Sunrise Family Session at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront - The Bishop Family

Some sessions just feel like a full-circle moment — this was one of them. I first met Madeline and Turner years ago when I photographed their engagement session, followed by their wedding at Culpepper Barn four falls ago. Since then, I’ve had the joy of watching their love story unfold and their family grow — and capturing each new chapter along the way.

This time, we met for a sunrise session at the Virginia Beach oceanfront jetty. It was one of those early September mornings that makes you fall in love with the season all over again — the air was still, the sky soft and golden, and fishermen were quietly coming and going from the inlet. The peaceful start set the perfect tone for the session.

Now, their family looks a little different — and even sweeter. Beckham and Campbell have joined the story, and watching these two boys together was the best part of the morning. Beckham is full of personality — sweet, talkative, curious, and completely obsessed with Coldplay. (Forget the usual “say cheese” or “Bluey” trick — all I had to do was sing Sky Full of Stars and he was hooked.)

Campbell is the happiest, chunkiest baby — truly Madeline’s mini-me. He smiled through the morning and loved watching all the movement and laughter around him.

We spent the morning playing, climbing rocks, and chasing the light. The boys brought along a baseball and bat, and in between shots, Turner pitched to Beckham while Madeline took a quiet break to feed the baby. It felt less like a photoshoot and more like spending time with friends at the start of a new day.

At one point, a fisherman nearby caught a few fish and kindly invited Beckham over to see them up close — the look on his face was pure wonder. Those are the moments that make family sessions so special — the unplanned, real-life pauses that tell the story just as much as the posed shots do.

Somewhere between catching up on life, sipping my cold brew (of course), and swapping stories about houses, church, and work — we laughed about how small the world is. I’ve now photographed several of Madeline’s coworkers, which makes these reunions feel even more like time spent with old friends.

Watching Madeline and Turner step into this season of life has been the most rewarding part of what I do. They’ve come into their own not only as a couple but as parents, and it’s such a privilege to document their journey — from “just engaged” to this beautiful family of four.

Clients like these remind me why I love this job — the relationships that last beyond a single session, the stories that continue year after year, and the chance to grow alongside the people I photograph.

If you’ve been thinking about updating your own family photos, a sunrise session like this one might be the perfect way to do it. There’s something about that early light — calm, warm, and full of possibility — that makes the photos feel extra special.