Sandbridge Beach Lifestyle Family Photo Session
Sandbridge Beach Lifestyle Family Photo Session
The weather is warming up and it's so nice to be back shooting on the beach again. I thought the wet, cool spring might never end this year!
This month has been full of family and couples sessions at the oceanfront. I love shooting at the beach - there are so many unique opportunities to use the atmosphere to create some really gorgeous beach portraits. I am thankful that Hampton Roads offers so much variety for session backdrops - from wooded natural areas and landscaped parks, to chic urban locales and quaint waterfront scenes. There really is something for everyone.
But I find that 75% of my sessions end up on the beach during the better part of the year. I grew up with my toes in the sand, so that's okay by me! Today I'm sharing some highlights from a gorgeous family beach session at Sandbridge in Virginia Beach with a sweet little family of 3.
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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
On location Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photographer
Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs
Norfolk, VA Photographers, Virginia Beach, VA Photographers, Suffolk, VA Photographers, Chesapeake, VA Photographers, Portsmouth, VA Photographers, Sandbridge Photographers, Williamsburg, VA Photographers
Norfolk Botanical Gardens Wedding Photography
Norfolk Botanical Gardens Wedding Photography
The past few weeks have been crazy busy! 4 weddings and several family beach sessions, and I have lots of exciting sneak peeks to share!! First up is a charming wedding ceremony by Weddings at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Here are some peeks of the bride and groom, but there is much more to come. Be sure to check back soon!
It was such a pleasure to meet these two lovely people and their families for the beautiful event. Norfolk Botanical Garden never disappoints, and her stunning roses were in full bloom on this amazing day. What fun we had creating some gorgeous bride and groom portraits in the gardens! Fortunately, the rain held off and we were able to make the most of our time together.
Congratulations and best wishes for many happy years together Mr. & Mrs. Strane!
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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
On location Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photographer
Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stores in Beautiful Timeless Photographs
Norfolk Wedding Photographers, Virginia Beach Wedding Photographers, Suffolk Wedding Photographers, Chesapeake Wedding Photographers, Portsmouth Wedding Photographers, Sandbridge Wedding Photographers, Williamsburg Wedding Photographers
Sandbridge Photographer – Family Beach Portraits
Sandbridge Photographer – Family Beach Portraits
I get to meet so many amazing families at portrait sessions and I always enjoy getting to know them. The big crew came from far and wide (including Australia and Canada) to spend a family vacation at Sandbridge Beach in Virginia Beach. They wanted some beautiful beach portraits to celebrate their time together. We spent a warm, breezy evening making fun memories on the beach and capturing their family connections. Here is a peek at their extended family portrait session on Sandbridge beach.
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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
On location Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photographer
Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs
Norfolk, VA Photographers, Virginia Beach, VA Photographers, Suffolk, VA Photographers, Chesapeake, VA Photographers, Portsmouth, VA Photographers, Sandbridge Photographers, Smithfield, VA Photographers, Williamsburg, VA Photographers
Norfolk Photographer – Urban Senior Portraits
Norfolk Photographer – Urban Senior Portraits
This gorgeous senior and her mom contacted me this spring about planning a portrait session. They wanted portraits, but didn’t want typical senior portraits. They wanted something unique with more of a fine art feel. None of the “pretty girl standing by a fence on the beach” kind of stuff. They had browsed through my portfolio and loved my fine art portrait gallery posted in the online album. Mom told me they really didn’t want a gallery full of smiley senior pics. Instead they wanted “amazing portraits.” When I heard that, my heart skipped a beat. As an artist, there is nothing better than having a client tell you that they appreciate your work, they value your unique skills, and they trust you to just do what you do. The freedom to create. It’s an amazing thing!
I was so excited and inspired to work with them to create something memorable.
We met in downtown Norfolk in May, and spent an evening exploring the city and chasing light. Here are some of my favorite portraits from that session:
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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
On location Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photographer
Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs
Norfolk, VA Photographers, Virginia Beach, VA Photographers, Suffolk, VA Photographers, Chesapeake, VA Photographers, Portsmouth, VA Photographers, Sandbridge Photographers, Smithfield, VA Photographers, Williamsburg, VA Photographers
Virginia Beach Newborn Lifestyle Photographer
Virginia Beach Newborn Lifestyle Photographer
Oh, how I adore in home newborn sessions! There is nothing more precious than those first few weeks at home with a newborn. Seriously. Life doesn’t get sweeter than this.
