Norfolk Photographer - Pagoda Oriental Garden Engagement Session

Norfolk Photographer - Pagoda Oriental Garden Engagement Session

I hope you are all safe and well! It has been a difficult few weeks, but I thought it was high time I shared some of the images I was able to capture before the Governor’s Stay at Home Order was issued.

Aimee and Kyle are both in the Navy and stationed in Norfolk. They are recently engaged and looking forward to planning a Hampton Roads wedding in the coming months!

I am grateful that we were able to go ahead with their Norfolk waterfront engagement session. We met at the Oriental Pagoda and Gardens to take advantage of the variety of scenery and urban vibe downtown.

From the garden, we headed to the quaint cobblestone streets of the Freemason District. I love this charming neighborhood year round, but the early spring blooms made it even more lovely this time of year!

We were able to cover quite a bit of territory during out shoot, which made for a nice array of scenery in their final gallery.

Aimee and Kyle opted for a quick wardrobe change before we walked over to the heart of downtown for some shots at dusk.

The city was actually bustling with activity that night. I think everyone was out for one last hurrah before businesses were shut down to take out only.

Aimee and Kyle had been a little nervous before our shoot, but laughed most of the way through and later told me it was the perfect way to spend a date night out!

I was thrilled that they had such a great time, and that we were able to get their photos done for their save the dates!

Congrats Aimee & Kyle! I’m excited for your future together, and I can’t wait to hear more about your wedding plans! - XOXOX, Melissa

Melissa Bliss Photography –Timelessly Beautiful. Authentically You.

To learn more about my engagement and wedding photography services, contact Melissa Bliss Photography today!  Serving VA & NC. Available for travel destinations worldwide.

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Noland Trail, Mariner's Museum Engagement Photos, Newport News

Noland Trail, Mariner's Museum Engagement Photos, Newport News

Hey friends! I’ve got some lovely engagement photos to share this week from Kieran and Bryce’s golden sunset session on the Noland Trail!

I spent a recent evening getting to know this wonderful couple as we wandered the trails near the Mariner’s Museum during our sunset engagement shoot. Kieran and Bryce are both in the military, and are engaged to be married this year!

As we walked, we stopped to pet all the puppies, and bonded over our love of dogs and the outdoors. It was a beautiful winter evening and we took full advantage of the dreamy sunset light.

Kieran and Bryce told me they met and fell in love quickly, and without drama. It seemed to me that they’d been the best of friends for years. They definitely have a deep connection.

After spending only an hour together, I feel certain that these two will enjoy many happy years together! Congrats on your engagement Kieran & Bryce! Thank you for inviting me to create some engagement portraits for you. All my best wishes - XOXOX, Melissa

To find out more about my wedding photography services, contact me today! Serving VA & NC. Also available for travel destinations worldwide.

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Melissa Bliss Photography – Timelessly Beautiful. Authentically You.

To find out more about my wedding photography services, contact me today! Serving VA & NC. Also available for travel destinations worldwide.

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Mariner's Museum Park Couples Session - VA Wedding Photographer

Mariner's Museum Park Couples Session - VA Wedding Photographer

Today I’m sharing a sweet couples session that was shot on the Noland Trail, at Mariner’s Museum Park in Newport News.

The Pritchett’s are a military couple who, like most military couples, spend more time apart than they’d like. They scheduled a mini session to capture some portraits that celebrate their first year of marriage.

Since they enjoy hiking and spending time outdoors, the Noland Trail was a great choice for our anniversary session.

I enjoyed getting to know this beautiful couple as we wandered the trails along the waterfront. The golden light and reflections off the water offered up a dreamy glow for their images.

Thank you Pritchett’s! I wish you many more happy anniversaries together. - XOXO, Melissa

Melissa Bliss Photography – Timelessly Beautiful. Authentically You.

To find out more about my wedding photography services, contact me today! Serving VA & NC. Also available for travel destinations worldwide.

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Engagement Photo Shoot Downtown - Norfolk Wedding Photographer

Engagement Photo Shoot Downtown

Norfolk Wedding Photographer

Today I’m sharing a stunning urban engagement session with you! Kamauria and Isaiah met in Chicago, and they wanted to shoot their engagement photos in a downtown setting reminiscent of their early dating days.

Admittedly, Norfolk is quite a bit smaller than Chicago, but there are some lively downtown areas, and some interesting architectural features that make for beautiful urban backdrops.

Plus, these two are so adorable and undeniably in love, that photographing them is a dream! I had the best time getting to know them as we explored the city.

Their fun-loving, carefree spirits really come through in their images!

Plus they are absolutely gorgeous, inside and out!

They are planning an amazing wedding in North Carolina, and will have friends and family come to celebrate from all across the U.S.! I know they will be make a stunning bride & groom.

Thank you Kamauria and Isaiah, for choosing me to photograph your engagement session. It was truly an honor and a pleasure to be part of your love story. Best wishes!! - XOXOX, Melissa

If you would like to find out more about our wedding photography services, contact us today!  Serving VA & NC. Available for travel destinations worldwide.

Contact Melissa Bliss Photography to schedule your lifestyle photo session today!

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Virginia Beach Photographer - First Landing State Park Engagement Photos

Virginia Beach Photographer - First Landing State Park Engagement Photos

I recently met the loveliest couple at First Landing State Park for a winter engagement photo session. Morgan and Eric moved to Virginia a few months ago so they could be together during Eric’s stay here with the Navy.

