downtown hampton

Date Night Ideas in Hampton + Newport News | Business

Date Night Ideas in Hampton + Newport News | Business

To be honest, winter is my least favorite season. I love that it is punctuated by Christmas, New Years, and my birthday, because even though the days are so much shorter the months seem so much longer. I cannot tolerate the cold very well (knock on wood that I never move farther north than Virginia!) and I love being outside - two things which do not work in my favor during the winter!

That said, winter is also the perfect time to slow down and focus on your family - especially your significant other or spouse - and spend time with them. Now that I have lived in Hampton Roads for 6 years (time flies!) I've grown to know and love the area, and I've found so many things to do on a date night. So even if you're mostly inside watching Netflix re-runs, here are some great ideas for date nights in Hampton and Newport News (since I live on the Peninsula after all)...

Fort Monroe Bridal Portraits | Grace

Fort Monroe Bridal Portraits | Grace

Grace Kelly. That's the name that kept popping into my head as I shot Grace's bridal portrait sessions - and funny enough, they even have the same first name! Grace met me at Fort Monroe in Hampton on a gorgeous fall day for bridal portraits just one week before her wedding, and when she stepped out of the car she took my breath away. Elegant and covered in lace from head to toe, her dress was not only absolutely stunning, it was perfect for her sense of style and class.

From walking down steps of historic buildings to finding little white buildings and huge trees, this bridal portrait session was one of my favorites. Grace is beautiful on the outside, but the way she carries herself speaks volumes to her inner beauty as well. She is kind, gentle, and has the most hilarious sense of humor that kept popping out here and there as I tried to make her laugh - and she was much better at that than me! Oh what a beautiful day and what a beautiful bride. I can't WAIT to share her wedding with you...

Why We Dressed Up for a Wedding All Over Again | Historic Post Office Hampton Wedding

Why We Dressed Up for a Wedding All Over Again | Historic Post Office Hampton Wedding

As a child I was never much one for dress-up. Truth be told, I was a huge tomboy. I play-wrestled my brother (and won every time because he always 'cheated') and I got along with boys a whole lot better than most other girls. I had close girlfriends, too, but pretending to be a princess was never high on my imagination list. Instead, my older brother and I would pretend to be in combat, play video games together, and (in between fights) sit in a chair on Saturday mornings and watch cartoons with each other.

So it was a surprise when I had so much fun getting dressed up for a Cinco de Mayo styled shoot last year. Getting my hair and makeup done is not normal, but I loved it...and the pictures I had from that day were beautiful. When Kelsey, the venue manager at the brand new Historic Post Office wedding venue in downtown Hampton was looking for models for a styled shoot, I quickly volunteered Nathan and I for the task. Plus, a chance to tour a gorgeous architecture-inspired Hampton Roads wedding space is never a bad thing!

With my hair (a low chignon, which I've always wanted) and makeup perfected, I met my husband of almost 6 years in his suit and tie and we pretended like it was our wedding day all over again...