When Spontaneity Calls: Seizing a Last-Minute Opportunity with Anna Mide in Virginia Beach’s Town Center.
Plans are great. They make life easier, and I love having a good one. But sometimes, opportunities pop up out of nowhere, and when they do, you’ve got to be ready to dive in headfirst. That’s exactly what happened with my recent fashion photo session with the ever-amazing Anna Mide.
She texted me one afternoon with a last-minute opportunity to shoot the very next day while she was in town. Now, let me set the scene: I was smack in the middle of one of the craziest weeks of one of the craziest months. My energy levels were low, to say the least. But it’s Anna. I’ve never once regretted a shoot with her, and we always walk away with killer images. Plus, she’s an absolute blast to be around. Her fun, confident, and grounded energy always meshes perfectly with my spontaneous, “let’s try this and see what happens” approach.
After hearing about the outfits she brought along, I knew Town Center in Virginia Beach would be the perfect backdrop. The location would complement her style while adding a bit of urban flair. We only had about an hour to shoot, so we kept things simple—well, as simple as we could, anyway.
Then she came out wearing the pink dress.
The moment I saw her in it, I knew we had to take things up a notch. Out came the strobes to balance the sunlight, amp up the drama in the clouds, and push the photos to a whole new level. The results? Wow. Let’s just say that pink dress was a showstopper, and the images speak for themselves.
We finished the session with a sleek black leather coat that added a bold, edgy vibe. It was one of those shoots where time just flies by, and before we knew it, we had to wrap things up. But the good news? We consoled ourselves knowing this wasn’t the last time we’d team up. We’ll plan the next one—and of course, see where it takes us.
Working with Anna is always a reminder of why I love what I do. Whether it’s a meticulously planned shoot or a spontaneous session like this one, the thrill of capturing those moments is what keeps me going.
If you’re ready for your own unique session—whether it’s fashion, portraits, or something completely different—let’s make it happen.
Mark Knopp is a professional portrait photographer with over 40 years of experience behind a camera and teaching photography. He covers Hampton Roads, Richmond, parts of North Carolina, and central New York when he’s home visiting. Contact him at mknopp1(at)cox.net to book your portrait session today.
Photography by Mark K 