Welcome!

Hello, I’m Melissa and I’m a color obsessed plant-loving bohemian soul who is a child at heart and a real life mermaid.

I photograph people who are looking for someone to capture the joy and chaos of their everyday lives and important milestones with a unique eye for detail, color and genuine emotion. With a background in studio art and photojournalism, I strive to tell stories with my photography using an approach that is relaxed, natural and fun.

My work is playful with a touch of whimsy and I love to incorporate fairytale elements into my photography when given the opportunity (I have my own mermaid tail and quite a few pairs of fairy and butterfly wings).

Most of my days are spent adventuring with my 3 children while sipping a cup of chai, puttering around in our garden or dreaming up our next house project. I am an avid thrift shopper who enjoys watching sci-fi detective shows or comedy with my software developer husband.

I believe that life is about building relationships and finding ways to give back. Each year I hold mini sessions by donation with a portion of the proceeds being donated to non-profit organizations. Want to know more about my photography journey and where it all began? Click here.

more about me

  1. I was born in New Orleans where my mom grew up and my parents met.

  2. I can wiggle my ears.

  3. I have traveled to 40 countries on 5 continents, most of them while on assignment as a photographer for Mennonite Central Committee.

  4. I am fluent in Spanish and spent a year living with a host family in Nicaragua where I volunteered at a cultural center and ate LOTS of chocobananos.

  5. I love hearing and sharing birth stories (becoming a mom changed my life!) You can read about my second baby’s natural hospital birth story here and view the birth story film of my third baby’s home water birth here.

  6. I got my start in photography with film as a young teen after experiencing Glamour Shots and my first camera was my mom’s Canon-AE1.

This is us!

Thanks to Vanessa Joy Films for capturing a day in the life of our family.

 
 
 
 

I’m Melissa, your playful, creative family, maternity & newborn photographer based in Lancaster, PA. Can’t wait to make some magic with you!

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Daydreaming about warmer weather over here. Spring is on the horizon and I’ve only got a few golden hour dates left for April! In an attempt to streamline my booking process, you can now view my calendar for April/May and pay your deposit onl
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One of the things I love about my job is the people I get to meet. I met Erin when I took her son’s newborn photos a little less than 2 years ago and I knew we could be friends as soon as I saw all the amazing plants she had in her house! We re
Someone asked me this week, “What has been bringing you joy lately?” and after thinking a bit I replied “colors in our home and sunlight”. We just wrapped up a family room renovation and aside from the added cozy fireplace t
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