When I look through these pictures - and all of the families and couples who I had the privilege to photograph throughout the year - I canβt help but be filled with thankfulness. I would count many of these among my friends, and in fact some were friends first before they ever became clients! This year I saw babies born, families move across the country, and new life announced for the first time. I got to meet people who I never would have otherwise spoken to, and reconnect with others from throughout the past 9 years in Hampton Roads.
What a privilege it is to capture the joy of a family as they grow or a couple as they look towards beginning a new life together after waiting for so long. What an honor to take pictures of past brides and grooms as they progress from the newlywed phase to being more established as a coupleβ¦
2019 Family + Couple Favorites
Best of Families in 2016 | Hampton Roads Family Photographer
Although I primarily focus on photographing weddings, engagement sessions, and couples' sessions, I actually capture a lot of family sessions as well. This year has brought such a wide range of people across my path - from those whom I know and call friends to complete strangers who welcome me in with open arms for an hour or two. From Williamsburg to Virginia Beach, Yorktown to Newport News and everywhere in between, it's always an honor to photograph both the typical smiling family portraits as well as the sweet moments that happen in between.
I hope what you see as you scroll down the page is just that - real moments between real people who love each other and have a beautifully messy life. I always leave family sessions with a renewed gratitude for parents who love each other through the ups and downs of raising their children together, and I always sneak in a few couple's portraits without the kids because mom and dad are husband and wife, too.
Here are some of my absolute favorite family portraits from 2016!
Fort Monroe Family Portraits | Hampton Family Photographer | Anthony + Marilyn
Anthony, Marilyn, and Mia make a beautiful family, not because life has always been easy but because they have lived through the hard times together. Anthony recently returned after his third deployment in their marriage - this one that hardest, as he had to leave his daughter for the first time and spent the better part of a year at sea. Because of this daddy's little girl, shy but spunky, was always ready to take a picture with her hero.
This family session began at The Chamberlin on Fort Monroe before we moved to the beach at sunset to capture some beautiful portraits. Anthony and Marilyn have been married for 15 years, managing to keep the spark of romance alive despite their separation. Their love is so obvious that even Mia gets a little jealous - she even tried to 'break them up' a few times during our time together! Nevertheless, this couple loves nothing more than family time and holding each other close after spending so long not being able to do just that...