I am excited to announce my first annual Juliette Fradin Photography 2022 client Superlative Awards! I have seen other photographers posts about superlatives and always found them entertaining to read so I’m stealing the idea. This a fun way for me to recap the year and give out some imaginary awards! Scroll down to see if your session is featured here as one of the winners!

2022 CLIENTS SUPERLATIVES AWARDS

”The coldest session” Award

It was 24°F when we shot this session. This little boy has his birthday in January and his parents think he should be celebrated with a photoshoot no matter what. I concur! I bonded with his mom as she is a fellow photographer, she’s French and we both have winter babies. So YES, we had lots to discuss.

PRO TIP If you want variety in your family photoshoots, instead of changing location, switch the season!

”The most epic battle” Award

Sometimes you decide to completely let it go and let the kids take the reign at the family session. Results might be chaotic but it always makes the best photos. My photographer’s heart was happy for sure and it looks like the parents had fun too. The kids had hot chocolate right after for their “good behavior”! ☺️

”Culinary” Award

This one was hard to choose as 2022 was full of food actions! I couldn’t pick up just one photo so I picked 3.

CULINARY AWARD 1

It goes to baby Thiago who had a little “accident” that I caught right on time… out of luck frankly but I’m so glad I got this. It’s not always unicorns and rainbows when you have a baby and surprises happen during photoshoots too. Luckily the wardrobe is not far.

CULINARY AWARD 2

Kids are not the only ones playing with food. Dads are often here to the rescue.

Smore’s by the fire pit is a fun bonding activity where sharing is key.

CULINARY AWARD 3

Thad decided he was done with his snack but mom anticipated the moment and saved the beautiful shirt! A good memory in a few years!

“Family tradition” Award

It’s the end of the year and often a season associated with traditions. I’m always happy to photograph you baking with your kids from a young age to much older. It’s a photo you will cherish forever that will remind you of the good old times (and maybe how messy it was to cook with the little one).

This photo is also special because this is my friend Lauren who has since, moved from this house and embarked on a totally new journey with her family in NJ. You never know what life might throw at you. Carpe diem x

”The best kitchen” Award

I photograph lots of my families in the epicenter of family life aka the kitchen. As soon as I entered Catie’s house and spotted the kitchen, I KNEW I would take some photos in there. I mean… look at the shelves, the jars (the JARS!!), the light…. Baby Pax was a bit tired at the end of the session, but we insisted a bit and got rad family pictures.

“Couple” Award

Before becoming a mom or a dad, we were… a couple! I’m always happy to catch the sweetness sans kids. I think those photos are as important as the other ones. How many photos do you have of your parents? Don’t you think they’re the cutest (and funniest —ah, those clothes!!)?

Where we had to take cover because of the rain

I met this family of 5 at a strawberry farm and minutes after we started, it rained. We had to take refuge for 15 minutes in this greenhouse and it was the most beautiful location to shelter in!

“Spring blossom” Award

It was not at the Tidal Basin, not at the National Arboretum… just randomly across the street. We don’t need a lot of blossoms to get beautiful photos. I love when Spring arrives and the front yards are becoming alive again. I had a blast this Spring in DC. Insert a cute mama and her boy and it’s picture perfect!

”Best relaxing session” Award

Who said a family session cannot be relaxing? I have 2 great moments I’d like to share: a massage and yoga in the park. I think those kiddos are spoiled and have the best of life.

RELAXING SESSION AWARD #1 - the massage

RELAXING SESSION AWARD #2 - Yoga in the park

“Double exposure” Award

I had a blast this year experimenting with different techniques after a workshop I took in April. Also, I changed my camera a year ago (I got a Canon mirrorless R6) and NOW I can make double exposure images! Ah, soooo good! It’s definitely easier with non-moving targets like babies but I’ll keep trying with toddlers too. Other techniques I like to play with: free-lensing (when you detach the lens from the camera body) and prisming (using prisms to play with light).

DOUBLE EXPOSURE AWARD #1

DOUBLE EXPOSURE AWARD #2

My favorite image of a dad

My client wanted to photograph their family nighttime ritual and that meant daddy tossing the kids around (right before bed, as dads do right???!!). So much fun (and a good workout). Yay Nick! You’re a super dad.

