Meet Your Photographer

Hi, My name is Mary Lanaghan.  This is my story !

As a photographer, I'm very focused on my subjects.  That is, of course, the essence of my service.  I provide quality portraiture that reflects your authentic self.  (No "School Cheesy grin" quick shot here :) )  That takes trust on your part.  So, I thought I would share a bit of my backstory.

I have been a professional photographer since 2001.  When I was in my 20s I promised myself that I would be a professional photographer when I retired from the "real world".  I ended up retiring early so that I could adopt my daughter from Russia and stay home with her the first few years.  When she turned 3, I started my professional photographic journey and haven't looked back. 

Along the way to where I am today.

Family wise, my retirement from the corporate world and pursuing professional portraits, was perfect timing.  At this same time, it turned out my extended family needed a helping hand.  My sister was plagued with seriously poor health and both of my parents were getting older.  I dedicated my time in those earlier years to photographing families, volunteering lots of time and photography as PTA president at my daughter's elementary school, and part time caregiver to my parents and sister. 

During my daughter's middle and high school years, I stayed involved by volunteering as manager of her summer swim team and helping out with her travel field hockey teams.  At this time, I included weddings, bar mitzvahs, high school seniors to my photography genres.  I continued to care for my parents and my sister.  

Today !

My daughter is now a young adult.  That's her on the right above.  And the natural order of life has taken both my parents and my sister from us over the last several years.  I am now dedicated to my art of photographic portraiture.  My studio is in a wonderfully quaint cottage environment on private property on Canby Road just outside Leesburg, VA.   

I am a classic portrait artist.  I love to take time to connect with my subject allowing you to open up and relax.  I paint some of my backdrops to offer a richer tone to some business headshots.  And I love to collect vintage props/furniture to provide some added interest to additional corporate portraits to include in your portfolio.

Your Story !!

I would love to hear your story.  What brings you to checking out professional photographers?  Is it for your own business ?  Is it for your resume so you can move upward in your career?  Is it for a novel you wrote?  Or, perhaps you just started a non-profit group to help your community.  Getting to know a little about you and your backstory helps me connect with you and provide you with your best headshots and corporate portraits to use in your business collateral - whether it's in print, on your website, or in social media.