For the moments that don’t seem like much, but mean everything.

Documentary-style photography for families & businesses in Northern Virginia and beyond.

Two young children looking outside a window through a curtain, one peeking behind, in a black and white photo.
Gray logo with a stylized letter M inside a circle

Some stories are told in stillness.

The kind you don’t notice until you’re on the other side of them. A quiet morning with your baby curled on your chest. Laughter from the other room. A sideways glance between siblings. These are the moments that make up a life—and too often, they live only in memory.

Your phone is full of pictures of your people. But the one person who’s always missing? You.

That’s where I come in.

I’ll step into your world for a little while—an hour, an afternoon, a full day—and capture your family just as they are, and you as you truly are: present, connected, beautifully real. No stiff posing. Just the ordinary magic of your life, preserved in images that feel like memory.

A woman standing outdoors in front of a shrub with pink flowers, holding a camera, smiling, wearing a striped brown jumpsuit and sandals.

Hi, I’m Mel.

I’ve always been the quiet one in the room—watching, noticing, piecing together the stories unfolding in real time. Long before I became a photographer, I was studying the way people love each other. The small gestures. The unspoken rhythms. The feelings just beneath the surface.

Now, I get to hand those moments back.

As a mom, educator, and someone endlessly drawn to connection, this work is deeply personal. I don’t pose or direct—I observe. And I photograph the parts of your life you’re too close to see clearly.

The truth is, it’s already beautiful. I’m just here to show you.

Mom. Educator. Photographer.
Lifelong observer of emotion & connection.

More about Me
A woman is kissing a young boy on the cheek, and they are looking at each other. The photo is in black and white.

Your Life, As It Is

A young man wearing a beanie and a smartwatch hugs a young girl on a sofa; she is wearing a flower-patterned dress and is holding her hand to her face.
A woman holding a young girl in a kitchen near a window.

For Families

Day in the Life Family Sessions: A documentary approach to family photography, focused on capturing real moments, natural connection, and the small details that make your family yours — exactly as you are, right now.

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A woman wearing a tiara and jewelry is raising a glass for a toast at an outdoor dinner party with food and candles on the table.
A group of adults sitting around a conference table in a meeting room, with some engaging in conversation, some looking at papers, and others working on their devices. There are water bottles, coffee mugs, and baby items on the table, and a woman is standing and speaking to the group.

For Businesses

Documentary Brand & Workshop Sessions: Documentary sessions that capture workshops, classes, and your real work in action — highlighting your process, people, and purpose with intention.

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A woman standing at a kitchen table, holding a baby, with a young child sitting in a high chair nearby, in a black and white photo.
A family with a man, woman, and young girl sitting on the carpet, with a beagle dog nearby. The woman pets the dog, and the girl looks at a book. Colorful toys are on the floor.

This is the good stuff.

View Work
A baby with a playful expression, held by two men, outdoors in a park or yard.

STEAL MY FREEBIE

Is a Documentary Session Right for You?

A gentle guide to understanding honest, unposed family photography and whether it’s the right fit for your life right now.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about booking photos because you don’t want to pose, perform, or make your life look a certain way, this guide is for you..

Get the free guide
A couple sitting on a gray couch in a bright living room, leaning on each other and laughing. The room has white walls, large windows with shutters, and various decor including a mirror, a framed painting, a table lamp, and a vase with flowers.
A family lying on the floor looking up and smiling.

Kind Words

  • Mel did a great job taking and editing photos of our growing family! She was very helpful during the shoot, quickly providing feedback and suggestions when needed. I can't wait to proudly display the photos in our home!

    Benjamin H.

  • Mel's talent, skill, and warm personality are the perfect combination for creating not just stellar photos, but lasting memories. We were so moved after our maternity session that we immediately booked another to document our growing family. Her honest, heartfelt style captures the real life moments and subtle beauty that pull on our heartstrings every time we look back.

    Caroline T.

  • Mel came to our home to do a lifestyle shoot with my husband, two year old and pup. She did an amazing job and captured some photos of us that we'll cherish forever. It really just felt like a lovely Sunday morning hanging out at home and we happened to get some amazing photos as a result!

    Juliana A.

  • Mel was so wonderful to work with! She captured the sweetest little moments of my family at the park that looked so natural and effortless. She delivered so many photos in the final gallery. I will cherish these family photos forever!

    Katie A.

Stories Worth Remembering. View on the Blog.

Stories Worth Remembering. View on the Blog.

Stories Worth Remembering. View on the Blog.

Stories Worth Remembering. View on the Blog. Stories Worth Remembering. View on the Blog. Stories Worth Remembering. View on the Blog.

If family photos start to feel a little like déjà vu… you’re not imagining it.⁠ ⁠ Same spot.⁠ Same poses.⁠ Same “okay everyone smile” moment — year after year.⁠ ⁠ That’s what happens when photos are
One of the most meaningful parts of this work is what clients share *after*.⁠ ⁠ Not about poses or planning — but about how it felt.⁠ ⁠ How easy it was to relax.⁠ ⁠ How moments they didn’t think to photograph were suddenly preserved.⁠ ⁠ H
Seeing the world again through his eyes. ❄️
Getting ready for the snow looks a little different these days. Less forecasting, more watching this kid take it all in. 🤩 I can’t wait to see his face in the morning when the ground is covered and the world slows down for a day (or maybe eve
A lot of families worry they’d do a photoshoot wrong.⁠ ⁠ They think they’re not interesting enough.⁠ That their house isn’t ready.⁠ That their kids won’t cooperate.⁠ That they need to clean, prepare, perform… or somehow
Two seasons. One unfolding story.⁠ Life rarely shifts all at once.⁠ ⁠ That’s how seasons work; one leads into the next before you even realize it’s happening.⁠ ⁠ This is what I love about documenting life this way. You don’t just re
This work is less about checking boxes and more about paying attention.⁠ ⁠ My sessions are built around real life; not expectations.⁠ ⁠ Whether I’m documenting a family or a business, the approach stays the same: slow down, observe, and preserv