Manassas, Virginia

RACHEL + THAD

Some sessions are less about where you are, and more about who you are when no one is watching. For this one, we wanted something different—something that felt honest, lived-in, and true to them. Not the typical poses or expectations, but a reflection of their real life and the quiet ways they love each other.

We spent a slow evening together, leaning into stillness and simplicity. The kind of love that doesn’t need conversation to be felt—just shared space, shared breath, and the comfort of being fully at ease in each other’s presence. They read together, held each other close, and settled into that rare kind of peace that only comes when you’re completely at home with someone.

We ended the session with something deeply meaningful—a quiet celebration of their growing family. A soft, tender moment that marked a new chapter in their story. Since then, it’s been such a gift to continue documenting their lives and their family as it continues to grow. What started as a session has turned into a friendship I deeply cherish.

SOME OF MY FAVORITES FROM THEIR SESSION

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SOME OF MY FAVORITES FROM THEIR SESSION —

A man and woman relaxing outdoors on a blanket in a grassy area with fallen leaves, reading books with a stone bridge and autumn trees in the background.
A person holding a book titled "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" while sitting outdoors. The person is wearing a white shirt with embroidery and denim shorts.
A woman with wavy blonde hair lying on a white blanket in green grass, resting her head on a man with a beard, both appearing relaxed with eyes closed.
A black and white photo of a man and woman lying closely on the ground outdoors, gazing into each other's eyes.
A couple lying on a blanket in a grassy area beneath trees, with a stone bridge in the background.
A young woman with long, wavy blonde hair and a small white flower tucked behind her ear, reading a book while sitting on a person's lap. The person, with dark hair and a beard, is also reading and has a book open on their lap. They are outdoors with
A young woman with long, curly blonde hair and a flower hair accessory, wearing a white embroidered blouse, and a man with dark hair and beard, wearing a beige shirt, are sitting on a white blanket outdoors in a grassy area. They are close together,
A young woman and man lie on a white blanket in a grassy outdoor area, facing each other with their heads close together. The woman has curly blonde hair and is looking at the man, who has dark hair and glasses. There is a stone wall and greenery in
A couple is embracing on a stone ledge next to a brick arched bridge, with autumn trees and green leaves in the background.
A person with short dark hair is sitting behind another person, wrapping their arms around their neck in an affectionate embrace outdoors, with blurred green and yellow autumn leaves in the background.
A young woman with blonde curly hair and a white top is sitting on a stone wall, reading a book. Below her, a young man with dark hair, a beard, and a beige shirt is sitting on the grass, looking up at her. They are outdoors near greenery and a stone
A young woman with long curly hair reading a book while sitting on a stone ledge, a man with a beard lying underneath her, holding her leg, in a park setting with trees and a stone bridge in the background.
A man and woman walking up wooden steps in a forested park during daytime, with sunlight filtering through green and yellow autumn leaves.
A man is holding a woman in his arms on a dirt path in a green park during fall. The woman is smiling and looking at the man, and the man is looking at her. There are trees and foliage around them with yellow and green leaves.
A couple walking hand in hand down a dirt trail in a woods with sunlight filtering through the trees.
A woman and a man walking on a wooden bridge in a forest during the daytime. The woman is smiling and pointing towards the camera, holding a series of ultrasound images. The man is facing away from the camera, walking alongside her.
A pregnant woman and a man standing outdoors on a wooden bridge, the woman holding ultrasound images of her pregnancy, with trees and sunlight in the background.
A smiling woman and man standing outdoors, holding ultrasound pictures indicating pregnancy.
A young couple hugging on a wooden bridge in a lush green park during sunset, with trees and sunlight in the background.
A black-and-white ultrasound image tape lying among green leaves and small white flowers in an outdoor setting.