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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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 […]


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 […]
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 […]


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 […]
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 […]


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 […]
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 […]


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. […]
Welcoming a new baby is one of the most special times in your life, and choosing between a lifestyle vs. studio newborn session is an important decision. As a Northern Virginia Newborn Photographer, I offer both in-home lifestyle and posed studio newborn sessions. Both are very sweet, but can be very different. When planning your […]
