At Ever After we specialize in professional family and childrens photography. But we know you all like to travel and you love to take snapshots of your travels. So grab the kids and head out to the Maryland coast! Whether you live in the South Riding, VA area or as far north as Baltimore, the smaller state of Maryland has plenty to offer when it comes to coastal scenery for pictures.

By the way, we always urge friends to grab their cameras and try their hand at taking pictures. But we wouldn’t be us if we didn’t also strongly encourage you to work with a professional photographer for fine art family portraits. The many differences between hobby and professional pictures justify the investment you make when you work with a professional.

Now, on with some travel info! Here are five places along the Maryland coast worthy of your time and attention:

Assateague Island is on the Maryland side and offers visitors more than 37-miles of a barrier island with beaches, coves, and beautiful marshes. You can’t miss with the wildlife photography here and the island’s gorgeous horses.

Annapolis and its harbor, along with its historic charm, offers some lovely scenery. You might have to battle the seagulls and tourists to snap a few great shots, but it’s at the very least worth a day trip.

At Sandy Point State Park you can enjoy 786 acres along the Northwestern shore of the gorgeous Chesapeake Bay. The park is well known for its breathtaking water views that overlook one of Maryland’s real treasures, the Chesapeake Bay.

If you’re looking for a more urban water scene, check out Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Keep in mind, though, just like Annapolis, you’ll be surrounded by people. That’s not to say you can’t take some great photos!

The Concord Point Lighthouse in Havre de Grace, Maryland was built in 1827 where the Susquehanna River meets the tidal flow of the Chesapeake Bay. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in continuous operation on the East Coast. Fully restored, the Lighthouse and Keeper’s House are open to the public on weekends from April to October.

Olmsted Island is technically not on the coast but on the Potomac River near Washington, DC. You can get some great pictures of the falls at Great Falls National Park on the Virginia side and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park on the Maryland side. Both offer some great scenery and photo ops, but not your typical sandy beach landscapes.

With family and childrens photography being our specialties, we work with clients from South Riding, VA and all across Northern Virginia on a variety of photography projects and needs. With almost two decades of experience, we are always happy to discuss your photography needs. Contact us today!
 

Family Photographer, Childrens Photography

Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located near South Riding, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
 
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
 
Best,
 
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
 
Professional Photographer

Where do you like to take pictures along the Virginia Coast? Do you have any favorite places? As a full-service studio photographer near Round Hill, VA, we certainly do, but we’re always on the hunt for more places. You know what we mean, little-known coastal gardens, sandy coves, quiet harbors, and picturesque beaches. It’s not easy to uncover secret spots given how populated our state is, but a list we found provides some worthy options.

If you have time, you can drive around our state and explore all 35 places featured in this article. However, we thought we’d highlight their coastal suggestions while we still have a few weeks of “warm” weather left, and while we’re waiting for the gorgeous fall colors to appear!

Spectacular opportunities for landscape and wildlife photography on the Virginia coastline

1 and 2. Chincoteague and Assateague Islands

Chincoteague, an island on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, is known for its population of wild ponies. The ponies actually reside next door on Assateague Island. While the ponies are a must-see, the seemingly endless miles of idyllic coastline and undeveloped land provide excellent opportunities for landscape and wildlife photography. Don’t forget the beautiful ocean encircling these beautiful islands! There’s something inherently beautiful with the combination of sea and portraits.

3. Tangier Island

Once the most isolated of the Eastern Shore barrier islands, Tangier has managed to maintain its charm – although some believe that’s beginning to change. You’ll see more bicycles than cars and more commercial fishing and crabbing than D.C. suits.

4. Virginia Beach

Most people associate Virginia Beach with hordes of summer crowds and tourists. They would be correct, but check out Sand Bridge and Croatan for surfing photography if the waves are up. On the Bayside, there’s Chick’s Beach and First Landing State Park for what might be just a tad bit quieter if not at least different than the busy beaches.

5. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

A bird watcher and photographers’ haven, every season offers something here. Although located at the very southern tip of Virginia Beach practically in North Carolina, it’s an important stop for migrating birds and a nesting place for several species including Bald Eagles and Osprey. There are tram tours and a relatively large photography blind.

6. Norfolk Botanical Garden

This is a world-class botanical garden with much to offer the photographer, especially the macro-photographer.

7. Fort Monroe

On the Chesapeake Bay, the Fort oozes history and beauty. It’s especially worthy for architectural and landscape photographers, but it’s a treasure for all types of photography.

8. Newport News Park

Wait until late October or November to visit this lovely city park for its spectacular fall foliage. In an area known for its state parks, this city park is worth a visit.

As a fine art and studio photographer we are always excited about talking shop with other photographers, especially near us in Round Hill, VA or Sterling, VA where we have our studios. If you have any tips for your favorite places to take pictures along the Virginia Coast, let us know! We’d love to check them out.

Family Photographer, Studio Photographer

Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located near Round Hill, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
 
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
 
Best,
 
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
 
Professional Photographer

Do you know what the colors you wear say about you, your mood, or even your intelligence? As a professional photographer, we have a pretty good idea! We have had to learn about color applications as it pertains to photography and our clients’ clothing. Our Purcellville, VA and Potomac Falls, VA clients aren’t the only ones interested in color psychology and clothes.

If you’re thinking about doing your portraits this fall, here are a few things to consider about individual colors as you select your outfits. And, as always, if you have any questions, just ask us!

Pink

Pink is a tranquil and warm color. Unlike red which gets people excited, pink has been shown to calm aggression and be soothing. It’s a feminine color and wearing it can give off a gentler air. By the way, in the past pink was the color used for little boys, while blue was used for girls! Yes, gentlemen, you too look great in pink!

Red

There is a reason many restaurants use red: It has been shown to make you hungry! It’s also an energetic color evoking strength, power, and even aggression. Red is a color that will get you noticed.

Yellow

This is a happy color! It’s the color of the sun, after all. It represents optimism and can help you be more creative. It is associated with being cheerful and warm. Note how it’s a color often associated with schools and school buses.

Orange

A warm, bold color, orange is a great substitute for red. It represents ambition, depth, and fun.

Blue

Another calming color, blue has long been associated with the sea. It is considered one of the most popular colors on the spectrum. Although depending on its shade, it can be considered a cooler color, it’s also a very soothing color which is why it’s often used in hospitals and bedrooms. It’s also been shown to be associated with greater productivity because it evokes a feeling of calmness and focus.

Purple

Long known as the color of royalty, purple represents wealth, sophistication and wisdom. There’s a reason kings and queens have long used this color!

Black

If you want a powerful, somber color, then black it is. It evokes strength and seriousness as well as intelligence. Think of how many business suits are black or dark gray.

Green

A calming color, green is also the color of money, of course! Green is located at the center of the color spectrum making it a restorative and balancing color. Interestingly, it’s long been associated with the concept of peace and, of course, the Earth.

Gray

Actually a neutral, gray is reserved, quiet and conservative. It has a steadying effect on other colors around it, is seen as solid and stable, creating a sense of calm and composure, relief from a chaotic world.

Color can reflect mood, personality, and give off subtle messages, so you can use color to your advantage! Just for fun, if you’d like to learn more about color psychology, check out this article.

As a professional photographer in the Purcellville, VA and Potomac Falls, VA area, we are happy to help our clients select their clothing colors for their portrait session. Although the psychology of color is fun to think about, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in your clothing! We work with our clients to coordinate each family member’s clothing so you’ll love your family portrait. If you want professional pictures, please contact us today to discuss our session!

Family Photographer, Professional Photographer

Ever After Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter portrait photography team located in Potomac Falls, VA, Northern Virginia, near Purcellville, VA. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits.
 
Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.
 
Best,
 
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!
 
Professional Photographer