Home › Family Photography

Hampton Roads Family Photographer

Creative, connection-driven family portraits that capture who you really are. Professional family photography in our Suffolk studio or at beautiful outdoor locations across Hampton Roads. Military families welcome. Serving Hampton Roads since 2010.

Book Family Session View Session Types

The Experience

More than a picture on the wall.

Family portraits are proof that this moment happened, that your family was together, that your children were this small, and that your love looked exactly like this.

At Motiontography, Roger Mitchell brings 14+ years of experience and an artistic eye to every family session. His approach blends directed posing with natural, candid moments so your portraits feel both polished and authentically you. Whether you are a growing family expecting your first child, a military family capturing a homecoming, or three generations gathering for the first time in years, Roger creates images that preserve the connections that matter most.

Why Families Choose Us

What makes us different.

Hampton Roads families return to Motiontography year after year.

Artistic Vision

Roger's background in motion and fine-art photography means your family portraits go far beyond standard smiles-at-the-camera shots. Expect creative compositions, cinematic lighting, and images with genuine emotional depth that stand apart from anything you have seen before.

Kid-Friendly & Patient

Toddler meltdowns, shy teenagers, squirmy babies — Roger has seen it all and handles every personality with patience and humor. Sessions are structured to keep kids comfortable and engaged, with built-in breaks so nobody feels rushed. The best images often come from the unscripted moments.

Military-Family Friendly

Hampton Roads is home to the largest concentration of military installations in the world. We understand that deployments, PCS moves, and promotions create an urgent need for updated family portraits. We offer priority scheduling for military families and work with tight timelines. Learn more about our military sessions.

Studio + Outdoor Options

Choose the setting that fits your family's personality. Our private Suffolk studio offers a controlled environment with professional lighting, perfect for young children and guaranteed weather-proof results. Or go on-location at Virginia Beach, local parks, or downtown settings for a natural, relaxed feel.

Family Session Types

Choose the session that fits where you are.

Every family's story is different.

01

Growing Family Sessions

Document your family's journey from pregnancy through your baby's milestones. Many clients start with a maternity session, return for newborn portraits, and continue with annual family sessions. Working with the same photographer year after year gives your family's visual story a cohesive artistic style.

02

Military Family Portraits

Pre-deployment portraits to hold onto while you are apart. Homecoming sessions that capture the raw emotion of reunion. Promotion portraits that mark career milestones. We serve families from Naval Station Norfolk, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, NAS Oceana, Fort Eustis, and all Hampton Roads installations. View military photography options.

03

Extended Family & Multi-Generational

When the whole family is finally in one place, you need a photographer who can manage a large group and still capture intimate moments. Roger plans a detailed shot list in advance so every combination is covered: the full group, individual family units, grandparents with grandchildren, siblings, and couples.

04

Holiday & Milestone Celebrations

Holiday card portraits, birthday milestone sessions, adoption celebrations, gender reveals, and every other reason your family wants to mark a moment. Our studio can be customized with seasonal backdrops, or we can capture your celebration at a meaningful outdoor location across Hampton Roads.

Built Over Time

Your family's photography journey.

The most meaningful family photo collections are built over time. Many of our Hampton Roads families start their journey during pregnancy and return for every milestone. When your photographer knows your family's story, every session builds on the last.

01

Maternity

Capture the anticipation and beauty of pregnancy before your family grows. Maternity sessions →

02

Newborn

Those fleeting first days captured with care in our warm studio or your home. Newborn sessions →

03

Family

Annual portraits, milestones, and moments that show how your family grows. Book a family session →

Already a Motiontography client? Ask about returning-client perks when you book your next session.

Where We Shoot

Hampton Roads family portrait locations.

Hampton Roads offers an incredible range of backdrops. Whether you prefer the comfort of a controlled studio or the natural beauty of an outdoor setting, we have you covered.

Suffolk Studio

Our private studio at 109 Abbey Rd in Suffolk offers a climate-controlled setting with professional lighting and curated backdrops. Ideal for families with very young children, rainy-day backup, and anyone who wants a polished, consistent look without worrying about weather or crowds.

Beach & Waterfront

Virginia Beach oceanfront, Sandbridge, and the Chesapeake Bay shoreline offer golden-hour backdrops that are hard to beat. Beach sessions are best scheduled for sunrise or late afternoon when the light is warm and the crowds are thinner.

Parks & Gardens

First Landing State Park, Norfolk Botanical Garden, Bennett Creek Park in Suffolk, and historic Williamsburg all provide lush, natural settings with shade, greenery, and architectural interest. Especially beautiful during fall foliage and spring blooms.

Have a specific location in mind? Roger is happy to scout a new location for your session. Contact us to discuss options.

Good to Know

Family photography FAQs.

What should my family wear for our portrait session?
We recommend coordinating outfits rather than matching exactly. Choose 2–3 complementary colors and mix textures like knits, denim, and cotton for visual interest. Avoid large logos, busy patterns, and neon colors. During your pre-session consultation, Roger will help you plan outfits that look cohesive and photograph beautifully.
How do you handle young children during family sessions?
Roger has 14+ years of experience working with families and knows that kids are unpredictable. We build extra time into every session for snack breaks, wiggles, and warm-up moments. We start with group shots while energy is highest, then move to individual and candid images. Some of the best family photos come from unscripted, playful moments.
Do you offer family sessions for military families on short timelines?
Absolutely. We understand that military families in Hampton Roads often need updated portraits on short notice due to deployments, PCS moves, homecomings, and promotions. We offer priority scheduling for military families and can often accommodate sessions within days. We serve families from Naval Station Norfolk, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, NAS Oceana, Fort Eustis, and all Hampton Roads installations. Learn more about military sessions.
Where do outdoor family sessions take place in Hampton Roads?
Popular choices include Virginia Beach oceanfront, First Landing State Park, Norfolk Botanical Garden, Suffolk's Bennett Creek Park, and downtown areas in Norfolk and Williamsburg. Roger will recommend the best location based on your family's style, the season, and the look you want.
Can we include grandparents and extended family in our session?
Yes! We love multi-generational family sessions. These are especially meaningful for military families whose extended relatives may only visit occasionally. We plan a shot list in advance so we capture every combination. Extended family sessions are typically 60–90 minutes depending on group size.
See All FAQs

Family Sessions

More than a picture on the wall.

Starting at $250

From an intimate portrait to the whole family, studio or on-location. Reserve with a $100 retainer.

Classic Portrait — $250 studio / $400 on-location1-hour session · 5 images · smaller families.
Deluxe Portrait — $400 studio / $550 on-location · Ideal2-hour session · 10 images · up to 4 (studio) / 6 (on-location).
Milestone Storybook — $800Three sessions across baby's first year — document every milestone.
Book Your Family Session See All Packages & Pricing

Ready When You Are

Book your family photography session.

Your kids are only this age right now. Your family only looks like this today. Let's capture it before this chapter changes — whether it is your first family portrait or your tenth.

Book Family Session Call 757-759-8454