Jessica and I have been shooting together for many years. She is always ready for a photo shoot, whether it be dance photos or fashion style images. We have been all over eastern Virginia over the years, always looking for interesting locations.
This is our third shoot in Smithfield, obviously a favorite of ours. We also love the shrimp and grits at the nearby Smithfield Inn! We began at the Historic St. Luke’s Church, just south of Smithfield. Historic St. Luke’s is the oldest surviving church building in Virginia. The 17th-Century structure was originally an Anglican Church.
From there we went to Windsor Castle Park which also has the grape vines for the recently established Smithfield Winery. he park is fast becoming a favorite of locals and visitors to Smithfield. It is definitely a beautiful location for photography.
I always look forward to our shoots together. I only hope I can do justice to her beauty. Jessica makes my job so easy.
Hampton Roads Photography has had a long relationship with the Masterworks Touring Company. With excellence and integrity, their vision is to use God-given creativity to give Him glory and bring restoration and redemption to the arts, cultures and people groups around the world. Each year we create new head shots and group photos as they prepare for the new season of performances. This year the Touring Company is made up of six dancers, Jessica Hartsfield, Emileigh Earlenbaugh, Krystal Descano, Olivia Shedd, Elise Hughes and Quinn Ricks.
In the upcoming season, they will be performing at the CBN Rosh Hashanah event in September, Pembroke Mall, MacArthur Mall and Cedar Manor in December, The Wave Church Women’s Conference in February, The Stockley Gardens Art Festival in May and the Miss Virginia Pageant in June. Other events will most likely be added. In April, they are looking at another missions trip. This year the Touring Company went to Amsterdam to dance in the red light districts, sharing their message.
James has been playing baseball since he was around 7 years old. He currently plays left field for Salem High School in Virginia Beach. He and his mother found some images that they liked, hoping for similar photos of James. We love getting suggestions like that. It lets us know the customer’s thinking and preferences for their portraits.
James and I had a great time during this shoot, talking sports (mostly baseball) and his future plans. He is a New York Yankees fan. He hasn’t decided on a college yet, but I’m sure he will be on their baseball team. The water images made a bit of a mess. However, we were both thrilled with the results. Good luck James!
