Holly Graning Photography

Belly Bump|Maryland Family Photography|Maryland Maternity Photography

2012-02-25T02:34:00.000-05:00

Remember this super cute belly from just a few weeks ago? Well here are the rest of the images from that chilly morning. This family was so cute, so fun, and so excited about this new little one that will hopefully be here any day now. Although it was down right cold, we still had a great time exploring the Kentlands Art Barn in Gaithersburg. Big Brother was all smiles and didn't complain one bit, seriously, not once (a few Goldfish might have had something to do with that but there is nothing wrong with a little bribery)! He was so sweet and you can just tell that he is going to be a great big brother. He was quite smitten with his mommy and her cute belly. One of his favorite things to do is belly bump his mommy. I guess that is his special way of saying hi to his new baby brother or sister.

I know all to well how special these last few weeks as a family of three are, so thank you guys so much for letting me capture these special moments for you. My prayers are with you as you countdown the days to being a family of four. Here's to a speedy labor & delivery and a healthy baby! I can't wait to meet him or her.

Sneak Peak: Belly Bump | Maryland Maternity Photographer

2012-02-08T02:30:00.000-05:00

There are lots more great images to come of this adorable and oh so fun family!

What to Wear | Winter/Early Spring Family Photos

2012-01-24T21:34:00.000-05:00

I have posted a what to wear guide in a while and in anticipation of some upcoming sessions I thought I would give you guys some ideas of what to wear. My first suggestion is find an inspiration piece, be it your little guys favorite winter hat or red puffy vest or little sisters new pink patent leather shoes and then coordinate everyone else around it. Whether you love one of the suggestions below or you want to create your own make sure you incorporate color, texture (think...ruffles, knits, denim), and lots of fun accessories (scarves, necklaces, warm hats, funky shoes). Look for outfits that fit each family members individual style and then tie it all together by picking a few select colors to coordinate. If you have a session scheduled and are struggling on deciding what to wear please let me know and we can work together to pick out the perfect thing to suit the season and your style.

Happy New Year (oh and a Merry Christmas too!)

2012-01-24T21:23:00.000-05:00

Although the holidays are long since passed I still wanted to a moment to thank everyone for a fabulous 2011. Thank you for welcoming me into your lives, into your homes, and into your families. I have learned so much in just the few short months since launching my business and I am grateful to each one of you for trusting me to tell your story and capture your memories.

{family photos courtesy of the amazing Amy Noon Free}

Mini Session: Time Flies

2011-12-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

While home for Thanksgiving I had the chance to do a quick mini session with one of my life long friends and her super cute family. Lori and I have known each other since elementary school and through the years we have drifted in and out of each others lives. These days we spend a lot more time chasing babies instead of boys and comparing mini vans instead of test scores. Although we don't live in the same town anymore we try to stay in contact as much as we can and always schedule playdates when we are home. Lori is a beautiful wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend! She has an amazing family and I was so honored to spend such a fun time with you guys! Hope you enjoyed the Frosty's!

Just to See You Smile | North Carolina Family Lifestyle Photography

2011-12-05T23:48:00.000-05:00

"Just to see you smile, I'd do anything that you wanted me to. When all is said and done, I'd never count the cost it's worth all that's lost. Just to see you smile."

~ Tim McGraw

This beautiful smile and bright twinkly eyes belong to one of my oldest and dearest friends absolutely adorable little girls. Lisa and I met my freshman year of high school when we both joined the cheerleading squad. Pretty much from the beginning we were inseparable and although over the years a lot has changed for we have remained close and I was honored to shoot her super cute little family when I was home for Thanksgiving.

Sneak Peak: Treasures | North Carolina Family Lifestyle Photographer

2011-12-02T07:53:00.000-05:00

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." ~Thornton Wilder

Sneak Peak: A Precious Mess | North Carolina Family Lifestyle Photographer

2011-12-02T04:22:00.000-05:00

"We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Growing Up...

2011-11-22T00:53:00.000-05:00

What to Wear | Holiday Family Photos

2011-11-18T16:48:00.000-05:00

With holiday mini sessions just around the corner I thought I would post a few "what to wear" guides for anyone who might be searching for that perfect outfit. Whether you love one of the suggestions below or you want to create your own make sure you incorporate color, texture (think...ruffles, knits, denim), and lots of fun accessories. Find an inspiration piece, be it your little girls oh so cute holiday dress or big brothers new sweater vest from Mimi and then coordinate everyone else around it. Look for outfits that fit each family members individual style and then tie it all together by picking a few select colors to coordinate. I use to dread picking out family outfits for our family pictures and now it is one of my favorite parts!

Update | North Carolina Holiday Mini Sessions

2011-11-10T00:02:00.001-05:00

I am thrilled to announce that I will be shooting Holiday Mini Sessions in North Carolina during the week of Thanksgiving. On Saturday, November 26 I will be holding 8 mini family portrait sessions in Lumberton, North Carolina.

Each session will last approximately 20 minutes. The goal of these sessions is to capture that perfect holiday card photo, and if you're lucky maybe even check a few gifts off that Christmas shopping list! Included in your $50 session fee are five high resolution digital images. You will have full printing rights for ordering Christmas cards, giving framed prints to Grandma, or whatever else you can think up. For an additional $50 you may purchase five gift prints of any of the images available in your online gallery.

