Sandbridge Beach Summer Family Pictures - Extended Family Session

Hey friends! It’s been a while since I’ve posted but I have a slew of sessions to share. Kicking it off with this Sandbridge Beach session for a gorgeous crew of 22. We had a golden evening on the shore, just before a storm rolled in. The light and clouds were spectacular!

Another client referred this lively group to me and I’m so happy I got to spend an evening with them! I love a multi-generational shoot and this one was tops! We had the best time playing in the sand and splashing in the waves on Sandbridge Beach.

Just look at those joyful faces!

Toddlers always bring big personalities and I love the freedom a relaxed evening beach session offers. Carefree childhood moments with loved ones and a handful of happy memories to carry home. Those snaps with grandparents and grand babies are absolutely priceless.

I’m looking forward to many summer beach sessions as the new season begins! Summer days are just around the corner. Do you have beach vacation plans this summer? Have you been to Sandbridge Beach?

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If you are in the coastal, VA or NC area and would like to schedule your lifestyle photography session, contact me today! melissablissphotography@gmail.com

Hampton Roads, VA Creative Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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Family Mini Session at Chic's Beach, Virginia Beach

Family Mini Session at Chic's Beach, Virginia Beach

Hey friends! What a wacky spring it has been, amiright? Covid-19, self-quarantine, oddly cool temps…I think we could all use a vacation and some carefree days!

Today I am sharing some happy beach memories from a family that is near and dear to my heart. The beautiful J Family has been with me since 2015. I adore this lovely family and was SO thrilled to be able to do this session for them at Chic’s Beach.

We chose Chic’s Beach because, A. it’s gorgeous! And B. they used to live just a block from the beach before they moved to Northern Virginia. Their kiddos are beach babies in every sense of the word.

We had such a great time playing along the bay, and celebrating their daughter’s 1st year! (Check out their newborn lifestyle session here.)

Chic’s, with it’s shallow waters, is the perfect spot for littles to play and explore. They certainly weren’t afraid to get wet!

Our sunset family mini beach session was short and sweet (perfect for mini attention spans) and also filled with happy memories, belly laughs, and love.. What could be better?!

Thank you, J Family, for coming to visit me again! I loved every moment! Come back soon. - XOXOX, Melissa

Let's make a date to document those little moments with big heart for your family!

If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area, or plan to be, contact me to schedule your lifestyle photo session!

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 Lifestyle Family and Wedding Photographer

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Front Porch Sessions - Hampton Roads Lifestyle Photographer

Front Porch Sessions - Hampton Roads Lifestyle Photographer

While many of us are stuck at home, anxious and worried about what the future holds (and also a little stir crazy😜) I thought the #frontstepsproject originally started by a photographer in Massachusetts, would be an ideal way to help make a difference in our community. It’s a way to spread a little joy, without spreading the Coronavirus.

Events and weddings are being cancelled left and right, and group gatherings in public places are not recommended, but I can still do my part to bring some focus back to what is most important in our lives - the love and relationships we share.

Now is the time to lean into that, and to support each other through this struggle. I've decided to offer front steps sessions to our local community for those who would like a family photo at home. Social distancing rules apply, of course, and these sessions will be short and sweet. Just a quick family photo on your porch, taken from a safe distance.

In lieu of a session fee, I ask that you make a minimum $20 donation to The United Way Emergency Relief Fund, Feed America or the Portsmouth Humane Society.

Please contact me for details if you are interested in participating.

Be safe. Be well. And together we'll get through this. Thank you friends!!

Creative Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer in Hampton Roads, VA

Melissa Bliss Photography – Timelessly Beautiful. Authentically You.

Norfolk Photographer, Virginia Beach Photographer, Suffolk Photographer, Chesapeake Photographer, Lifestyle Photographer, Sandbridge Photographer, Portsmouth Family Photographer

Virginia Beach Lifestyle Photographer - First Landing Family Photo Shoot

Virginia Beach Lifestyle Photographer - First Landing Family Photo Shoot

While I still have several beach sessions to share, I am soooo excited that fall is here! I adore that golden fall light, and the amazing color display that Mother Nature puts on every year! Plus, apple pie a la mode.

And getting to photograph beautiful families and couples snuggled up together against the chill, well that just can’t be beat!

I met the adorable Thomas family for a lifestyle session at First Landing State Park at sunset. The golden light, and those sweet little faces just make me all kinds of happy!

We had a fun time exploring the park trails, and making family memories, as their cuties discovered new treasures along the shoreline.

