Hampton Roads, Virginia Documentary Photographer | Jess Nicole Photography
  • Home
  • About Jess
  • Contact
  • Gallery
    • Maternity
    • Family
    • Newborn
    • Homecomings
  • Blog
  • Investment
  • Mentoring Services
  • The Experience & FAQs
  • Testimonials

the blog

where stories are told

Document Your Day: Back to School Edition

8/24/2023

0 Comments

 
Here in Hampton Roads, we (most of us) go back to school the day after Labor Day. When we first moved here, I thought it was a bit odd because back in Georgia, we always got out in May and went back to school the first week of August. 
Well, I absolutely LOVE our kids going back to school after Labor Day. I can't really explain why, but it just feels like summer in August! I feel like there's so much left to enjoy! 
Anyways, I have always brought out the camera and kept it handy the first day of school. It's a big day in my book and we need alllll the pictures. So, I thought it would be fun to make a little photo challenge/guide to documenting your first day of school. Now, if you've already had your first day of school, feel free to adapt this to your normal routine, because there's lots of beauty and memorable moments happening in our day to day life. 
And to make it even more fun, don't be so literal. Don't take a picture of just a lunchbox. Be brainstorming ways to make the photo feel more interesting and visually compelling. 
Have fun and don't forget to tag me on socials so I can see what you've created!
IG: @jess.nicole.photography
checklist for back to school first day of school photos
0 Comments

Smithfield, Virginia Summer Half Day in the Life Session

8/7/2023

0 Comments

 
This mama contacted me about doing a half day in the life session with her boys, just doing the summer things they love to do...which means hanging out at their neighborhood pool with all of their friends. This is a place where they feel happy and at home. 
That's something I can really get behind because it feels so nostalgic. When we pulled up to their pool, I thought to myself, "This is where memories are made."
boys falling backwards into pool in smithfield virginia
We splashed around the pool, she showed me all around this place that means so much to her. We talked about why it was so important and how it made her feel to be a part of this community. We talked about life, love, motherhood, and everything in between- all while soaking up the sun, playing with the kids, and enjoying the pool. 
boy on swingset in smithfield virginia
brothers playing in pool in smithfield virginia
These are the kind of sessions I live for. This is why I do what I do. The easy, relaxed simple joys. These little moments are just as important (if not more important) than those big moments in life. These little, simple things are the ones we hold onto. The ones that stick with us. 
mom and son laying on couch with dog in smithfield virginia
Half Day in the Life Sessions and Day in the Life Sessions allow us to hang out and take it slow. We don't shoot for 4-8 hours straight. There's down time there, time to relax and just enjoy the day. The extra time makes things really easy. 
To talk about scheduling your own Half Day in the Life Session (or full day), click on the Contact tab above or just click here to send me a message. Let's talk about the moments you want to hang onto.  
0 Comments

Best Things To Do in Hampton Roads with Kids

7/9/2023

0 Comments

 
First things first, if you are looking for FREE things to do in Hampton Roads with kids, you've got to check out this blog post! This post will contain fun things to do in Hampton Roads with kids, but they might cost a little money. 
I think our little area of Virginia is pretty dang great. I love finding new adventures to take my kids on and to suggest to my clients. We love being busy and we especially love being outside, even on the hot days!

