Beach Family Photography & Vacation Sessions

Seacoast NH, Southern Maine & North Shore MA Beach Photographer

Barefoot Joy. Ocean Breezes. Sun-Kissed Memories.

The warmth of summer. The laughter of your people. The magic of the shoreline.

One minute you’re chasing the tide, and the next, you’re wrapped in a sandy hug that turns into full-on giggles. These moments are real, wild, beautiful—and they slip away faster than you’d like.

You wish you could bottle that feeling. Save it for later. Freeze-frame the sunshine and the way your child’s hand still reaches for yours.

That’s where I come in. We’ll lock in those golden hour beach memories—no pressure, no stress. Whether you’re on vacation or just soaking up a Seacoast evening, I’ll capture it all as it unfolds: real, relaxed, and ridiculously fun. From wave jumping to sandy snuggles, we’ll make something meaningful together.

Cousins, grandparents, chaos? Yes please. It’s all part of the story.

As your beach photographer, I’m here to document the in-between moments, the splashy ones, the heartfelt glances, and the wild laughter—without turning your evening into a production.

This isn’t about picture-perfect. It’s about your people. Your beach days. Your story.

Let’s turn this chapter into something you can hold on to—photos that feel like memories.

Splashing in the waves isn’t required, but getting your feet wet is always an option!

Maine & New England Beach Photographer Specializing in Real-Life, Salt-Air Moments. I capture the joy, connection, and chaos of seaside sessions—whether you’re vacationing in Ogunquit, chasing waves in Old Orchard Beach, or soaking up the golden hour in Rye or Salisbury. Serving Southern Maine, Seacoast New Hampshire, and the North Shore of Massachusetts with relaxed, sun-soaked photography for families, couples, and vacationers. Let’s turn your beach day into something you’ll never forget

Family sitting on grass at the beach in Maine during sunset

I would hire Melissa again in a blink!

Melissa is a very talented photographer. My family and I were vacationing in Scarborough Maine from NY and we wanted to get family beach pictures. I saw that she was a photographer who took beach pictures in Old Orchard. I reached out and she was available and willing to come to the Pine Pont Beach (Scarborough) down the road from OOB. I came across her from a google search of photographers in that area. When I saw her gallery it was amazing so I reached out to see if she could photograph my family. I'm so happy I did her work is beautiful and my family pictures exceeded my expectations. Melissa really has an eye for the perfect picture. She captured so many moments I didn't even realize she was taking. I would hire Melissa again in a blink. She was very responsive form the very first initial email I sent her. She is flexible, informative, and easy to coordinate with. I was coming from NY for a week vacation and she was in constant contact until the session. I had 5 adults and one frisky dog and she was such a professional from start to finish. – Brooke K.

FAQ: Everything You’re Wondering About Beach Photos

  • Light can make or break a beach session. We’ll aim for early mornings (before the crowds and harsh sun) or golden hour sunsets. I’ll help you choose what works best for your crew and your beach.

    Beach sessions are preferred Mon-Thurs. Weekend pricing is available.

  • I travel throughout Southern Maine, Seacoast New Hampshire, and the North Shore of Massachusetts. Frequent favorites include Ogunquit, York, Old Orchard Beach, Jenness Beach, Hampton Beach State Park, Salisbury, and beyond. If you’ve got a spot in mind, let me know!

  • Welcome to New England. We’ll keep an eye on the forecast and make a final call close to your session time. I try and build in flexibility so we can reschedule if needed. Light mist? We can still make magic. Full downpour? We’ll reschedule.

  • Sure - As long as the beach allows it (you’ll need to know the beach’s rules), dogs are 100% welcome. Bring a leash, a favorite toy, and be ready for some slobbery smiles.

  • Wear what feels like you.

    Wear what makes you feel good—and ready to have fun.

    I love color, comfort, and movement. Breezy dresses, rolled-up jeans, button-downs, or whatever lets you relax and play in the sand.

    Layers are great for breezy beaches, and if anyone’s in a dress or skirt, shorts or bloomers underneath are a smart move (especially for the diggers, twirlers, and wave chasers).

    No need to match—this is about personality, not perfection.

  • Absolutely. Most of my beach clients are visiting the area and want to make the most of their time together. Once you know your dates, we’ll find a time that works, You don’t need to know all the details when you inquire—just let me know where you’ll be and I’ll guide you from there.

