New Hampshire Family Photographer

Family, Generations & Real-Life Moments Photography at Home & On Location

Soft smiles. Warm hugs. Vibrant family gatherings. Authentically you.

You’re the keeper of the memories—the one who knows how important it is to press pause and capture what life feels like right now.

You’re not looking for stiff poses or all-day productions. You want a session that’s easy, fun, and full of connection. One that gives you a gallery of high-res images to download and enjoy—no sales meetings, no pressure.

You want someone who understands the beautiful mess of real life. Who sees the value in unscripted moments. Who notices the quiet details and the loud love.

You’re searching for a New Hampshire family photographer who gets that your family is uniquely yours, that candid chaos and gentle connection go hand in hand, and that being seen and supported makes all the difference.

Let’s photograph what makes your family yours.

Based in New Hampshire, Melissa Koren is a family photographer specializing in capturing unique family bonds, heartfelt senior yearbook moments, and real-life milestones for New Hampshire’s beautifully non-traditional families, Maine’s joy-filled gatherings, and the diverse dynamics found across Southern NH, Southern Maine, and the North Shore of Massachusetts. From backyard play in Exeter to senior sessions in Portsmouth to extended family reunions in Newburyport, I’m here to photograph what makes your crew one of a kind.

Let's Chat About Your Family Photography!
Young boy poses for New Hampshire family photographer

Melissa is a fantastic photographer!

She is incredibly talented, patient, and professional. We’ve worked with Melissa on our newborn and again on family photos. She made us feel so comfortable and at ease during the sessions, and she captured some truly beautiful photos of our family. We were especially impressed with Melissa’s photos of our 2-year-old son. He was having a tough morning, as two-year-olds do, and we thought we’d need to reschedule. However, in the short time we were there, Melissa captured some amazing photos, and we are so pleased with the outcome. We highly recommend Melissa to anyone looking for a photographer. – Jody H

Photos for Everyone!

FAQ: You’ve Got Questions—I’ve Got Answers

  • The sooner the better, especially during peak fall weekends, but I often have availability within the month—sometimes even the same week.

    A good rule of thumb is to reach out 3–4 weeks ahead of your ideal timeframe. If you’re coordinating with visiting family members, let’s lock in the right window early.

  • Beach sessions are their own unique offering with different timing, lighting, and logistics. This page is for in-home or land-based family sessions. If you’re dreaming of salt air and sandy toes, check out my Beach Photography page.

  • All sessions include:

    • Photography Time

    • Your full gallery of high-resolution digital images to download and enjoy

    • A personal print release

    • One way radius of 45 minutes from Exeter, NH

    • Any additional specifics outlined in packages.

    No sales meetings. No pressure. Just beautiful images delivered straight to you.

  • Session pricing is based on location.

    Local sessions begin at $400 for a mini sesions, $600 for a full session.

    Once you reach out and let me know where you’re thinking, I’ll send you a simple, all-inclusive collection guide—no upsells or hidden fees.

  • Wear what feels like you.

    • Choose comfort and personality over matching outfits

    • Embrace color—it’s magic in photos

    • Skip all-white or all-black if you can (they don’t play well with bright light)

    • For kids in dresses, leggings or bloomers make playtime easier

  • With play, patience, and flexibility!

    I guide with light direction, but let energy lead. I’ll offer breaks when needed and keep things relaxed.

    High energy? Not a problem. It usually makes for the best photos.

  • Absolutely. As a photographer with both personal and professional experience in neurodiverse communities, I prioritize patience, flexibility, and empathy. Whether it’s choosing the right time of day, using calming settings, or making space for breaks, your session will be designed to support your family’s comfort and needs.

  • We can shoot in your home, your backyard, or a local spot you love (non-beach).

    Think parks, trails, gardens, or even grandma’s porch.

    I have some trusty standbys, but WHERE we are is no where near as important as the people being together for photos.

  • Yes! Of course!

    Sessions will note if there is a maximum number of participants allowed; if it’s not listed, there’s no limit.

  • Yes, I do! Gift certificates are available in any amount and make a thoughtful gift for birthdays, holidays, baby showers, or “just because.”

Family Photography in NH, MA, and ME

Serving families across Seacoast New Hampshire, Southern Maine, and the North Shore of Massachusetts

Capturing the perfect family moment can feel a little daunting—especially when you’re aiming for something relaxed, real, and joyfully unscripted. You might even think, “Couldn’t we just use a selfie stick?”

Sure, you could. But these aren’t just photos. They’re the way your toddler throws their head back when they laugh. The way your teen still leans into you when they forget to be cool. The quiet chaos and loud love that makes your family yours.

Whether you’re in Brentwood, Greenland, or North Hampton, NH; Wells, Eliot, or Kennebunk, ME; or Rowley, Ipswich, and Newbury, MA—my goal is to meet you where you are (literally and emotionally) and photograph your story as it is.

Why Family Photography with Me?

  • I embrace the chaos.

    Families are beautifully unpredictable. Someone’s going to make a weird face. Someone else will run off with snacks. And I’ll be right there, camera ready, capturing the magic in the middle of it. You don’t have to get it “right”—you just have to show up.

