
Lindsay Adler Creative Live Challenge
I am so excited to share that Lindsay Adler's Creative 52 book now has a corresponding live challenge on Creative Live! For anyone interred in participating, please go to the creative live website and jump in (best yet, it's free!!!).
This is my take on the first challenge "Making a Mess". Thank you so much to Lindsay for continuing to inspire me and boost my creativity!!
#creativephotochallenge #creativephotochallenge #experimentalportraitphotography #Kids #Hampton

Monochrome Butterflies
My little model finally gave me a break and put on the elaborate butterfly headpiece I've had sitting in my office for weeks. It only lasted a few moments, but I was able to capture a couple shots. In my mind, I loved all of the bright colors, but in the end, her sweet expression shines through in black and white. Photographer's kids get lots of credit for patience :-) Love my tiny models so much! #experimentalportraitphotography #Photography #Yorktown #Kids #childrensphotog

A Beach of my Very Own
Fort Story is now my FAVORITE place to catch sunset photos. The beach was practically empty and we could run and play and use every last beam of sunlight until it was time to pack up. I loved getting photos of this sweet family to celebrate their time in Hampton Roads. these kids were true water babies, and it was so fun to see them in their element, splashing in the waves. I was pretty excited for a sunset beach trip myself :-) The light was incredible, and we just dodged

Creative 52 with Lindsay Adler
I'm currently cruising my way through Lindsay Adler's amazing Creative 52 and trying to gather up my creative juju. A lovely friend of mine stopped by with her beautiful girls and let me dress them up in crazy crowns. These truly kind, poised, lovely ladies could totally pull off a butterfly headdress :-)
It's so fun to have cooperative models who don't flee! My children need to take note!
Thank you to my sweet friend and her amazing daughters!

Riverview Farm Park
If you live in the Hampton Roads area and haven't been to the Riverview Farm Park, I highly recommend it! There are two gigantic play structures, paved walking trails (stroller friendly), large open green spaces, a children's garden and clean restrooms (which for our family, are critical, ha ha!)
Took the kids today before the rain hit and I always get some great expressions because they LOVE the playground. They could seriously stay here for hours. Love getting the cam

On the Water
I've been doing some recruiting around my house. I've been engaging a second shooter, and he's pretty darn cute. Who is he, you ask? Oh, only my amazing, talented, can-do-anything husband, Ciriaco Villarreal! He helped me out tremendously as an additional photographer at our friend's change of command and has such a natural eye and attention to detail, I can't help but have great vision for our future photography empire :-) He captured this gorgeous moment behind our house

Don't Forget, Mom was there Too
If you're like me, you're the family photographer. Scrolling through my friends' Facebook feeds, I see endless kid pictures, snaps of dad and extended families and there seems to be someone missing. Moms find themselves behind the camera so much, you would think they weren't there, slogging it out and making magical memories with their children every day.
I'm just as guilty. So this summer, I've been asking anyone and everyone if they'll take my picture. This is tough f

Fort Story
For those lucky enough to hold a military base pass, there is a beach on the northern edge of Virginia Beach that is practically empty!
We took the kids to Fort Story beach today to scope out some family session sites and felling love with the big waves, pristine sand and adorable sand crabs.
I'm taking a family there next Sunday and can't wait to capture their evening on the water! #VirginiaBeach #FortStory #militaryfamilyphotography #beachphotography #HamptonRoadsfa

Military Tradition
I recently had the honor of photographing a US Air Force change of command.
This family holds a very special place in our hearts and we could not be more proud of them as they move in to the next phase of Air Force life. They lead by example and bring some much needed energy to their new post.
Congratulations to you all! Thank you so much for trusting me with photographing this incredible day. #SarahVillarrealPhotography #HamptonRoadsfamilyphotography #militaryphotogr

How close are you to the beach?
This is the questions asked by every single visitor we've had since we moved to Yorktown in Hampton Roads. My answer is always, "Well, that depends." There are beaches at pretty much every single turn and our house even backs up to a tiny tributary of the Chesapeake Bay.
As a midwesterner, it's pretty much my dream come true.
Also - WOW, the photography possibilities!! I've been known to bundle up my squirrely children in December and plop them down on the shore to