Thank you so much for considering me for your photo session! I am delighted at the opportunity to capture your unique family. I offer two different packages for families. More details can be found about them here.

One package I offer is called the Essentials for families looking to document a session in a beautiful way but who may be short on time, are not interested in a full photo session, only need a few images for a quick update or holiday cards, or have young kids who would do better with a shorter session, etc. Essentially, they’re my version of mini sessions that I offer year-round, but with just your family. No back to back madness of traditional mini sessions. I offer these sessions at the locations listed below.

 

Essential Session Location Options for Melissa Sheridan Photography Clients

Green Spring Gardens 

This location is magical any time of year. It’s especially pretty in spring and fall. There is a $30 permit fee that goes to Fairfax County Parks to have photo sessions here, but the beautiful location is worth the extra cost.

 

Old Town Alexandria 

This is my top requested location in the area. I never tire of the quaint streets and beautiful waterfront of Old Town and absolutely love going here. There’s a lot of variety and it’s a backdrop that is quintessentially Northern Virginian.

Within Old Town, specific options are:

• the streets around Prince/King St/Wales Alley
• Founders Park and the waterfront area nearby
• Shipyard Park
• Jones Point Park – a little bit outside of actual old town and offers a view of the Potomac and a historic lighthouse

The essentials session package will allow time at one of these specific locations within Old Town.

 

Hidden Pond Nature Center

This location is quite literally a hidden gem. I love coming here. It’s a small park in West Springfield that isn’t usually crowded if you’re looking for a more intimate session that features the natural beauty of Virginia with less people around.

 

Burke Lake Park

This park feature a large lake and 4.5 mile walking trail around it is another natural beauty spot in Northern Virginia.

Some parts of this park feature a lot of shade in the summer and fall before the leaves fall, so I usually recommend meeting at this specific location in the morning or earlier afternoon if possible so we have enough light. It can get pretty busy on nice weather days in the fall too.

 

Some other locations that are on my list to go to in the area but have not yet are:

• Mount Vernon – there are specific places to shoot here and you do need to request a reservation in advance, but it is free
• Fort Belvoir – if you have access to military bases, there are some pretty location options here
• Lake Accotink

 

If you have another location in mind in the general Alexandria/Springfield ish area, I may be willing to offer a session there too. Just ask me!