Families, Beach, Lifestyle, Senior Yearbook Photos + More

New Hampshire Family Photographer

Soft Smiles. Warm Hugs. Vibrant Family Gatherings. Playful Beach Days. Memorable Senior Year Moments. Authentically You.

As the default historian, You already understand how crucial it is to capture the essence of your family’s journey.

You recognize the value of freezing this moment in time, those precious, fleeting memories you want to hold onto forever, and the value of being in those photos together.

You’re not looking for staged, all-day photo shoots or a catalog of every possible pose. You ARE looking for a session with all the digital files to download and enjoy. No post-session sales meetings to bog up your schedule.

You crave the experience – joyous, unburdened celebrations of love and life, shared with those closest to you. You want the peace of mind that comes from feeling understood and taken care of, knowing someone is there capturing your moments before you even think to ask.

You’re searching for a photographer who gets it—that family dynamics are beautifully diverse, that candid, intimate snapshots matter (and often tell the best stories), and that your session is about preserving your memories, not just filling a portfolio.

NH Family Photographer specializing in capturing unique family bonds, playful beach adventures, heartfelt senior yearbook moments, and more for New Hampshire’s beautifully non-traditional families, New England’s diverse dynamics, Maine’s joyous occasions, and beyond.

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.

In most cases, there will be availability on my schedule within the month. Sometimes, as soon as the next day. A good rule of thumb is 3-4 weeks before you’d like to complete the session. If you’re looking for a specific family member’s visit, let me know so we can reserve the correct time frame.

I absolutely do! They’re a different product offering than a standard family session as the logistics of the beach are more intricate. You can read all about beach timing HERE. Just let me know which beach/area you’re considering when you contact me and I’ll send along the info you need!

Unless you all wear matching outfits in real life, now is not the time to start. Wear what gives you the best internal feeling and the most external joy!

  • Choose Comfort and Personality: Wear what makes you feel great. Don’t worry about matching perfectly; outfits that show off your personality are key.
  • Color is Key: Embrace vibrant colors – color is magic!
  • Think twice: I recommend avoiding all-white or all-black outfits. Once you’re in the light, White can become see-through and pairing black with navy can look mismatched. If you are going for the white beach look, consider layers if sheer is not the look you want.
  • Looking for Ideas? Check out Pinterest for inspiration, but remember, don’t overthink it! Pick a color and build out from there. Pick your favorite shirt and plan your families outfits around it, let everyone pick their own thing – there’s no wrong answer!
  • For Kids: If they’re wearing dresses, add leggings or bloomers for freedom to play and move comfortably.

All packages include your high resolution digital files to be shared with your family. You may make personal prints from your files. You may not profit off your digital files.

Travel within 90 minutes of Exeter, NH. (with the exception of mini-sessions.)

Contact me! My sessions are priced geographically, so once you let me know where you’re considering your session, I can send you the correct, all-inclusive collection info!

Embracing their energy, I employ fun activities and switch between techniques to keep the session lively and capture natural, joyful expressions while ensuring a smooth experience. And if for some reason, it’s not “smooth” have no fear, the beauty will be there.

Yes, absolutely. I’ve always had a certain patience & flexibility in my sessions, nearly 20+ years of family photography – 🙈🙉🙊😂

However, it’s become even more personal in recent years. Discovering that my own family runs deep through the Autism and ADHD communities has enriched my understanding, education, and empathy toward those with sensory needs. My “Spectrum Sessions” have always held a special place in my heart, but now, armed with personal experience and more learning every day, I’m even more committed to ensuring every session is a place where everyone can feel comfortable and accepted, leaving any concerns about ‘not photo session’ behavior at the door.

Here’s how we achieve this:

  • Energized Mornings: Aim for early sessions when families are at their brightest and most energetic—full of “spoons” and ready to face the day without the fatigue that comes later.
  • A Place Like Home: Consider warm and welcoming settings that are not overstimulating and will help children feel at ease and safe. Sometimes, the home is the perfect place, and other times, getting away from home will create the space needed.
  • Favorite Things: Encouraging the inclusion of a cherished toy can significantly ease comfort and reduce anxiety, making the photography session a more familiar and enjoyable experience for the child. Additionally, it’s a wonderful opportunity for me to connect and engage with the kids through something they love and feel comfortable with.
  • Going with the Flow: Take an adaptable approach, be ready to take breaks, and adjust the pace according to what the child needs at the moment.
  • Patience and Guidance: Rest assured, if your child needs time to settle, my patience is enduring. Feel free to signal if you sense a break is needed, and I’ll certainly let you know if I could use your help. Otherwise, trust that I give the children the lead, offering grace and space for them to be themselves while maintaining clear communication and cultivating a tranquil environment for the best possible experience.

I’m here to chat whenever you’d like, to explore how we can tailor a photography session that feels just right for your child.

Of course! Gift certificates are available in any amount.

Family and Lifestyle Photography New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine

Capturing the perfect family moment or immortalizing your senior year in photos can seem daunting, especially when you’re aiming for something fun, authentic, and relaxed. You might be tempted to wonder if a simple selfie stick could do the trick, right?

However, when it comes to photography, there’s so much more beneath the surface. They’re not just digital keepsakes; they’re your family’s laughter, your kid’s quirky, funny faces, your beloved pets, senior year’s milestones, and your playful beach days captured for eternity. With these photos, you can relive the joy, the spontaneity, and all those moments that make your life uniquely wonderful.

Finding a photographer who truly gets your family’s vibe is crucial. You’re not just looking for someone to stand behind a lens; you want a partner who will dive into the vibrancy and warmth of your lives, someone who can effortlessly capture the essence of who you are, whether it’s through playful, candid shots or beautifully composed portraits.

Invest in a photographer eager to capture the spirit of your moments – the jokes shared between shots, the wind-blown hair at the beach, and the proud smiles of achievement. These are the stories you’ll want to tell and retell, the memories you’ll look back on fondly.

It’s all about celebrating life as it happens, cherishing each moment with the care and attention it deserves. Let’s make every photo count, capturing the real, the joyful, and the heartfelt. Together, we’ll create snapshots of love and laughter that will be treasured for generations.

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.

Celebrating the spectrum of family fun, beach frolics, senior successes, and the rich tapestry of neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ experiences keeps me dedicated to authentically capturing the essence of your unique moments. I see and celebrate you for who you truly are, embracing your unabashed joy, your quiet moments of reflection, the chic appeal of your bright yet monochromatic wardrobe, or your proud display of identity.

Together, we’ll work to capture the full range of authentic moments, from the serene to the chaotic, the subtle to the exuberant. Trust in my ability to document not only the smiles and reflective gazes but also the wild laughter, the bursts of movement, and the lively expressions of personality and sass. Your life—with all its love, vibrancy, and distinctiveness—is a story worth telling. Let’s join forces to create photographs that echo your truth in all its gloriousness!

Newsletter Signup