hampton roads anniversary photographer

Williamsburg Anniversary Winter Session | Williamsburg Photographer | Rob + Lauren

Williamsburg Anniversary Winter Session | Williamsburg Photographer | Rob + Lauren

I’ve known Rob and Lauren now for coming up on two years. I first photographed their engagement session just a few weeks after Willow came home (I couldn’t even tell them yet!), then their wedding took place last January on a beautiful day at Kiln Creek Golf Club. Now, over a year into marriage, they wanted to celebrate again with pictures and it felt like everything came full circle once again.

Rob and Lauren were so sweet during their engagement session when I first met them, but seeing them as husband and wife just made me realize how much more comfortable they are around each other (and in front of the camera!) than even just a couple years ago. They shared more looks between the two of them. They snuggled a little closer. They still didn’t shy away from kissing, and it’s obvious that their relationship has already grown stronger. When I asked the biggest lesson they have learned from the first year, they couldn’t tell me - mostly because it’s just been full of joy to finally live side by side every single day…

Sunset Fort Monroe Anniversary Session | Hampton Couples Photographer | Shane + Brooke

Sunset Fort Monroe Anniversary Session | Hampton Couples Photographer | Shane + Brooke

Like many military families, Shane and Brooke have an interesting story surrounding their marriage. Originally from Kansas City, they legally tied the knot about 6 months ago so when he was stationed here in Virginia she could join him. With the rush of tying up loose ends, though, these two have not had a proper wedding, and next year they plan to celebrate with family and friends in Missouri.

Because of that, their portraits were an anniversary and an engagement session rolled into one! We visited one of my favorite spots, Fort Monroe because there are so many beautiful locations to choose from that staying in one place still gives a wide variety of backgrounds and portraits. Calhoun, their beautiful and feisty golden retriever puppy, stole the show with his Kansas City bowtie and plaid scarf - it's rare that the pet gets to change outfits, too...

Bennetts Creek Park Anniversary Portraits | Suffolk Couples Photographer | Matt + Chandra

Bennetts Creek Park Anniversary Portraits | Suffolk Couples Photographer | Matt + Chandra

Matt and Chandra are not newlyweds - they have been married for over 5 years and lived through deployments, international travel, and moving around through their stints with the Coast Guard during this time. Even though they dated for two years they were only engaged for a few months when they realized they needed to either say I do or be separated for a long time! Chandra went dress shopping with her mom and started planning a wedding until it became clear that they wouldn't have enough time - so a courthouse wedding happened instead!

Five years later, Chandra finally wore her wedding dress for the very first time. Matt dressed in a navy blue suit and even though they had already said yes to each other, they finally got to live out in a small way the wedding they never had. Yet behind the smiles and the beautiful clothes is a couple who knows what marriage means and would choose forever with each other over and over again...