St. Patrick’s Day Wedding – Elopement – Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!  Today I pull this elopement from the archives.  This sweet couple met me on March 17th 2020…  With the world falling apart around us all these two choose to move forward and celebrate their wedding.  We kept it simple and beautiful.  Capturing memories they could look back and smile on.

As they arrived at their wedding portraits in Virginia Beach it was starting to rain.  But just a few moments later the clouds moved away giving us a beautiful golden hour.  The sun was so warm and bright it made for a perfect St. Patricks Day wedding.

I’m so thankful I got to be a part of their story! 

WEDDING REVIEW FROM THE BRIDE: “Working with Tashena was a dream. As someone who is perpetually awkward in front of the camera I was instantly put at ease. She was able to capture the true essence of the love between my husband and I. It turned into one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I would highly recommend her to anyone needing pictures done. She is simply the best and you won’t be disappointed.” – Raylynn Gill

Recycle Your Wedding Attire – Portraits – West Freemason Street Area Historic District – Norfolk Virginia Photographer

When you tell them to put their wedding attire back on and capture a unique shoot together.

Chase and Michelle chatted with me about style and how we could change things up a little for them.  Making their session fun and unique to them.  These two sweet souls were smiling and laughing the whole time.  You could just see the love that was pouring from them.  Making these portraits even more memorable for them.

I love having my couples stay true to who they are.  That as we are shooting together I can see real and raw moments between them.

Just look at their smiles and how much fun they had.

If I could tell any couple after getting married one thing they should do…  It would be to put back on your wedding attire and go have some fun together.  Capture those memories and make a fun date out of it just like Chase and Michelle did.

IF YOU ARE THINKING OF PUTTING YOUR DRESS BACK ON AND CAPTURING SOME FUN MOMENTS…  Please reach out to me, I would love to help capture these fun and unique memories for you too.

Big Family Fun At Home – Lifestyle Portraits – Chesapeake Virginia Photographer

I’ve always been a believer that photography is about being real and showing raw moments with those you love.  And this family did just that.  Each little one was full of laughter, silly moments, and kept true to who they are as a family unit.

I believe that as we look back at our family photos we should be able to see our loved ones, smile, and laugh with them.  That photography is about capturing memories in time.  Not just capturing photos of what we wish we were, but what we really are.

So yes!  I am that photographer that will get you to laugh, have your children run around, and even make you snuggle up to those you love.

These are your memories, your investment, and you should cherish those photos too!

Couples Portraits – In The Rain – Pleasure House Point – Virginia Beach Photographer

When a sweet friend reaches out to surprise her sister with a couples session…  You just have to do it!

I had so much fun meeting Sophia and Mars at Pleasure House Point in Virginia Beach!  When we had planned their session it was going to be a sunny day.  But leave it to Virginia Beach to give us rain instead.  These two embarrassed it and had so much fun dancing in the rain.  Sophia was full of the most amazing laugh you could ever imagine.  I just loved watching them giggle and snuggle as the rain was falling all around them.

Just look at their photos!  The rain certainly didn’t stop the sun from shining on them!

Check out their BTS: Reel on Instagram. They are so darn cute !!!

Family Portraits – Sandbridge – Virginia Beach Photographer 

This wonderful Mama reached out to me about a family session on the beach.  She wanted fun, silly, and photos that showed her family perfectly.  I loved that they all wanted to laugh and truly have fun with their session.  So I made sure to capture Mama with her boys in a way that only a Mom could treasure.  Sandbridge family sessions are some of my favorite shoots.  And I can’t wait to work with them again this summer!

Be sure to book your session today.  All weekday sandbridge sessions come with a next day rain date.  As we all know Virginia Beach summer weather can be wild.  And I like my families to know I will NOT miss the chance to capture their family and memories too.

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT ME TODAY!

