Newborn Lifestyle Photographer, Virginia Beach Session

Newborn Lifestyle Photographer, Virginia Beach Session

Hi friends! This weeks I have some sneak peeks from another charming newborn session to share! I met the Joseph family for the first time back in the fall of 2016. They booked a fall family lifestyle session at Windsor Castle Park, and I fell in love with this awesome little family then. 

After that first session, I shot a lifestyle family maternity session for them. Then, I was honored to photograph some of their first days at home with their beautiful new baby girl. Hang onto your heartstrings folks, because these images are SO sweet they are sure to tug at you. 

I am so smitten by this adorable crew! I seriously could have shot them for days. Sadly, they told me that they will be moving away from Hampton Roads in the coming months. That news was such a sincere bummer. I am thankful I have had the chance to get to know them and share some memorable moments. They will always hold a special place in my heart!

Best wishes and much love Joseph family!! XOXO - Melissa

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

Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer serving Hampton Roads, VA. Available for travel.

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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

Newborn Lifestyle Session - Norfolk Newborn Photographer

Newborn Lifestyle Session - Norfolk Newborn Photographer

I'm sharing peeks today from a sweet little newborn lifestyle session in Norfolk.

I met the Van Hooks just before Easter, at their lovely home in the Larchmont area. They have a brand new baby boy, Jackson, and he is just the bees knees, I tell ya.

Mom and Dad are doing a fantastic job of sharing the new work load, and all the trials and tribulations that come along with caring for an infant 24/7.

They were warm, friendly, and laid back, with that easy southern charm that makes you feel right at home from the moment you pull up in the driveway. 

I loved spending time getting to know this beautiful family, and it was such a treat to be able to document this special time for them. I truly adore newborn lifestyle sessions, and I've got another to share with you soon! Stay tuned...

Congrats on your new addition, Van Hook family! Enjoy that sweet baby boy!! - XO, Melissa 

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If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule a newborn lifestyle or Fresh 48 session contact me today. I'd love to hear from you! melissablissphotography@gmail.com

Creative Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer serving Hampton Roads, VA. Available for travel.

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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

Engagement Photos at Pleasure House Point, Virginia Beach

Engagement Photos at Pleasure House Point,

Virginia Beach Photographer

Today I'm sharing some sweet sneak peeks from Tina & Chris's sunset engagement session at Pleasure House Point Natural Area in Virginia Beach. 

I met Tina & Chris recently when they contacted me about photographing their fall wedding in Virginia Beach. They are best friends, talented professionals, and kind-hearted souls. I enjoyed getting to know them as we chatted about their wedding plans at a local coffee shop last month. Warm and welcoming from hello, they seemed to share an easy going manner and a quiet confidence. 

We planned their engagement session for early spring, and I was thrilled when they selected Pleasure House Point as the location. It's such a unique area. The tall grasses, which are golden and wheat-like in fall and winter, really provide a soft, romantic backdrop. 

The day of their session was rather gray and cool, with a few sprinkles, but they chose to go ahead with the shoot despite the weather. Tina was a brave soul ditching her coat for most of their session. The wind and damp air gave quite a chill!

Even though they were half frozen they looked absolutely gorgeous! I adore the classic elegance of these black and white shots of them. 

And those green shoes she was rockin' - love!!

After a quick wardrobe change, we headed away from the environmental center and out into the trails to explore. Even though we didn't get a warm golden sunset, there were many lovely reflections on the water. 

We wandered and shot until just past dusk. It turned out to be quite a lovely evening. Even better, I think, because of the solitude the cold weather afforded us.

I had a great time shooting with Tina and Chris and I am SO excited for their September wedding!

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Congrats you guys! - XOXO Melissa 

Creative  Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Moments in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

To find our more about planning a lifestyle photo session, get in touch today!

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Family Photographers Norfolk, VA Motherhood Mini Sessions

Family Photographers Norfolk, VA Motherhood Mini Sessions

Spring has sprung and that means Mother's Day is just around the corner. This year, I didn't have time to fit in spring minis, as wedding season started early and full on, but I have held a few appointments for motherhood sessions because it really feeds my soul to capture that special bond between a mama and her kiddos. 

These sessions are not for perfect poses and "cheese" grins. They are a chance to take some time just for you and your babies, to make something meaningful and tangible.  To create some beautiful images, but to also just focus on loving, snuggling, smooching, giggling and savoring those small moments that have such a huge and lasting impact. 

I have only a few spots open unfortunately, though I would love to shoot these more often! Sessions are limited to mamas and their children, or grandmas and their grandbabies. Session fee of $199 includes a 30 minute session, on online gallery and 10 digital images to download with a print release. Sessions will take place on location in Hampton Roads. Please get in touch for available dates and times. 

These will go quickly, so contact me right away if you are interested.

I can't wait to hear from you!

 Lifestyle Family and Wedding Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Moments in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule your creative photography experience, contact me today!

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VA Beach Lifestyle Photographer, Family Beach Session

 VA Beach Lifestyle Photographer, Family Beach Session

Hey friends! The weather is finally warming up and I am SO excited to be booking sunset beach sessions again.

I have been shooting on the beach for years and I have learned a ton, I tell you. When I first started out, I was on the struggle bus for a while. Beach light can be tough, and it changes every minute, especially at sunset. But, beach sunsets offer some AMAZING light. When you know how to use it, that is. Ha ha. 

