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Anna Filly Photography

Anna Filly Photography

Roanoke, Virginia Wedding Photographer specializing in timeless wedding, engagement and lifestyle photos.

What I’ve Learned : Friends on Photo Shoots

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One thing I encourage all of my clients to do is to simply be themselves.  It may take a few “warm up shots” behind the camera, or even a few of my infamous silly faces…  But the BEST way for clients to radiate who they are the most naturally is when they bring friends with them on their photo shoots!

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Now, I’m not an expert at photography by any means.  But, I do understand people pretty well.

People love to feel at peace.  They don’t want to worry about where to put their hands, or what “smizing” is.  The idea is to make them as comfortable and relaxed and THEM as possible.  Nothing brings out someone’s personality like their best friend!  I most certainly can testify to that. 🙂 No one can make me crack up like my best friends.  My nose crinkles, my eyes smile, and my mouth is in a full-fledged grin 95% of the time I’m with them!

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Silliness and great grins, guaranteed.

Plus, great epic photos 🙂

so beautiful…

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I love my job.

Brodie invited his best friend, Hannah, to come on his FREE15 photo shoot.  It is because of her bragging about his incredible dance jumps that he was probed to do this….

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and I was blessed enough to capture it!

Then, together, they did these….

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and my heart melted 🙂

PLUS I was able to shoot Hannah, which I loved….
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Gorgeous.
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If you’re a photographer this is your chance to turn your photo session into an event for your client.  Make it a BIG DEAL, because it is a big deal!  This may be the only professional photos your client will have of themselves.  So, make it matter.  Have them invite their friends, have their hair and make up done, or give them a reason to go out on the town after your session is done.  What is a more perfect opportunity for a date night then right after an engagement or couples shoot?!

The more your client looks forward to your photo shoot the more fun they’ll have behind your camera!

Trust me 😉

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xo

AnnaFilly

Filed Under: Business Tips Tagged With: brodie, brodrick, clients, dancing, free15, friends on photo shoots, growing, Hannah, jumps, learning, natural, people, photo, photo session, photo shoot, photographer, Photography, posing, the free fifteen

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More about Anna

Hi there! I’m Anna Filly, a Wedding & Portrait photographer in the sweet, deep South. I love hosting dinner parties, sparkling water, & magnifying love through the art of photography. I have a slight obsession with fresh cut flowers, ice cream is my guilty pleasure & crinkling nose laughter is my muse. Grab something sweet & browse the site! I’m so glad you’re here.

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Virginia Wedding Photographer located in the Roanoke Valley.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

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Young, wild and THREE ! Faith Marvelee you are al Young, wild and THREE !

Faith Marvelee you are all things vibrant, adventurous & you live life to the fullest. You are a living exclamation mark 🥹♥️ You have the biggest heart and love tending to those younger than you (babies). You love the idea of being a momma & are always quick to keep your siblings in line. Yo don’t do anything halfway- you’re ALL IN! If there is music, you’re dancing. If someone needs help, you’re the first to offer assistance. You rarely sit still & if you’re moving, you’re running. You’re my only child who potty trained in one week just because they wanted to! You’re spicy & fun, carefree and tender. I love you, little one. Cheers to three !!

Instagram went rogue & edited a handful of images in a weird black and white. Ooops !
Alexander you’re FOUR !!! 💙 👟🏎️⚡️🍦⚽️🛝 Our adventur Alexander you’re FOUR !!! 💙 👟🏎️⚡️🍦⚽️🛝 Our adventure seeking, compassionate, fun-loving second born. You add so much joy to each and every day. Life with you is the sweetest it’s ever been.  I cannot believe you’re FOUR !! 4️⃣
Dave 🤎 What a whimsically adventure we are on. W Dave 🤎 
 What a whimsically adventure we are on. Who would have thought that this little life would be ours ? The days are long & the years are short. We are laughing through the heartache & seeking out the good. The ordinary joys that fill our chaotic days are what make us grateful. I’m so thankful for you. You’re are always willing to say “yes”, you are the first to volunteer to put a kid (and simultaneously yourself) to bed, you are relentlessly laidback (even if your wife things urgency is necessary at times), you were made for music, you desire nothing more out of life than to live it quietly & work with your hands, you’re witty & loyal & simple & kind.

The more we do life together, the more I see how we are velcroed together. Choosing each other, day by day, has made us whole. Even when the waves of life crash over us & knock the breath out of us, I always come up for air, looking for you. You’re my safe place. You’re home.

