The Ciociola family found me while searching for a Norfolk family photographer. They live in Chesapeake, part of the larger Hampton area, but chose Norfolk Botanical Garden for their family photoshoot with me in April! The location was especially meaningful because Chelsea and Michael had gotten married there. They wanted to return with their daughter, Malia, for their first family photos. Malia was also turning one, so we added an outdoor cake smash for her among the spring flowers.
Chelsea originally found me through my website and booked the session about two months in advance, when Malia was 10 months old. Since mornings were when Malia did best, we planned their session from 9 to 11 a.m.
First Family Photos in Norfolk, VA
We started their family photos around Renaissance Court. This is one of the formal garden areas with terraces, steps and a fountain.
It was quite warm for mid-April. Chelsea wore a red dress with white flowers. Michael wore a blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and khaki pants. Malia wore a cream dress with pink and blue flowers and a floral headband.
We started in the shade near the steps before moving farther into the Garden.
Spring Family Pictures
From Renaissance Court, we walked along several of the garden paths. The cherry blossoms were blooming, so we stopped there for more family pictures. A dream location for this Norfolk Family Photographer!
We also photographed near the fountain and pergola area. Malia was not giving us too many smiles that morning. Instead of trying to force them, I had Chelsea and Michael interact with her.
They kissed her, twirled with her and lifted her into an airplane pose. She was much more likely to laugh and smile with Mom and Dad.
Spring was a great time for this session because there were flowering areas throughout the Garden. Azaleas are especially widespread at the gardens April. The Garden lists them as blooming garden-wide during the month.
For the last part of the session, we headed to the Enchanted Forest area of Norfolk Botanical Garden. This is where we photographed Malia’s outdoor first birthday cake smash among the pink azaleas.
Chelsea brought a large number one covered in different shades of pink artificial flowers. I brought a small rustic wooden cake stand. Malia’s cake was light pink with darker pink roses.
We changed her into a light pink tulle outfit with polka dots. She also wore a birthday crown with a number one and flowers. I sat her on a large lace tablecloth that I often use as a blanket for outdoor sessions.
Malia definitely got her fingers into the cake. It was warm outside, so the icing had gotten pretty soft. She had fun squeezing it between her fingers.
She did not eat very much of the cake, but she loved playing with the icing. She even managed to get some on Dad when he came down to sit beside her.
Family Photos in Hampton Roads Area
The session was a little chaotic at times. Chelsea and Michael were trying hard to get more smiles from Malia. She seemed to be in what I call her “stranger danger” phase and was not very interested in smiling for me. And that’s ok! We just find someting that does work.
She would laugh and smile with her parents, though, so we worked with that.
By the end of our morning together, Malia was getting sleepy and ready for her nap. We wrapped up after her cake smash.
I loved that Chelsea and Michael chose to bring their daughter back to the same place where they had gotten married. This time, they were celebrating Malia’s first birthday and their first family photo session together.
Top Norfolk Parks for Family Photos
There are so many more great places to shoot in Norfolk! I also love to shoot family portraits at:
- Ghent – One of the areas best-known neighborhoods, with tree-lined streets, historic homes, fields, and urban backgrounds for family photos.
- First Landing State Park – Located in nearby Virginia Beach, with wooded trails, beaches, dunes, and Chesapeake Bay views.
- Great Neck Park – Another Virginia Beach option with wooded areas, walking paths, open fields, and plenty of greenery.
- Oak Grove Lake Park – Located in Chesapeake, with a lake, wooded trails, bridges, and natural areas for outdoor family photos.
Other nearby options:
- Virginia Beach – about 20–30 minutes druve
- Chesapeake – about 15–20 minutes dri
- Mariners’ Museum Park in Newport News – a farther Hampton Roads option with wooded trails, mature trees, and Lake Maury
Looking for a Norfolk Family Photographer?
If you love the Ciociola family’s session at the Botanical Garden, I’d love to help you plan a session that works for your family. I photograph families at beautiful locations throughout Virginia, so we can find one that works for you and your favorite people.
Check out more of my family photography sessions.
Hi! I’m Sarah, founder of Sarah Creal Photography. I’ve been specializing in photographing families for over 10 years, and I’d love to do the same for you. I’m a member of PPA, Professional Photographers of America, and have over 90 five-star reviews on Google.
Sarah Creal is a family, maternity, newborn, and birth photographer serving Richmond, Virginia and Lawton, Oklahoma. With 10+ years in business and 95 five-star reviews, she is known for relaxed, connected photography and her ability to work with children and families of different needs. Sarah was also an occupational therapist for 25 years and is a member of Professional Photographers of America and the American Occupational Therapy Association.
