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JENNIFER GAIL | VA & DC Maternity & Family Photographer

@gailseverafter

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Documenting women in every dimension of their lives • Former magazine editor • Virginia Horse & Hunt Country • Studio in The Plains • Book ↓

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Thrilled to share my latest magazine feature on the pages of @thebelovedjournal Winter Issue 2026.

I’m deeply grateful for this recognition from a family magazine that leads with passion, heart, and authenticity on every page. Art that makes you feel something is powerful—and this publication does exactly that.

Bravo 👏 to all of the artists featured alongside me. Keep pouring your heart ❤️ into what you love. It shows. @evijamoonphotos
@framingthelight
@shemyakina.photo
@kaya_delarambelje_photography
@fotografmaia
@fragile.be
@mindywiekhartphotography
@emoore_photo taken in Fauquier County by @gailseverafter

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8 months ago

I feel so incredibly honored to have a four page spread of my work featured in the new spring issue of @thebelovedjournal magazine

There were 45 other insanely talented artists featured alongside me in this edition and their work is incredible. The editor, Maya has done a phenomenal job curating this issue, I am so inspired by every page. You have to check it out!

I love what I do and it feels incredible to get noticed for something I pour my heart into.

#maternityphotography #dcphotographer #vafamilyphotographer #novaphotographer #pregnancystyle taken in The Plains, Virginia by @gailseverafter

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a year ago

Being featured in @heartfulmagazine fall issue this past year gave me that extra bit of confidence to continue pushing myself to new creative limits with this career of mine. I cannot wait to see all that I’m capable of in 2025. Fear and imposter syndrome still may regularly sneak in and try to derail me, but I will work to shut that negative voice down and prove the naysayers wrong. I know God is on my side and through Him all things are possible.

#novaphotographer #dcphotographer #vaphotographer #novafamilyphotographer #motherhoodphotographer #dcmaternityphotographer #novanewbornphotographer #theheartfulphotogs taken in The Plains, Virginia by @gailseverafter

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2 years ago

I can’t believe I never shared this session from a few months back! 🤍

Scroll to the end to see the Personalized Styling Plan my client received before her session one of my favorite ways to make getting dressed easy and stress-free.

And of course, we had to let the kids have a little creative control at the end… 🦸‍♂️✨
That superhero moment was too good not to capture!

#novaphotographer #novafamilyphotographer #loudouncountyphotographer #lookslikefilm taken in Middleburg, Virginia by @gailseverafter

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7 days ago

A fellow photographer momma in front of my lens, with one very special reason for this session: documenting the addition of their sweet girl, the third child.

She wanted the imagery to feel timeless and mostly black and white, beautifully simple, and centered on the connection between the four of them.

And you could feel it in every frame.

Of course, I had to pull a few of the frames into color too, because sometimes a little warmth just feels right.

Timeless, intimate, and completely about them. 🤍

Keywords: Northern Virginia photographer, DcFamilyphotographer, Loudoun County Photographer, Fauquier County Photographer, Maternity, Motherhood, Middleburg Va photographer, Haymarket Va family photographer, nova newborn photographer taken in The Plains, Virginia by @gailseverafter

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8 days ago

Finally getting around to sharing these frames from our boat outing over Labor Day weekend.

Two years ago, when I told my husband I thought we should buy a boat, I think he was a little shocked. 😂 But if you know me, you know I’ll spend money on just about anything that gives us more quality time together as a family.

Trips, little weekend adventures, family photoshoots, local outings…I’m sold if it means I get to spend more time with my people.

And the boat has done exactly that. It’s given us so many afternoons on the water, so many little adventures, and so many moments together that I know we’ll look back on one day and miss.

I absolutely adore these fun, moments on the lake with my crew. 🫶🏻

And a big thank you to @kalynmichele for bringing your family out to the lake and doing this trip with us so we could both have photos documenting something we love.

