When I tell you that this was one of the best sunsets of 2025, I’m not even exaggerating. Not even a little bit. I love a good overcast, gloomy day by the water (give me all of the Twilight vibes plz), but there is something SO incredible about the ooey-gooey, golden light that comes with a sunset. I spent the hour with the Haberdash family chasing after their little one, splashing in the water & just enjoying God’s beautiful artwork in the sky. These are seriously some of the best family pictures I’ve taken in Virgina Beach 🥹

The Sweetest Photography Session for a Family of 3

We started their session with some easy walking around & exploring to see if Lucas could find any crabs – this quickly turned into swinging into Mom & Dad’s arms with an EXPLOSION of giggles. We spent the rest of the evening racing around the beach, watching Lucas do the splits in the sand which was SO goofy, and eventually he made his way into the water. Larissa and Kyle were so relaxed the entire session; just letting Lucas be himself. It truly just showed how beautiful their family dynamic is. Life with toddlers is crazy, but it is the best kind of crazy. 

The best way I like to approach family sessions, especially with little kids, is to let them lead and lean into the chaos. Children don’t like to be forced into anything (if you’re a parent, you know this) so my main focus is to keep things easy, stress-free and FUN! We aim for the cute, okay everyone look at the camera and BIG smile photos at the beginning of the session when energy is high & meltdowns are few. The rest, though? All about letting your little ones explore & just have fun creating memories together. 

Creating an Easy Photo Environment for Kids 

Let the kids lead & don’t force poses

Like I mentioned above, letting the kids lead has been one of the most successful way to:

#1 Keep your kiddos happy & excited to take photos

#2 Keep yourselves happy & not stressed the heck out when Billy isn’t smiling at the camera or kissing Mom’s cheek like I asked him to.

#3 Get beautiful, candid images that feel like you’re looking into a family photo album or peeking into an old memory.

If they want to sit for 10 minutes and try to find as many shells as they can, we’re going to do it. I’m going to capture every single angle of the sweet way you gaze at them as they explore the world. The way their sandy little hand rests in yours. Their toes digging into the sand. No detail is left forgotten about with me. They all matter, and they are all too fleeting. 

Make the session an adventure to keep them engaged 

Keeping your kids engaged with a new adventure is FUN! We will explore the beach, try to find as many shells or sand crabs as we can, maybe do a little splashing in the water & end with some sweet snuggles on a beach blanket. Maybe your little one is more relaxed and chill, so the snuggles last longer. Maybe they are more high-energy & want to jump through the waves longer.

Either way, I’m fully ready to get my pantlegs wet, chase them around & capture every single giggle and smile! They will undoubtedly come from our time together.

Bring a snack basket 

When all else fails, I bring snacks. I’ve never seen someone unhappy eating an Oreo. I am fully prepared to bribe your kiddo into cooperation if needed (and of course, with your permission beforehand) with a small sweet treat or tiny toy they get to bring home. If it means you get amazing photos from our session together – just say the word! 

Get the Best Family Photos in Virginia Beach

When you’re planning your family photo session, I’m a huge advocate for creating activities that are centered around your kiddos. Virginia Beach is so versatile with tons of different activities, locations, & fun memories to be made for your family photos! 

Some of My Favorite Places in Virginia Beach 

North End Oceanfront

Run around in the waves, head down to Doughboys for a pizza or visit King Neptune. The Oceanfront is such a fun spot to get your kids out of the house! I’m a personal fan of the North End (80th street and surrounding streets) because there are less people, it’s quieter & generally there is a ton of opportunity to find some cool shells or crabs! 

Virginia Beach Aquarium 

One of the coolest places to take your kiddos in Virginia Beach is the Aquarium! Explore all of their marine life or get your kids involved in one of their nature classes – they even have an adventure park if you’ve got older children! They always have something new to try. 

Mount Trashmore 

One of the best parks in Virginia Beach. Your kids will go crazy on the playground or rolling down the hill! Much of my childhood was spent getting grass-stains on my knees rolling at lightspeed down the hill. 😂 You can even bring your bikes and enjoy a trip around the lake! 

First Landing State Park

A personal favorite of mine – so many beautiful trees and so much incredible nature to look at here. If you are down for an easy, low-effort walking hike, this is the best spot for you in Virginia Beach! Check out one of my favorites here. 

Choosing your Virginia Beach Family Photographer 

As a Virginia Beach native, I grew up as a kid in Hampton Roads & have loved experiencing the beauty from a childlike perspective. Now that I’m a mother myself, I understand the chaos & the struggles of motherhood that come during the postpartum period. I know when to slow things down to let your kids have fun. I know that the way their hands sit in yours is a feeling you want to memorize and never forget. But mostly, I know that time is quickly passing by. My arms ache for the newborn moments I got with my son, and I believe that has made me so much more in-tune with photographing your family. They are the most important pieces of our lives here. 

If you’re looking for a photographer for your family session in Virginia Beach, I’d love to work with you! Fill out my contact form here, give me a follow on Instagram where I share a ton of session ideas & client work, or give me a comment below on which image was your favorite of this sweet family. 🥹 I can hardly choose! 

My fall cotton mini sessions are coming up quickly, too! Get some more information to book these on October 4th, 2025 in Ivor, VA.