A Lens on Love - Week 9 Winners

A Lens on Love - Week 9 Winners

Sheryl Fish, of Oobaloos Photography, Jen Fredette of Mountain Pearl Photography and I have joined forces to create a place that celebrates wedding photographers. We created a space for members of our industry to learn, grow, support each other and build relationships. A Lens on Love is dedicated to all things wedding photography with some of the top wedding photographers from around the world participating in weekly themes. We also have amazing guest judges sharing inspiring work and selecting the top images for each week.

Our awesome guest judges, Danielle and Emily of Deerlace Studios, based on Ontario, ON joined us this week and shared some background about their engagement and wedding photography business:

“ We’re photographers who decided to team up two years ago and start a wedding and engagement photography business together. We love meeting new people, having fun, and having the chance to get creative with young, adoring couples in love!
We love every aspect of the wedding day - it’s such a monumental life event, and so much planning, preparation, and love goes into that one day. Having beautiful wedding photos is important to us, because after the day is over, the photos are sometimes the only thing you have to look back on to remember everything.
We’re inspired by the love between our couples. We always end up working with such fun, open-minded young couples, and they way they look at each other and interact with one another always amps us up! ”

We are so grateful to these talented ladies for spending time with us this week! Be sure to check out more gorgeous work from Deerlace Studios on their blog!

And the winners for the "Simply Sweet" theme are: 

1. Four Dots Photography "A timeless image, so beautifully captured. Every bride wants a moment like this on her wedding day!" - Danielle & Emily

2. Codi Shandel Photography "Romance at its best! A vineyard, a gorgeous couple, a sweet, private moment...Perfection!" -Danielle & Emily

3. True Era Photography "Beautiful colors, a sweet moment between the soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs., and beautifully edited." -Danielle & Emily

Congratulations winners! We applaud your work!

We had an awesome turn out last week. Many thanks to those participated! We truly love seeing your images come in each week! Don't forget to submit for this week's theme "Come Rain or Come Shine." Happy shooting! 

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If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule your unique portrait experience, contact us today: melissablissphotography@gmail.com

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Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stores in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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Norfolk - Virginia Beach Documentary Photographer

Norfolk - Virginia Beach Documentary Photographer

Documentary sessions are near and dear to my heart. That's why I love wedding photography so much. And it's why I spend the majority of time during my sessions just documenting families as they naturally interact.  Photographing a pose may yield a pretty photograph, but it lacks the soul of a natural moment. Humans are so much more than just their likeness on paper. Documentary photography allows their personalities and uniqueness to shine through. 

This at home documentary couples session was one of my favorites to date! The Hardy's had spent most of their married life separated by miles and military service. They were reaching the end of yet another deployment cycle, and the end of both of their military careers. They wanted to document their homecoming in a meaningful way and settled on an at home documentary photo session.

I spent a few hours with them documenting their lives and interactions as they went about their favorite activities. They love to cook together and enjoy great food. They love to take time to reconnect at the end of the day, with a glass of wine and no "electronic" distractions. They love to just enjoy some quiet at home, or walking their neighborhood together, since they are so often away from home. 

The bond they share and the strength of their love is evident in their images. It was a joy for me to document this time in their life story and I am grateful to them for letting me into their private lives. Here are the highlights from Jamie and Andrew's Story of Us Documentary Session:

If you have had a session with me in recent weeks, or plan to book one, be sure to follow MBP on Facebook and Google+ as I always post there first.

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On location Documentary Portrait and Wedding Photographer

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If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule your unique documentary photography experience, contact us today!

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Family Mini Sessions - Virginia Beach - Norfolk Photographer

Family Mini Sessions - Virginia Beach - Norfolk Photographer

To say this summer has been busy with photo sessions and weddings would be an understatement. I have enjoyed seeing some of my favorite clients and meeting many new faces. As beach season winds down and fall wedding season ramps up, I find that I have fallen behind on blogging and have several portrait sessions I have yet to share with you. Today I have some sneak peeks from a few beach mini sessions!

I am excited for some crisp fall weather and those gorgeous autumn colors, but I have to say, the beach will always have my heart. My gratitude to these awesome families and couples for sharing their time and memories with me! I hope you all treasure your photos for many years to come!

