“When is the best time for a photo session?” is a frequently asked question by my clients. During the summer months, the answer is usually “the earlier the better.” Early morning sessions have become among my favorites. The day feels new and unspoiled, and has a freshness and sense of purpose to it, I haven’t yet looked at the newspaper or newsfeed on my phone to ruin my mood, and, most importantly for the photographer, the light is still glow-y and soft – just long enough to produce a slate of beautiful images. Of course, early morning is also pretty much your only shot to get a spot as iconic as the Supreme Court virtually to yourselves. So: early birds unite! And then, everyone is home before 10 am, can put up their feet and ignore the midday heat and humidity.

How this family could possibly look this fabulous at 7:30 in the morning – I’m not sure. It probably helped that they had just returned from a week at the beach, all rested and tanned. I love their gallery so much, in part because it almost seems like two different shoots: the first part with greenery, blooms and an urban touch, the second pure marble and classic columns – all literally within a few steps.

Thank you for this great session, especially to the kids (barely kids anymore) for being such good sports so early in the morning. You rocked it!