I feel like I never do these introductions justice, and with a unicorn like Renée, I feel like my words don’t even scratch the surface. Today we’re featuring the magician behind the Stylebook camera: Renée C. Gage. Local Master Photographer who specializes in capturing families and professionals for over twenty years, she is one of the most kind, most genuine, goodhearted people I’ve ever met, and her light shines in everything she does. She has FIVE boys (!) and a nonstop business, and she is smiling gratefully and with grace through every crazy moment of it. To top it off, she is also a military spouse with 12 moves and five deployments under her belt!

We love to laugh about our photoshoot for The Scout Guide Alexandria last year. We planned our shoot for weeks, picturing a perfect whimsical moment of my family on our favorite carousel at the National Zoo. We decided early evening would be the optimal time when the light would be just right. Being the hot mess mom that I am, I didn’t check the Zoo hours until we were five minutes away. The Zoo was closing at 4:00pm, and we pulled in at 3:50pm.

With my husband lovingly asking me why I didn’t check these important details sooner and kids screaming in the backseat, we begged the parking attendant for just a few minutes, raced up the hill to the carousel, only to find the carousel CLOSED for repairs. Lights off, entire area taped off. Without missing a beat, Renée befriended the Zoo staffer who manages the carousel and convinced her to let us take pictures in the blocked-off area. Within ten minutes, Renée had come up with 20 creative shots that would be perfect and then managed to capture smiles from my melting-down family. Renée and I laughed through the chaos the entire time because that’s the presence that she has. Life is short and beautiful, and it’s the only way she sees living it.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful soul, I hope you get the chance. She’s an award-winning, creative genius who could not be more fun to work with. Her incredible ability to connect with and capture the person through her camera lens is magic. You can tell she truly loves what she does - follow her on Instagram and you will see what I mean.  And as you can see from the pictures below, she’s a beauty inside and out!

ABOUT RENEE

Neighborhood: The 22308

What is your hometown? Versailles, Kentucky

What would surprise people about you? That I have FIVE boys!  

Favorite book or movie: To Kill a Mockingbird

Guilty Pleasure: Candy! Candy! Candy!

Latest binge-watch: Virgin River

Bucket list travel destination: The Galápagos Islands for a photo expedition.

STYLE

Define your style in three words or less: Feminine, artistic, and elegant.

The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Dresses! I loved being styled by Elizabeth Todd and The Hive for this sesh! Always the most beautiful looks, and she is simply fab!

Favorite trend: MaddAlex Designs (fab local jewelry designs!)

Beauty product you can’t live without: Lip gloss.

Boots, sneakers, or sandals? Wedge sandals.

WELLNESS

Go-to way to de-stress: Bubble bath and journal.

Most fun way to stay active: Fort Hunt Yoga Under the Stars.

Wellness goal: Balance in exercise, rest, and eating.

Want to try: To get regular massages.

Proudest wellness achievement: Hiking in the Olympic National Park with my entire family after my husband returned home from deployment.

HOME

Favorite room in your home: Living room… so light and airy and full of sunshine.

Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix… of special things we have collected from all of our Navy adventures!

Last item bought for your home: Fresh flowers from the farmers market.

Favorite way to entertain: Cozy and casual at our home, sitting at “The Little Table” in our kitchen.

Clutter-free or well-lived in? Combo.

Next planned purchase: Wallpaper for our new reading nook!

ALEXANDRIA

What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? The amazing, diverse, and supportive women and community that I am so honored to be a part of and photograph.

Favorite spot in Alexandria: Fort Hunt Park - by the tree.

Last purchase in Alexandria: Back-to-school outfit for my littlest guy from the amazing Maura Monday’s Child (my all-time fav place to shop!)

Best food spot: Goodies for the most delish frozen custard.

Favorite local organization: Abbie’s Gift - Our dear friends’ Memorial Foundation created for their beautiful daughter bringing awareness to pediatric organ donation and pediatric diabetes…remembering to always spread joy and kindness.

Favorite annual Alexandria event: Wreath’s Across America with my family.