williamsburg family photographer
I’ve known about Matt, Heather, and their family for many years, through church and mutual friends, so I was delighted to finally meet them all in person on a gorgeous fall day in Colonial Williamsburg. We had already been through the disappointing experience of a rained-out and reschedule family session, so when the sun was shining and the air was crisp the morning of the new picture date, we were all thrilled.
For Emily, their youngest, it was an extra special day…
Ford's Colony in Williamsburg is the perfect spot for a summer vacation or a family get-together, and the DiSantis family used the beautiful setting as an excuse to spend the week of Memorial Day with their most loved ones. Their fun group of 8 included little Olivia, the toddler they all love to dote on, and the newest addition of Sophia. They wanted pictures to capture the candid memories of the time they had together, and Freedom Park next to the Williamsburg Botanical Gardens was the perfect setting for their session.
My favorite part of family portraits is taking each couple aside to spend a few moments together, without kids or grandkids, to remember the love they have that started it all. As I photographed Mom and Dad I asked them about their marriage - they have been married for over 35 years! The legacy they are leaving in the children who love them dearly is so evident, but it is so clear that even after so many years together they are deeply in love.
With golden morning light, lots of laughter, and a beautiful location, the DiSantis family are leaving with memories and photographs that they will cherish forever....
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!
