement pictures against the backdrop of Rockbridge County. Their wedding will be take place in the church Kate grew up in and the reception at the winery where they had their first date! We had a fun time walking around campus talking about TV personalities we don't like, my new lens, and the fact that Nate seemed to know every person that drove by. Thank you both for a fun evening and for letting me take part in your engagement! Here's a peak at their session:

You can check out a few more images here:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Lexington-VA/Abbie-Rufener-Photography/61743459054

Washington DC here I come!

Can I just say that I LOVE Washington DC? I do. I love it! I love that it is a big city with a small city feel. When I used to live in Arlington I would spend at least one day a week visiting the West Wing of the National Gallery and loved that I could immerse myself in such beautiful art... all for free.. I love that DC is a city of art, culture, politics, and history.

And so because of this love (and some great friends!) I am heading to DC April 24th-25th. I already have some shoots lined up but could possibly take one more. So if there is anyone interested in a session please email me and we can get it set up! I've got to say thanks to my mom because without her a stress free me in DC wouldn't be possible. She is flying in from Washington state to take care of my little girl while I go off and shoot. You are a wonderful mom, Mom! :)

Senior Session with Hannah

What a wonderful session! I met Hannah through church and we had been emailing back and forth about her senior session. We decided we would play it by ear, work with different poses and hope for the best. And let me tell you, this session was an absolute blast! We drove to two different locations, had some clothing changes, talked about college, laughed about different poses we came up with and had an all around good time. When I came home and imported the photos to Lightroom (one of my favorite programs ever!) I was blown away. Editing took maybe all of 30 minutes and it was hard to pick my favorites. I'm by no means bragging about myself. The lighting the evening of the session was stunning, the spring backgrounds gorgeous and it doesn't hurt that Hannah is one of the most beautiful girls I have ever met. The pictures reflect this. She has a natural, relaxed beauty about her and was such a delight to work with. Enjoy!

If you would like to see more, please visit my facebook business page:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Lexington-VA/Abbie-Rufener-Photography/61743459054

First paying customer!

There's an excitement and nervousness that comes with shooting your first paying customer. Lucky for me, my first paying customer was my mom. Grandpa and Grandma live far away and wanted to set up a shoot with just little E of which I gladly accepted. Today was the day: warm, sunny, and I had stumbled across the most beautiful backdrop: an old brick home from the 1700s, vacant, stone, gardens, large trees, a beautiful shed and more. This home was my dream location! I had even gone to the work of going to the real estate office to get special permission to shoot. I was in heaven.

And then we got there... and little E wouldn't let me set her down. She cried, her face got red, huge tears streamed down her face. I should have known better. Such a sensitive daughter I have-one who doesn't want to let go of mommy for one minute. The shoot lasted all of five minutes before I gave up. Next time we're taking daddy. :)

Possibly the only picture without tears...

And finally our thank you note to the Realtor. She called the owners, got permission and was even on her way out to observe when we called and told her that the session was ending. Maybe next time. :)

Still under construction

I've been getting a lot of wonderful feedback from friends and family and have already booked my first session! I must say, there have been three photographers who have really helped me and I thought I would take a chance to thank them. Please check out their work! They are amazing at what they do.

Andrea Shirey: http://andreashirey.com Andrea is a photographer one hour from here in Charlottesville. I stumbled across her site back in October or November. She was kind enough to meet up with me in February and talk with me about starting a photography business, the emotional aspects of it, the different hurdles she encountered and more. We talked for a good two hours in a little coffee shop and I can't thank her enough.

Sunny Wright: http://sunnywrightphotography.com Sunny is a photographer in Prosser, Washington. She goes to church with my parents and has answered countless emails since I started emailing her in December. I would dare say she has been my mentor in these early days. Thank you Sunny.

Rebekah Westover: http://rebekahwestover.com Rebekah is a fantastic photographer based in Utah. I emailed her some recent questions with pricing and contract questions and she responded! You may laugh but I've emailed numerous photographers and never heard anything back. She was very willing to share information about what has helped her succeed and I'm grateful for that.

The blog and just a few small parts of the website are still under construction so I beg for your patience. Thanks again for checking out my work. And no post would be complete without a picture. I couldn't choose so I picked both.