I love that this park has so much to offer. It’s perfect for families, seniors, and engagement sessions. First Landing does require a permit and fee to shoot on site, but it’s worth every penny in my opinion. It is one of my favorite spots for sure, especially in the fall!

I had such a great time with this charming family - thank you Thomases!! I hope to see you all again soon. :) - XOXO, Melissa

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Hampton Roads Lifestyle Photographer - Virginia Beach Photo Sessions

Hampton Roads Lifestyle Photographer - Virginia Beach Photo Sessions

Yikes, I can hardly believe it has been almost a month since I’ve posted here! This summer has been hectic with lots of family sessions, weddings, engagements & elopements…and also carting my 4 kids all over hampton roads to camps, parties and activities as well. Summer just seems to be slipping away! I have posted peeks on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest, but have sadly neglected the blogging.

Well, it’s high time that I fixed that, so today I’m sharing some favorites from several lifestyle family beach sessions I shot this summer in Virginia Beach.

From the southern tip of Sandbridge to the north end of bay area, I have met many beautiful families to capture some fun beach vacation photos. I have to say that it is pretty great to be able to enjoy so many beach sunsets as I’m working my way through the summer!

I have met lots of new families this summer, and have also been fortunate to visit with some old familiar friends.

Just like the families themselves, each session is unique! I love getting to know each family, so that I can capture the moments that are authentic to their stories.

That’s it for today! I have plenty more to share, but my editing que is calling. One of these days I’ll learn to be a better juggler, perhaps. Tell me, how has your summer been? Relaxed and easy livin’, or packed full to the brim? I’d love to hear about it in the comments. - XOXOX, Melissa

Melissa Bliss Photography – Timelessly Beautiful. Authentically You.

Thanks for visiting! Looking for more beach photo session ideas? Find beach photo shoot tips here.

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If you are in the coastal, VA or NC area and would like to schedule your lifestyle photography session, contact me today! melissablissphotography@gmail.com

Hampton Roads Creative Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer

Norfolk Photographers, Virginia Beach Photographers, Suffolk Photographers, Chesapeake Photographers, Lifestyle Photographers, Sandbridge Photographers, Williamsburg Photographers

Sandbridge Beach Annual Family Pictures - Virginia Beach

Sandbridge Beach Annual Family Pictures - Virginia Beach

The Grimaldi Family has been coming to see me for their annual family beach photo since 2015. I love visiting with them each year! It is always a treat to see them and catch up on their news.

It seems a storm is never far behind our sessions, and we usually have to adjust our timing on the fly - not always easy since they only get a couple of days all together at the beach. But, we always find a way to make it work because these family photos are important.

When Tara (Mom) booked their first session with me, she told me that she had recently lost her mom. After her mom passed away, she realized that she only had a small handful of photos of her mother. That just broke her heart. From that moment on, she vowed to make time for annual photos with her kids, so that those images and memories would live on for future generations.

I truly enjoy and look forward to seeing this family every year. And I think it is absolutely wonderful that Tara is keeping this tradition of getting into the frame with her children. She is always so grateful for these images and thanks me profusely for “capturing her heart.” And I am always honored.

Thank you, Grimaldi family, for upholding this beautiful tradition, for dodging storms with me, and for inviting me to photograph the heart of your sweet family! See you next year! - XOXO, Melissa

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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Virginia Beach Photographers - Sandbridge Family Lifestyle Session

Virginia Beach Photographers - Sandbridge Family Lifestyle Session

Hey friends! I hope your summer is off to a great start. I’ve been at the beach quite a bit lately, and I was so excited to have one of my favorite families come back to see me in Sandbridge this summer. I first met the Massie family in 2016 when they were a family of 3. Click here to view our first summer beach photo session.

They recently came back to Sandbridge beach on vacation as a foursome! We planned a follow up session to capture some fun-filled beach memories for their growing family.

Their oldest was just as spunky and animated as I remembered, but is now twice the size! And their baby girl was just the sweetest bundle of smiles and raspberries. <3

We spent a lovely evening playing along the shore at Little Island Park in the fading golden sunlight.

One of my favorite perks of this career is being able to watch families grow over the years.

Thank you, Massie Family, for another awesome family beach session! I loved visiting with you all and meeting your newest addition! Come back again soon. - XOXO, Melissa

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If you are in the coastal, VA or NC area and would like to schedule your lifestyle photography session, contact me today! melissablissphotography@gmail.com

Hampton Roads, VA Creative Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

Norfolk Photographers, Virginia Beach Photographers, Suffolk Photographers, Chesapeake Photographers, Lifestyle Photographers, Sandbridge Photographers, Williamsburg Photographers