Fun, Kid Friendly Things To Do in Hampton Roads

  1. The Chrysler Museum of Art in downtown Norfolk. This is an amazing, somewhat hidden gem in Norfolk. This art museum boasts a beautiful and dynamic collection, kid friendly exhibits (plus art scavenger hunts!), a cafe, a glass blowing gallery, and guess what? It's free. Donations are always appreciated though. This is without a doubt one of our favorite places to visit in all of Hampton Roads. Plan your visit here! 
kids playing at the chrysler museum in norfolk, virginia
Side note: If you are in downtown Norfolk, let's say after you've visited the Chrysler Museum and you want a refreshing treat? You've got to stop across the street from the museum and grab a delicious Dole Whip at the Ghent Grab n Go! It's the best Dole Whip I've ever had outside of Disney! They carry really unique grocery items and gourmet foods too. Try the red velvet muffin, you won't be sorry! 230 West Olney Road, Norfolk, Virginia. 
kids eating dole whip at ghent grab n go in norfolk
          2. The Virginia Living Museum is a super fun, educational way to spend several hours. I would venture to say that you could possibly spend a whole day here. There are just so many exhibits! With indoor and outdoor exhibits, it's doable rain or shine. They have an amazing dinosaur play area, a planetarium with lots of shows, a boardwalk trail, a 30,000 gallon aquarium, and so much more. It's hard not to love this place. Check it out here. 
turtle swimming in water at the virginia living museum
        3. Norfolk Botanical Gardens is another one of our favorite places to go. The littlest loves to ride the tram all over the gardens. The older two love to hike all the trails. There are a ton of exhibits and beautifully themed gardens, a lovely butterfly house, and the children's gardens feauturing a big and cheerful splashpad. The perfect way to burn off a ton of energy and get them home in time for nap! The family pass is well worth it here. Plan your visit here. 
​
PS: The Christmas lights are legendary around these parts!
       
4. The Children's Museum of Virginia is the perfect indoor, rainy day activity located in downtown Portsmouth. If you've got a train lover, you will definitely want to visit this museum! There's a huge train exhibit with an enormous model running! It can get a little busy at times, but it's pretty well laid out and there are so many exhibits to explore. There's several little resturaunts and cafe's down the street too. You can make a whole morning of it! Here's a link to their website. 
        5. The Virginia Zoo is located in Norfolk, Virginia and you can easily spend several hours here. It's always been one of our family favorites. If the kids were bouncing off the walls and we needed a quick getaway to burn off some energy, the zoo was always our place to go. It's got a lot of exhibits, places for free play, a splash area, a petting area, and of course a ton of animals to learn about. Click here to visit their website. 
child looking at baby giraffe at the virginia zoo in norfolk
Stay tuned for more blogs just like this one with even more ideas on how to make some fun memories with your family and explore our little corner of the world. I sure think it's pretty great! 
And if you want me to come along and document some of your adventures, just send me a message here! I'd love to hear about what memories you want to make!
And don't forget to sign up for my free newsletter, The Brave Storyteller! You can sign up at the bottom of this page or you can just fill out the pop up form that appears when you first enter my page. 
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    Jess is a photographer serving families located in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. She specializes in documentary and storytelling photography.

    Categories

    All
    1000 Hours Outside
    365
    Babies
    Birth
    Breastfeeding
    Business
    Children
    Community Spotlight
    Couples
    Covid
    Day In The Life
    Documentary
    Fall
    Families
    Homecoming
    Lifestyle
    Maternity
    Mini Sessions
    Mornings With Mom
    Motherhood
    Newborn
    Pet
    Photography
    Prints
    Product Spotlight
    Seniors
    Tips
    Weddings
    What To Expect

    RSS Feed

Location

What Clients Are Saying

" Jess came into our home and captured beautiful memories for us that we will cherish forever. She made us feel at ease and just captured us as we are- you could actually see everyone's true character in the shots. These are the moments that make up the good stuff of life. It's what's real. It's what matters."

"Jess, I appreciate you more than words can express and I thank you for always capturing my family in the most perfect, honest way, so that people who don't know us, see who we are."

"Jess, you're family now."

Contact Jess

family photographer Jessica Hubbard located in Chesapeake, Virginia
we are memory catchers badge
Copyright Jess Nicole Photography 2023
  • Home
  • About Jess
  • Contact
  • Gallery
    • Maternity
    • Family
    • Newborn
    • Homecomings
  • Blog
  • Investment
  • Mentoring Services
  • The Experience & FAQs
  • Testimonials