2022 Cherry Blossom Photos | Family Photographers Near Me
This cherry blossom season was a beast! It started with the National Park Service in DC predicting (for the first time in 10 years) an early peak bloom. It caught me entirely off guard! My favorite cherry in Quantico blooms a week earlier than cherry trees which put those mini sessions in a totally tizzy.
Then there was a late freeze mid March that completely ruined the magnolia blooms from VA Beach to DC. We had to cancel a dozen mini sessions.
As for Virginia Beach, the cherry trees usually bloom a week earlier than Washington DC. I keep an eye on the Tidal Basin updates from the NPS to make our plans. Well, I turned into a botanist watching the fourth and fifth stages of blossoms (peduncle elongation and puffy blossoms). VA Beach’s trees ended up blooming a full week later than the Tidal Basin in DC! I was so worried the whole time.
But in the end, we planned our Virginia Beach mini sessions for March 26, pushed to Sunday the 27th to give the trees another day for blooms and in the end it was perfect! They even held out a storm the following Thursday and were photo worthy for another weekend.
Mini sessions are 15-20 minute sessions
More time does not equal more value because more time never made anyone cry less, or have more fun! Weather your kids are grown and cooperative, or super young and uncooperative, its perfect for simple updated family photos, cake smash, maternity, high school seniors, milestones, or Christmas card shots!
Yes! 15 minutes is enough!
More time is not more value. My mission is to leave you asking, “That’s it?!”
Fast. Fun. Done.
Dad is going to be pleased and you’re going to be shocked I got so many happy faces so quickly!
They happen at pre-determined dates and locations.
Get on the Waitlist now to get them in your inbox as soon as they’re released! Be sure to drag it to your primary inbox so you don’t miss it!
Mini sessions happen roughly once a quarter, sometimes more often in the busy seasons.








Owner & Photographer of Alison Bell, Photographer, she is also the circus ring leader of four boys, half-homeschooling USMC family.
Alison offers full-contact family photo sessions with wardrobe styling, sessions that feel like a party and custom print shopping. Even Dad has a good time!
She's on a mission to get your images in your hand, rather than gathering digital dust! Get an album and print dozens of shots in one place!
If you can't remember last time your family did photos, its time to chat asap!
Clients rave about how easy and enjoyable their session is and how their kids wanting to do it again!
Alison Bell, Photographer serves VA Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cape Charles, and Hampton in Hampton Roads area of Virginia.
Find her on Insta @alisonbellphotog!