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

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 trial 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. 

 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 thing. 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 captured 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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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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Beach Sunset Family Mini Session - Virginia Beach Photographer

Beach Sunset Family Mini Session - Virginia Beach Photographer

This sweet little family recently moved to Virginia Beach after relocating all the way from California. I met the Tozzi family at Chick's Beach for a sunset beach mini session. It was time for some updated portraits, and their littlest peanut was celebrating her first birthday too!

It didn't take long for me to fall in love with their sweet girls! They were absolutely charming. Mom and Dad's down-to-earth, laid back manner also won my heart. We simply played and explored the bay shore, while Mother Nature graced us with the most gorgeous sunset.

The evening was just about perfect, I tell ya! I mean that golden light, those long shadows and the rolling clouds...pretty much a recipe for perfection if you ask me. Especially when you throw in this awesome family crew!

Before I knew it, the sun was slipping down past the horizon. But oh! what a spectacular end to the day!! (I just had to capture it in both black and white and color.)

Thank you Tozzi family for sharing your delightful family moments with me! I adored our session and hope to see you again soon. - XOXO Melissa

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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Virginia Beach Photographer, Lifestyle Family Beach Photos

Virginia Beach Photographer, Lifestyle Family Beach Photos

This post is long overdue, but I am finally getting around to blogging one of my favorite family sessions to date! Last year I did a call for submissions for Beauty Revived's 50 Most Beautiful Children Campaign.  The mission of Beauty Revived is to tell the stories of real women and children with real beauty.

Photographers donate one session to a deserving woman or child who shows attributes of kindness, courage and strength. These sessions are featured on the Beauty Revived website and in their quarterly magazine. Beauty Revived was established in 2014 and has held 14 national campaigns, has a network of 1500 photographers and has told the stories of 600 women in print with 9 magazines published.

Mingmei was selected for my campaign session. She is a spunky little beauty who is curious, kind and wise beyond her years. I had such a fantastic time with Mingmei and her family at our beach session. It was a gorgeous evening with a spectacular sunset. It was truly magical!

Mingmei's family is one of the sweetest I have ever met! You can read more about Mingmei in her Beauty Revived article, but I am finally sharing some additional images from our session here. I hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed making them!

It was an absolute honor and a complete joy to do this session for MIngmei and her lovely family. I am thrilled that she enjoyed "being famous" in a magazine, and that I was able to create these beautiful memories for her family.  XOXO -Melissa

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

 Creative Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer in Virginia + Travel

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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

Family Lifestyle Photos at The Hermitage Museum, Norfolk Photographer

Family Lifestyle Photos at The Hermitage Museum, Norfolk Photographer

I met this beautiful young family of four for an afternoon of exploring the Hermitage Museum and Gardens in Norfolk. The grounds at the Hermitage are so lovely, and it is a great place for kiddos to embark on a little outdoor adventure!  Tucked away on the river, away from busy street traffic, it is a quaint little slice of nature and beauty. 

“You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong. ”

— Sue Fitzmaurice

We wandered through tall grasses, artistic sculptures, charming gardens and riverfront shores. 

Keeping little ones moving and happy is the name of the game. They loved every minute! There was a slight chill in the air, so we stopped along the way for cuddles and tickles too. 

I loved meeting the Millars! I am so glad we had a chance to get acquainted and enjoy this little outdoor adventure together. 

 Lifestyle Family and Wedding Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Moments in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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Virginia Beach Photographer, Family Lifestyle Photos

Virginia Beach Photographer, Family Lifestyle Photos

I can't get enough of this gorgeous little family! They are the coolest, I tell ya. I did a session for the Groy's a few years ago, when their girl was less than a year old. I loved them, and was super excited to see them again recently for a lifestyle session in Virginia Beach.

They are every bit as awesome as I remembered -and then some because they have a little toe-headed cutie rounding out the family now. 

 I would give a kidney to have photos like this of my family when my kiddos were younger.

I can just see this beautiful mama, years from now, telling her grandbabies all about when their mom and dad were little adventurers seeking treasure under every leaf and rock.

It's hard to call this work when I giggled and played the whole way through! I am just smitten by these cuties and their laid-back, cool as cukes mom and dad.

These are my faves! Well, okay, it's super hard to choose, but I love the silly faces. :)

And the sweet, intimate snuggles too. 

Thank you SO much Groy family, for the opportunity to create these beautiful images for you! Let's play again soon! - XOXO Melissa

If you would like to schedule a photo session for your family, get in touch! And, if you enjoyed this post, please share it. Your support is much appreciated. Thank you!

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Lifestyle Sessions | Wedding Photography

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