• Facebook
  • Instagram

703-850-7212

Vienna, VA

Contact Me
Melissa Maillett Photography Melissa Maillett Photography
  • Headshots
    • Business Headshots
    • Branding
    • Corporate Teams
    • Actor Headshots
    • Video Add-ons
  • Branding
    • Video Add-Ons
  • Portraits
    • Family Portraits
    • Modern Womens’ Portraits
    • Seniors
  • Blog
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Clients
  • Headshots
    • Business Headshots
    • Branding
    • Corporate Teams
    • Actor Headshots
    • Video Add-ons
  • Branding
    • Video Add-Ons
  • Portraits
    • Family Portraits
    • Modern Womens’ Portraits
    • Seniors
  • Blog
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • Clients
A Unique and Fun Family Portrait Session

A Unique and Fun Family Portrait Session

September 11, 2018 10:05 pm No Comments melissa_mm

I love it when my client has a specific vision and idea for their session; part of my passion in photography is helping that vision come to life.

This extended family portrait was part of a very special weekend that was booked as a “Dad and Daughters” weekend at the absolutely majestic Air BnB, http://retreatatcoolspring.com/ out in Virginia’s wine country. The adult daughters were allowing their brothers to come over for dinner and family portrait session on the Saturday night of the weekend and they were expecting great things! Everything, from the dresses and the men’s jackets and khakis, to the croquet and champagne, were carefully styled for a family portrait session and I was so excited to help with the creation.

The direction given to me – which I LOVED – was “cocktail party, not stiffly posed…as if I was a fly on the wall of a wonderful party.”  And that’s just what it turned out to be (by the end of the night, I was asking if I could be adopted into this fun family).  All were great sports in the stifling heat of August in Virginia and I had a chance to explore a new beautiful setting, and try out my best “Vanity Fair” style of staging a group. They even pretended to do their “Dynasty” style pose, but then quickly relaxed into with their true fun and very unstuffy style.

Posted in: Family Tagged: Family, Family Portrait, Vanity Fair type session
« Previous
Next »


View all posts by melissa_mm

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

About Melissa

Melissa is headshot and portrait photographer, specializing in personal branding sessions for creative businesses and entrepreneurs. As your visual storytelling partner, Melissa helps you connect to your audience and grow your business. She also photographs high school seniors and lifestyle family sessions.

Contact Melissa

Add Life to Your Branding or Headshot Session with Video

You have been hearing from me say for a while that adding branding images to your marketing materials will up-level

This is Denise…Promoting Balance in a Digital World

As we are all navigating through the Coronavirus Pandemic this spring, I find this introduction of my recent branding client

Socially Distancing While Photographing

Spring has “sprung” in the DC area, but this spring is different than any of the past ones. It is

Camera-Shy? Preparing for Your Headshot

As an entrepreneur or a business owner, I’m sure you’ve been hearing this for a while now: You are the

What is A Personal Branding Session?

You may have heard the term “Personal Branding Session” while researching headshot photographers, or looking for some tips about to

What Kind of Headshot Do I need?h

three important reasons you need a great headshot In the business world, compelling offers, great marketing techniques, and polished websites

Why Summer Is Perfect for Family Portraits

It’s summer! The days are long, the nights are warm, the kids are relaxed – and maybe even the parents

This is Carolyn

Personal Branding Session with Carolyn Bagdoyan of Heart Tree Yoga

My 2018 in Review

For portrait photographers, it’s hard to wrap up the year before the year is over. I was taking family portraits

A Few Things I Learned About Women’s Conferences at the VA Women’s Business Conference

I was recently asked to photograph at the Virginia Women’s Business Conference at the Sheraton Tyson’s Corner Hotel. I’ve photographed many

Contact Me

info@melissamaillett.com

703-850-7212

Subscribe!

Download my free “Branding Photography” Checklist and start building your visual marketing materials today!

Branding Photography Checklist!

