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2021 Year in Review

As I sat down to write this post I looked back at my 2020 post and thought about how excited we all were to start fresh in 2021. I’d say the year was not as intense as 2020 but it certainly wasn’t the good old days of 2019 lol! We moved at the end of June and I became a Miami Florida Photographer which is definitely a change. I traded rustic fields for beaches and I actually don’t mind that part :). I am not so on board with sweating in December though!

A Tribute

For me the punch to the gut was losing Betty White on NYE. I have been a HUGE Golden Girls fan since middle school when I used to watch reruns while playing hooky “sick” from school. In fact I’m just waiting on my new Florida license plates that say GLDNGRL. I couldn’t get it with an S, it was already taken lol! I even announced our move to Miami using the song Dorothy and Rose sing about Miami on the show!

My husband broke the news to me, knowing my love of Betty and the other girls he told me I needed to sit down that he had really bad news. I totally didn’t believe him till I picked up my phone & my best friend had texted me to tell me. Some very unladylike words came out of my mouth and then I cried. Yes, I cried.

I’m so happy she lived a beautiful life that touched so many people and she passed peacefully. She is now in the arms of the husband she loved till the day she died and like the memes that were being shared on my newsfeed she was welcomed back into the arms of the girls ????️. I celebrated her life with a slice of cheesecake and I plan to join the movement to donate $5 to a local no kill animal shelter in Betty’s name on her birthday January 17th, I hope you’ll do the same!

Now let’s look at pretty pictures of adorable babies and wonder which of them will be the next legend that everyone loves!

 Miami Florida Photographer
Look it’s me in action! Credit for this shot goes to the dad of that gorgeous baby!

Miami Newborn Photographer

Despite picking up and moving my business to a completely new state (hello Miami Florida photographer now!) and starting from scratch I still had 12 newborn sessions this year!

Coral Gables Newborn Photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
Hollywood florida newborn photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
miami newborn photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
 Miami Florida Newborn Photographer
 Miami Florida newborn Photographer
vanlandingham newborn 128 - Miami Florida Photographer

Miami Maternity Photographer

Plus I photographed 8 gorgeous new mama’s to be at their maternity sessions! These ranged from outdoor winter to Florida summer and even a new favorite at a client’s home!!

 Miami Florida Photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer

Miami Family Photographer

Not to mention I got to see so many past clients for family sessions before I left Virginia! I can’t believe how big all these babies have gotten!

miami family photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
 Miami Florida Photographer
allen family field photos 114 - Miami Florida Photographer
allen family field photos 163 Edit - Miami Florida Photographer
hur baby tysons corner family photographer 179 - Miami Florida Photographer
hur family spring session 171 - Miami Florida Photographer

Miami Mini Sessions

Plus I hosted mini sessions just so I could get everyone in before we moved! It was a crazy June for me lol!

south florida family photos - Miami Florida Photographer
I photographed their wedding several years ago and now look at all those boys!!!
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Another past wedding client, then maternity, then newborn with that little dude and now annual family photos!
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Photographed that little guy when he was born too!
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Past wedding client turned newborn and turned annual family photos!
carrillo spring mini 113 - Miami Florida Photographer
I met these guys when that little one was born and I’ve gotten to see them several times over the last year for photos!
longwell family mini 117 - Miami Florida Photographer
Another past wedding client turned newborn and this year family photos!
maxwell family mini 109 - Miami Florida Photographer
Newborn client turned family client!
thorsted family mini 120 - Miami Florida Photographer

Cherry Blossom Minis

Last but certainly not least I had the best turnout ever for Cherry Blossom minis in the Spring and I’m obsessed with the gorgeous colors of the blossoms! I’m thinking about a return trip to VA this year to host another round! Join my email list to get the details!

Bernfeld family cherry blossom minis 127 - Miami Florida Photographer
fulcher family cherry blossom minis 112 - Miami Florida Photographer
Genovese family cherry blossom minis 112 - Miami Florida Photographer
Granlund family cherry blossom minis 112 - Miami Florida Photographer
Greer family cherry blossom minis 100 - Miami Florida Photographer
hoffman family cherry blossom minis 118 - Miami Florida Photographer
LaBrot family cherry blossom minis 104 - Miami Florida Photographer
Lee family cherry blossom minis 102 - Miami Florida Photographer
McClave family cherry blossom minis 114 - Miami Florida Photographer
vitale family cherry blossom minis 128 - Miami Florida Photographer
Wang family cherry blossom minis 105 - Miami Florida Photographer

Hi there and thank you for stopping by! I’m Melissa, owner of Melissa Arlena Photography, a Charlottesville photographer specializing in young and growing families in the Richmond & Charlottesville area. If you are interested in talking with me more about booking a family session, let’s connect! Not quite ready, but know you want to keep me in your back pocket? No problem! Follow me on Instagram and let’s be friends!


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