Maternity Portraits – Sandbridge – Virginia Beach Photographer

I had the pleasure of meeting this sweet couple for their maternity session at Sandbridge in Virginia Beach.  The sun was so bright and warm as we captured some adorable photos.  The weather was a perfect mix of cold with the wind blowing, but when it stopped you were warmed by the sun.  This allowed for some timeless photos.  Even better was capturing a rainbow (sunflare) as they snuggled next to the sand dunes and the sun shined beautifully around them.

I just loved everything about their session!  Which photo is your favorite?

Elopement Portraits – Norfolk Botanical Gardens – Virginia Wedding Photographer

Pulled from the 2019 archives…  This sweet elopement at Norfolk Botanical Gardens in Norfolk Virginia.

Alina and Bill had their intimate wedding and met me for their wedding portraits.  They are another beautiful example of couples who make their wedding about them.  They made sure to document their wedding in a way that was special to them.  And I couldn’t have agreed with Alina and Bill more.

Just look at their smile and laughter they shared.  They picked a unique and special place just for their wedding portraits.

If you are interested in an intimate wedding package please feel free to reach out to me to inquire more. (Contact Me HERE!)

Baptism – Sandbridge – Little Island Park – Virginia Beach Photographer 

Over the summer while shooting at Sandbridge I watched this young man walk down to the water, and you could see he was waiting for someone.  After a few minutes I watched people approach him. I watched how they gathered around him even closer.

At this moment I knew I had about 15 minutes before my next family was to arrive.  In my heart I felt strongly about picking my camera back up and begin to shoot what I was seeing.  This young man was being prayed for, this young man was giving his life to Jesus.  And it was so beautiful to witness another brother come to our Heavenly Father and surrender his life to God.

I knew in this moment of shooting this baptism, my next family could walk up at any moment and I would have to stop capturing this moment.  But God’s timing is everything!  And I was able to capture the whole thing.  I walked up to a woman and handed her my card.  Told her to please get in contact with me.  I would be honored to send her the photos I was able to capture of this young man.  I then learned that the young man was her son.

I share these photos with permission from his Mom to show you that our Heavenly Father is all around us and ALWAYS with us.  To be able to witness another life come to Christ and surrender everything to Jesus is AMAZING and such a blessing.

This young man’s walk with Christ from that moment on will not be easy.  It will be hard.  But our Heavenly Father is loving and powerful.

If you are still reading this I ask for you to say a prayer for this young man.  That Jesus will continue to move and grow in his life.  That God will weed the garden and give this young man all the rich soil he needs to flourish and help plant other seeds along the path he walks.

To this young man’s family.  God Bless You All!  It was beautiful to witness your love for him and how you all prayed over him.

Ruth and Nik – Backyard Elopement – Virginia Wedding Photographer

Pulled from the 2019 archives this backyard elopement with friends.

I love that when Ruth and Nik reached out they requested an intimate backyard wedding.  Just them and their friends.  They wanted to capture their new home, friends, and their love of books and swords.  How can one say no to that?  You just can’t!  

Take a look at all the fun photos we captured and the unique style to their wedding portraits.

{Vendors and Details}

Valentines Couples Portraits – The Vibe Creative District – Virginia Beach Photographer

For one day only I will be offering couples the chance to meet up and capture some memorable, fun, unique, and loving photos.  It’s rare to have the chance to get loved ones in front of the camera together…  So now is your chance!  We will meet at a location at The Vibe Creative District and walk around together.  Finding little spots, art murals, and capturing a mix of fun photos for you both.

All slots are first come first serve.  A 50% non-refundable retainer and signed contract are required to book.  Final payment due the day before your session.

{Importrant Information}

WHEN:  Saturday February 11th 2023
RAIN DATE:  Saturday February 21st 2023
WHERE:  The Vibe Creative District – Virginia Beach
TIMES: 2:30pm, 3:00pm, 3:30pm, 4:00pm
INVESTMENT:  30 Minutes + 30 Images = $200 +tax (normally priced $350)

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT ME TO BOOK YOUR SPOT!

