Downtown Norfolk Engagement Session - Hampton Roads Wedding Photographer

Downtown Norfolk Engagement Session - Hampton Roads Wedding Photographer

Today I’m sharing Maggie and Sean’s downtown Norfolk engagement session! Yep, I’m still waaaaaay behind on sharing sessions. This session was shot in September. Maggie and Sean booked me for their Spring wedding at the Decker Half Moone Cruise Center in Norfolk, and that was plenty exciting. But, when I met them for their engagement session, I was absolutely over the moon excited because they are SO freaking awesome! Fun, silly, totally comfortable with each other, and totally in love. I had the best time with them!

They even brought their adorable puppy to star in a few photos!

And they brought bikes! They are avid bikers and frequently explore downtown on their bikes, so it was a perfect way to celebrate their relationship. They are so sweet together!

We explored all along the Norfolk waterfront to get some creative shots for them. They were really relaxed and up for anything, so I was having a blast shooting with them!

After walking along the Waterside district, we headed toward Main Street and the downtown area to take advantage of the city lights at sunset.

This has to be one of my all time favorite engagement sessions. I love shooting in the city, and these two - they are simply perfect together. I can’t wait for their wedding day!

Congratulations Maggie and Sean! Thank you for trusting me with your engagement portraits, and for just being you! - XOXO, Melissa

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Norfolk Waterfront Engagement Session - VA Wedding Photographer

Norfolk Waterfront Engagement Session - VA Wedding Photographer

Today I am sharing a lovely little downtown Norfolk engagement session! Have I mentioned that I love shooting in the city? All the unique architecture, pops of color, and textures make for some awesome creative inspiration!

Peter is currently stationed in Norfolk, and Kathryn planned a trip to visit him and have their engagement portraits taken. They are engaged to be married in December and until then, they are making do with a long-distance relationship.

We planned a fun sunset session in the Freemason District for Friday after she arrived. Unfortunately, Kathryn got sick on her way into town, and she was only planning to be here for the weekend. We decided to reschedule for Sunday morning, in hopes that she would be feeling well enough for the session after a day of rest.

Fortunately, our Plan B worked out really well - she felt much better by Sunday, and we had a gorgeous sunny morning for our photoshoot.

I had a great time getting to know Kathryn and Peter during our session, and I am thrilled that we managed to get some beautiful shots for them while they had some time together.

Congratulations and best wishes you two! I know your winter wedding will be a stunning event! I wish you both many happy and healthy years together. -XOXO, Melissa

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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First Anniversary Session - North End Virginia Beach

First Anniversary Session - North End Virginia Beach

I'm sharing a lovely little first anniversary session today. These two came to Virginia Beach to celebrate their first wedding anniversary in August. They booked a mini session to take advantage of some sunset beach portraits while they were in town. 

We enjoyed a really gorgeous evening on the beach, and I had a great time shooting with them! 

Congrats and best wishes Mr. & Mrs. D! I hope you have many more happy years together. Come back and visit soon! - XOXO, Melissa 

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Creative Engagement Portraits at First Landing, Virginia Beach

Creative Engagement Portraits at First Landing, Virginia Beach

This crazy busy season keeps chugging along full steam ahead, and once again I am behind on blogging. I swear I blinked and July disappeared! I have had so many fun-filled sessions with fabulous people, it will likely take me until December to catch up! But, I am thrilled to be shooting so much, and to have the honor to connect with so many beautiful souls.

This week's share is Terrin and Melissa's gorgeous sunset engagement session at First Landing State Park. These two lovelies hail from the West Coast. They actually met as young kids when their older siblings were dating. Their families have been close for many years, and as they grew up, Melissa and Terrin grew closer and closer. Finally, they decided it was time to tie the knot. 

Terrin is currently stationed in Norfolk, while Melissa works back home in Washington State. She contacted me months ago to plan an engagement session for early summer, to coincide with her vacation plans in Virginia. 

Since she and Terrin weren't all that familiar with the area, I shared lots of examples of session locations with them to show them the variety of back drops available in Hampton Roads. They fell in love with First Landing's woodsy charm and laid back tidal atmosphere. (It's one of my fave's too!)

We spent the lovely summer evening wandering through the woods and along the shoreline as the sun began to set.

Melissa and Terrin were so much fun to shoot. They are so deeply connected and at ease with one another, my job became simply guiding them from scene to scene through moments of silly banter and sweet intimate embraces. They rest is all them. 

Life is infinitely more enjoyable, when you don't take it, or yourself, too seriously. 

And the scenery at First Landing never disappoints! 

Thank you, Terrin and Melissa, for trusting my vision for your engagement photos!  I am thrilled that you love them, and I hope they bring you much joy in the years to come. All my happiest wishes to you both as you enter this new chapter together! - XOXO, Melissa 

If you would like to find out more about our 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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Surprise Proposal on the Beach, Virginia Beach Engagement Pictures

Surprise Proposal on the Beach, Virginia Beach Engagement Pictures

So this was pretty darn exciting! It has been a little while since I have shot a surprise proposal.  Sean contacted me a few weeks ago while he was planning a way to surprise his girlfriend and pop the question. We chatted on the phone a couple of times, and I could tell by his thoughtfulness, warmth, and enthusiasm that this was going to be a very emotional event. 

I was thrilled to be able to help him select a location, and iron out the details of how to capture this moment without blowing the surprise. He made dinner reservations at Rockafellers, and planned a sunset walk on the beach after dinner. He left no detail undone, and made a beautiful keepsake box as a gift for Julie. He told me that he gave her small gifts often, and planned to have her open the gift on the beach as he got down on one knee. 

It all went off perfectly. I was SO excited to be there to capture this moment for them! It was absolutely beautiful!

Virginia Beach Oceanfront Surprise Proposal

Thank you Sean and Julie, for inviting me to be part of this special moment in your lives. It was an honor! I am so happy for you both.  Congrats you guys! - XOXO Melissa 

Creative  Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer, Virginia & Destinations World Wide

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Norfolk Engagement Photographer - Waterside District Intimate Photo Session

Norfolk Engagement Photographer

Waterside District Intimate Photo Session

Madison and Zack's Norfolk Waterside District Photo Session was last weekend. I had a blast shooting downtown with these two. They were so laid back and they looked amazing! Not to mention that they are clearly mad about each other. And what's more beautiful than love??

 Here are some sneak peeks from our session on the Norfolk waterfront. Enjoy!

These two totally rocked their session and I am loving how their gallery is shaping up.

And guess what? After we shot around the Waterside District for a bit, Madison and Zack eloped right on the lawn downtown! It was amazing!

Congratulations Madison and Zack! I wish you many happy years together. - XOXO, Melissa

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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!

Norfolk, VA Photographers, Virginia Beach, VA Photographers, Suffolk, VA Photographers, Chesapeake, VA Photographers, Portsmouth, VA Photographers, Sandbridge Photographers, Smithfield, VA Photographers, Williamsburg, VA Photographers