  • I’m not here to pose you into someone else’s idea of a family.

    No forced smiles. No Pinterest-perfect poses. I’ll gently guide you, sure—but the best images happen when you’re just being yourselves. The moments that look like your life, not a stock photo ad for khaki pants.

  • I know what to look for.

    After nearly 20 years of photographing families, I’ve developed a sixth sense for the good stuff: the glance between siblings, the way your kid twirls your hair, the hug that starts out polite and turns into a pile-on. Those are the moments that matter.

  • It’s about everyone feeling seen.

    All families are welcome here—LGBTQ+ families, chosen families, multigenerational crews, neurodiverse kiddos, wild toddlers, camera-shy parents. You’ll never be asked to conform or perform. Just come as you are.

  • It’s fun. Really.

    We’ll laugh. We’ll move. You’ll probably leave saying, “That was way easier than I expected.”

    Spoiler: That’s usually when the best photos happen.

We’ll work together to create a session that captures your people as they are—through real smiles, genuine connection, and a mix of gently guided and completely candid moments.

Because at the end of the day, these are the photos you’ll come back to. Not because they’re perfect, but because they’re true.

Whether we’re in your backyard in Rye, a trail in South Berwick, or your living room in Amesbury, your story is always worth telling! Let’s Chat!

It was a great experience and I am already planning on booking again!

We had family photos with our 11-month-old, so we opted for the “short and sweet” session. Even still, the session did not feel rushed at all and Melissa gave us the opportunity to get several backgrounds at the park we had our photos done. It was snowing that day and Melissa was still willing to take our photos which we are very thankful for because the snow made the photos even better! It was a great experience and I am already planning on booking again for more family photos later this year! – Sarah C.

Let's Talk Photos!

Celebrating the full spectrum of family life—from neurodivergent joy to LGBTQ+ pride, from quiet cuddles to full-volume silliness—is at the heart of everything I do.

Whether it’s a cozy moment of connection, the flash of wild laughter, or a wardrobe that screams “this is me,” I’m here to see you and celebrate you exactly as you are.

We’ll capture the calm and the chaos, the subtle glances and the big, bold expressions of personality and sass. Every bit of it matters.

Your life—with all its love, vibrancy, and beautiful weirdness - is a story worth telling.

Let’s create photos that feel like truth, and frame the moments that make your heart say, “that’s us.”

Four women and a baby standing outdoors in a wooded area, smiling at the camera.
A baby girl sitting on a black wooden chair with a decorated Christmas tree in the background. The baby is wearing a patterned Christmas sweater, red and white striped pants, and a green bow headband. She appears curious and is holding onto the armre
A family of three standing outdoors during fall, with colorful autumn trees in the background. The mother has shoulder-length brown hair and is wearing a gray dress with a red scarf. The father has a beard, is wearing a burgundy plaid shirt and a gra
A young girl lying on the grass during autumn, smiling and holding a stuffed animal, with colorful fall trees in the background.
A happy family of four sitting on a cream-colored couch, smiling at the camera. Dad with a beard and plaid shirt, mom with glasses and red hair, and two young children, a girl in an orange dress and a boy in a blue sweater.
Close-up of a young boy with red hair, smiling broadly, outdoors on green grass.
A family of three and a dog outdoors, all wearing matching red and black plaid clothing, standing in front of a stone wall and grassy hillside.
A family of six standing in front of a wooden wall. Two women, one man, three young girls, all smiling. The family is dressed casually in sweaters and jeans.
Family of three, a man, woman, and a young boy, standing on a wooden bridge in a natural setting with fall foliage and tall grasses.
A happy family of three standing outdoors in snowy landscape, posing in front of evergreen trees. The father is holding a smiling baby girl dressed in a light blue jacket, pink pants, and a white hat. The mother is standing next to them, smiling brig
Two young girls with blonde hair and blue eyes hugging each other and smiling in front of a gray granite background.
A couple holding hands and smiling at each other in an outdoor autumn setting with trees and sunlight
A young girl with red hair and blue eyes lying on green grass with her arms raised, smiling and looking up.
Four children sitting on the grass among autumn leaves in a forested area, smiling and enjoying the sunny day.
A young girl with glasses, wearing a pink long sleeve shirt and burgundy vest, sitting on a blanket outdoors with her brown and tan dog with blue eyes, in front of vibrant autumn foliage.
A family of four walking on a paved trail in a park during fall, holding hands, with colorful autumn trees in the background.
A family having a birthday celebration with children and a woman holding a cupcake with pink and white striped candles, with cupcakes on a tiered stand on the table, and a glass of orange juice.
A family of four standing on a brick pathway in a garden with colorful flowers, green shrubs, and a large tree overhead, smiling at the camera.
A happy family of three sitting on a bed enjoying playful interaction. The father is laughing, the young boy is making a funny face, and the mother is smiling at the boy.
A family of six standing in front of a white barn door decorated with two large Christmas wreaths with bows. They are smiling and looking at each other, with one girl holding a small chalkboard that says "Home for the Holidays."
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