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Hello, memory maker.

I’m Cerissa. I’m a DC/Northern Virginia lifestyle photographer specializing in families, newborns, and couples sessions.

I’m passionate about all the “insignificant” details of life. Visual details that remind you of everything else… how your toddler’s fingers pressed lightly into your back during hugs, how the eggs you made every morning for breakfast for years tasted, how your mother smelled, how warm you were in the summer months, by the sunniest window in your home.

Click here for FAQs. Keep in touch and join my email list!

Northern Virginia PhotographerAbout me, the highlights

I’m a mom of two, a wife, a super loud music addict, and a lifestyle photographer who loves pauses in conversation. The ones you think are awkward, or even tend not to notice. I have a soft spot for awkwardness. These moments are the ones that are so ordinary. So super ordinary that while you think they’re unimportant, they’re the building blocks of your day, your life.

In the beginning, I was a music lover. Music is something you take and you make yours… nobody feels any one song exactly the way you do. I feel the same about my work as a photographer. You invite me to experience time with you, and know I’ll make these moments mine, too.

My portrait photography superpower? Making you feel like we’re just hanging out! Because that’s exactly what we’re doing.

[More here]

Newborn session, Alexandria, VA

Alexandria, VA Newborn Lifestyle Photographer

Anyone can take photos, it takes a special person to capture feeling. Cerissa Photography is amazing. She truly loves what she does and will photograph the moments that fly by too quickly. You won’t be disappointed.

Family session, Burke, VA

Burke, VA Lifestyle Family Photographer

I am so thrilled with the pictures, I can’t thank you enough. Being a photographer myself, having good portraits of my own family is just so special to me. Thank you thank you!

Family Session, Fairfax, VA

Thank you Cerissa! This is just how I want to remember our family!

Family session, Potomac, MD

DC/NOVA Lifestyle Family Photographer

I could not be happier with these photos. I was going to print the photos on 4X6 paper and then when I saw how gorgeous they were I decided they deserve an 11X17 professional photo book.

Family (& pet) session, Gainesville, VA

Northern Virginia Pet Photographer

Thank you for preserving memories we one day won’t be able to make anymore.

Newborn Session, Leesburg, VA

Loudoun County, VA Newborn Lifestyle Photographer

They are so gorgeous Cerissa, thank you so much! I love the compositions and attention to details, they look so beautiful, you are so talented! Can’t wait to share and get some prints.

Newborn session, Reston, VA

Reston, VA Newborn Lifestyle Photographer

They turned out so beautifully; I just love them – thank you so much! We will also be sure to call you again when we are ready for a new set of family photos. Thanks again so much!! These are just wonderful!!

Family session, northern virginia

DC Family Photographer

Cerissa has now photographed our family three times and every single time I’m blown away. She is amazing to work with and is able to make my husband (who would rather be doing anything else) smile and enjoy himself!

Cerissa is easy to get in contact with, she always keeps in touch, and she is a joy to work with! We have been thrilled with our pictures every single time! We will be lifelong clients without a doubt!

Maternity, Newborn, Family, Northern Virginia

Northern Virginia Family Photographer

We worked with Cerissa for our maternity and newborn photoshoot- and let me tell you (whether she knows it or not) we have found our family photographer for life!

Cerissa has a way to make you feel like your sister or lifelong friend is taking your picture. Wonderful conversation while she captures your best angles- even 7 months pregnant in the heat or after no sleep with a newborn. She takes the time to get to know you and through conversation, captures the essence and importance of what this time in your life means to you and your family.

DC Cake Smash Photographer

DC Cake Smash Photographer

We love working with Cerissa! She is always so cheerful and pleasant to work with and helps bring out such adorable moments. This is the second time we’ve booked with her (with our third booking already confirmed for later this year!) and we can’t say enough good things. We highly recommend her!

Northern Virginia Newborn Photographer

DC Family Photographer

Cerissa truly makes magic every time we have a session with her! This was our third session, and our toddler was having some very big feelings while we were trying to get our photos. Cerissa’s calm presence and experience with little ones helped us all feel at ease and get some beautiful family photos. Every year, I eagerly await our photos after our session, and this year did not disappoint. I couldn’t see any traces of the toddler meltdown in our photos – only big smiles and sweet candids. We will happily continue to choose Cerissa to document our little family and highly recommend her to anyone looking to capture the beautiful little moments.

Family Session, Northern Virginia

DC Family Photographer

This is our third(!) year having Cerissa take our holiday photos. Cerissa is an absolute joy to work with and amazing with our kids. In fact, after this year’s photos, on the drive home, our 2.5 year old daughter said “I wanna see Cerissa again!”

Her photos also always turn out stunning and truly capture our raw emotions in the moment!