Spring in Richmond lasts just a moment, and cherry blossom season is the most fleeting, most beautiful part of it. Every year, for just a week or two between late March and early April, the city transforms into something truly magical. This year, I'm offering cherry blossom mini sessions at some of Richmond's most stunning locations, and I couldn't be more excited to capture this season with you.
What Are Cherry Blossom Mini Sessions?
Mini sessions are shorter, focused portrait sessions (typically 20 to 30 minutes) designed to make the most of a specific season or setting. They're a perfect option for families, couples, maternity portraits, or anyone who just wants beautiful, updated portraits without the commitment of a full session.
The spring blooms provide a ready-made, breathtaking backdrop, so we spend our time together focused entirely on you: your connection, your joy, and the season all around you.
When Are the Sessions?
Sessions will run from late March through early April, with exact dates determined by bloom conditions. Cherry blossoms are notoriously unpredictable (a warm spell can shift peak bloom by a week or more), so I monitor conditions closely and communicate with all clients as dates approach. I may make small adjustments to ensure we're shooting at peak color.
This also means spots are genuinely limited. Once the blooms are gone, they're gone for the year. Booking early is the only way to guarantee your spot.
The Locations
I've chosen five Richmond locations that each offer something completely different. Depending on availability and bloom conditions, you'll be able to select your preferred location when booking.
Maymont. The Japanese garden and formal grounds at Maymont are absolutely stunning in spring. The manicured pathways, stone bridges, and layered blooms create a romantic, almost storybook atmosphere. This is one of Richmond's most beloved parks, and for good reason: it photographs beautifully at every angle.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. With acres of curated gardens and an incredible variety of spring blooms, Lewis Ginter offers a lush, colorful setting unlike anywhere else in the city. The wide-open spaces and diverse plantings give us a lot of flexibility to find the perfect light and framing for your portraits.
Browns Island. For a more relaxed, urban-natural vibe, Browns Island delivers. With the James River flowing alongside and the Richmond skyline in the distance, sessions here have an energy that's uniquely Richmond. The combination of blooming trees and that city-meets-nature backdrop creates portraits with real character.
Windsor Way. If you've seen those iconic Richmond spring photos with the full canopy of cherry blossoms arching over the street, that's Windsor Way. This neighborhood spot is one of the most visually dramatic locations in the city when in peak bloom, and it photographs unlike anywhere else. It fills up fast, so this is one location I'd especially encourage booking early for.
James Monroe's Tomb at Hollywood Cemetery. For something truly one-of-a-kind, Hollywood Cemetery is in a category of its own. The grounds are hauntingly beautiful in every season, but spring adds a softness that balances the historic atmosphere in the most incredible way. The iron Gothic tomb and rolling hillsides overlooking the James River create portraits that are moody, atmospheric, and completely unforgettable. This is the location for couples or individuals who want something genuinely unique.
Who Are These Sessions For?
Cherry blossom mini sessions are a wonderful fit for almost everyone: families with young children who love a shorter, lower-pressure session, couples wanting romantic spring portraits, expectant moms looking for a beautiful maternity backdrop, or anyone who just wants fresh portraits in one of Richmond's most spectacular seasonal settings.
These sessions also make a beautiful gift, particularly for Mother's Day, which falls just a few weeks after peak bloom season. A set of spring family portraits is something that will be treasured for years.
What to Wear
The blooms do a lot of the visual work, so I recommend keeping your wardrobe soft and complementary rather than competing. Light spring colors work beautifully: blush, ivory, sage, soft lavender, warm neutrals. Floral prints can be lovely if kept subtle. I'd steer away from busy patterns, neon, or very dark colors, which can feel heavy against the delicate spring palette.
Aim for coordination rather than matchy-matchy. A cohesive color palette across your group reads beautifully in photos without feeling overly staged.
Session Details & Pricing
Each mini session is 25 minutes and includes 15 fully edited digital images delivered via your private online gallery within two weeks of your session. Additional images are available for purchase. A non-refundable retainer is required at booking to hold your spot.
I also offer a film add-on for those who want the timeless, organic look of medium format film photography alongside their digital gallery, something especially beautiful against the soft tones of spring blooms.
How to Book
Spots for cherry blossom mini sessions are extremely limited, and they book up quickly every single year. If you're considering it, I genuinely encourage you not to wait. Bloom season waits for no one, and once the sessions are full, I'm not able to add more.
I'd love to spend a spring morning with you among the blooms. Reach out directly with any questions, or grab your spot below.
Richmond in Bloom
There's something about Richmond in spring that never gets old. The way the city comes alive after winter, the light getting warmer and longer, the parks filling back up with people... it's one of my favorite times of year to be a photographer here. Getting to document families and couples in the middle of all that beauty is something I feel genuinely lucky to do.
I hope to see you out there this spring. These sessions are always some of my favorites of the entire year, and I can't wait to create something beautiful with you.
For cherry blossom mini sessions and portrait photography throughout Richmond, Virginia, visit stephen.photography. Limited spots available late March through early April. Book early to secure your preferred location.