Family, Beach Days & New Beginnings | Virginia Beach Photo Session

One of the sweetest gifts this year has brought me is the chance to welcome a whole new bunch of people into the family. Kate’s mom recently married my dad, and it has been such a joy getting to know her and her family better. Kate and her husband Zach made the trip in from Colorado with their three little ones and it has already felt like we have known each other for so much longer than it’s been.

The kids clicked right away. In fact, we couldn’t stop laughing at how much Millie and my daughter Brynn look like TWINS!

To make it all even more special, we carved out time for a family photo session. The whole experience was joyful, relaxed, natural, and easy—exactly the way family photos should feel. Kate is a fellow photographer, and right after our session, she even turned the camera on my family, capturing moments I will treasure forever.

We spent our days soaking up the best of Virginia Beach—beautiful mornings at Chic’s Beach off Shore Drive on Wednesday and Thursday, sandy toes, salty hair, and plenty of giggles. Thursday evening, all the ladies snuck away for a much-needed girls’ night at the Raleigh Room, where we got to unwind, laugh, and connect even more. The wedding itself was beautiful, and the kids were absolute troopers—having fun, dancing, and bringing so much joy to the celebration.

This trip was such a reminder of how quickly family bonds can grow, especially when you share not only love and laughter, but also meaningful experiences together. I left the week feeling so grateful for these new relationships and so excited for all the memories still to come.