Images from Saturday night’s Town Center Fashion Show.

It was my first time photographing a runway show. It won’t be my last.

I recently got a heads up from Jessica Magary, a great friend and awesome runway model, that there was going to be a fashion show in Virginia Beach’s Town Center. As I’ve always wanted to see her in action but haven’t made it up to New York City to see her strut her stuff during Fashion Week, I figured this would be a great way to dip my toes into runway photography and see her in action.

The show, held in Town Center Fountain Plaza and hosted by Chelsie Hightower, featured fall fashions that can be found in Town Center shops. These included:

Monkee’s of Virginia Beach, Anthropologie, Destination Maternity, Francesca’s, Men’s Wearhouse, French Twist, Boyer’s Diamonds at Town Center, Bevello, Free People.

The models hair and make-up were done by Sumatra Salon and Spa. Blue Mercury supplied the make-up. Also included were five dogs done up with outfits from Mrs. Bones Boutique and the set was decorated with items that can be found at West Elm.

See more images by clicking the link below.

There was a lot to take in, and I was the proverbial babe in the woods. It took me a few minutes to get the lighting and pacing down but, once I did, I was able to work on the actual image capture. The new gear was an immense plus as I was able to shun the off-camera flash and use available light which freed me up to take more shuts per walk.

It was fun seeing the local models and volunteers strut their stuff and it gave me a few ideas for more fashion shoots in the near future. I learned a lot, met up with old friends like Kevin Higgins, and made some new ones. Next time will be even better, I promise.

Mark Knopp is a Virginia Beach-based photographer covering the Hampton Roads community and beyond. Contact him at mknopp1(at)cox.net with any questions you might have or to book your session today.