Enjoying spring in rockville, Md



Living in the greater Washington, D.C. area comes with a bevy of picturesque locations for family portraits. Having lived in the area for over ten years, I’ve come to know a number of parks that fit the bill for fun, easy, and carefree shoots.


When the Lew family and I were brainstorming their spring session, I knew right away that Brookside Gardens was the spot. Nestled in Wheaton, Maryland, Brookside Gardens is one of my favorite locations to photograph in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area, especially once the azaleas, cherry blossoms, and tulips start to open up.

Family of four smiling outdoors near blooming cherry tree in spring, parents with two children wearing glasses.

why brookside gardens works well for families



Brookside Gardens gives families room to breathe. There are winding garden paths, a reflecting pool, open lawns, and enough variety in scenery that we're never stuck in one spot for too long.


For this session, we found a spot right under a cherry blossom tree in full bloom. Call it luck, call it serendipity — but we hung onto that perfect area, laid out a picnic blanket, and took some photos.

Asian family of four smiling under white cherry blossom tree, sitting on blanket outdoors in spring.
A couple sits on a blanket under blooming cherry blossom trees, gazing at each other in a serene park setting.
Two children wearing glasses sit on a blanket under blooming cherry blossom trees in a sunny park.
A couple smiles at each other under blooming white cherry blossom trees in spring.

an easy, carefree approach



I don't do a lot of posing. If you've worked with me before, you know that my style is easy, unscripted, and built around real interaction rather than stiff, strictly posed shots. I like to give families small prompts — walk together, chase each other, tell a joke, look at the funniest person in the family— and let the real moments unfold from there.


Smiling young boy with glasses wearing a gray sweater, posing outdoors in a sunny park setting.
A woman and young girl with glasses smile together in front of white blooming magnolia trees in spring.
A smiling woman and young boy with glasses embrace outdoors near a blooming white magnolia tree in spring.
A man and boy pose together in front of a blooming white magnolia tree in spring.
A smiling Asian family of three poses under blooming white cherry blossom trees in a spring garden.

serving families across d.c., maryland, and virginia


Brookside Gardens is just one of many beautiful locations I get to shoot at throughout the DMV area. Whether you're in Northern Virginia, D.C., or here in Maryland, I love finding locations that fit your family's personality — whether that's a botanical garden like Brookside, a favorite local park, or somewhere a little more off the beaten path.



Ready to book your own easy, carefree family session? Reach out and let's find a date that works and capture those memories together.


Family of four smiling together on a wooden bench outdoors in a park during winter.