  • I have packages to suit all sizes!

    A whole vacation crew, a multigenerational gathering, chosen family, or just a few of you, we’ll make it work.

    Beach sessions are naturally flexible and relaxed—just let me know your headcount so I can help with timing, flow, and location logistics.

  • Once you have your dates and youru preferred beach/area reach out through my conact form!

    No pressure, no surprises, and no post-session sales meetings.

Beach Photographer in NH, ME, and MA

Offering beach sessions across the Maine southern coast, New Hampshire’s Seacoast, and the shores of Massachusetts’ North Shore.

Planning a beach photo session can feel a little daunting, especially when you want something relaxed, real, and joyfully unscripted. You might even think, “Couldn’t we just grab a few selfies with the ocean in the background?”

Sure, you could. But these aren’t just photos. They’re how your kid’s face lights up as the waves chase them. The wind-whipped hair, the sandy toes, the shared laughter that only happens when everyone forgets there’s a camera nearby.

Whether you’re soaking up the sun in York, Wells, or Old Orchard Beach, ME; walking the shoreline in Hampton or Jenness Beach, NH; or catching the breeze in Salisbury or Plum Island, MA—I’ll meet you there and help you remember what this beach day felt like.

Why Beach Photography with Me?

  • I understand that the beach has its own agenda.

    Tides shift, wind picks up, seagulls plot chaos. And through it all, we’ll roll with it. I show up ready to adapt—no panic, no perfectionism. We’re not fighting the elements; we’re letting them shape the story.

  • I plan for beauty, not control.

    We won’t chase a Pinterest-perfect moment. We’ll chase the light. The laughter. The way your people actually show up after a day in the sun and a little too much sandy snack mix. You don’t need to fake anything—we’re not here for that.

  • I know the rhythm of a beach session.

    It starts shy, turns silly, maybe dips into “hangry,” then bounces right back to joy. I’ve photographed enough sessions to know when to lean in, when to pause, and when to just let it be while someone builds a shell tower or runs full-speed into the waves.

  • I create space for you to just exist.

    There’s nothing performative about how I work. You won’t be told to smile more or stand a certain way unless you want that. Come barefoot. Come as a whole crew or just the two of you. Come as you are—queer, neurodivergent, chosen, blended, loud, quiet—I’ll meet you there.

  • I make it easy (even when it’s wild).

    You’ve got sand in your shoes, sunscreen in your eyes, and maybe a toddler eating seaweed. Still? You’ll leave saying, “That was actually fun.” Because it is. That’s the whole point.

We’re not chasing perfection. We’re chasing joy, movement, messy hair, and real connection—the kind that only seems to happen when everyone forgets what time it is and starts collecting shells like they’re treasure.

Whether you’re here for one golden hour evening or soaking in a full week of beachy chaos, your time together is worth remembering. And not just in passing.

Let’s turn your favorite kind of summer day into something that lasts longer than tan lines and footprints.

You bring the people. I’ll bring the camera. The beach will handle the magic. Let’s Get To It!

We had 14 of us…12 of them teenagers!

Melissa took our family photos on the beach in Old Orchard Beach. From scheduling the photo shoot right up until receiving them less than a week after, she was always easy to communicate with. She was incredibly responsive - I never had to wait to have a question answered. We had 14 of us…12 of them teenagers! She was so relaxed and patient with us/them. She got several candids which I absolutely love. I am so very happy with each and every single photo. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10 out of 10 🙌🏻 2 thumbs up 👍🏻👍🏻 I highly recommend her and will most definitely be contacting her in the future. Thank you Melissa! – Mona L.

From tidepool treasures to tangled beach towels and everything in between, these sessions aren’t about curated perfection—they’re about capturing the truth of the people you love, in one of the places you love most.

Whether you’re chasing toddlers through the dunes in Wells, piling into a group hug at Hampton Beach, or soaking up the last light of day in Ogunquit, I’m there to catch what unfolds.

We’ll freeze the in-between moments: the splash fights, the sandy snacks, the way your crew fits together when no one’s trying too hard.

Because this isn’t just a beach trip. It’s a memory in the making.

Let’s turn it into something you can keep.