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 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!
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 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 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!
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!
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!
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 2024.
