Virginia Beach Photographer - First Landing State Park Engagement Photos

Virginia Beach Photographer - First Landing State Park Engagement Photos

I recently met the loveliest couple at First Landing State Park for a winter engagement photo session. Morgan and Eric moved to Virginia a few months ago so they could be together during Eric’s stay here with the Navy.

They recently got engaged, yay!, and wanted to celebrate with some beautiful engagement photos. After I showed them some examples of my favorite locations for engagement pictures in Hampton Roads, they decided that First Landing State Park was the perfect setting for their photo session.

We headed to the park on a sunny afternoon in January, to capture some creative engagement portraits along the shore and wooded trails.

One of the reasons that First Landing State Park is a favorite spot to take photos, is that it offers such a fantastic variety of coves and overlooks for unique photo opportunities. I love that it looks a little different each time I visit. I also love the dreamy Spanish Moss handing from the trees.

One of the best things about shooting there in the winter, is that the park is pretty quiet, and there is much less foot traffic than in the warmer months.

Though they were admittedly a bit nervous about posing for photos at the start, Morgan and Eric were naturals in front of the camera. I guided them into some loose poses and had them focus on each other. That was all it took to create a little bit of magic. They are absolutely gorgeous together.

We had such a lovely afternoon together, and it didn’t take long before we walked away with a memory card full of gorgeous images.

I truly enjoyed getting to know this delightful couple! It was wonderful to have the opportunity to create some unique engagement pictures for them.

Congratulations Morgan & Eric! Thank you for trusting me to photograph your engagement session, and to create some memorable photos for you! - XOXO, Melissa

Melissa Bliss Photography - Authentic Moments in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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

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Pleasure House Point Family Maternity Photo Session - Virginia Beach

Pleasure House Point Family Maternity Photo Session - Virginia Beach

It is always super exciting when families come back to see me again and again. I absolutely adore watching them grow and change over the years, and the connection we make is priceless.

And, when one of my favorite families come back for a session and tells me they are expecting a new baby? Well, that just melts my heart into a giant puddle.

I have had the honor of photographing the lovely Groy family for several years now, and i just love them more and more each time I see them!

I met them when their first babe was just a tiny peanut, and now they are expecting baby #3!

Mom and Dad are the absolute coolest, and they certainly make beautiful and crazy adorable kiddos!

I can’t wait to meet their newest addition!

Brother and Sister are pretty excited too.

Even though it was super chilly when we had our photo session at Pleasure House Point in Virginia Beach, this crew made the best of it. Their love and light just shine through in all of their images.

This has to be one of my absolute favorite family sessions to date. And that’s saying something, after 6 years and hundreds of families in front of my lens.

They are so adorable! Ha ha. I love it!

Thank you, thank you Groy family! You guys are the bee’s knees. I can’t wait to see you again! - XOXO, Melissa

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Creative Lifestyle Maternity and Family Portrait 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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Beautiful Historic Post Office Wedding - VA Wedding Photographer

Beautiful Historic Post Office Wedding - VA Wedding Photographer

Regina and Josh had the most beautiful wedding at The Historic Post Office in Hampton. Today I’m happy to share some sneak peeks of this lovely event with you!

This was a destination wedding. Regina & Josh no longer live in Hampton Roads, but they came home to celebrate their marriage with family and friends. I was so thrilled to be able to work with this sweet couple! They, and their families, are such genuine and kind people. And, The Historic Post office in Hampton is a really beautiful venue for a wedding!

Regina and Josh had their wedding ceremony at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church at Fort Monroe - another uniquely beautiful location!

Every last detail of this wedding was simply stunning! The vendor team did an amazing job pulling off this event.

The entire wedding day was so full of love and joy! It truly was an amazing celebration. Congratulations Regina & Josh! I wish you many happy years together. - XOXO, Melissa

Ceremony: St. Mary's Star of the Sea, Fort Monroe, Fr. Steve Deleon
Reception: The Historic Post Office, Hampton
Coordinator: Christy Hooper, Truly Yours
Florist: Costco, Eve Wheeler
Hair Stylist: Lisa, Hello Beautiful Studio
Makeup Artist: The Makeup School by Sarah Rillion
Caterer: Montero's 
Bakery: Incredible Edibles
Event Rentals: Distinctive Event Rentals
Entertainment: Astro Entertainment
Videographer: Jony Photos
Photography: Melissa Bliss Photography 
Second Shooter: Chava Lind Photography

Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art Wedding - Ali & Alex Part 2

Virginia Beach Museum of Contemporary Art Wedding - Ali & Alex Part 2

When last I blogged, we were in the midst of Alex and Ali’s beautiful Virginia MOCA wedding, at the Museum of Contemporary Art near the Virginia Beach oceanfront. If you missed Part 1 of this series, you can check that out here.

