Fort Monroe Engagement Session - Norfolk Photographer

Fort Monroe Engagement Session - Norfolk Photographer

Ashley and Christ are getting married this July at The Lazy Days Winery near Lynchburg, VA. We've been chatting about their wedding plans and I am SO excited to be their wedding photographer!

Ashley is my niece and I love this girl to death. I was actually her nanny for a while, way back when she was just a wee lass. I am over the moon that she has found a guy who adores her and treats her like gold. And she clearly makes Chris happy too!

Ashley is from Virginia Beach and Chris is from Yorktown. They met in Lynchburg but both still have family here in Hampton Roads. We tossed around a few ideas for engagement session locations and finally decided on Fort Monroe in Hampton. Fort Monroe is such an awesome location for portraits! I love shooting here because there is a ton of variety of scenery and architecture all within reach.  Plus, I'm a sucker for history and this place is steeped in it. 

We spent a lovely evening celebrating their engagement and creating beautiful images that reflect their connection to each other. I can't wait for their July winery wedding!

Congrats Ashley & Chris!

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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 schedule your unique portrait experience, contact us today!

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Norfolk Photographer - Maternity Session at The Hermitage

Norfolk Photographer - Maternity Session at The Hermitage

Like many couples, these two lovely people struggled with heartbreak and fertility issues before finally getting the good news that they would be parents. Amanda contacted me to plan a very special and long hoped-for maternity session. Spring had not quite arrived, but she wanted something outdoors, in a natural setting.

We tossed around some ideas and she fell in love with The Hermitage Museum and Gardens in Norfolk. The Hermitage includes an early 20th Century historic home on 12 acres of formal gardens and natural woodlands. The site is often used for weddings and special events, and offers some gorgeous scenery as the backdrop for a Hampton Roads photo session. They do charge a small fee to use the grounds, but it is well worth it in my opinion, especially since the evening brings golden sunset light that streams through the trees in the most divine way. 

Though a bit chilly and breezy, we enjoyed a gorgeous evening by the riverfront. We worked our way around the grounds, chatting and giggling as we went. Their excitement about their baby boy was absolutely contagious! I am so thrilled for these two! I know they will be wonderful parents to one very lucky boy. 

I can't wait to meet their sweet bundle of joy in the coming months. Family blessings are the best!

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On location Lifestyle Maternity Portrait 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 photo session, contact me today!

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Virginia Beach Photographer - First Landing State Park Maternity Session

Virginia Beach Photographer

First Landing State Park Maternity Session

“For when the cold winds blow, I will close my eyes calmly, knowing I am anchored to you.”

— Tyler Knott Gregson

Today I am sharing some stunning images from Danielle and Chris's maternity session at First Landing State Park. They are nature lovers who met through work and married in the UK. Being the adventurous souls that they are, 6 months into their marriage they decided to uproot and move to the USA. They have lived in Virginia Beach for a few years now and enjoy exploring the outdoors together. They tell me they love the mild weather and often enjoy hiking, climbing and then savoring the sunset hours over a bottle of wine (when not expecting, that is). Chris is a photography enthusiast, so he enjoys documenting their adventures together with his camera. 

We decided that First Landing State Park would be a beautiful choice for their maternity session. The park offers plenty of trails for exploring, and a variety of gorgeous natural scenes, both wooded and waterfront. It was indeed the perfect backdrop for a session that celebrates not only the love these two share, but also the amazing new adventure they are embarking on together. Here are some highlights from our recent Virginia Beach maternity session: 

Getting pregnant wasn't an easy road for these two, but their love and strength carried them through that journey together. I am beyond thrilled that they are expecting a sweet baby girl, and I know they will be amazing parents. 

“Just a little light,
that’s all I need,
just a little sunlight from you
and I promise I will grow.”

— Tyler Knott Gregson

Congratulations Dani and Chris! I wish you and your sweet girl a beautiful life filled with joy and happy memories. XO - Melissa

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On location Lifestyle Maternity Portrait 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 unique portrait experience, contact us today!

Norfolk Photographers, Virginia Beach Photographers, Suffolk Photographers, Chesapeake Photographers, Portsmouth Photographers, Williamsburg, VA Photographers, maternity session

Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer - Rainy Day Elopement

Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer - Rainy Day Elopement

"When I follow my heart it leads me to you."

Shelby and Jeramie had a year long engagement and planned on having a wedding to celebrate the start of their lives together. She was living in Florida and he was in Virginia, in between travelings for missions with the Marine Corps, When they realized he would be transferred across country, they decided to elope in Virginia and have a small family celebration before moving together to California. 

I chatted with Shelby on the phone a few times and we traded emails to plan a lovely outdoor ceremony and photo session on the day they tied the knot. Unfortunately, our well laid out plans were scrambled by some unexpected events and then some bad weather. They ended up having a small courthouse ceremony without any professional photos. I very much wanted to capture some gorgeous images for these two though, to commemorate their official union. Even though rain was in the forecast, I suggested that we meet at Regent University for a portrait session. I knew the campus would be green and lovely, and there would be some cover nearby in case of wet weather.

As it turned out, we did get wet. But it was a sweet, light rain that just added to the romantic atmosphere of the afternoon. Shelby and Jeramie love the way their portraits turned out, and so do I! 

These two gorgeous people were a joy to spend time with. I wish them many years of happiness together! Congrats Shelby and Jeramie!

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

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Rustic Engagement Session – Norfolk Photographer

Today I have a lovely little engagement session to share with you! Brian and Natalie were referred to my by another couple who I shot for a few months back – it’s actually the third engagement session referral I’ve had from Portsmouth Naval Hospital in the past six months! There must be something in the water over there, ha ha. But I have loved every one – so keep ’em coming Portsmouth!

I chatted with Brian about the type of session they were interested in and we settled on the rustic atmosphere at Windsor Castle Park in Smithfield. I always love shooting at this park, but it can be crawling with photographers much of the year. When I first started shooting there a few years back, it was a hidden gem. It has since become quite a popular spot for sessions. In February though, I knew we wouldn’t have to worry about tripping over people during our session. Fortunately, it turned out to be a fairly warm day for our engagement session. We did have to dodge a few rain drops, but even that couldn’t dampen the flame between these two!

Here are the highlights from this Smithfield engagement photography session at Windsor Castle Park  :

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Virginia Engagement and Wedding Photographer - Destination Wedding Photographer. Find out more about our wedding services.  If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule your engagement session experience, get in touch! 

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Hampton Roads Photographer Yorktown Engagement Session

Hampton Roads Photographer Yorktown Engagement Session

Shean an Marliana were best friends before they ever started dating. When we met over coffee for our  wedding consultation, it was heartwarming to see how relaxed and comfortable they are together. I could tell the bond between these two ran deep. At our engagement session in Yorktown, they joked and laughed the whole way through. Their warmth and lightheartedness made for an easy-breezy session. Even though the waterfront wind was quite chilly, these two stuck it together like champs. Their playful, upbeat nature took kicked the cold aside and their love became the star of the show. 

Their sweet puppy made her photographic debut on Yorktown beach!

Then we headed inland a bit to get out of the breeze.

Congrats Marlaina and Shean!! Thanks for being amazingly awesome. I can't wait to photograph your October wedding! XO - Melissa

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Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Moments in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

If you would like to learn more about our engagement & wedding photography services, please contact us!

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