A Day with the Brubakers | Downtown Norfolk Family Photographer

Julia and her adorable family are one of my LivingSocial families.  She purchased the deal that ran last year, but with unusual circumstances, we weren't able to shoot their session until now.  We talked for months, figuring out where exactly we were going to do have their session and bounced ideas off of each other.  When Julia last contacted me, she told me that they wanted to get them done soon, since they were moving back to the West Coast very soon.  We settled on a location with an urban feel, Freemason District and the adjacent areas; the Pagoda & Oriental Garden, and the USS Wisconsin.  All locations that will remind them of the time when they lived on the East Coast in Virginia. 

Thank you Brubaker family for a fun session and hope you have a safe trip to Cali!

A Day in the Park with Mommy & Me | Downtown Norfolk Portrait Photographer

Back in March, Sara, a friend of mine and past OpLove client, held an event for the SIDS awareness at the Indian River AMF bowling lanes.  It was in an event to raise awareness about SIDS, research funding, and to also celebrate two special little kiddos, Jax and Eli.  They also held a silent auction, in which I provided a gift certificate.  I was contacted a few weeks ago by Ms. Carmen, who happened to win my gift certificate.  Due to her hubby not being here, we set up a Mommy & Me session for her and her adorable son, Gabe.  We decided on the Pagoda & Oriental Garden in Downtown Norfolk.  I just LOVE shooting there, especially because there are many different backdrops to choose from.  We walked around the garden, keeping cool in the shade.  We even had the opportunity to go upstairs of the Pagoda and checked out the sights from high up! 

Towards the end of the session, we shortly discovered that we were in Hawaii around the same time, and that she knew a former neighbor of mines, Melissa.  It's funny how the military brings people together and you don't even know it!!

Thank you Ms. Carmen and Gabe for allowing me to photograph you guys. I had SO much fun!!

Is It a Boy or Is It a Girl? | Virginia Beach Portrait Photographer

You'll recognize my friend Gina and her adorable kiddos.  They were my last session of 2013.  Well, it was at that session that Gina told me she was preggo and wanted me to help her announce the gender when it was time.  Now with gender reveals, usually only a few people know. This time it was just me and the sonographer.  But on the day of the sonogram to find out the gender, Gina felt a little unsure that they did it correctly; I have heard about a sonogram being done incorrectly and the baby turning out to be a boy instead of a girl! So, we waited another week, for her anatomy check up to get a "second" opinion. I was already bursting at the seams as Gina posted on Facebook that we were going to do a gender reveal and asked everyone what their guesses were. But I promised to keep it a secret until the gender reveal session!

We met up at Red Wing Park in Virginia Beach.  And of course, when we showed up, everyone and their mother were there.  The cherry blossoms were abundant, so everyone was taking the small opportunity to capture them in the background of their photos. So did we!  A few nights prior, Gina made some blue and pink colored powders for the kiddos to throw at her.  I got them ready, let's just say that they had WAY too much fun throwing the powder on her!

Keep an eye out for more of that beautiful belly! In a few more months we will be doing some maternity photos and I CAN'T WAIT! But until then, you get to oogle over these photos!

A Beautiful Spring Day | Chesapeake Family Photographer

Spending time with family is always on the top of my list. Especially when I get to see my adorable little niece, Miss Aliyah Mae! Jake and I headed over to my parents' house in Chesapeake and grilled out. Of course, we spent some time hanging out in the garage, listening to music and watching Aliyah dance her little heart out.  Needless to say, it was a beautiful Spring day and it was full of fun!