Expertise.com Homepage

2024

Last updated:

Best Portrait Photographers in Virginia Beach, VA

Our Recommended Top 14

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Virginia Beach Portrait Photographers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

156Reviewed

99Curated

14Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Why choose this provider?

LaKaye Mbah Portraits is a photography studio in the Virginia Beach, Virginia metro area that specializes in lifestyle portraits of women, couples, and families. Lakaye will provide clients with professional makeup artists and hairstylists, so clients will always look their best for each shoot. LaKaye's work has appeared in several publications, such as Urbanite Magazine. Customers praise LaKaye's modern style, professionalism, and reasonable prices.

Chesapeake, VA 23322

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (4)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Virginia Photos and Films offers portrait photography services to clients throughout the Virginia Beach metro area. It takes headshots for personal and business purposes and does senior photos for high school graduations. This studio does wedding portraiture, photographing brides before and after wedding ceremonies as well as couples. Portraiture for families is available too. Virginia Photos and Films also performs videography services and rents photobooths for private events priced by the hour.

Virginia Beach, VA 23455

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.4 (175)
Google
4.8 (39)
Yelp
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Since 2009, Kimberlin Gray Photography has specialized in maternity, birth, and newborn portraits. This full-service studio provides personalized customer service to the Virginia Beach, Virginia metro area. The session fees range from $150-300. Customers will be able to view their proofs about two weeks after their session and browse the studios many specialty products.

Portsmouth, VA 23703

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Melissa Bliss Photography is a photography studio in the Virginia Beach, Virginia metro area that specializes in candid wedding and engagement photography, newborn and family photography, and senior portraits. Melissa is a member of Professional Photographers of America, and her work has been featured on several big-name photography sites, such as SnapKnot Weddings, The Snappy Mama, Create Artistically, and LightInspired.

Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (52)
Yelp
5.0 (3)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Fresh Look Photography is owned and operated by husband and wife duo Judith and Eric Soule, who are both licensed and insured photographers in the Virginia Beach, Virginia metro area. Judith Soule teaches photography classes at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, and the couple teaches several classes and workshops at their home studio.

Virginia Beach, VA 23453

Why choose this provider?

Danielle McVey Photography is a wedding and portrait photography studio based in the Virginia Beach, Virginia metro area. The studio offers customers several packages to choose from, such as the "Mini Sessions" portrait package, a 30-minute session that includes 15 high-resolution images, digital images in an online gallery, and print rights to all edited images.

Norfolk, VA 23508

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Dyan Witt Photography is a photography studio that specializes in newborn, maternity, children, families, and military homecomings in the Virginia Beach, Virginia metro area. Dyan Witt believes in showing her appreciation to the armed forces, and she offers military families and couples several deals, such as a 10% discount on the purchase of a collection and à la carte items.

Norfolk, VA 23507

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Eleise Theuer Photography is a wedding and portrait photography studio in Norfolk, Virginia. Eleise Theuer has been a photographer for over 20 years, and she specializes in editorial photojournalism. Eleise Theuer's work has appeared in several publications, such as Town and Country, Town and Country Weddings, Brides Magazine, Modern Bride, and The Knot National.

Norfolk, VA 23503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (27)

Why choose this provider?

Jackie Watson is a registered and licensed photographer in Norfolk, Virginia who specializes in wedding photography and lifestyle portraits. Jackie Watson's studio is LGBT friendly, and she will provide a comfortable and accepting environment for all couples. Even though the studio is based in Virginia, Jackie Watson is willing to travel for destination weddings.

Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (41)

Why choose this provider?

David Champagne is a wedding photographer in the Virginia Beach, Virginia metro area who possesses over 10 years of experience. David Champagne is willing to travel for destination weddings, and he has provided his services to weddings all over the world. With over 250 weddings under his belt, David Champagne's work has garnered attention from The Knot; he was recently inducted into The Knot "Hall of Fame," and he is the 2016 winner of The Knot "Best in Weddings" award.

Virginia Beach, VA 23455

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Amanda Stewart is a photographer in the Virginia Beach, Virginia metro area who specializes in maternity, newborn, and family photography. Amanda Stewart's work has been featured in several big publications, such as Maternity Magazine and Newborn Magazine. The studio offers several packages so that customers can find the best fit for their budget. The "Sugar" package costs $200 and includes the online proofing gallery, professional processing, seven digital image downloads, and prints.

Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (10)

Why choose this provider?

Hampton Roads Photography is a portrait and wedding photography studio based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Hampton Roads provides dance photography and a wide range of commercial photography services, such as architectural, real estate, advertising, and product photography. The studio also offers several sales and deals; family portraits are currently on sale for just $250 a session. Customers praise the studio's dedication, professionalism, and gorgeous final products.

Virginia Beach, VA 23450

Why choose this provider?

Tazz Anderson Photography is a husband and wife team in the Virginia, Beach metro area who look to preserve life's big moments while maintaining a fun atmosphere. The studio was the "Thumbtacks Winner for Corporate Headshots" and the recipient of several other awards. Tazz Anderson rates are fair and affordable; for example, headshots are $150, senior portraits are $250, and family portraits are $150.

Norfolk, VA 23503

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.9 (43)
Yelp
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Leigh Skaggs Photography ---- wedding and portrait photographer is dedicated to being there to capture life's most precious and real moments including when a new baby arrives, and parents can obtain full details for a newborn session by contacting the photographer directly. Additional services include photography for couples, engagements, and weddings, children and families, pets, high school seniors, military homecomings, and other events. Clients are encouraged to schedule a session well in advance as photographer Leigh Skaggs books up quickly, and Ms. Skaggs' work has been featured on Borrowed & Bleu, Fab You Bliss, I love Farm Weddings, and Tidewater and Tulle.

Compare our Top Portrait Photographers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
LaKaye Mbah Portraits
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Virginia Photos and Films
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Kimberlin Gray Photography
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Melissa Bliss Photography
Portsmouth, VA 23703
Fresh Look Photography
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Danielle McVey Photography
Virginia Beach, VA 23453
Dyan Witt Photography
Norfolk, VA 23508
Eleise Theuer Photography
Norfolk, VA 23507
Jackie Watson Photography
Norfolk, VA 23503
David Champagne
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Amanda Stewart Photography
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Hampton Roads Photography
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Tazz Anderson Photography
Virginia Beach, VA 23450
Leigh Skaggs Photography
Norfolk, VA 23503

FAQs

  • Introduction

    Portrait photography can be the perfect way to capture special moments for adults, children, couples, and families. It's a popular option for occasions, such as graduations, weddings, birthdays, and various milestones reached throughout childhood. However, you don't need a special reason to get a portrait professionally done, as there are many photographers eager to work with new clients at a reasonable rate.

    Professional portrait photography takes years of practice, and the right photographer can achieve results that go far beyond the typical selfie. A magnificent portrait can bring out the subject's inner qualities, allowing their unique personality to shine through for generations to cherish.
  • What is portrait photography?

    Portrait photography is the art of capturing a sitter's likeness with a camera. While this may sound as simple as snapping a quick shot with your mobile phone, the truth is that a truly good portrait photo is difficult to achieve. The goal of a high-quality photo is to capture the personality and emotions behind the subject.

  • What is the history of portrait photography?

    Since the invention of the first camera in 1839, portraits have been one of the most popular kinds of photos. However, way back when, photos needed an exposure time of 20 minutes or more, meaning you would need to sit completely still for that time or else end up with a blurry image.

  • Where can you learn portrait photography?

    Many art schools across the country offer degrees in photography, and some even have specialized classes in portraiture. This can be a good option for young photographers who want a well-rounded skill set. However, many dedicated portrait photographers are self-taught and rely on their portfolios to serve as their credentials.

  • How do you start a portrait photography business?

    Before starting a portrait studio, it's best to gain experience shooting your friends and family so you have a strong portfolio to show clients. Once you're confident in your work, try making a website where you can direct new businesses interested in having their pictures taken.

  • How to eliminate shadows in portrait photography?

    The secret behind many photographers' success is that photography is 50% editing. If you're working digitally, you can open up your pictures in editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop, and use its digital tools to manipulate shadows and highlights. If you prefer to work analog, the best way to mitigate shadows is proper lighting.

  • What are the four categories of portrait photography?

    The four categories of portrait photography are constructionist, candid, environmental, and creative.

    1. Constructionist photographs involve working with a photographer who will sit you in different poses and lighting to create the perfect shot from the ground up.
    2. Candid photos are taken with minimal setup, trying to capture their subject in the moment.
    3. Environmental photos try to capture subjects in their natural environment.
    4. Creative photography uses a variety of experimental techniques and elements to create an original image.