Okay, okay, okay! You’re here! You’re reading this!! You’ve already seen at least one photo from this session! My heart is HAPPY!!! You’re probably confused as to why I’m so excited and using so many exclamation points. It’s because I have been holding on to these photos – waiting for Brit and Adrian to reveal their big news to their friends and family. Now I can share and I am so excited because I LOVE THESE PHOTOS!! From the outfits to the location to the people in the photos, they seriously could not be more perfect.
Brit and I first met online early this year and I immediately connected with her. (If you frequently read my blog, you already know I also met Maddie and Caitlin first online. I know it seems weird, but there’s a big online community here.) When she arrived in Sicily in July, we became fast friends. Brit and Adrian are super cool and seriously kind. There has been no one who has checked in on me more than they have during all of my medical issues. This includes front door deliveries – TWICE!!
When Brit told me she was expecting, I was SO EXCITED!! I just know Brit and Adrian are going to be amazing parents. They are already phenomenal people and wonderful friends. I am so honored Brit and Adrian entrusted me to photograph their pregnancy announcement and gender reveal (IT’S A GIRL!!!!!!!!!). And, I could not be more pleased with the way they turned out.
Brit + Adrian, Congratulations!!! We are SO excited for you guys and cannot wait to meet your baby GIRL! I hope you love these photos of such a memorable time in your life as much as I do.
Brit + Adrian
If you’ve been following along on the blog, you’ve probably noticed I have been quite busy lately traveling and photographing some really amazing people. The Vernons are no exception; they are so sweet, kind, easy-going, and incredibly stylish!! I usually provide styling assistance to everyone I photograph, but Amanda already knew what they were going to wear. When the Vernons walked out of the parking garage in Taormina, I was SO EXCITED!!! I honestly could not have selected better outfits!! From the Sicilian dresses to the blue suit and coordinating suspenders, their outfits literally could not have been more perfect.
Our shoot consisted of walking though gorgeous old town Taormina and grabbing a gelato before heading back to the car. Both Leah and Evan were such good sports and sooo incredibly cute!!
Samuel and Amanda, you guys have an incredibly beautiful family! Thanks so much for hanging out with us in one of Sicily’s most charming towns. I hope you love the photos as much as I do!!
The Vernon Family
One aspect of photography that I didn’t foresee when I picked it up as a hobby was all of the amazing people I would meet and all of the friendships I would make. I’ve had clients become friends and friends become clients, but one thing I love in particular about the creative community is the friendships I’ve cultivated with other photographers. Finding people who share the same philosophy of ‘community over competition’ is so much more than refreshing. It’s hanging out with like-minded individuals who just ‘get you’ in a way that other people don’t. Alexia is one of those people; she’s another photographer in my community in Sicily, and as soon as I met her, we ‘clicked!’.
Hanging out with Alexia is so much fun! She is a B-U-S-Y mom, wife, student, entrepreneur, and friend. I honestly have no idea how she balances so many baskets, but I do have to say that she makes it look so easy. I couldn’t wait to meet her family, and can I just say, they did not disappoint! It’s funny how you just sometimes meet people and can automatically feel comfortable around them. Shane is so laid back (and seems to have a lot of the same hobbies as my husband!). Bryleigh is adorably intelligent, says everything I’m thinking in my head, and is a complete ray of sunshine to be around. And, Dakotah – she is just TOO cute with her tiny little teeth and bright smile.
Photographing another photographer can be a little anxiety provoking to say the least, but I had so much fun walking around Ortigia with these guys, I forgot to be nervous!
I’m so thankful for your friendship, Alexia. I had a blast capturing your beautiful little family this weekend. Let’s do it again soon!
The Johnson Family
During my time as a photographer, I have had the honor of photographing quite a few kids and mamas. However, it wasn’t until now that I had the privilege to capture some of the most beautiful fleeting moments of mom and baby together in a sunrise breastfeeding session.
When Alexandra first contacted me about this session, I was SO excited about the possibility. Even though I’m not a mom myself, I still know that breastfeeding is such an intimate and special experience. I really enjoyed getting to know Alexandra and her little family. I can’t wait to share Dante’s one-year cake smash in the upcoming weeks!
Alexandra, thank you so much for entrusting me to capture such special moments for you. I hope I was able to help you treasure these moments for a lifetime to come!
