As a luxury photographer in Northern Virginia, I specialize in maternity, newborn, family, and military moments that matter. I love capturing your family’s story in a way that feels effortless, authentic, and timeless - images that become art in your home and memories you’ll return to again and again. This blog is a little corner where I can share glimpses of the families, milestones, and military events I’m honored to document as well as tips for your best photo session yet. 

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Northern Virginia Family & Newborn Photography

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Fall is the most popular season for family photos in Northern Virginia – and it’s easy to see why! The warm colors, golden light, and cozy outfits come together to create timeless, beautiful portraits. But if you want to make the most of the season, knowing when to book (and why) is key. When to […]

When to Book Your Fall Family Photos in Northern Virginia

Business & Tips

There’s something magical about a Sunday morning in Washington, D.C. The streets are quiet, the light is soft, and the city feels like it’s all yours. For this beautiful Washington, D.C. maternity session, we met just after sunrise near the Capitol. It’s one of my favorite places to photograph—especially when it’s this peaceful. This sweet […]

A Quiet Morning Washington, D.C. Maternity Session

Maternity

Today, let’s talk the best Northern VA Family photo locations when you have young kids. Choosing the right photo location matters—a lot. You need more than just a pretty view. You want somewhere with easy parking, minimal walking, shade, and maybe even a bathroom nearby. As a mom and photographer, I keep all of that […]

Best Northern VA Family Photo Locations with Young Kids

Business & Tips

Welcoming a new baby is such a precious moment in your life as a new parent. You want to cherish every tiny detail – those delicate fingers, soft wisps of hair, and peaceful expressions. At Melissa Sheridan Photography, I offer a luxury Northern Virginia Newborn Photography Studio experience. My goal is to capture these fleeting […]

Northern Virginia Newborn Photography Studio

Newborns

Washington, D.C. is among one of the most unique and beautiful places to photograph. My best photo session locations in Washington, D.C. are listed below. D.C. can be very busy, so many of these locations I exclusively photograph at sunrise to avoid crowds and get the best lighting. For more information on sessions along the […]

Best Photo Session Locations in Washington, D.C.

Business & Tips

Sometimes, second chances lead to the most meaningful photos. As an Alexandria VA newborn photographer, I’ve seen it before – a family hires a photographer, but the images fall short or never even arrive. That’s what happened to this sweet family. Their first session didn’t reflect the beauty and tenderness of those early days. So […]

Alexandria VA Newborn Photographer

Newborns

Photographing military events is near and dear to my heart. Getting to photograph this Air Force Memorial Promotion Ceremony for the R family was an honor. The Air Force Memorial in Washington, D.C. overlooks the Pentagon and has a wide view of the Capitol and Washington Monument. This is a great location for any military […]

Air Force Memorial Promotion Ceremony

Military Events

Finding a newborn photographer can be overwhelming. If you’ve been looking for a while, it can all start to look the same, right? Here are 6 Questions to Ask Your Newborn Photographer before hiring one to ensure that they are professional and the right fit for you. 6 Questions to Ask Your Newborn Photographer What […]

6 Questions to Ask Your Newborn Photographer

Newborns

This spring, I hosted a mini session day for cherry blossom photos in Alexandria. It was a seriously gorgeous, warm spring day – almost 80 degrees! We could not have gotten a better weekend for peak bloom of the Yoshino cherry blossom trees. They are the most abundant type of cherry blossoms in the D.C. […]

Cherry Blossom Photos Alexandria

Families