Welcome to my 2011 year in review! This week I wanted to take some time to share with your some of my favorite images of the year. I’m breaking this up into different categories so make sure you check back each day. Today we are going to start with engagement sessions! I love engagement sessions! Getting to hang out with two people in love makes my heart sing. I’ve had so many great sessions this year in a variety of locations which is always awesome! I had so many favorites that I couldn’t narrow them down to just one so instead you get to see many of my favorites from this year! As I went through these images I found myself drawn to the same thing over and over again, laughter and sweet moments. I love when my clients are laughing, it hopefully means they are having a good time! Of course I’m also a sucker for those small moments of a sweet kiss or a loving look. Those are the images I strive to produce! I had a comment on an engagement session this year that I really loved, the commenter said he felt like he was hanging out with the couple and the lovey dovey stuff didn’t bother him. That is awesome! That is what I want in my work, I want to show the love a couple has for each other without grossing anyone out ;)! I hope you enjoy these photos, I know I had so much fun reliving all these moments with my clients. I can’t wait for my 2012 weddings!!! 
Melissa Arlena is an award winning lifestyle newborn photographer in Charlottesville and Richmond, Virginia who has earned her Master Photographer Certification from NAPCP in maternity, newborn and family photography. Her natural and simple work has been featured in magazines and online blogs worldwide. She has been named Best Maternity and Newborn Photographer in Richmond and Charlottesville, VA in 2023.
