An adorable baby girl in a pink outfit sits in a vintage metal tub surrounded by bright yellow daffodils.

Finding the Perfect Location for Your Session

Finding the perfect location around the hampton roads isn’t something that always comes naturally.

It takes time, intention, and honestly—a lot of trial and error.

Because a beautiful spot isn’t just about how it looks. It’s about how it feels, how the light moves through it, and how your family can exist in that space comfortably and naturally.


It’s More Than Just a Pretty Background

When I’m choosing a location for a session, I’m not just looking at the view.

I’m thinking about:

  • What the light looks like at the exact time we’ll be shooting
  • Which direction it comes from East from the shore line or west inland
  • How it will fall across your face
  • What’s behind you—and how that background supports the moment

Light is everything. The same location can feel completely different depending on the time of day, the season, and even the weather.

That soft, glowy, natural feel you see in my work?

That comes from being really intentional about when and where we shoot—not just where.


A happy toddler in a pink sweater and black pants smiles while walking down a sunny gravel country road.
A cheerful curly-haired toddler in a pink sweater runs down a gravel path surrounded by autumn fields.

It Has to Work for Real Families


A location can be stunning—but if it doesn’t work for your family, it’s not the right fit.

I’m always thinking about:

  • Is this space safe for little ones?
  • Is there room to move, explore, and play?
  • Will this feel relaxed—or stressful?

Because the goal isn’t to keep your kids perfectly still.

It’s to give them the freedom to be themselves—and capture what unfolds naturally.




Some of My Favorite Locations Along the Coast

Being a Virginia coastal family photographer, I’m lucky to have access to so many beautiful, diverse spots—from Yorktown beaches next to the open battlefields to quiet waterfront areas all along the shore line. A hop and a skip to Colonial Williamsburg to tour the olden days and all the vast flowering gardens blooming in history.

Gloucester has an amazing location based right between Virginia Beach ocean front and Virginia's Capital Richmond. Both boasting totally different vibes to explore.

Places like Gloucester Point Beach, Tyndall’s Point Park, and Machicomoco State Park all offer something a little different—but they all have one thing in common:

They allow your family to just be.




A young child stands on a long wooden bridge surrounded by bare trees on a sunny day.
A toddler in a white jacket joyfully jumps on a brick garden path surrounded by blooming daffodils in a woodland garden.
A winding wooden boardwalk path leads through a sunlit forest with bare trees.

The Truth: Some of My Best Locations Aren’t on a Map

A lot of my session locations aren’t places you’d think to search for.

They’re quiet backroads.

Open fields. Some that I have special permission to use 😉

Waterfront edges you’d probably drive right past.

And honestly? Many of them were found during time with my own kids.

Exploring. Letting them run. Watching how the light hits at sunset while they play.

Those moments—just being out together—have led me to some of my favorite spots I now use for sessions.

Because I’m not just scouting as a photographer.

I’m experiencing these places as a parent too.

A boy in a Nike shirt crouches by a shallow rocky shoreline at golden hour.
A young curly-haired girl crouches at the water's edge on a sandy beach at sunset.
A toddler in a strawberry romper plays near the water's edge with a bridge in the background.

Why This Matters for Your Photos

When I bring you to a location, it’s already been:

  • Thought through
  • Tested in different lighting conditions
  • Experienced in real life (not just imagined through a lens)

So when your session day comes, you don’t have to worry about any of it.

You just show up with your family.


The End Goal

At the end of the day, the “perfect location” isn’t about perfection at all.

It’s about:

  • Good light
  • A safe, comfortable space
  • And room for real moments to happen

That’s where the magic is.

A woman and two children stand at a waterfront fence enjoying the sunny ocean view.

Let’s Plan Something That Feels Like You


If you’re thinking about booking a session, I’ll help guide you to a location that fits your family naturally—whether that’s a beach, a field, or somewhere a little more tucked away.

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

That’s what I’m here for. I have had clients tell me I found an area or I would like some in this area but I want something off the beaten path. I love scouting new places, going adventures with my own family and being able to verify this locations are exactly what they are and kid approved!


Family|Maternity|Newborn|Wedding|Dramatic Sports

The photographer you want to make sure to call for life's next moments.

local Gloucester, VA photographer

A black and white photo of a pregnant couple posing tenderly in a brick archway.