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 

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VA Beach Oceanfront Family Photo Shoot

VA Beach Oceanfront Family Photo Shoot

It's summertime, and that means another beach session coming at ya! I had the best time with this gorgeous family who came to visit all the way from Missouri for our sunset beach session. 

And what a fabulous evening it was! The beach was all aglow with that gorgeous hazy light I love so much. Swoon.

These girlies were ready for some free-spirited seaside shenanigans, so we wasted no time getting mom and dad on board. 

These two adorable faces are pretty hard to resist, don't you think? 

We danced and splashed along the shore until the sun set over the dunes. 

And then Mother Nature gave us the perfect dramatic backdrop for some stunning silhouettes. 

What a perfect way to end a fun-filled summer day!

Thank you, Hawkins Family, for an evening filled with terrific memories! You guys are tops in my book. Keep doing you. - XOXO Melissa

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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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Sandbridge Family Beach Photo Session, Virginia Beach

Sandbridge Family Beach Photos, Virginia Beach 

Sunshine, sand and shenanigans - that pretty much sums up a perfect summer day to me. This Sandbridge family beach session had it all, with a heaping side of giggles too!

I had THE best time with this family of blonde-haired cuties! We danced in the sand, dug in the dunes, and jumped over wave after wave. 

“ Let them be little because they are only that way for a little while -”

Mom and dad are my heroes by the way. Four kiddos under six to dress and wrangle for photos? While on vacation no less! They not only kept their cool, they were complete rock stars throughout the whole session!

Sandbridge beach is a unique place where many families come to make happy memories each summer. We only get about 216 weeks of summer with our kiddos before they leave the nest. Better make the most of them, right?!  

I'm so thrilled that I got to capture some of those fun-filled memories for this beautiful family to look back on. 

Thank you Ashley family, for an awesome summer beach session! I hope you enjoy these photos for many years to come.  - XOXO, Melissa 

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Family Lifestyle Photographer, Hampton Roads, VA

Family Lifestyle Photographer, Hampton Roads, VA

It has been another busy week full of sessions, and I have lots of fun-filled sneak peeks to share! From Williamsburg, to Smithfield, to Virginia Beach, I have traveled all around town to capture some sweet moments with these beautiful families.

Some of my favorite families have come back to see me again this year, and that always fills my heart with joy! I love watching them grow, and helping to fill their walls and albums with lovely memories. 

Check out these twinsies on the beach! Doubly adorable!! Big brother and I have been best buds since he was their age. Love this family. <3

Making new friends is a treat too, especially when they are as laid back and hilarious as this crew!

This summer is sure shaping up to be packed full of fantastic memories. :)  Lots more to come soon! - XOXO, Melissa

Get in touch to get on my calendar. Schedule your summer lifestyle photo session before it's too late!

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Family Beach Sessions, Virginia Beach Lifestyle Photographer

Family Beach Sessions, Virginia Beach Lifestyle Photographer 

It's official. Summer is here! It has been a crazy busy month so far. Lots of sessions and wedding consultations and my summer calendar is filling up quickly! I love being back out on the beach shooting! But all those sessions and editing marathons don't leave much time for blogging. I'll keep this one brief, but wanted to share some sneak peeks from a few recent sessions. I hope you enjoy them!

It's so great to see so many old friends and to meet new ones too!

Toes in the sand, camera in hand! I'm a happy girl. Many thanks to all the awesome couples and families who have put their memories in my hands. More to come soon! - XOXO, Melissa 

If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule your lifestyle photography experience, contact us today!

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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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