Portraits

North End Beach Family Photos with the Gibson Family

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Caitlin Wilcox

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Some sessions feel less like work and more like catching up with old friends. This one was exactly that. For their North End Beach family photos, Brendan and Mackenzie brought their sweet daughter Aubrey to the shoreline near their new home in Virginia Beach. The session was quiet, meaningful, and filled with warmth—even in the unexpected chill of the wind.

We’ve known Brendan and Mackenzie since 2020, when they booked us for their April 2021 wedding at the Granary at Valley Pike. Since then, we’ve photographed their engagement, wedding, anniversary session, and even Mackenzie’s doctorate senior portraits. When little Aubrey came along, it felt natural to continue documenting this next chapter. Brendan and Mackenzie were also part of our own wedding party in 2023, and over the years, our relationship has grown into one of true friendship.

Cuddles, Wind, and Honest Moments

With a recent move back to Virginia, the couple wanted their session to feel like a tribute to their new life in the coastal region. Choosing the North End made perfect sense. It’s peaceful, naturally beautiful, and offers a timeless backdrop for portraits. Their North End Beach family photos weren’t just about pretty scenery—they were about honoring the place where this new season begins.

The wind that morning wasn’t part of the plan, but it brought a softness and movement we couldn’t have styled better ourselves. The cool breeze made everyone a little more cuddly. Aubrey snuggled tightly into her parents, and the in-between moments became the magic we hoped for.

Why North End Beach Was the Perfect Fit

This stretch of beach in Virginia Beach is known for its natural light and quiet shoreline. It’s far enough from the boardwalk to feel secluded, yet it still offers the soft dunes, windswept grass, and gentle waves you picture when you think of an East Coast beach. We kept the tones simple and neutral, letting the environment and the family’s natural dynamic shine.

The resulting gallery is a mix of traditionally composed portraits and interactive storytelling. That blend of emotion and structure is what I always aim for—images that feel elevated and artistic, yet full of personality and life.

From Clients to Friends (and Now, to Parents)

One of the most special parts of this session was how long we’ve known this couple. It’s rare to photograph a family whose story you’ve documented from the very beginning. From their wedding to now, we’ve seen so many milestones. That history makes these images feel even more personal.

When we arrived at the beach, it felt like no time had passed. We laughed, played, and watched little Aubrey curiously explore the sand. There’s something so grounding about capturing a family like this—nothing overly posed or staged, just genuine love and connection.

Ready to Plan Your Own Family Photos in Virginia Beach?

If you’re planning family photos in Virginia Beach, the North End is a beautiful, serene option. It allows space for movement, comfort, and timeless portraits with your loved ones. Whether you’re new to the area or celebrating a season of life that deserves to be remembered, I’d be honored to document it for you.

As a Virginia Beach photographer, I specialize in blending gentle guidance with organic, joyful moments. If you’re looking for soft, coastal imagery that still feels polished and intentional, I’d love to connect.

Inquire today to book your own Virginia family session, or explore more stories from the Virginia portrait photography blog to gather ideas and inspiration for your next shoot.