Or feel free to contact me on social media to book!

Summer Memories – Virginia Beach – Sandbridge Photographer

It’s that time of the year!  Where I announce summer dates for Sandbridge portraits.  This is where families who vacation in Sandbridge like to document their time together.  As well as locals who come to capture their growing families and little ones.  Even couples who like to have fun photos in the sand together.

(Other Examples:  Surprise Proposals, Maternity, Senior Portraits, Grandparents & Grandchildren, Birthdays, Fun Kids, Friendships, Mommy and Me, and SO MUCH MORE!)

With these sessions each date comes with a next day rain date.  As anyone who knows Virginia Beach and how fickle she can be with the weather, I like to make sure my clients have those back up dates in place.

These sessions are captured with a mix of documentary, prompt, and even some in acting candid moments.  I never want my clients to feel like they are just sitting and smiling like the old days of SEARS and Picture People.  To me children need to run, laugh, and explore.  Families need to be real and raw in their moments with one another.  Couples need to dance and snuggle up while the sun sets behind them.  To me these summer memories are to be captured with carefree moments to help show the real smiles behind each photoshoot.

If you are still reading this and this sounds like something you would enjoy, if this sounds like your style of photos. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU !!!

Feel free to reach out to me by email, website, or even social media.

I would LOVE to send you my dates and availability for your summer memories at Sandbridge in Virginia Beach.

***All dates and times are first come first serve.  And require a 50% retainer and signed contract to lock in your session with me.  Available summer dates take place during May, June, July, & August.  These summer dates can NOT be used with past or future sales.  And do NOT include mini sessions.***

Fun Couples Portraits – The VIBE Creative District – Virginia Beach Photographer

Last year I put out a model call for a couple to meet me for some fun photos at The VIBE Creative District in Virginia Beach.  And when this AMAZING young lady replied I was beyond joy.  This couple met me and were a real treasure to work with.  Between the laughter, snuggles, and sweet moments we captured some unique photos for us both.

As a photographer I think everyone, from every walk of life, and uniqueness they carry deserves to be captured too.

This session holds a special place in my heart!

Family Portraits – Sandbridge – Virginia Beach Photographer

There is nothing better then summer time. It is one of my favorite seasons. I love watching families travel to Virginia Beach to vacation in Sandbridge for generational family gatherings, for weddings, or just to celebrate those summer holidays.

Being able to document that time with those you love is important. So meeting up with these wonderful families and helping them document their stories, and memories is prcieless.

Will you be in Sandbridge this summer? If so be sure to reach out to me! I would love to capture memories that will last a lifetime for you.

Engagement Portraits – Little Island Park – Sandbridge – Virginia Beach Photographer

One of my favorite parts of weddings is the engagement session.  You are probably asking yourself why, especially when it has nothing to do with the wedding day.

THE ANSWER:  Because this is where I get to meet my couple.  This is where I get to learn who they are and what makes them laugh.  This is where they get to know me and how I work.  How I use my little tricks to get them to relax, have fun, and help them see that their wedding day is in perfect hands with how I work with them.

And this wonderful couple had their engagement session at Little Island Park in Sandbridge.  They showed the world that no matter what age you are, where your session takes place, that laughter is the key to great photos.

Just look at them! 

Raquel and Jordan’s Wedding – Cypress Point Country Club – Virginia Beach

Okay, so here goes.  Raquel and Jordan are two of my favorites!  Why?  Because when COVID hit these two didn’t let that stop them.  We had to rearrange dates, venues, even vendors to help make their day come to life.  And they kept themselves in good spirits the whole time.  Their engagement session was a blast!  They were laughing and giggling like little children.  And I LOVED every moment of it.