I had the honor of photographing maternity portraits for this beautiful Virginia Beach couple last spring and knew immediately that they would be amazing parents! I was so excited to meet their baby boy! We planned an in home session for shortly after they returned from the hospital and we all waited anxiously for his debut! This session, like their maternity session, is one of my all time favorites to date. This gorgeous family will forever hold a warm spot in my heart. I am so thankful to have such wonderful clients and to be able to collect these beautiful memories for them.
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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 757-646-7408
On location Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photographer
Melissa Bliss Photography – Capturing the Moments That Melt Hearts
Norfolk Newborn Photographers, Virginia Beach Newborn Photographers, Chesapeake Newborn Photographers, Portsmouth Photographers, Sandbridge Photographers, Williamsburg Photographers
Family Beach Sessions – Portrait Ideas
Family Beach Sessions – Portrait Ideas
From May – September I am on the beach several times a week shooting family sessions. I love the open skies and beautiful scenes that beach shooting allows. We are so fortunate to live near the ocean. The sound of the waves, the warm sand under my feet, the salty ocean breeze – I love it all! Shooting at the beach offers a unique set of challenges. It can be tough to manage a session with the bright, often hazy, light, the sand and wind, not to mention all that salt water, which can wreak havoc on equipment. But, the rewards far outweigh the challenges in my opinion. I love capturing family moments by the shore and some of my all time favorite sessions were shot on the beach. Here is a quick round up of some fun portrait ideas for family beach sessions:
A few tips to get to most out of your family beach session:
- Plan your wardrobe well in advance and coordinate 3-4 colors for the group. Layers and clothes that move with you are ideal. Check with your photographer for tips or recommendations.
- Bring a fun activity for the family. The best expressions come from natural interaction. Fly a kite, bring a small picnic, play catch, search for beach treasures, get everyone involved in some good old fashioned family fun.
- If your kids take naps, plan accordingly and try to let them rest before your session, which will take place at sunset. Make sure they eat a good meal before your appointment and bring a mess-free snack to stave off any "hangries." A bottle of water is a good idea too for a quick drink and for rinsing sandy hands.
- Wrangling a group to dress for photos is never easy. Try to start the process early in case of last minute issues or delays, and do your best to keep it stress free. You want your family to be excited for the experience. The best laid plans can fall apart, so approach it with a positive attitude and try to be flexible. This should be a fun evening of family memory making. If you are excited, your kids are more likely to cooperate and be excited too. If things start to go awry, a little humor goes a long way in keeping your sanity.
- Lastly, be prepared to have fun! Your family means the world to you. This is the time to focus on those relationships. Shower them with love. Walking hand in hand, big bear hugs, swinging, dancing, exploring, splashing, and giggles are what family beach session are all about. Free your mind of the everyday pressures of life and use this time to really connect with those you hold most dear. You won't regret it. Promise. And you'll have beautiful images of those memories to look back on for years to come.
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If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule your unique beach portrait experience, contact us today: melissablissphotography@gmail.com
On location Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photographer
Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs
Virginia Beach, VA Photographers, Hampton Roads Photographers, Sandbridge Beach Photographers, beach portraits, beach photo session ideas, beach photography
Lifestyle Maternity Session – Virginia Beach Photographer
Lifestyle Maternity Session – Virginia Beach Photographer
Maternity sessions are always exciting – so full of hope and the beauty of new life! I just love documenting that amazing time in a couple’s life story. A first pregnancy is, without a doubt, a unique and special time.
There are so many concerns and questions to answer, so many possibilities to ponder, so many first moments to savor. It is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
But, welcoming a baby into a growing family is every bit as special and noteworthy. Photographing a maternity session as a family experience is such a thrill. Silly moments, sweet embraces and lots of love are what they are all about.
This recent lifestyle maternity session for the Timberlake family was no exception. What a treat it was to spend the afternoon playing with this lovely family on the beautiful grounds of Colonial Williamsburg! The Governor’s Palace Gardens are my absolute favorite, but there are so many unique nooks and gardens to enjoy – it really is a fantastic location for a shoot.
My calendar is filling quickly – if you’d like a portrait session this season, now is the time to book!
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On location Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photographer
Melissa Bliss Photography – Capturing the Moments That Melt Hearts
If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule your unique portrait experience, contact us today!
Norfolk, VA Photographers, Virginia Beach Photographers, Suffolk Photographers, Chesapeake, VA Photographers, Portsmouth Photographers, Sandbridge Photographers, Smithfield, VA Photographers, Williamsburg Photographers