You’re so many things… but my favorite thing is that you’re mine. Happy birthday, Dave the babe✨🫶🏻
Well hello there ☀️   2026 has had the sweetest a Well hello there ☀️  

2026 has had the sweetest and slowest start.   The kids are praying for snow days, Dave is building garden beds (eeeekkk!!) and I’m caught up in a new book series.

Photography has already been SO fun.  Last week I spent a few days photographing the @restandplay30A retreat in sunshine-soaked 30A Florida.  It was SO fun connecting with the attendees and being refreshed by the precious reminder that rest and play are necessary.

While at the retreat, I felt the nudge to start blogging again.  
Who remembers when I used to blog each week?! 

At first I brushed it off.  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how much I missed the connection and creative outlet blogging offered me.  Writing will always be special for me.  I have journals upon journals to prove it.  But writing in a way that allows for me to connect to others is something that I just can’t shake.

So, I’m posting this online, for the whole world to see.  You can expect at least 12 blog posts from me this year.  I’m hoping for more, but let’s not bite off more than we can chew 😉. Everything ranging from my most favorite photography works to everyday life as a momma of four, to gardening and everything in between.  I cannot wait to meet you over at www.annafilly.com/blog/ 👒♥️🌼
Your Christmas card is calling! 🎅🏻 🎁 🎄 We are off Your Christmas card is calling! 🎅🏻 🎁 🎄

We are offering festive, in studio minis that are PERFECT for kids, families, couples in love & business professionals. These minis are 20 minutes & beautifully showcase the joy & wonder of the holidays. 

BOOK now by clicking the link in my profile. DM me for a discount code 🫶🏻🥳
Fall minis are HERE ! 🍁🏔️🌻☕️🌾🍂 The most anticipat Fall minis are HERE !
🍁🏔️🌻☕️🌾🍂

The most anticipated sessions of the season are ready & waiting! Twenty minutes and the most stress free, joy filled experience with your favorite people. It doesn’t get any sweeter than that! As a mom of four littles, I know how fleeting every season is— so let me help you capture as much of it as we can !

Over half of them have sold out already !! Grab yours NOW !
The freedom & whimsy of Summer has officially ende The freedom & whimsy of Summer has officially ended & school has begun! 

We have had such a marvelous Summer. Long days spent outside, exploring & playing with friends. Our precious family of six has had so many adventures embracing the joy laced chaos of “Why not ?! It’s Summertime !”

Some of our favorite moments have been ….
Staying up late, picnics at the park & ice cream dates in our pjs. Trips to the pool, adventures at creek & our yearly getaway to the beach have been where everyone’s favorite memories have been made. 

Cheers to summer 2025. You were so sweet to us 🥹🏔️🌸☀️🌊🍦🚲
There truly aren’t words to describe all that the There truly aren’t words to describe all that the last two weeks held for me & my team as we adventured into the heart of Africa. From sharing the liberating love of Jesus to camping in Zambia, every aspect of our trip has left me grateful, joyful & brimming with hope. To know Jesus is to know peace. To know the perfect love of our gracious daddy God is to know who you are in Him. 

I’m so utterly grateful. 🫶🏻🇿🇦

Thank you to my sweet husband for holding down the fort while I was gone. Thank you to my friends who helped with my littles, dropped off food & loved us like family. Thank you to my team for all that we experienced together. Thank you to our mission partners who are literal ANGELS & get to water & care for the seeds that were planted.  What a gift, what a joy. I’m sure I’ll spend weeks processing all that transpired. But for now, here are a few of my favorite moments & memories.
Every single bloom was a labor of love 👒🌸🌻 Each y Every single bloom was a labor of love 👒🌸🌻

Each year the garden has a specific genre. Last year it was how the volunteer Zinnias took over.  This year it’s how the pumpkins have a mind of their own. 🤷🏻‍♀️ But, no matter the genre it’s always magical to watch things grow.

No garden is perfect, but having a garden is so worth it. It’s my first year where I have been in the dirt & seeing the fruit of my labor each & every month. So thankful for all that this year’s garden is teaching me 🌼 

#roanokevaphotographer #pleasurefromthegarden #gardening #zinnias #dahliasofinstagram #virginiagardner #zone7gardening #zone7b
I’ve never been more thankful to be their momma th I’ve never been more thankful to be their momma than I am in this moment. Getting a front row seat to their little lives is the greatest gift. We are in the “good ole days” & I am soaking up every minute. It’s hard. There are days where I struggle. But then I’m reminded that that’s the point. My job isn’t to be perfect, my job is to point these little ones to Christ. He is perfect & he is full of liberation & life. What a joy to be their mom. What a gift it is to watch them grow up 🤍

Currently in my feels the day before Lina turns three ! 🥹🫶🏻

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