#novaphotographer #dcfamilyphotographer #boatphotoshoot taken in Virginia by @gailseverafter

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9 days ago

I’m always down for a dreamy, Ralph Lauren–inspired horse farm session. If that’s your vibe, you’ve come to the right place. 🤎

But maybe you’d rather skip the farm and lean into the ease of the studio — less horse country, more commercial editorial, with that same polished, elevated feel.

And if you’re looking for something a little more festive this year, I’ve got you. ✨

I just released the details for Christmas at the Studio, and they are going to be so good.

Think elevated, editorial holiday magic — designed for beautiful images without feeling overly “Christmas-y.” taken in Middleburg, Virginia by @gailseverafter

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13 days ago

Now that my kids are finally back in school this week for their first full week it’s got me thinking ahead about all the beautiful families I’m going to photograph this autumn and I’m just feeling really excited. I’m still just so grateful I get to create meaningful art for so many wonderful humans.

#middleburgphotographer #novaphotographer #equestrianlifestyle taken in Middleburg, Virginia by @gailseverafter

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15 days ago

I hear from so many expecting mamas that they weren’t planning to have this stage professionally documented that maternity photos weren’t something they felt they needed.

And honestly, hearing that always makes me a little sad.

Because I know that one day, their children will grow up and adore seeing their mother this way carrying them, and loving them before they had even met.

The everyday photos matter so much too. The ones your partner captures of you on an iPhone while you’re doing something fun. Those are priceless.

But I also hope you choose to have the professional photographs taken.

The ones where you slow down for a moment. Where you choose something simple and beautiful to wear. Where you allow yourself to be in the photographs, instead of always being the one behind the camera.

The ones you can print beautifully, in the high resolution and frame in your home, and one day watch your little one stop in front of and say, “That was me in your belly Momma?!”

#dcmaternityphotographer #novamaternityphotographer taken in Middleburg, Virginia by @gailseverafter

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a month ago

It’s us! My family at home 🤍 scroll through for the uncropped on this one…

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately how each stage with my children brings a new challenge. It doesn’t get easier it just changes. To be transparent the current daily battle at our household is sibling fighting. As a parent it’ll break you down if you let it. Words of wisdom from parents with older kids are welcome here.

Just when you finally feel like you’ve figured out how to navigate one set of challenges, they’re replaced with a whole new set. I look back at every stage we’ve passed through and always think, That wasn’t so hard compared to this.

Maybe that’s just the rose colored glasses we all put on the past, but it feels true. No stage ever feels harder than the one you’re currently living through.

I purposely romanticize the present in my photography, even when it’s full of struggle and chaos. Not because I want to pretend the hard parts aren’t hard, but because I believe we all deserve beautiful moments to hold onto when we look back on them.

I want to remember the good, because even though it wasn’t the loudest, and it crept in unannounced, it won’t go unnoticed.

Anyway this is where my mind goes, and this is my little family at our new home, I’m glad you’re here following along, we’re in it together now xx Jen

Big big thanks to Pam for these photos, my kids do not make it easy, resisting all direction is their goal so getting anything is a huge feat!
Edits by me. by @gailseverafter

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a month ago

Here’s what I’ve been up to this summer and what my life looks like when I’m not documenting yours. I’m so grateful for this time off and really looking forward to all the love between you and your favorite people that we’ll capture this upcoming season. #novaphotographer #loudouncountyphotographer #middleburgvaphotographer taken in Middleburg, Virginia by @gailseverafter

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a month ago

I’ve been so excited to share this session with A and her family down at the creek. I downright gasped as I edited each photo. These are the kinds of moments I want bottled up from my own family’s life…the ones you find yourself returning to again and again as the years pass.

I can already picture these printed in a little linen album resting on a coffee table or hung together in a collection of mismatched frames on a hallway wall you pass every day. Not tucked away on your phone, but woven into the rhythm of your home and your family’s story.

#novafamilyphotographer #middleburgvaphotographer #lookslikefilm taken in Middleburg, Virginia by @gailseverafter

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2 months ago