Alexandra and Dante
Zoe and I met during the SAWS Pet Appreciation Day event which was held in my local community last month. I was photographing people and their dogs in the “kissing booth” and Zoe was my very first customer! So, it was quite fitting that she is also my very first family session client in Sicily!
Zoe, her husband Nick, and their daughter Scarlett are (sadly, for me!) moving back to the US next month. They wanted a way to say farewell to Sicily and commemorate their time living on the island. What better way to do that than with an epic photoshoot overlooking the stunning Sicilian countryside?!
The Costellos are truly such a lovely family and little Scarlett couldn’t be more adorable, teeter-tottering around with her sea blue eyes.
Thank you so much for trusting me to capture your family for this very special photoshoot! Best wishes for a safe journey to Florida!
When I think about someone with a *sparkling* personality, I think of Katie. Katie has the most infectious smile and coolest style. So, when she asked me to photograph her Baby-Q (coolest, barbecue for a baby EVER), I was SO pumped! Bri, Katie’s sorority sister and close friend, was the lovely hostess for the evening, and she did an absolutely fabulous job. From the decor to the food and games, this shower was one for the books!! And, just in case you’re wondering who that gorgeous curly-haired cutie down below is, well, that’s their “first baby,” Neyland.
Only F I V E more weeks until Joel and Katie meet baby Truett! I could not be more excited for them. Thanks for having me!
I honestly have no idea how many sleepovers I had with Ashley, but it was a lot. I remember camping out in her living room floor in middle school, watching scary snowman movies, and buying jumbo size jawbreakers from the mall candy shop. It’s crazy how time flys. One moment you are having pillow fights and sleepovers and the next moment you have a little family all your own! It’s been quite a few year since I lived in my hometown, but when Ashley contacted me about photographing her family, I jumped at the chance to come back. It was just like the old days. She hasn’t changed one bit! And her family… well, they are absolutely adorable!! And just as much fun as she is.
Now booking oceanfront sunset mini sessions for August 26th!
Want a few professional photos but not ready to invest in a full session? Mini sessions are the perfect compromise!
What are ‘mini sessions?’
A mini session is a photo shoot that occurs back-to-back with other sessions in a set location. Sessions last for approximately 30 minutes. Mini sessions are intended for up to three individuals at a time.
What’s included?
As with all packages, you will receive a styling guide, one-on-one consultation (if desired), a print release, and a digital image gallery to select and download your favorite images. You will receive 5 retouched high resolution digital images with additional images available for purchase at a discounted rate if desired! You should receive your gallery within two weeks of the session date.
Where will these mini sessions be held?
Sessions will be held on the Virginia Beach oceanfront. Specific location will be emailed to you upon booking.
How do I reserve my spot?!
Email me at: (mandalyn@mandalynrenee.com) and include the following information:
– time preference
– names of individuals to be included in photos
– address and phone number
To secure your time slot, a $75 retainer and signed contract is required. Total cost for the session is $125 + tax (this price includes the $75 retainer).
Available Times:
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
These sessions are so much fun! Email me to snag your spot before they are all gone!!
mandalyn@mandalynrenee.com
If you read my blog post about my very first photoshoot ever, you may remember two of these gorgeous faces – Becca and William! At the time, Becca was pregnant with baby Everly and we were all anxiously waiting to meet her!! Because Jordan and I live in Virginia, we weren’t able to travel to Oklahoma for a few months after her birth. I think the long wait made meeting her that much sweeter!
During our visit, we just had to squeeze in a few minutes for Everly’s first official photo shoot!! She has the cutest rockstar hair, sweetest smile, and her laugh is sooooo heartwarming! For a little while, I even got to hold her while she slept. I can’t wait to see how much she has grown by our next visit!
Here’s a peek at a few of my favorite shots from the mini shoot. Aren’ they the cutest little family??
I’ve been friends with Christina on social media for years now, but never actually had the opportunity to meet her in person until a couple of weeks ago! Through the power of social media, I’ve seen her get engaged, get married, and have a beautiful baby girl. So, naturally I was very excited to finally get to meet her in person!! When I started my photography business, Christina asked me if I would consider doing a shoot with her little family on my next trip to Oklahoma. Just a few weeks later, it was happening!! Christina and Ryan were kind enough to invite me into their gorgeous home to capture some lifestyle portraits of their beautiful little family of three. And when I say beautiful family, I mean STUNNING!! Christina and I hit it off immediately and the photo session was tons of fun! I’m so honored to have been able to capture the first portraits of this family of three in their gorgeous home. Thank you so much for having me!