If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule your unique family portrait experience, contact us today: melissablissphotography@gmail.com

On location Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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Virginia Beach Photographer - Maternity Mini Session

Virginia Beach Photographer - Maternity Mini Session

This beautiful family of four is growing to include one more! Mom and Dad wanted to schedule one last family photo session before their new member arrives this fall. They opted for a beach mini session to capture some fun family moments and a few maternity photos too. We enjoyed a lovely sunset on the beach and made some beautiful portraits for them. Here are a few from our Virginia Beach maternity session: 

If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule your unique maternity portrait experience, contact us today: melissablissphotography@gmail.com

On location Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stories in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

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A Lens on Love - Week 7 Winners

Sheryl Fish, of Oobaloos Photography, and I have joined forces to create a place that celebrates wedding photographers. We created a space for members of our industry to learn, grow, support each other and build relationships. A Lens on Love is dedicated to all things wedding photography. We have some of the top wedding photographers from around the world participating in weekly themes. We also have some very exciting guest judges sharing their inspiring work and selecting the top images for each theme. It is the perfect place to make friends in the industry, learn from each other, and grow our audience while having a ton of fun along the way!

Big News!! This week A Lens on Love welcomed a new team member: the fabulously talented Jen Fredette of Mountain Pearl Photography! Sheryl and I are thrilled and grateful that Jen will be lending her enthusiasm and immense creative talent to the team!  Please pop by, say hello to Jen and welcome her in style! 

And without further ado - on to this week's winners for our theme, "The Dress". Our accomplished guest judge was Richard Blain of Richard David Blain Photography, serving North Yorkshire, North Wales and Ayrshire, U.K . Richard's documentary wedding style produces images that capture poignant and memorable moments in the most naturally beautiful way. Be sure to check out more of Richard's gorgeous photos on his website and follow his page on Facebook. Thank you Richard for spending time with us this week! 

Top 3 Winner for "The Dress" 

1. True Era Photography Great story telling and use of what seems like the bridal party. I'll use this idea for a natural pose if I can myself, so thank you for that inspiration. Love it - Richard

2. Lisa Marie Halliday  Classic use of an amazing room with the dress still stealing the show. - Richard

3. 3CatsPhoto Anyone that can get the bride to walk in the sea with her dress on deserves credit. Well framed with cool and fresh tones. - Richard

Congratulations winners! We applaud your work!

Many thanks to all who participated! You certainly make the selection process difficult. We truly love seeing your images come in each week and we are SO inspired by your talent!! Don't forget to submit for this week's theme "Just the Guys." Happy shooting! 

If you enjoyed this post please share it!

If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule your unique portrait experience, contact us today: melissablissphotography@gmail.com

On location Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stores in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

Norfolk Wedding Photographers, Virginia Beach Wedding Photographers, Suffolk Wedding  Photographers, Chesapeake Wedding Photographers, Portsmouth Wedding Photographers, Sandbridge Wedding Photographers, Williamsburg Wedding Photographers

Inspiration to Feed the Soul - Week 10

Inspiration to Feed the Soul - Week 10

I love a good quote. Words can be so inspiring and motivating. Sometimes a few words is all it takes to change our perspective, or give us that little extra kick that makes all the difference. I believe that our perspective, our thoughts, our mind-set, greatly effects our reality. Quotes help me to stay focused, centered and inspired. I thought I would start sharing few of my favorites here, and we are now in week 10 of this series.

This week I have a bit of Shakespeare for you! It is easy to get lost in this great big world. Too often we spend a great deal of time trying to fill our roles, to please others, and we lose ourselves along the way. It is important to regroup and focus on what calls to our soul. That little voice inside that guides us through the universe. If we ignore it, or get so caught up in the everyday noise that we can no longer hear it, then we are sure to wander astray.

These few words, though small, hold great meaning:

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Norfolk Wedding Photographers - Charming Southern Summer Wedding

Norfolk Wedding Photographers Charming Southern Summer Wedding

I have some sneak peeks to share today from last weekend's outdoor wedding in Wakefield. It was one of the hottest days of the year, but this awesome wedding party didn't let that stop the fun! They were such troopers during the formals, when I know everyone was ready for some cold beverages. 

Don't they look amazing in their mint and pink palette? You'd never know that we were all soaked through from the heat!  So many family members and friends came together to make this day special for Angel and Josh. Every detail of this southern DIY wedding was well tended, and SO beautiful! Also, the food was mouth-watering! Hands down THE best brisket I have ever had.  And  of course no southern wedding would be complete without some smokey pork BBQ, yum!

Here are a few highlights from Angel and Josh's summer wedding in the woods: 

Congratulations and best wishes Mr. & Mrs. Whisenant!

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If you are in the Hampton Roads, VA area and would like to schedule your unique portrait experience, contact us today: melissablissphotography@gmail.com

On location Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photographer

Melissa Bliss Photography – Authentic Stores in Beautiful Timeless Photographs

Norfolk Wedding Photographers, Virginia Beach Wedding Photographers, Suffolk Wedding  Photographers, Chesapeake Wedding Photographers, Portsmouth Wedding Photographers, Sandbridge Wedding Photographers, Williamsburg Wedding Photographers