Lifestyle Photographer - Virginia Beach, VA

Lifestyle Photographer - Virginia Beach, VA

Hello friends! I know I’ve been absent lately and I apologize for not posting more often. I have been busy photographing lots of beautiful families, seniors and couples! But also very busy with buying and selling a home, and prepping for our family move.

I must say that it has been a wacky summer. I’ve felt like the past few months have been some sort of strange time warp. Like I’m hanging in limbo and moving at the speed of light all at once. There has been so much upheaval, controversy, bad news and stress that I’ve been incredibly grateful to be able to get out with my camera and just focus on the lovely people in front of lens.

Getting away to the park or beach, and focusing on the sweet little moments that make life worth while, has done wonders for my psyche. The rest of the world just seems to melt away.

What has been keeping you sane this summer?

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Creative Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer in Hampton Roads, VA

Melissa Bliss Photography – Timelessly Beautiful. Authentically You.

Norfolk Photographer, Virginia Beach Photographer, Suffolk Photographer, Chesapeake Photographer, Lifestyle Photographer, Sandbridge Photographer, Portsmouth Family Photographer

Hampton Roads Lifestyle Photo Sessions

Hampton Roads Lifestyle Photography - Family, Maternity & Couples Sessions

I’m excited to be back in the swing of things! While life certainly does look different these days, working with couples and families to capture beautiful moments has not changed all that much. I am keeping my distance and sanitizing everything religiously, but all in all it feels much the same. And it’s so good to be back doing what I love!

Today, I am sharing some peeks from the sessions I have been shooting. I am thrilled that I have been able to see some of my favorite clients already this summer! Here are a few favorite shots from my recent photo sessions:

How cute is this growing family? We had a great time at our beach maternity session!

I also got to shoot some of my favorite Sandbridge beach regulars!

I headed up to Colonial Williamsburg one sunny evening to meet this lovely family. Their boys were the sweetest!

I also shot this long awaited and heartfelt military family homecoming session. <3 Deployments are always tough, but a deployment extended due to a pandemic is crazy hard. I was thrilled to capture this happy reunion!

I also got to photograph this sunset beach maternity session for one of my wedding couples from last year - what a treat! So excited for them! Stay tuned for newborn photos later this summer. :)

And I captured these fun-filled and sun-soaked moments for this lovely family kicking off their summer vacation at Sandbridge beach!

I am so grateful to be back at work and heading into summer with smiles and snuggles and so many sweet memories in the making. It fills my heart with joy to be able to capture all that love! - XOXOX, Melissa

If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule your unique family portrait experience, contact us today: melissablissphotography@gmail.com

On location Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Timelessly Beautiful. Authentically You.

Virginia Beach Lifestyle Photographers, Sandbridge Beach Photographers, family photos, beach session, Norfolk photographers, Chesapeake photographers

Art Provides Meaning - Share Joy Campaign

Art Provides Meaning - Share Joy Campaign

Hello friends! Like so many other small businesses, my lifestyle and wedding photography income, which provides a large portion of our family income, has come to a screeching halt in recent weeks. We are all feeling the pinch and concerned about what the coming days and months might bring. But worrying over what might be won’t make it different. And with all of our new found free time, it just might make us a little crazy. To shift my focus to something more positive, I have been looking for ways that I can help others through this journey.

As Covid-19 continues to spread, the world is changing day by day. We are all experiencing anxiety and fear. Being stuck at home can be isolating, depressing, and let’s face it, sometimes down right maddening! Especially if you have kids to juggle as well. There is no doubt that the world will be different when this is all over, but it can be better if we choose to make it so.

As a global community, we have the power to recognize our shared responsibility for humanity. Though we can’t be together right now, we can rise in solidarity.

Feeling helpless is awful and leads to despair, but feeling helpful is empowering and leads to hope.

I am kicking off a kindness campaign and I’d LOVE for you to join me in spreading a little joy around the globe. I will be sharing ideas on how to do just that, even if you are stuck at home. My hope is that these small acts will have a ripple effect, sparking joy and creating positive energy that empowers us all to find new ways to thrive in this new reality.