I left off after the bride and groom portraits in that pretty late afternoon light, so we’ll begin here with the ceremony. Alex and Ali were married in the Rodriguez Pavilion at the museum, which features walls of windows and a stunning 16 foot Dale Chihuly Chandelier. I loved how they personalized their ceremony with vows they wrote themselves. There were laughs and tears all the way through. Before long, it was official. They were Mr. & Mrs. Miller!

Post ceremony, we headed back outside for formal portraits of the wedding party, and the families of the bride and groom.

Then, the reception kicked off with a bang, as the wedding party danced their way into the Atrium and the bride and groom had their first dance.

Next, there were parent dances, which always kick me in the feels.

Followed by dinner, and several hilarious toasts.

And lots more dancing, photo booth fun, and all out partying before the cake was cut.

This wedding was SO full of life and love and fun! It was an amazing celebration of two very cool people, and the love they share. Congrats Ali & Alex! I hope you continue to celebrate many happy years together!

- XOXO, Melissa

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach is a beautiful venue for weddings and events. Check it out, plus all of these other great vendors too!

Wedding coordinator: Beth Couillard, Richmond, VA

Officiant: Lisa Chisholm (friend)

DJ/Entertainment: Riza Aleemi (friend)

Wedding florals: Flowers at Hilltop

Wedding cake: Incredible Edibles

Invitations: Minted.com

Catering: Creative Catering of VA

Bride’s Make Up Artist: Vanessa Underwood (friend)

Bride’s Hair: Dana Ange, Gary Allen Salon

Videographers: Live Oak Films

Wedding Photography: Melissa Bliss Photography

Second Shooter: Rita Hsu, Perspective Photography

Melissa Bliss Photography is a Creative Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer serving Hampton Roads, VA & Travel Destinations World Wide

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MOCA - Virginia Beach Wedding - Virginia Wedding Photographer

MOCA - Virginia Beach Wedding - Virginia Wedding Photographer

In my last post I promised I’d be sharing Alex & Ali’s MOCA Virginia Beach wedding and here it is! I knew it would take me a while to put this post together. Alex and Ali actually decided to upgrade their wedding package a week before the ceremony to add more time for photography. I’m so glad they did because we captured a ton of amazing photos for them! So bear with me, I’ve tried to narrow them down for a blog post, but it was tough…

First off, I fell in love with their rich jewel-toned wedding colors of teal, purple and slate gray. They really pop so beautifully, and were a perfect compliment to this art museum venue! And then there’s the fact that this wedding was so full of fun moments and big emotion. It was tons of fun to photograph!

As with most weddings, the day started off with detail shots and wedding prep for the guys and girls. And, as with most weddings, things didn’t work out exactly as planned. The night before the wedding, a big storm had come through and knocked out power to parts of Virginia Beach, including the venue site! When I arrived, many of the vendors were scrambling to make due with setting up for an event without power. The bridal prep room was completely dark, with no windows, and the wedding party had to make a plan B, and get ready elsewhere. Fortunately, I don’t need any external power to shoot, so I was able to work around everyone else’s needs. And even more fortunate, the power was back on in full before guests arrived!

The guys got ready at an AirBNB they had rented. They were relaxed and ready to go with no worries about flat irons, or make up lights, or course.

Alex knew Ali might be worried about everything coming together on time, so he did the sweetest thing to calm her nerves. He took time out to write her a letter, and had it delivered to her before their first look.

Before the bride and groom’s first look, Ali had a first look with her Dad. There were tears all around.

Next we took a few quick bridal portraits, and then headed off to meet her groom!

It was such a magical moment!

From the first look, we headed back toward the venue for some bride and groom portraits before the ceremony. We had only a few minutes to spare, but the light was gorgeous and we had to take advantage of it!

I love how much fun these two have together! So many giggles!!

Ok, since this post is turning out to be suuuuuuper long, (I don’t want your scrolling finger to wear out!), I think I’ll leave it here for now, and post Part II tomorrow. Next up, the ceremony, formal (and informal) portraits, and lots of reception shenanigans. More good stuff, I promise. You don’t want to miss it!

UPDATE: Part 2 is here!

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach is a beautiful venue for weddings and events. Check it out, plus all of these other great vendors too!

