Every Now & Then...You Need to Do a "For Me" Session | Lake Smith | Virginia Beach Portrait Photographer

A couple of weekends ago, a good friend and I checked out Lake Smith, a tucked away little spot which turned out to be a good location for photos!  This was definitely one of those sessions for me, and I needed it!  I felt stuck, and I needed to shoot without the pressure of pleasing the client!  I love these type of sessions, because it gave me an opportunity to relax and focus on what I want to accomplish.  A lot of things have changed since I picked up my Rebel on Christmas morning.  I now have a Canon 5D Mark II, which I absolutely adore, and I have been doing lots of different styles of sessions to figure out what I love to shoot.

So what do I love to shoot?  COUPLES!  I think, by far, couples are my favorite.  It is easy with couples, and I absolutely love catching those private, special moments between them.  Aside from couples, I like one-on-one sessions. I love maternity sessions, and I am looking forward to the possibility of photographing some Seniors in the Class of 2014 and 2015.  I like that I can get to know an individual better during our time during a session.  Families are also fun; I love the fun, laid-back family shoots.  Lifestyle, children playing, lots of laughter, and families just being themselves with each other is what I am aiming for family-wise!  I do want to break into the wedding industry, for sure!  I have gotten the opportunity to second-shoot for Devon Shanor Photography a few times, and I am really enjoying it!  It is so much fun being a part of someone's special day!  Just last weekend, we shot a wedding in Virginia Beach, and I had a blast!  I laughed; I cried, and I danced along with the guests (all while catching those wonderful loving moments between people)!  It is something I want to do more of!

Back to this most recent session with Solaris....it was a lot of fun, and she is just gorgeous!!  I can barely stand it!  Check out some of my favs!

Together on Fourth of July | Personal | Hampton Roads, VA Photographer

This Independence Day, we finally ventured out as a full family to see the fireworks!  Independence Day 2010...Noah was a newborn, and Seth had returned to Italy.  I am pretty sure I went to bed early that night.  The next year, Noah and I went to Roanoke to be spend the 4th with family, and Seth was still in Italy.  We drove out to a park to watch the fireworks, but by the time we got out and walked to our spot...Noah was fast asleep!  Just a year old, and he slept through the entire thing!  Last 4th of July, Seth was finally here with us, but Noah went to bed early again, and he missed the fireworks!

FINALLY this 4th, we got to see the fireworks on the beach, and we got to see them together and with good friends.  Noah loved it!  He talked to Grandma on the phone for a few minutes while the fireworks were going and told her how "AWESOME!!!!" they were.  I am really glad he finally got to see them, and next year....we will be seeing them again! :)

I snapped a couple of photos of Seth and Noah before we left...

Then I handed my camera to Seth to get some of Noah and I.  Look at that....getting his sunflare on! 

Ooh...and we saw this little guy as we were leaving the house!  Noah thought it was SO cool!  Okay...so did I...hence why I felt the need to take a picture of it!

So this was the first 4th where I have a nice camera!  I brought it with me of course.  I really wanted to try some longer exposures to capture the fireworks!  First time....so hope ya like!  

I shot these with a Canon 5D Mark II & 50mm f/1.4 @ f/3.2 and 0.8 of a second. 

Happy Independence Day, everyone!  Hope everyone had a fun and safe time!

Lauren + John | Couples | Virginia Beach, VA Photographer

Lauren and John got engaged recently, and I know they are SO excited to plan their wedding and get married next year!  It will be beautiful =]

I met Lauren about a year ago in our book club, The Literal Hotties (yeah we are cool =]), and I am so happy that she has become a good friend!  Lauren is such a cool girl....I mean she's a Mechanical Engineer!  Brains AND beauty....John sure is lucky to be marrying Lauren =] 

Lauren won my first giveaway, and I am so glad she did!  I knew instantly that this was going to be an AWESOME session with the two of them....I mean...look how cute they are...

If you haven't already....visit me on Facebook [Bethanne Arthur Photography] and "Like" it! You will stay up-to-date on sessions, as well as get details on my next giveaway...YOU could win a mini-session of your choice!