I create heartfelt images of those runaway moments you don’t ever want to forget. Since 2011, I have documented authentic moments in engagement & wedding photography, newborn & family lifestyle photography, and senior portraits, as a full time photographer. I believe that life is a beautiful mess, and each day is full of tiny miracles which make it all worth while. Collecting those memories in photographs is my way of sharing joy and inspiration with the world.
My work is inspired by mood, connection, movement and details. I am a lover of golden light, deep shadows, and dramatic black and whites. I choose to focus my lens on the connections we make in life – to our loved ones, to what stirs our souls, and to the dynamic world around us.
Let’s connect and plan a session to create some images that you’ll adore all throughout your years!
When I am not behind my camera, you’ll likely find me navigating the chaos of my days with 4 kiddos, 2 great danes, and one self-proclaimed data nerd (my rock-star husband), on my three favorite food groups: coffee, wine and chocolate.
I am an active member of the photography community, regularly participating in forums, workshops and local groups. I am also a long time member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).
My work has been featured on several industry sites & in print publications including SnapKnot Weddings, Coastal Virginia Bride Magazine, BP4U, Child Photo Competition, Soul Focus, LOOKSLIKEFILM, and Beauty Revived.
I have been named a Top 10 Virginia Beach Photographer by Peerspace, Top 20 Virginia Beach Photographer by Expertise, and a Top 100 finalist in the world wide Shoot and Share photo competitions every year since 2015. In 2018 & 2019, I had multiple images place in the Top 100 out of over half a million entries, with one image placing 11th and one placing 17th.
Destination Wedding & Elopement Photographer and Hampton Roads Newborn & Family Lifestyle & Wedding Photographer serving Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Sandbridge and Williamsburg, VA.
Available for travel destinations worldwide.
A peek at my crazy crew.
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All photos on this site are copyright protected by Melissa Rich.