Join in and share your experience online with the campaign hashtag #sharejOy

First up: share some joy by creating art at home and sending it to a retirement community.

Our elderly are at great risk of contracting and suffering from the worst of the Coronavirus. Most retirement communities are on lock down and many residents are unable to visit with loved ones, or even visit in common areas. At the same time, children all over the country are home from school and missing regular activities. Why not encourage our kids to draw, paint, write and create, and then share that creativity with our elderly neighbors by sending this art in the mail. We’re encouraging our kids to express themselves in healthy ways, while also connecting with the elderly so they know they have not been forgotten. It is a small gesture, but sometimes that’s all it takes to brighten someone’s outlook.

To participate, just create cards, pictures, poems, or whatever you feel moved to do, and mail them to the address below, or you could contact your local retirement center to see if they’d like to participate as well. (Make sure you ask permission first, in case the staff is not prepared for the influx of mail).

Be sure to take a photo of your art and post it online with the hashtag so that we can encourage each other along the way!

Please help spread the word and we can all make a difference together! This would be a great project to share with scout groups, homeschool communities or art classes that are currently unable to meet regularly. If you need help getting started, I’m listing a few resources below. Adults are more than welcome to join in too! Thank you for caring and for helping to #sharejOy

I love to support local businesses and artists whenever possible. Virginia Beach muralist OnieTonie is offering a free download of his custom coloring pages. Check out his joy-filled art, guaranteed to put a smile on your face! :) Mo Willems is offering free daily lunch doodles online as well. And Mark Kistler is offering free daily art lessons at noon CST on Facebook and YouTube. Or, check out these drawing lessons for kids from Jerry’s Artarama.

Please do NOT go out shopping for supplies. Stay home and get creative with what you have on hand, or order online if you must. As always, use common sense in protecting yourself and others. If you are unwell or quarantined, you are welcome to snap a photo of your art and share it online to encourage others.

Mail your art to:

Anna Little, Atlantic Shores, 1200 Atlantic Shores Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23454

By the way, I’ve been homeschooling for 12 years, if you are looking for educational ideas for keeping kids busy at home, I created a post on my personal blog with lots of resources grouped by grade levels. Be sure to check that out! Be well friends! - XOXOX, Melissa

Family Lifestyle Photo Session - First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach

Family Lifestyle Photo Session - First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach

The temps are finally cooling and it is feeling more like fall around here! I’m feeling super excited for all the fun sessions and weddings I have scheduled this season.

Today I have a lovely fall family lifestyle session to share with you. I met the Chartier family at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach to capture some fun fall memories for them.

Their little one was turning one, so we took some time to document that first year sweetness.

Isn’t she adorable?! Have I mentioned lately that “toddler “ is my favorite stage of human? They are just so curious and full of personality!

We explored the park trails for a bit, and then paused for a quick wardrobe change before capturing some first year portraits of Little Miss.

What a perfect model she was! :)

Finally, we hit the beach to take full advantage of the soft sunset light. Mom and Dad brought a few props to incorporate into their portraits, and I think it all came together beautifully!

Thank you, Chartier family, for trusting me with your family memories. It was a joy to visit with you! Come back and see me again soon! - XOXO, Melissa

Creative  Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer in Hampton Roads

Melissa Bliss Photography – Timelessly Beautiful. Authentically You.

If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule a session, contact Melissa today!

Norfolk Child Photographers, Virginia Beach Child Photographer, Chesapeake Family Photographers, Portsmouth Photographer, Williamsburg Photographers, First Year Portraits

Virginia Beach Lifestyle Photographer - First Landing Family Photo Shoot

Virginia Beach Lifestyle Photographer - First Landing Family Photo Shoot

While I still have several beach sessions to share, I am soooo excited that fall is here! I adore that golden fall light, and the amazing color display that Mother Nature puts on every year! Plus, apple pie a la mode.

