suffolk couples photographer

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...

Crystal & Kinan // Suffolk Couples Photographer

I met Crystal and Kinan the day after their first anniversary, on the most perfectly beautiful day in Suffolk. They have been living apart for months because of work and military obligations, with no end in sight. But the more I talked to them, the more I saw how their love has strengthened and grown despite, and in part because of, their separation. Their story is one so familiar to our area: Crystal, serving our country in the military, is living in Hampton Roads while Kinan is over 7 hours away working and waiting weeks, sometimes months, to see his wife.

For their first anniversary, they decided to capture their love in a perfect way - through photographs, which can span hundreds of miles and bring Crystal and Kinan together again in a special way. After one set of pictures, it was obvious that they had spent time in front of the camera before - Crystal even tried out for America's Next Top Model! But the what stood out most was their interactions with each other. From Kinan holding Crystal's hand to steady her as she put her heels on, to Crystal immediately reaching towards him for support, I knew their love was special and real.

Kinan and Crystal, I am truly honored to have captured your one year celebration. You have been through good times and bad, and will continue to go through both during your journey together in marriage. Kinan, continue to support your wife when she needs you most. Crystal, continue to reach out to your husband for help when you can't do it by yourself. Together, you will have a long, happy, and beautiful marriage.

Anniversary portrait session at sunset in the woods of Suffolk, Virginia
Anniversary portrait session at sunset in the woods of Suffolk, Virginia
Anniversary portrait session at sunset in the woods of Suffolk, Virginia
Anniversary portrait session at sunset in the woods of Suffolk, Virginia (black and white)
Anniversary portrait session at sunset in the woods of Suffolk, Virginia
Anniversary portrait session at sunset in the woods of Suffolk, Virginia
Anniversary portrait session at sunset in the woods of Suffolk, Virginia
Anniversary portrait session at sunset in the woods of Suffolk, Virginia (black and white)
Anniversary portrait session at sunset in the woods of Suffolk, Virginia
Anniversary portrait session at sunset in the woods of Suffolk, Virginia
Ring  shot in greenery during anniversary portrait session at sunset in the woods of Suffolk, Virginia
Ring shot on branches during anniversary portrait session at sunset in the woods of Suffolk, Virginia
Anniversary portrait session at sunset on a pier by the water of Suffolk, Virginia
Anniversary portrait session at sunset on a pier by the water of Suffolk, Virginia
Anniversary portrait session at sunset on a pier by the water of Suffolk, Virginia

Crystal and I took full advantage of Kinan running back to the car to get his sunglasses...girl, you are STUNNING!

Model headshot by the water at sunset in Suffolk, Virginia
Model head shot at sunset on a pier by the water in Suffolk, Virginia (black and white)
Anniversary portrait session at sunset on a pier by the water of Suffolk, Virginia

This was their special request - they got married without shoes on, and wanted to continue the tradition!

Anniversary portrait session at sunset on a pier by the water of Suffolk, Virginia (barefoot)
Anniversary portrait session at sunset on a pier by the water of Suffolk, Virginia

One of my favorites!

Anniversary portrait session at sunset on a pier by the water of Suffolk, Virginia
Anniversary portrait session at sunset on a pier by the water of Suffolk, Virginia