Sessions will be scheduled back-to-back, so please be on time. Morning sessions will be held in downtown Lumberton and afternoon sessions will be held in the country. Upon completion of your session, you will receive a link to a private gallery with 10-15 images to choose from.

Sessions:

9:00am - BOOKED

9:30am

10:00am - BOOKED

10:30am

2:00pm

2:30pm - BOOKED

3:00pm

3:30pm - BOOKED

Cousins|Maryland Lifestyle Family Photographer

2011-11-07T17:45:00.000-05:00

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."

Desmond Tutu

Dod & Doda|Maryland Lifestyle Family Photography

2011-11-07T17:33:00.000-05:00

"Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city."

George Burns

I think one of my favorite parts about being a photographer is being able to capture the ones you love the most in front of your camera. Isn't that how most of us get our starts anyway? Dod & Doda are my husband's beloved aunt & uncle and we have been blessed to live only an hour away from them for the last year but sadly they have decided to move to California in search of warmer weather year-round. Liam has grown quite fond of them both as you can tell and we are just heartbroken that they are leaving but are excited for them as they embark on this new adventure.

Godspeed. We will miss you.

All Because Two People Fell In Love|Maryland Family Photographer

2011-10-22T16:42:00.001-04:00

Last Friday I had the chance to photograph these two adorable the boys and their parents at Black Hills Regional Park in Germantown. The park is a special place for this family, as it is where Daddy popped the questions and this cute little family got started! The park was alive with beautiful fall colors and the boys started smiling as soon as I pulled out my camera. What a fun day!

Only for a Moment|Maryland Family Photographer

2011-10-18T23:21:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of spending a Sunday afternoon at Brookside Gardens in Silver Spring with Lindsey and her adorable family. I have gotten to know Lindsey through my MOPS group here in Maryland and had a great time meeting her super cute family as we walked and sometimes ran through the gardens. As I edited the images from our time in the park the chorus to Mark Harris' song Find Your Wings kept popping into my head...."it's only for a moment you are mine to hold, the plans that heaven has for you will all too soon unfold." With big sister heading off to kindergarten this fall and baby boy turning one it seemed very fitting for this time in their lives.

i heart faces|Hands

2011-10-11T21:06:00.000-04:00

As soon as I saw the theme for this week's "i heart faces" photo challenge I knew exactly what photo I would be posting. This is by far one of my most favorite and treasured memories of all time and I was lucky enough to capture it. My dad is holding my five day old little girl in his arms for one of the first times and although I know she will never remember this moment or the loving arms of her papa holding her on this day I pray that when she looks back at this photo she will know how much she is truly loved.

Sneak Peak! Family Fun

2011-09-27T21:19:00.001-04:00

"It's only for a moment you are mine to hold, the plans that heaven has for you will all too soon unfold." ~ Mark Harris

i heart faces {people's choice}

2011-09-26T20:38:00.001-04:00

This weeks photo challenge at I Heart Faces is people's choice for "Best Face Photo from Summer 2011". I thought this one of my sweet nephew splashing in the waves was perfect. I hope you enjoy!

Launch Special

2011-09-18T01:58:00.001-04:00

gabi & brett (engaged)

2011-09-18T01:56:00.000-04:00

After a long time searching my little sister has found her one true love, her fairytale prince, her knight in shining armor and i could not be more excited for her. And because she is my little sister, i can say that she sure did have to kiss a few frogs along the way! she and brett are planning a fairytale wedding, literally, complete with a castle and all for may 2012.

Gab, i could not be more excited for you and i can not think of anyone more deserving of a "happily ever after" than you.

charlie & lillian (engaged)

2011-08-18T15:52:00.002-04:00

and never one to miss out on the fun, charlie, my brother-in-law let me snap a few shots of him and his super cute fiance lillian. they just got engaged this summer and are busy planning their big day for sometime next fall. we are all so excited for them and can't wait to make lillian "officially" part of the family!

sebastien, evie & isabel

2011-08-14T14:16:00.001-04:00

also last month, while on vacation i had the chance to do a mini-shoot with my sister-in-law evie, her hubby sebastien & my sweet neice isabel. they were all weary from three long weeks of traveling but gave me a few minutes and i captured some very sweet moments and several of my favorite photographs ever!

ben, jess & the boys

2011-08-11T22:26:00.002-04:00

one of my favorite parts about photography is being able to watch from behind my camera how families love each other and enjoy just being together. this is especially fun when the family in front of the camera is my own! last month I had the opportunity to photograph, in what i am calling my first "official photo shoot," my sister-in-law jess, rolf's brother ben & my super cute nephews. the boys were very well behaved and had a great time playing on the beach. thank you guys for letting me play with you on the beach and more than anything for believing in me...

Welcome to my blog!

2011-08-11T22:26:00.000-04:00

I love being able to peruse the blogs of other photographers, designers, and friends; observing their work and learning bits and pieces about their lives and what inspires and motivates them. Hopefully my blog will allow you to peak inside my world for a moment, catch a glimpse of the people I have been blessed to work with, and share in just a small part of the story. I'm excited for this new adventure and look forward to taking this longtime love of mine a bit further. Welcome to my blog!