And getting to photograph beautiful families and couples snuggled up together against the chill, well that just can’t be beat!

I met the adorable Thomas family for a lifestyle session at First Landing State Park at sunset. The golden light, and those sweet little faces just make me all kinds of happy!

We had a fun time exploring the park trails, and making family memories, as their cuties discovered new treasures along the shoreline.

I love that this park has so much to offer. It’s perfect for families, seniors, and engagement sessions. First Landing does require a permit and fee to shoot on site, but it’s worth every penny in my opinion. It is one of my favorite spots for sure, especially in the fall!

I had such a great time with this charming family - thank you Thomases!! I hope to see you all again soon. :) - XOXO, Melissa

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Creative Lifestyle and Wedding Photography in Hampton Roads

Melissa Bliss Photography – Timelessy Beautiful. Authentically You.

Virginia Beach Lifestyle Photographers, Norfolk Lifestyle Photographers, Chesapeake Photographers, Lifestyle Photography, Sandbridge Photographers, Williamsburg Photographers

Newborn Lifestyle Photo Session - Newport News/Williamsburg Photographer

Newborn Lifestyle Photo Session -

Newport News/Williamsburg Photographer

A few years ago, I had the honor of photographing a gorgeous beach wedding for two of the most beautiful souls I have ever met. Marlaina and Shean were a joy to work with from the moment we met to discuss their engagement session.

So, naturally, when they contacted me to let me know they were pregnant, I was over the moon for them! It was such a special treat to meet their beautiful baby girl, and to document these first sweet moments for them as a family.

Meara - don’t you just love her name?? - is every bit as perfect as I knew she’d be. She is a delightful little beauty. And she is loved beyond measure.

Of course, her older (slightly furrier) sibling was keeping a careful watch over the newest family addition.

Those sweet little hands and feet, and that fuzzy baby hair…I just couldn’t get enough!

Our session concluded with a serenade from Dad, which sent Little Miss M. off into sweet slumber, and then a quick tour of the nursery. I love the charming details of this mermaid girl’s room decor. Mom and Dad did a great job of making a unique space for her!

It was truly a joy to spend time with this sweet family! I was grateful to be able to capture all that lovely newborn newness for them. Congrats Flynn family! Much love always!! - XOXO, Melissa

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If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule a session, contact me today! melissablissphotography@gmail.com

Creative Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer serving Hampton Roads, VA and travel destinations world wide.

Melissa Bliss Photography – Timelessly Beautiful. Authentically You.

Virginia Beach Newborn Photographers, Norfolk Newborn Photographers, Chesapeake Newborn Photographer, Williamsburg Family Photographer, newborn lifestyle pictures

Family Lifestyle Photo Shoot, Virginia Beach Photographer

Family Lifestyle Photo Shoot, Virginia Beach Photographer

Hey friends! Today I have the sweetest little family photo shoot to share with you! This gorgeous family of 3 contacted me over a year ago to book a family lifestyle session. Unfortunately, mom and little man came down with a virus, and we had to reschedule. Because of their work schedules, travel plans, and various other life events, it took us a while to find a date that worked.

But I’m so glad we made it happen because we had the best session!! First off, they are absolutely gorgeous. I LOVE the rich jewel tones they chose for their wardrobe.

Plus, they are So adorable together! I had the best time with them.

And this little guy was full of personality - what a cutie!

All the love this family shares just warmed my heart.

Little ones grow up so fast! (I know from first-hand experience since my first “baby” can now look down from 7” above me!) I’m so happy we made time to capture these sweet moments for them.

Thank you, Sathia family, for trusting me with your family memories! It was a joy to spend time with you. I hope you keep these moments close to your hearts. - XOXOX, Melissa

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If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule your lifestyle photography session, contact Melissa Bliss Photography today!

Creative Lifestyle and Wedding Photography

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

Virginia Beach Lifestyle Photographers, Norfolk Lifestyle Photographers, Chesapeake Photographers, Lifestyle Photography, Sandbridge Photographers, Williamsburg Photographers