After years of trail and error, tweaking, hair-pulling, refining and straight up hard work, I have found a comfortable groove at the beach. I have shot hundreds of sessions at all times of the year and they get better every season. And so do my clients!

I have been so fortunate to work with some of the most amazing, free-spirited, trusting souls. It really is an honor to create and document memories that will be passed down for generations, and I don't take it lightly. (Yeah, there's that emotional photographer gush, sorry!)

 I know photography is not rocket science, and I'm certainly not saving lives or anything. So, I don't take myself too seriously, but I do know that many of the sessions I shoot hold a very meaningful place in the hearts of those couples and families. Sometimes, even years later, they email me to thank me for creating a lasting memory of the connections and moments that are dearest in their lives. It is a great blessing to be able to do that, and to have them trust me to do it well. 

So enough with the gush, I really wanted to say that so many of my clients just rock my socks. They open up, share their lives, trust my creative vision, and just let me do my thang. That freedom really helps me create my best work, and I am often blown away by what we are able to accomplish together.

Like this AMAZING session with the Thompson family! These folks were THE coolest. Seriously. 

Mom knocked their wardrobe out of the park. They showed up looking gorgeous, but were completely unpretentious, relaxed, and ready for fun. They just focused on making some one-of-a-kind memories together, while I got to work making images that cataloged all that awesomeness. 

And together, we made magic. 

In fact, the image below took 11th place in an international photo contest of over 412,000 entries. This image placed 11th in a category of 5,181 photographs.

How cool is that?! Several other images from this session placed in that contest as well.

See, I told ya the Thompsons were rock starts! :) 

And what priceless memories for these kiddos, am I right? They will never forget this evening on the beach, when their mom and dad let their hair down and played right along beside them in the surf. The freedom, the excitement, and the non-stop-giggles that make your belly and cheeks ache - those are forever etched in their hearts.

These images will take them back to those moments time and time again throughout the years. That makes my heart so full I could burst!

So, it's true I'm not saving the world. And, while they are kind of exciting, even awards and accolades don't mean a whole lot at the end of the day. But hopefully, I am giving each of my clients something priceless and personal and wonderful. That would make me truly proud. 

If you are interested, you can find out more about the Shoot and Share photo contest by clicking on the awards image below. If you had a session with me in 2017, one of your images just might have placed too! 

If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area, or plan to be, and would like to schedule your lifestyle photography experience, contact me today! 

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 Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer, Virginia & Travel

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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Lifestyle Photo Sessions, Hampton Roads Photographer

Lifestyle Photo Sessions, Hampton Roads Photographer

Spring is here!  Believe it or not, spring has officially graced the calendar and it won't be long before Mother Nature wakes up too.  I know it feels like we are stuck in a perpetual limbo between the cold, gray winter and the soggy chill of early spring. But, without a doubt, the weather will soon be warming and the blossoms will soon unfold in the glorious golden sun. Now is the time to reserve an appointment for a lifestyle photo session at your favorite Hampton Roads location!

Get in touch and I'll help you plan the perfect session to suit your personality and lifestyle. Whether that's enjoying a sunset on the beach, wandering through the woods, sipping java at your favorite urban cafe, or even whipping up a batch of delicious chocolate chip cookies at home with the kids - your session should reflect who YOU are and how you best relate to those you love.

If you have a special milestone to celebrate, or if you just want to collect those sweet, everyday memories, I'd love to show you how we can create something unique and meaningful just for you.  

Let's make a date to document those little moments with big heart! 

If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area, or plan to be, contact me to schedule your spring/summer lifestyle photo session!

 Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer, Virginia & Travel

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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Romantic Engagement Session, Virginia Beach Photographer

Romantic Engagement Session, Virginia Beach Photographer

I am sharing some beautiful sneak peeks from this recent Virginia Beach engagement session today! Bailey and Ethan were engaged last Friday, and we shot their engagement portraits on Saturday at First Landing State Park. 

They are both from Texas and grew up together, so the connection with these two is deep. Ethan is currently stationed in Norfolk, and Bailey flew up to spend the week with him. He took her to the Norfolk Botanical Garden on Friday and popped the question among the flowering pink magnolia trees - romantic right? 

We didn't find any magnolias in bloom at First Landing, but we did make good use of the one Bradford Pear tree we found. I just love how comfortably these two settle into each other - a perfect fit!

"You are my best friend, my human diary, my other half - you mean the world to me."

The more time we spent talking and shooting, the more evident it became that Bailey and Ethan have the kind of enduring bond that can weather any storm. The respect and love they share not only brings them happiness and comfort, but also sustains them and allows them the freedom to grow. I have no doubt that they will continue to grow together, and to lift each other up as they navigate life's trials and triumphs. 

Bailey and Ethan, it was truly a pleasure to spend some time getting to know you! I am grateful that we were able to create some beautiful engagement photographs to celebrate your love story. I wish you much love and joy as you continue your journey together.  XOXO - Melissa  

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Here's what Bailey had to say about her MBP experience:

 "Melissa was absolutely fantastic! She was kind and professional and funny. Working with her was easy and relaxing. I wasn’t stressed about looking perfect and she made us feel at ease."

If you would like to find out more about our wedding photography services, contact us today!  Serving VA & NC. Available for travel destinations worldwide.

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