Oh hey girl!

Welcome to the HLPHOTO Blog! I'm Heather Gillelan, and I am a wedding photographer based in Powhatan, Virginia. I hope you grab some coffee (or an energy drink!) and enjoy checking out my latest work, and getting a little peek into the organized chaos that is my life!

Welcome to the HLPHOTO Blog! I'm Heather Gillelan, and I am a wedding photographer based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I hope you grab some coffee (or an energy drink!) and enjoy checking out my latest work, and getting a little peek into the organized chaos that is my life!

Years ago, I met Brandon & we became fast friends. It was the kind of friendship that I hope everyone experiences in their life time.. just effortless, with countless fun times, as well as just being there for each other through the good and the bad. He’s the brother I never had, and no matter […]

Maddie + Alex tied the knot this past weekend at Whispering Pines Plantation in Amelia, Virginia and it could have not been a more perfect day! The weather was just right, not too hot, not too cold, with the sun shining & their love radiating. They had the absolute sweetest first look, both just grinning […]

I have known & been close with Brandon for about 11 years now, and he has always been like a best friend/brother to me. When Katelyn came into the picture a few years ago, I gladly relinquished my “best friend” title to her, because I just knew deep down that she was truly his other […]

Spring has sprung here in VA! I got to meet up with Catherine + Matt yesterday for their engagement portraits, and they absolutely ROCKED IT! It was definitely a bit chilly (good ol va weather!) but that didn’t stop us & I am so glad! Seriously though, CHECK OUT the flowering trees! These two are […]

I had so much fun getting to meet and photograph Jessica + Randy for their engagement session at their wedding venue, The Barn at Hillcrest Farm, in Emporia, Va this past weekend! These two were all smiles and giggles the entire time & I loved every single second of it! Jessica told me they had […]

Marlena & I met years ago, from being in the same bridal party as our mutual friend. I was the high school friend and she was the college roommate, and we instantly just clicked. Although we may not talk every day or hangout that often, it is one of those friendships that have always been […]

I met Katheryn + Matt the other day in Shenandoah National Park for their Mountain Engagement session, and I would have to say they absolutely killlllled it! We had originally planned to hike to a mountaintop, but a few days prior, I found out that that part of skyline drive was closed due to icy […]

I met Corinna + Joey at their wedding venue, Barns of Kanak, for their engagement session and let me just say… it was COLD but that sunlight was GLOWY! These two are tying the knot there this October, and I would be lying if I said I haven’t been looking forward to their wedding since […]

I met up with Maddie + Alex last week for their engagement portraits at their wedding venue, Whispering Pines Plantation in Amelia, Virginia. It was the most perfect fall day, with tons of sunlight and the BEST golden hour portraits! Fun fact: Years ago. Maddie + Alex were my first paid couples session. To put […]

This past weekend, I got the pleasure of meeting up with Kristin + Justin at one of my all time favorite venues, Waverly Estate, for their engagement portraits! This place is easily any photographer’s dream, from the willow tree, to the swings, to the giant oak.. I could go on forever! These two dressed to […]