charlottesville portrait photographer: rebecca, fran, + amelia {family session}

its been just over five years since rebecca & fran's wedding. they were married in a beautiful outdoor wedding in flint hill, virginia on may 27th, 2006. when they contacted me a few months ago, it was wonderful to learn that they now have an adorable two and a half year old little girl, amelia, and also that they'd moved back to virginia from connecticut. we made plans to get together for their family session and settled on a date in august and a location in charlottesville. 

we met in one of the gardens at the university of virginia, always the perfect setting for sessions. we were fortunate for cool morning temperatures and soft even light.  not only was it was wonderful to see rebecca and fran again, it was special to meet sweet amelia for the first time.  what a cutie!  she was such a ham for the camera. we had so much fun!

rebecca and fran are already planning a future session with me, as amelia grows. i just love when my wedding couples want to continue the legacy of documenting all the major milestones in their lives.  with rebecca and fran, in addition to covering their wedding i was fortunate enough to photograph their engagement session at barboursville vineyards in march 2006 and then rebecca's bridal session a couple months later in flint hill.  i can't wait until we can plan another family session again!







































rebecca + fran • 05.27.06 • flint hill, virginia

italy: part 4

RADDA IN CHIANTI, CASTELLO D' ALBOLA

the adventure in italy continues, finally!! one of my (many) favorites while there was to visit castello d'albola which is located in radda in chianti, central tuscany. It was about a 30 minute drive from greve in chianti, where we stayed. the scenic drive along the way was out of this world! it was difficult to take so much in... i know that a repeat trip is in order. my father, a travel writer and photojournalist, chiles larson, visited this fabulous vineyard and winery a couple of years ago while working on a book project with barboursville vineyards in virginia. barboursville is owned and operated by the zonin family, one of the italian 'sisters' to castello d' albola. for those who are curious, my dad's book "Barboursville Vineyards: Crafting Great Wines Inspired by the Past" is pretty impressive, to say the least. so when we arrived there we got the royal treatment.... what a fabulous place and such wonderful people! lisa assini gave us a well-informed tour of the winery and history of the place, she made sure we had wine in our glasses and that we enjoyed ourselves at all times (not a problem!). after the tour, we enjoyed a luncheon with director/enologist, allesandro gallo, prepared by the personal chef there. it was truly a wonderful experience i will surely never forget. i left italy with a smile on my face and sadness that i could not bring the cuisine back with me!! what wonderful people, the food, the wines, the scenery. love! love! love!


now for the photos...







our fabulous wine tour gal, lisa assini









excuses, excuses with the harsh light!! finicky photographers (such as myself) only can dream of beautiful early morning or late afternoon/early evening light. especially in tuscany.. so this cherub was photographed in mid-day harsh light.. yikes! its all good. i was in italy, enough said!









i'm in love with this pic... not sure why, i just am





where the corks are made



everything is beautiful there...



my sister, page, grabbed my camera and took this pic of me.. so she takes full credit!



very refreshing on a hot summer's day



my adorable niece, kathryn, who will be celebrating her 19th birthday, tomorrow!! HAPPY HAPPY B-DAY!!



that would be me, kathryn, alessandro, and caroline. kathryn said she liked alessandro's yellow pants... i have to agree!











the tasting room





as we were leaving




needless to say i ordered a half case of wine from them. they shipped it to me thru barboursville vineyards, which is the way to go! so my father and stepmother will be visiting this coming monday en route to asheville, nc, so i will be sharing a bottle from castello d'albola with them!!

dad's book

not many people know that my dad is a travel writer and photojournalist. his second book Barboursville Vineyards: Crafting Great Wines Inspired by Spirits of the Past was recently published & i am so excited for him :-) i received a signed copy of it for my birthday along with a bottle of their very tasty Monticello Brut (thanks dad & bernice!!). i was unable to attend his book signing september 6th, which was held at Barboursville Vineyards, as i was photographing a wedding in north carolina. i'm a very proud daughter and i LOVE to see that dad is still out there doing what he enjoys best--traveling, wines, virginia, photography, and writing!!