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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 Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer, Virginia & Travel

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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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

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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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Norfolk Photographer - Freemason District Maternity Session

Norfolk Photographer - Freemason District Maternity Session

How great is it that we live in an area where mild, sunny day winter sessions are possible?  It was just one such gorgeous day when I photographed Stephanie & Koen's maternity session in Norfolk's lovely Freemason District. 

Stephanie and Koen met in Montreal while in college. Koen is from Belgium and she is Canadian. They dated for about 6 years before marrying. During that time, they lived in Montreal and Antwerp before moving to Norfolk. 

They are both lovers of the great outdoors and also great coffee! They enjoy spending time running, skiing, cycling, ice skating and exploring Norfolk with their first baby, Hunter, a very well behaved Brittany Spaniel. (Isn't he handsome?)

Stephanie and Koen are looking forward to welcoming their first child early this spring and wanted to some maternity photos to share with family and friends back home. We spent an afternoon making photos along the downtown waterside area, to incorporate some of their favorite Norfolk scenes. 

I lived in Norfolk for many years, and there are so many great spots to explore. I really love shooting in the urban downtown area and in the arts district for a fun change of pace. 

Stephanie, Koen and Hunter, it was a pleasure getting to know you all! Thank you for spending the afternoon with me. I look forward to meeting your newest family member. Best wishes! XOXO -Melissa 

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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 creative photography experience, contact me today!

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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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Virginia Beach Maternity Photographer - First Landing Park Maternity Portraits

Virginia Beach Maternity Photographer - First Landing Maternity Portraits

I was fortunate to see another one of my favorite families recently for a lifestyle session in Virginia Beach! Golden light, stunning river views, romantic Spanish Moss, the sweetest family ever...this session has it all!

You may remember the Josephs from this family photo session last fall. They were due for some updated pics and had some BIG news - they are expecting a new bundle of wonder this spring! Yay! We scheduled a family maternity session at First Landing State Park, and a newborn session for when that sweet babe arrives!

It was a chilly, but gorgeous evening when we met. The golden light and warm tones of the natural surroundings were a stunning backdrop for our session.  We bottled up some of those bittersweet family moments as they grow from a tight knit little family of 3, to a beautifully blessed family of 4. These are some of my favorite images from our Virginia Beach Maternity session: 

Thank you Joseph family, for sharing your awesomeness with me again! I can't wait to see you in a few short months and meet your newest addition! XOXO - 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 creative photography experience, contact me today!

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Military's Couple's Rustic Engagement Photos - Norfolk Engagement Photographer

Military's Couple's Rustic Engagement Photos - Norfolk Engagement Photographer

I have a lovely rustic, fall engagement session to share today for this sweet Norfolk military couple. For privacy, I won't use their names but do have permission to share some images from their recent engagement session. We opted for the rustic, romantic setting at Windsor Castle Park in Smithfield to capture some charming and colorful photos that perfectly suited this fabulous duo. 

These two were introduced by a co-worker who had a hunch they would be a great match for each other. They met at a friendly gathering, and soon bonded over their love of Mexican food and adventuring. They often enjoy a spontaneous weekend road trip to explore the coast, while sampling some tasty cuisine along the way!

Though they grew up in different parts of the country, they both love spending time outdoors and traveling to new places. As we wandered the grounds, stopping for photos here and there, I found their sweet and playful bond absolutely endearing. I have no doubt that they will have many memorable adventures together throughout the years.

I love that Windsor Castle Park offers such a great variety of scenes to explore. And barn light is the dreamiest! It makes my photographer heart swoon every. single. time. I was a bit disappointed to see that the city had recently done some repairs to the historic barns and buildings on site, including putting vinyl *gasp* siding on the ramshackle old house on the corner of Jericho.  I'm sure those old buildings require quite a bit of maintenance, but the modern "upgrades" just seem to kill some of the rustic charm of the place. It is still a beautiful park, and quite unique, but this nostalgic dreamer cried a little inside, ha ha. 

During our consultation, Miss K confided that her fiancé never smiles for photos. She was really hoping to get at least one smile for their engagement announcement.  Mission accomplished. But really, how could he not smile with that gorgeous girl on his arm??

I loved getting to know these two during our session, and I wish them a lifetime of happy adventures together!

Virginia Wedding and Lifestyle Portrait Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Moments in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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