My favorite image of a mom

I love this sweet moment between the mom and her daughter in her bedroom reading her favorite pop-up book. In-home sessions are the best IMO because they tells a greater story. This family just moved back into DC after years living abroad and they brought back many memorabilia from their expat life. They’re also closer to their families and enjoy seeing grandparents and friends on weekends.

My favorite image of a mom (to be!)

This was my last session of 2022 and it was with Alex who is waiting for her little Penelope in February (beautiful name!). I love the quietness of the last weeks of pregnancy, especially in winter when you can cozy up inside. I also want to photograph more moms-to-be. It’s such a powerful stage in a woman’s life.

“Best baby laugh” Award

Can you hear this little guy laughing through the picture? Of course, you do! Baby laughs are the best. Period.

Best Summer feeling

Josephine is rocking her cool shades and her cute summer outfit! It was a beautiful day in May and we simply hang out at home, in their front yard. Sometimes ordinary is exactly what we need.

Hottest session of the year

I’m not in DC in July and August so there were some hotter days than this one, but we hit 96°F that day. On top of that, we met at the farmer’s market and they came back home on their bikes! I’m glad we captured those memories and shenanigans.

”Best active kids” Award

A solo mom with 3 active kids? Yes, please. After “behaving” for a while, the siblings needed a bit more action and started playing tag. Instead of running after them, I decided to embrace those minutes of high energy and slow down (myself and my shutter speed!). I usually match the family dynamic but when it becomes busier, I become quieter to focus on all that is happening around me.

”Best hair” Award

This one is a bit cheating because I photographed all the ladies working at the Loc Shop Hair Salon in Hyattsville. They were fun to work with and Freda (in blue) is the owner. If you need a new do, go see this crew. They are open 7 days a week!

“Best cry “ Award

If your newborn/ toddler (tween/ teen!) is crying, I will do my best to capture that… and also you while you are parenting the kiddo. There are so many cheese-smiling photos out there that it’s easy to be caught up in getting the so-called perfect family picture. But life with kids means there is a full range of emotions that are all worth documenting. I’m here for the good, the bad, the ugly :-) You’re welcome.

Best School photo Award

Every September, I have a blast photographing children for their annual Fine Art Portraits. It was the first time this little girl was in front of my lens and I like everything about this photo: her pose, gaze, hair, dress… Hope it’s printed big somewhere!!

“Best family snuggles” Award

A family that snuggles, stays together! I picked this photo but I could have chosen other ones. They. are. snugglers! I love that they feel at ease and are themselves in front of the camera. But we have a long history as I’ve been photographing them since 2013 so almost 10 years! I photographed their first son, then her second pregnancy, newborn #2, and this year, them in the house they’ve redone. So many milestones. Love you guys. xx

Location I’ve been shooting at the most: Alethia Tanner Park, DC

A client of mine (Hey, Hannah!) mentioned this for her yearly family session and as soon as I saw it, I knew it would be a great park for photos. It’s in the NoMa neighborhood and close to Union Market. It looks like it’s popular for birthday parties. I’ve shot 12 mini sessions and 3 family sessions there. Kids and parents love it, and I do too!

'“Water fun” Award

Add water and the most ordinary or surprising things will happen! A fountain, a hose, the sea, a puddle, sprinklers… kids will always find a way to play with water and it leads to great photos! So of course, I have 2 great moments to share.

WATER AWARD #2

A sweet moment between brothers… in yummy summer light.

WATER AWARD #1

Who is the craziest: the dad who is “washing” his son’s hair or Harlan who asks for more?!

“Best Fall activities” Award

This in-home session was full of autumnal activities like jumping in a pile of leaves but daddy took it to the next level with the leaf blower AND the lawn tractor. Kids had a blast!

”Perfectly imperfect family picture” Award

They almost won the “active kids” award but this photo perfectly sums up this family wildness. Parents did let go of perfection, followed their kids’ lead and had fun. This photo would make a great Holiday card and is definitely a framer in my world.

“Best family pet” Award

And the award goes to Atlas the dog who does high-fives and rolls when asked. Good tricks Atlas!

"Festive session” Award

Your traditions are worth remembering especially around the Holidays (but any special time for your family is the best).

It goes without saying that I value ALL of my clients and if you didn’t “win” in a category this year it’s not because I did not enjoy your session, quite the contrary. More than likely it is because I couldn’t come up with more clever Award names.

You are the reason why my business is successful and I can’t thank you enough. I hope you enjoyed this new 2022 year-in-review superlatives! Happy new year!