Wedding coordinator: Beth Couillard, Richmond, VA

Officiant: Lisa Chisholm (friend)

DJ/Entertainment: Riza Aleemi (friend)

Wedding florals: Flowers at Hilltop

Wedding cake: Incredible Edibles

Invitations: Minted.com

Catering: Creative Catering of VA

Bride’s Make Up Artist: Vanessa Underwood (friend)

Bride’s Hair: Dana Ange, Gary Allen Salon

Videographers: Live Oak Films

Wedding Photography: Melissa Bliss Photography

Second Shooter: Rita Hsu, Perspective Photography

Creative Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer, Hampton Roads, VA

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Virginia Beach Engagement Photographer - First Landing State Park Photos

Virginia Beach Engagement Photographer - First Landing State Park Photos

I know I’ve been promising for weeks to catch up on blogging, and I have tried, really I have. The past month or so has been the perfect storm of stress and chaos. Since November, I have lost a beloved pet to cancer, and been mostly unwell after first coming down with a virus, and then fighting a sinus infection and severe fatigue for several weeks. All of this came about during the peak of my busiest wedding and portrait season to date. So, it has been a struggle to say the least.

I have managed to keep up with client commitments, appointments, and galleries, but unfortunately, blogging and social media have fallen off my radar for the past couple of months. I do apologize, but sometimes life throws you a few curve balls, you know? I am sincerely grateful for the support of my wonderful family and my kick-ass clients, who have helped me to see all the good that I am blessed with, even on very bad days.

Now on to happier news! I have Alex & Ali’s beautiful Virginia Beach engagement session portraits to share today - yay!! This adorable couple has been a ray of sunshine in my schedule this season. They are so full of life and love. They really know how to focus on and celebrate what matters most.

We shot their engagement session only days before their destination Virginia Beach wedding. The forecast was looking gloomy all week, but we ended up with a warm fall evening, and an amazing colorful sunset at First Landing State Park.

I always recommend that couples schedule an engagement session with their wedding photographer before the wedding, if at all possible. It really helps to quell any nerves, and get comfortable with each other, so that the wedding day photos are relaxed and natural. Alex and Ali were a little concerned about posing after a less than stellar experience with their proposal photographer, but we really hit a rhythm together right away. I think maybe I put them at east with my natural clumsiness, ha ha!

We had a great time together, and by the time we finished up, I knew their wedding day would be spectacular! Stay tuned because I have their MOCA Virginia Beach wedding to share too!

I absolutely love how happy and content they look together.

And I love that amazing sky!!

Thank you Alex & Ali for choosing me to capture your engagement photos! I loved getting to know you both, and I am SO excited for all your future happiness together. - XOXO, Melissa

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

Contact Melissa Bliss Photography to schedule your lifestyle photo session today!

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Sandbridge Beach Cottage Wedding Photos - VA Wedding Photographer

Sandbridge Beach Cottage Wedding Photos - VA Wedding Photographer

I am finally sharing some images from Bree & Keith’s beautiful Sandbridge Beach wedding today! This was a destination beach wedding, and all of their loved ones gathered from near and far to celebrate this lovely couple.

Bree and Keith are hard working New Yorkers. He’s a firefighter and she is a news reporter. A beach wedding was the perfect getaway for them to relax and take advantage of some laid back summertime vibes.

I arrived just before Bree put on her wedding gown, which was absolutely gorgeous, and we captured a few sweet quiet moments of her with her mom. She was such a stunning bride. I LOVE that dress!

Afterwards, I spent a few minutes gathering some detail shots and candids of the guests before I headed down to the pier with the bride and groom for pre-wedding portraits.

It was a blazing hot summer day, and the beach was very crowded with visitors over the Labor Day weekend. I did my best to keep it short and sweet so we could get out of the heat, while also making sure Bree & Keith could enjoy a few intimate moments together.

After our wedding portrait session, it was back to the beach house for the seaside ceremony.

Bree and Keith have a super adorable son, who made a brief cameo at the end of the ceremony.

We took a few causal family portraits, and then took advantage of the sunset light for some more bride and groom photos.

The reception was intimate and casual, and they only asked me to stay for a quick dance, the cake cutting, and then a few sparkler shots.

I truly enjoyed getting to know this couple and their beautiful family. Congrats Bree & Keith! I wish you a lifetime of happy memories together. - XOXO, Melissa

Many thanks to the vendor team for all their hard work:

Venue: Oceanic Serenade, Sandbridge Realty

Event Coordinator: Vanessa Watts

Bride’s Hair: Stephanie Michelle

Bride’s Make Up: Melissa at Dhalia Edwards

Florist: Kate Flore

Catering: Mobile pig-nic

Entertainment: Astro DJs

Cake: Carolina Cupcakery

Wedding Photographer: Melissa Bliss Photography

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Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Moments in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to find out more about our wedding photography services, contact us today!

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