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Hi there! I'm Melissa, a Northern Virginia Family & Newborn Photographer. Welcome to my journal, where you can find recent sessions, location ideas, tips for your best session, and more!
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October is one of the most breathtaking months in Northern Virginia, and as a Northern Virginia Lifestyle Photographer, I look forward to it all year. The leaves shift into warm golds and rich rust tones. The air turns crisp. Families pull out cozy sweaters and earth-toned layers. Everything feels calm and intentional.
This fall, every family showed up relaxed and beautifully coordinated. Outfits included greens, creams, browns, and soft textures that photographed beautifully against the changing trees. The light was warm. The weather was perfect. And the season felt full of joy.
This month took me to:

Despite full schedules and busy lives, families still made time to document this season. That matters. Kids don’t pause. Childhood moves fast. Even so, these families showed up exactly as they are — imperfect, playful, and present.
Moreover, I loved watching parents stay calm even when their kids ran, explored, or got a little wild. Those moments are real. They are honest. And they often lead to the most meaningful photos.
Because the best images are not about perfect smiles.
They are about connection.
They are about the way parents look at their children with total love.


Fall books quickly. In fact, October dates typically fill long before the leaves change. If you want a fall Northern Virginia lifestyle photography session, I recommend booking early. Planning ahead allows you to choose the ideal date, location, and time without stress.
I can’t wait to document your family in whatever season you’re in — calm, chaotic, or somewhere beautifully in between.
If you’d like to be notified when my fall calendar opens, here’s the link:
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offer portrait photo sessions for families, newborns, maternity, and military events in the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. area. She has over 9 years of experience and is based in Alexandria, Virginia.
melissa sheridan photography