Their wedding day was so relaxed, carefree, not stressful at all, and so much fun!  You would never have known that their wedding day was windy and rainy.  But we made sure to jump outside each time the rain slowed.  But of course you couldn’t hide from the wind.  So I reminded them,  “This is where we embrace the weather.  We are going to use that wind in these photos.”  And we did just that !!!

One of the greatest parts of their wedding was when Raquel made sure to let me know one thing.  She told me that out of the whole wedding day photos she wanted to make sure she had fun dancefloor photos.  She wanted them unique and real.  Now that is something I can do!  As the wedding day moved along these two were having so much fun.  Laughing, kissing, and dancing away.

Now take a look at some of these photos of their windy and rainy day at the Cypress Point Country Club in Virginia Beach! I also love that they were quick to add simple things for their day. And even made sure to have a bottle of wine from (White Oak Lavender Farm) just for them.

Realtor Headshots – Branding – Virginia Beach

When your bestie asks you to help her with headshots and branding photos for her social media.  I jumped to help her!  Victoria is one of the kindest souls I know.  And as anyone knows any moment you are with her you are laughing and smiling the whole time.  She is a bright light in all of our lives.  I’m so thankful to call her my friend.

We had so much fun walking around Virginia Beach and Norfolk capturing photos that she would use for her real estate post.  We made sure to get unique headshots, working on the go shots, and even some fun and carefree photos.  I love how these images turned out for her!  And I can’t wait to meet up and do this again!

Family Portraits – Freemason Historic District – Norfolk Virginia

I had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful family for their session at The Freemason Historic District.  These little ones were full of energy, laughter, and silly faces.  And I was all for it!

As a photographer I like to make sure the children are free to be themselves.  That they don’t have to worry about staying still, to only smile, to behave.  Because after all these little ones don’t know me.  And by allowing children to be themselves you are able to capture the candid images you will love to look back on.

I mean just look at these photos!  They are sweet, cute, silly, and show just what life is like having little ones.  AND I LOVE IT !!!

Brittany and Nicholas – Intimate Wedding – The Historic Cavalier – Virginia Beach

A look back at this perfect little wedding with Brittany and Nicholas.  They stayed at the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach.  A beautiful and historic hotel that dates back to 1927, that also has welcomed 10 presidents and famous people such as Frank Sinatra to Elizabeth Taylor.

Intimate weddings are one of my favorites to capture.  I love that Brittany and Nicholas took time after their ceremony to capture some timeless photos together.  It was fun walking around the hotel and capturing their story at each stunning spot.

Just look at some of the photos from their wedding day.

Family Portraits – William and Mary College – Williamsburg Virginia

One of the things I love is when my families want to have their photos done in a different location.  Something that shows them who they are, and what they love.  And the Lupton Family did just that!

We met at William and Mary to shoot their family session.  We walked around and had fun capturing so many sides of each of them.  Between these crazy prompts they happily stood there and smiled…  This family showed everyone that family sessions are meant to be fun and show off just what your family is like.

Most of all I loved how they embraced laughter.  Quick to joke and be silly.  Which made for more comical photos too!

Their session was so fun we made a funny Instagram Reel to show families that laughter is key!  (Link Here)

Engagement Portraits – Freemason District – Norfolk Virginia

I had so much fun with Shelbie & Scott during their engagement session in the Freemason District! Their session was full of laughter and silly moments.

I believe laughter is the key to all photos.  And these two had a lot of laughing moments.  You see, I’m not a photographer who says,  “Sit, smile, look that way, look this way.”  I’m the photographer who has you laughing, jumping, telling jokes, and making you feel so weird the whole time.  WHY?  Because at the end of your session you are going to love your photos!  Even more so you are going to have photos that are real, raw, and timeless.

This is another reason my couples receive a free engagement session when they book their weddings with me.  This allows us to laugh together and learn about one another.  So that on the day of your wedding you feel like you are working with a close friend and not some stranger you will never see again.

Would you like to see some behind the scenes moments of their session?  CLICK HERE to view our Instagram Reel to see more.