Waves crashing onto the shore at North End Beach, captured during a family photo session with a Virginia Beach photographer.
Clear blue sky with fluffy clouds above North End Beach, captured during a family photo session with a Virginia Beach photographer.
Gentle waves meeting the soft sand at North End Beach in Virginia Beach, captured by a Virginia Beach photographer during a family photo session.
The Gibson family posing together on North End Beach in Virginia Beach during a family photo session, captured by a Virginia Beach photographer with the ocean in the background.
Mother holding her smiling daughter on North End Beach, Virginia Beach, with the child wearing a floral dress and a cozy sweater, captured by a Virginia Beach photographer.
Family photo of parents kissing their daughter on North End Beach in Virginia Beach, with the child smiling in between them, captured by a Virginia Beach photographer.
Family portrait of parents at North End Beach in Virginia Beach, holding their young daughter wrapped in a blanket as they smile together, captured by a Virginia Beach photographer.
Close-up shot of parents’ hands holding their young daughter at North End Beach, showing a beautiful family moment with engagement and wedding rings visible.
The Gibson family smiling together at North End Beach, with mom holding their daughter and dad standing beside them. The family enjoys a beautiful sunny day with the beach in the background.
Close-up of a mother holding her daughter in her arms at North End Beach, with the little one’s floral dress and cozy sweater visible. The beach and sky blur in the background.
A mother gently holding her daughter, wrapped in a cozy blanket, on the beach at North End Beach. Both of them are smiling, with the serene ocean and cloudy sky in the background.
A happy family of three posing on the beach at North End Beach in Virginia Beach. The father is holding his daughter, while the mother stands beside them, all smiling and enjoying the beautiful day.
A father playfully lifting his daughter on the beach at North End Beach, Virginia Beach. The daughter is smiling and leaning backward as her father kisses her cheek.
A father kissing his daughter on the cheek while holding her on the beach at North End Beach, Virginia Beach. The daughter is smiling with joy, her hand near her mouth.
A family of three walking hand-in-hand along the beach at North End Beach, Virginia Beach. The mother is holding her daughter while the father walks beside them, looking back at the family.
Close-up of a family walking on the beach, showing the hands of the parents holding each other while the mother holds their daughter. The wind gently blows their hair, capturing a soft, intimate moment.
A mother holds her young daughter in her arms while walking along the beach. The child is wrapped in a light blanket, and the mother’s dress flows in the wind, creating a serene, intimate moment with the ocean in the background.
A family of three stands on the beach, with the mother holding her daughter wrapped in a light blanket. The father kisses the mother on the head while their daughter looks out at the ocean. The scene is warm and intimate, with soft light from the sky above.
A black-and-white image of a family sitting on the beach. The mother looks at her daughter with a soft expression as the father holds the daughter, who is wrapped in a blanket. The child gazes down, resting against her father’s chest. The moment captures tenderness and warmth.
A family sitting on the beach together. The mother lovingly embraces her daughter, who is wrapped in a blanket while sitting on her father’s lap. The father smiles at the camera, holding his daughter closely. The ocean and cloudy sky create a peaceful and serene backdrop for the moment.
A close-up of a couple's embrace during their family photoshoot at North End Beach. The woman is wearing a soft, cream-colored blouse, with her engagement ring visible as her hand rests on her partner’s chest. He, dressed in a light blue shirt, gently kisses her forehead while the beach waves form a serene backdrop.
A couple sharing a tender kiss on the beach during their family photoshoot at North End Beach. The woman in a soft cream-colored blouse is wrapped in her partner's embrace, with her engagement ring visible as they embrace by the water. The ocean breeze plays with their hair, adding to the romantic atmosphere.
A couple holding hands, walking along the beach at North End Beach in Virginia Beach. The woman in a soft cream-colored dress smiles brightly at her partner, while the man, dressed in a light blue shirt and khakis, laughs as they enjoy a playful moment by the water. The ocean and sky create a serene backdrop to their joyful stroll.
A black and white photograph of a couple on the beach at North End Beach in Virginia Beach. The man smiles as his partner kisses his cheek, with the ocean and sky in the background. The woman wears a soft cream-colored dress, and the man is in a light blue shirt. Their love and connection shine through in this intimate moment.
A joyful couple smiles at the camera while standing close together on the beach at North End Beach in Virginia Beach. The man wears a light blue shirt, and the woman is dressed in a soft cream-colored dress. Their love and happiness shine through as they embrace, with the ocean in the background and a breeze flowing through their hair.
A happy family enjoys a moment on the sand at North End Beach, Virginia Beach. The father and mother sit on a blanket beside their young daughter, who holds a yellow toy. The sunlight highlights the family’s warmth as they share a joyful moment, with the beach and ocean in the background.
A young child with a playful expression crouches down on the sand at North End Beach, Virginia Beach, holding a plastic spoon to dig in a small sandbox. She wears a floral dress and a cozy cardigan, with her hair styled in a cute ponytail with a bow. Nearby, a pair of toy pots are filled with sand.
A family of three shares a tender moment on a wooden pathway surrounded by lush greenery. The mother holds her daughter from behind, with her arms wrapped lovingly around her, while the father crouches down beside them, smiling. The daughter wears a pastel floral skirt and a white sweater with a bow at the back.
A joyful toddler stands on a wooden walkway, wearing a floral dress and a light pink sweater. She smiles widely and has her arms playfully crossed in front of her, with her hair tied back with a blue bow. The background shows lush green trees and sunlight filtering through, creating a warm, cheerful atmosphere.
A smiling family of three stands together on a sunlit wooden path, surrounded by trees. The mother and father are holding their daughter, who is wrapped in a light cream blanket. The little girl, with a blue bow in her hair, smiles widely as her parents smile beside her. The background is filled with soft green leaves and dappled sunlight.
A joyful family on a tree-lined boardwalk. The little girl, wearing a floral dress and light sweater, runs toward her parents, who are kneeling and reaching out to her with smiles. The mother and father appear excited and playful as they interact with their daughter. The sunlight filters through the trees, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

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Meet Virginia
Wedding Photographers

Meet Virginia Wedding Photographers

Caitlin
and Devon

Caitlin and Devon Wilcox, a husband-and-wife photography duo, have captured the stories of over 200 joyful couples across the United States and Europe. Blending old-world artistry with modern techniques, they craft wedding galleries that are as authentic as they are timeless.

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