Let's Connect
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

mmaillettphoto

One of my few "models" that still looks great with One of my few "models" that still looks great with her hair matted, windblown and messy! #goldenretrieverlife⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#viennaphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#melissamaillettphotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#viennabusinessassociation⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#novaheadshotphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#northernvirginiaphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#northernvirginiaphotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#novirginiaheadshots⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#brandingphotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#brandingphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#novabrandingphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#dcphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#dcbrandingphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#dcfempreneur⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#vaphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#novirginiaphotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#entrepreneur⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#lifestylebranding⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#creative⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#northernvirginiabrandingphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#vabrandingphotographer⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#novabrandphotography⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#herhandshake
Women 50+ should we podcast? You BET! We have uniq Women 50+ should we podcast?
You BET! We have unique perspectives, stories and voices. Don’t let anyone tell you that your voice doesn’t matter.
My oldest BFF and I have a podcast, Mixing Up Midlife where we encourage and discuss women over 50 to be brave, seek out adventures, and challenge ourselves. In our most recent podcast we talk about the why, when and how of OUR podcasting journies. I encourage anyone to take the leap into podcasting if it calls to you.
Check it out!
"The waiting is the hardest part...."⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Waiting for my next headshot. I love each new chance I get to meet someone, make a connection, getting a great shot and  convincing them that getting a headshot really can be fun! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#entrepreneurlifestyle #hersuccess #ladybisslife #femaleentrepreneur #female businessowner #purposefulliving #NorthernVirginiaPhotographer #viennavaphotographer #corporatebranding #portraitphotography #melissamaillettphotography #corporateheadshots #nova #dcfempreneur #viennabusinessasaociation #womenownerbusiness #entrepreneurslife #vwbo #entrepreneurlifestyle #personalbranding #femalebusinessowner #solopreneur #purposefulliving #womenwhoinspire #femaleentrepreneur #womenwholead #northernvaheadshots #novirginiaphotographer #herhandshake
I was so happy to work with this interior designer I was so happy to work with this interior designer who was giving her website a reboot with new branding images. Shooting on location is always fun and her work is so elegant - I believe the images brought out her elegance as well! Her website is InspiredDesign.com. Go check it out!  #melissamaillettphotography, #viennavaphotographer, #viennabusinessassocitation, #interiordesignerlife, #mixingupmidlife,  #northernvabrandingphotographer
Selfie Tip: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The white Selfie Tip: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 The white of the snow below you makes a reflector and brightens up your face. Smooths out wrinkles and you gotta love natural light! In the winter the sun is lower in the sky and the lighting is pretty good even in midday (which I avoid in the spring and summer). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Second tip - this shot was actually taken with video, using my little Canon G7X on a tripod - and then bringing it into Final Cut Pro and exporting a still shot. But you can do this easily with your iphone as well. Take some video (it's feels more natural than holding an awkward smile while waiting for the self-timer) and then snap a screen shot during the point in the video that you like. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
So get out there in this cold winter and snap a few shots or video and play in the snow!
Branding sessions can happen anywhere! The client Branding sessions can happen anywhere!  The client for this session from back in the fall was for one of my subscription clients and she wanted to show some fun outdoor shots so we headed out to downtown Washington, DC for a fun session along the reflecting pool and the National mall. She is not a political but a digital wellness coach and speaker. But why not! Swipe to see bts of me during the session
Yikes! Me in front of the camera? This doesn't fee Yikes! Me in front of the camera? This doesn't feel natural!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But yes, even I can understand the value of putting my face forward and introducing myself. I have a business, I want to connect with people who I want to do business with - and who may want to work with me. What better way to make the introduction to business than showing my face!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Because I am so camera-shy and reluctant to get on the other side of my lens, I have challenged myself to do just that. And in doing it, I'll explore tips and tricks to help my clients not only feel more comfortable posing when I take your shots, but also to try do it yourself!  I will share my selfie-successes (and possibly failures) with you. I am much better with the pro camera, but I also know that the camera in your phone will be the more common tool. But be aware, this NOT your teenager's insta shot - this is about creating fun and quality images that can be used for your marketing and branding ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But who knows, maybe we will learn a few things from those "insta famous" crowd???
Think it's too cold to do corporate headshots outs Think it's too cold to do corporate headshots outside?

Think again! These shots were both taken this winter - in between bouts of wind and in a very brief time period (so we could keep noses warm and make sure eyes didn't water). 

A pro headshot photographer can make it quick and effortless - with a little preparation and some tips (I just wrote a blogpost on it, check out my website for the tips). Winter is often when you have more time on your hands, so if you need headshots, no need to wait for warmer weather! .
.
.
#viennaphotographer
#melissamaillettphotography
#viennabusinessassociation
#northernvirginiaphotography
#novirginiaheadshots
#brandingphotography
#brandingphotographer
#novabrandingphotographer
#dcphotographer
#dcbrandingphotographer
#dcfempreneur
#vaphotographer
#novirginiaphotography
#entrepreneur
#lifestylebranding
#creative
#northernvirginiabrandingphotographer
#vabrandingphotographer
#novabrandphotography
#herhandshake .
.
.
.
. #northernvirginiapbotographer, #northernvaphotographer, #capecodphotographer, #familyportaits, #siblingphotographer, #chathamphotographer
#melissamaillettphotography #viennaphotographer#viennava #viennabusinessassociation #virginiaphotographer #viennavaphotographer #viennavaphotography
Load More... Follow on Instagram
© 2021 Melissa Maillett Photography
Skip to content