School – Debbie Dean Photography

Tamera, Brianna, & Keelie: Christopher Newport University, Senior Portraits

Oh man… just wait til you see these ladies. Waltzing them to and fro around Christopher Newport University for their senior session was making me fall in love with my alma mater all over again! And capturing their friendship in front of my lens was such a treat!!! With graduation right around the corner, spending time with these almost-grads reminded me of the special season April is for seniors… the anticipation of finishing something you’ve been working towards for years, the bittersweetness of all the special insanities that only college offers coming to a close, the excitement of what the next chapter will hold… such a fun, weighty time!!!

It has been so fun to walk with my friend Tamera through her CNU experience. She, Brianna, & Keelie met through various clubs & classes on campus, and their joy together has been so fun hear about and now to capture with my camera. These seniors brought the sass and sweetness for their photos together, and I couldn’t fit their session into ONE blogpost… part two coming next week!

Luter Ladies! Both graduating from the Luter School of Business.

My beautiful friend! So proud of you, Tamera!!!!

Tyler: Yorktown Senior Session

I love how the world of photography allows me to meet such a variety of people here in Hampton Roads!! I was introduced to Amber through a Facebook connection, and when she said she wanted to book a senior portrait session for her son, “who loves baseball and the beach,” I was all in. A few weeks ago I met up with rising-High School senior Tyler and his family, and had a blast capturing him around Yorktown, VA. He was such a natural in front of the camera. It was an extra treat to have his Dad aka baseball coach present for some of the shots. Enjoy some of my favorites from our time together!!

Chase: Smithfield Senior Portraits

Exploring new areas of Hampton Roads through photography is such a perk I enjoy in this line of work. New locations bring fresh creativity and challenge me to try new things, and this senior portrait session at Windsor Castle Park in Smithfield, VA, did both those things! I have been to Smithfield a few times (about 30 minutes from my home), and have always wanted to do photo sessions in that area. When I booked Chase’s senior portraits and Windsor Castle Park was our designated portrait location, I got so excited with getting to wander the grounds and see what we would find!! Chase was a natural and I love the shots we ended up with. Enjoy some of my favorites!!!

Know a High School or college senior who is graduating in 2020? Wanting to gift them a photography session for Christmas? Contact me today and find out how they can receive a FREE canvas photo from their session if you book by December 31, 2019!

Chase has been an avid soccer player most of his life and wanted to include that element in his session! He will be attending Liberty University in the fall of 2020 and hopes to play soccer with the LU Flames.

Cloud Family: The Historic Cavalier Hotel

For years I have driven past the Cavalier in Virginia Beach and marveled at its beauty. When Beth (a CNU alumni friend) suggested it as their location for our family session last month, I was thrilled to get to see the grounds and enjoy some of the historic hotel’s grandeur! We gallivanted around (Baby Shark stuffed animal in hand to keep their little Jack’s attention!!) and I loved the images we captured! Enjoy some of my favorites!!!

Will & Beth: Historic Greenbrier Farms

Oh how I’m loving these fall photo sessions! A few weeks ago I gallivanted around Greenbrier Farms in Chesapeake, VA, with these two sweet friends from my church, Will and Beth. Beth in particular has been a sister who’s care and wisdom for me is continually a source that humbles and refreshes me! She challenges me faithfully in how to practically live out gospel truths and she exemplifies quiet servitude. I am so encouraged by how she and Will serve our church body! We had so much fun at Greenbrier Farms and I hope you enjoy some of my favorites from our session.

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Snowy Night

As has been all over Facebook, the Hampton Roads area was showered with snow last night! It covered campus and drew many students outside to build snowmen and tackle each other in the snow. I wandered out there when I got off work at the gym around midnight, and it was beautiful. I love snowy, unique nights like these at CNU that show-off the campus’s beauty in a way we rarely get to see in Newport News. Here are some shots from last night. 🙂

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CNU Graduation – Part 1

This past weekend on May 12th, CNU held its commencement ceremony for the Class of 2012. I had the privilege to cover this event for CNU as part of my photography internship with the school. It was a busy but fun day!!! Enjoy Part 1 of the photos I snagged throughout the day.

The seniors were gathered before the ceremony in our gym’s Field House. Their moods were lighthearted, as the photos show…

Heading to the Great Lawn for the ceremony!

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell was the Commencement Speaker!

Top student honored for her grades and achievements….

2nd Lt. army commissioning…

Getting their diplomas! And a hug from Rosemary, the President’s wife.

More coming soon!!!!!

Grace & Megan

I looooove these two featured in tonight’s post. Both Megan and Grace go to CNU, love Jesus, and are absolutelytotallycompletely wonderful. I’ve known Megan since her freshman year last year, but Grace was a freshman this year and I remember when I first heard she was coming to CNU. Grace has two awesome older sisters, Britney and Kathryn Fitzgerald, who both went to CNU (’10 grad and ’12 grads) and when I heard ANOTHER Fitzgerald was coming, I knew she was gonna be ridiculously amazing and was almost scared to meet her! (Silly Debbie.) She DID turn out to be totally amazing and loveable and crazy and gorgeous and QUITE the comedian, and I’m so so glad she came to CNU! I’m so blessed to know both Megan and Grace. They bring SO much light into my life. Megan disciples (mentors) Grace and the two of them make a ridiculously amazing pair. This shoot I did of them last week is one of my favorites from Finals’ week shoots!! Enjoy.

First jump….. (These girls are crazy.)

Waiting on the median for the cars to pass…

Final jump!!

Spencer & Rachael

Quick little post of a couple’s shoot I did during Finals week of Rachael and Spencer (sorry guys, I’m just now being able to edit and post these!!). I’ve known Spencer since freshman year at CNU, and Spencer’s mom (love her to death!) gave his darling girlfriend Rachael a photoshoot for her birthday. We spent a fun afternoon away from school and finals, snapping away. Enjoy some favorites!!

Freshman Suite Photoshoot

Another spring shoot of some freshman suitemates at CNU!! These girls were darling. They kept me laughing, and patiently waited for many a runner to pass by on the Noland Trail during the shoot (silly runners…. trails and bridges are for photoshoots, not afternoon jogs!) I absolutely LOVED the girls’ simple but classy outfit coordination. Enjoy my favorites!!