They recently got engaged, yay!, and wanted to celebrate with some beautiful engagement photos. After I showed them some examples of my favorite locations for engagement pictures in Hampton Roads, they decided that First Landing State Park was the perfect setting for their photo session.

We headed to the park on a sunny afternoon in January, to capture some creative engagement portraits along the shore and wooded trails.

One of the reasons that First Landing State Park is a favorite spot to take photos, is that it offers such a fantastic variety of coves and overlooks for unique photo opportunities. I love that it looks a little different each time I visit. I also love the dreamy Spanish Moss handing from the trees.

One of the best things about shooting there in the winter, is that the park is pretty quiet, and there is much less foot traffic than in the warmer months.

Though they were admittedly a bit nervous about posing for photos at the start, Morgan and Eric were naturals in front of the camera. I guided them into some loose poses and had them focus on each other. That was all it took to create a little bit of magic. They are absolutely gorgeous together.

We had such a lovely afternoon together, and it didn’t take long before we walked away with a memory card full of gorgeous images.

I truly enjoyed getting to know this delightful couple! It was wonderful to have the opportunity to create some unique engagement pictures for them.

Congratulations Morgan & Eric! Thank you for trusting me to photograph your engagement session, and to create some memorable photos for you! - XOXO, Melissa

Melissa Bliss Photography - Authentic Moments in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

If you would like to find out more about our engagement photography services, contact Melissa Bliss Photography today!  Serving VA & NC. Available for travel destinations worldwide.

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Virginia Beach Engagement Photographer - First Landing State Park Photos

Virginia Beach Engagement Photographer - First Landing State Park Photos

I know I’ve been promising for weeks to catch up on blogging, and I have tried, really I have. The past month or so has been the perfect storm of stress and chaos. Since November, I have lost a beloved pet to cancer, and been mostly unwell after first coming down with a virus, and then fighting a sinus infection and severe fatigue for several weeks. All of this came about during the peak of my busiest wedding and portrait season to date. So, it has been a struggle to say the least.

I have managed to keep up with client commitments, appointments, and galleries, but unfortunately, blogging and social media have fallen off my radar for the past couple of months. I do apologize, but sometimes life throws you a few curve balls, you know? I am sincerely grateful for the support of my wonderful family and my kick-ass clients, who have helped me to see all the good that I am blessed with, even on very bad days.

Now on to happier news! I have Alex & Ali’s beautiful Virginia Beach engagement session portraits to share today - yay!! This adorable couple has been a ray of sunshine in my schedule this season. They are so full of life and love. They really know how to focus on and celebrate what matters most.

We shot their engagement session only days before their destination Virginia Beach wedding. The forecast was looking gloomy all week, but we ended up with a warm fall evening, and an amazing colorful sunset at First Landing State Park.

I always recommend that couples schedule an engagement session with their wedding photographer before the wedding, if at all possible. It really helps to quell any nerves, and get comfortable with each other, so that the wedding day photos are relaxed and natural. Alex and Ali were a little concerned about posing after a less than stellar experience with their proposal photographer, but we really hit a rhythm together right away. I think maybe I put them at east with my natural clumsiness, ha ha!

We had a great time together, and by the time we finished up, I knew their wedding day would be spectacular! Stay tuned because I have their MOCA Virginia Beach wedding to share too!

I absolutely love how happy and content they look together.

And I love that amazing sky!!

Thank you Alex & Ali for choosing me to capture your engagement photos! I loved getting to know you both, and I am SO excited for all your future happiness together. - XOXO, Melissa

If you would like to find out more about our engagement & wedding photography services, contact us today!  Serving VA & NC. Available for travel destinations worldwide.

Contact Melissa Bliss Photography to schedule your lifestyle photo session today!

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Downtown Norfolk Engagement Session - Hampton Roads Wedding Photographer

Downtown Norfolk Engagement Session - Hampton Roads Wedding Photographer

Today I’m sharing Maggie and Sean’s downtown Norfolk engagement session! Yep, I’m still waaaaaay behind on sharing sessions. This session was shot in September. Maggie and Sean booked me for their Spring wedding at the Decker Half Moone Cruise Center in Norfolk, and that was plenty exciting. But, when I met them for their engagement session, I was absolutely over the moon excited because they are SO freaking awesome! Fun, silly, totally comfortable with each other, and totally in love. I had the best time with them!

They even brought their adorable puppy to star in a few photos!

And they brought bikes! They are avid bikers and frequently explore downtown on their bikes, so it was a perfect way to celebrate their relationship. They are so sweet together!

We explored all along the Norfolk waterfront to get some creative shots for them. They were really relaxed and up for anything, so I was having a blast shooting with them!

After walking along the Waterside district, we headed toward Main Street and the downtown area to take advantage of the city lights at sunset.

This has to be one of my all time favorite engagement sessions. I love shooting in the city, and these two - they are simply perfect together. I can’t wait for their wedding day!

Congratulations Maggie and Sean! Thank you for trusting me with your engagement portraits, and for just being you! - XOXO, Melissa

If you would like to find out more about our wedding photography services, contact us today!  Serving VA & NC. Available for travel destinations worldwide.

Contact Melissa Bliss Photography to schedule your lifestyle photo session today!

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