One of the most common questions clients ask after booking is, “Where should we do our session?”

And honestly, location plays such a huge role in the feeling of your images.

The right location does more than simply provide a pretty backdrop. It helps shape the emotion, movement, and atmosphere of your session. Some families are drawn toward dreamy coastal light and barefoot beach evenings. Others love open fields that feel nostalgic and quiet. Some want timeless architecture and historic charm while others feel most connected documenting life right inside their own home.

As a photographer serving Virginia Beach and the greater Hampton Roads area, I spend a lot of time helping families choose locations that feel authentic to them rather than simply trendy. Your session should reflect your family naturally.

Here are some of my favorite photography locations throughout Hampton Roads for maternity, family, newborn, and milestone sessions.

Sandbridge Beach | Virginia Beach

Sandbridge is easily one of my favorite beach locations in Hampton Roads because it feels slower and quieter than many of the busier oceanfront areas. The tall dune grass, soft sand, and wide open shoreline create the dreamiest setting for emotional, movement filled sessions.

Sunrise sessions here are peaceful and soft, while sunset sessions bring warm golden tones and beautiful sky color. Sandbridge photographs beautifully year round and works especially well for families wanting relaxed candid imagery rather than stiff posing.

This location is perfect for:
• Family sessions
• Maternity photography
• Motherhood sessions
• Couples photography
• Playful beach storytelling

One of the things I love most about Sandbridge is how much freedom children have to simply explore. We can walk through the dunes, splash in the waves, collect shells, and allow the session to unfold naturally.

East Beach | Norfolk

East Beach has such a beautiful blend of coastal texture and calm energy. Between the shoreline, sea grass, and rock jetties, it offers so much visual variety without feeling overwhelming.

The lighting here is especially beautiful in the evenings and creates a slightly moodier coastal look while still maintaining that soft airy feeling my work is known for.

East Beach is ideal for families wanting:
• Coastal scenery without heavy crowds
• Variety in their gallery
• Romantic maternity imagery
• Natural movement and candid interaction

The rock jetty areas are especially stunning for couples and maternity sessions because they add depth and texture while still keeping the focus on connection.

Colonial Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg feels timeless in every season. Between the ivy covered brick paths, historic buildings, gardens, and soft neutral tones, it creates an incredibly elegant backdrop without feeling overly formal.

Springtime here is especially magical with flowering trees and soft greenery, but honestly this location photographs beautifully year round.

This location works wonderfully for:
• Maternity sessions
• Family photography
• Motherhood portraits
• Romantic couples sessions
• Heirloom inspired imagery

Colonial Williamsburg also photographs beautifully during overcast weather, making it a versatile option throughout different seasons.

Yorktown Beach & Battlefield

Yorktown has such a nostalgic feeling to it. The combination of waterfront views, grassy open areas, and historic charm creates a really versatile environment for storytelling focused sessions.

Families especially love Yorktown because it gives children space to move while still maintaining a clean timeless look in photos.

Yorktown is especially beautiful for:
• Young families
• Extended family sessions
• Milestone sessions
• Sunset beach photography
• Playful candid sessions

One of my favorite things about Yorktown is how easily we can transition between multiple textures and backgrounds within one session.

Open Fields & Nature Trails in Chesapeake

Some of the simplest locations end up being the most magical. Open fields throughout Chesapeake create a quiet nostalgic atmosphere that photographs beautifully in golden hour light.

These locations feel earthy, peaceful, and deeply connected to childhood.

Perfect for:
• Family sessions
• Fall photography
• Motherhood sessions
• Milestone portraits
• Romantic maternity imagery

The movement created by tall grasses and open skies gives these sessions such a timeless emotional feel.

In Home Sessions

Sometimes the most meaningful location is simply home.

Especially for newborn photography, in home sessions preserve details that become incredibly sentimental over time. The nursery you spent months preparing. Tiny baby clothes folded on the dresser. The couch where your toddler climbs into your lap every morning.

In home sessions are less about perfect decor and more about emotional connection.

These sessions work beautifully for:
• Newborn photography
• Lifestyle family sessions
• Motherhood storytelling
• Cozy winter sessions
• Documentary style imagery

Your home already holds your family’s memories. Photographing your story there adds another layer of meaning that simply cannot be recreated elsewhere.

At the end of the day, the “best” location is not necessarily the most popular or visually dramatic one. It is the place that allows your family to feel relaxed, connected, and fully present together.

That is where the real magic always happens.