Here are some images from Valentina and Happy’s engagement session in Virginia Beach. We began the afternoon at the Cavalier Hotel and finished up down the street at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
The famous, historic Cavalier on the Hill is preparing to shut down for renovations, so this was one of the final opportunities to explore the grounds for photographs. Most people stick to the external wings of the hotel in order to take advantage of the beautiful natural light and the uncluttered, classic design. After all, the interiors are much more challenging due to the abundance of visual elements one has to mitigate. (At any time, you’ve got checkerboard floors, vibrant blue magnolia wallpaper, alternating colors and patterns of upholstery, gold furnishings, and very little natural light.)
But I knew Happy and Valentina’s formal attire would work well with the interior and I felt compelled to utilize more of the inside space than usual just because of all the unknowns associated with the hotel’s future. (Who knows if we’d ever get the chance again!) Valentina and Happy certainly delivered on the looks we were after. I felt like I was directing professional actors who knew how to instantly fall into position and who, despite being two of the most cheerful and smiley people on the planet, could channel the more formal, serious looks so effortlessly.
After the Cavalier, we changed clothes and headed to the beach to enjoy the last few minutes of sunlight. The post-Labor Day crowds meant we had the beach to ourselves, and the setting September sun couldn’t have been more lovely and flattering. It was especially fun to watch how different Happy and Valentina’s personalities changed as soon as they traded in their formal attire for more casual clothes. (And by that logic, I might just show up to their wedding wearing sweatpants and flip flops. Watch out!)
Congratulations Valentina and Happy! Can’t wait for the big day.
