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

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

Two young children peek through a partially drawn curtain by a window, with one child's leaning face and the other child's partial figure visible.
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.

Woman with blonde hair and glasses smiling in a bright kitchen, holding a camera and standing near a countertop.

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.

A woman with long blonde hair and glasses holding a smiling young boy outdoors with a blurred man in the foreground, surrounded by trees.

Your Life, As It Is

A couple looks lovingly at a pregnant woman sitting on the floor, with a dog lying beside them, in a cozy living room.
Domino, a yellow and white dog, is sleeping on a beige rug under a coffee table, with humans sitting on couches behind and to the side, drinking beverages.

The ohana signature

A half or full-day session rooted in presence and unscripted connection. With time to settle in and let your guard down, I’ll capture the slow mornings, spontaneous adventures, shared meals, and quiet endings that make up your real life. This is immersive storytelling—your story, just as it is.

Two children, a girl and a boy, running and playing on a grassy field with trees in the background, smiling and appearing joyful.
A happy family enjoying a picnic on the grass in a park with two children playing nearby.

The OHANA essential

An up to two-hour session designed for focused, heartfelt storytelling. I’ll follow your family’s natural rhythm—from cozy routines to backyard play—documenting honest moments and tender connections that define this season of life.

A woman with two children in a kitchen, one child seated at the table and the woman preparing food, all in black and white.
A family with a young girl playing with a beagle puppy indoors on a beige carpet, with colorful toys nearby.

This is the good stuff.

A smiling baby in a striped maroon and white outfit being held by an adult man, with another man reaching out to touch the baby's hand, outdoors during daytime.

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.

That special connection between a father and his daughter is unlike any other. The shared secrets, the inside jokes, the way he’ll always be her biggest fan. What's a special memory you have with your dad? Share it with me below!👇
This is the everyday you'll want to remember.✨
My heart behind this business is simple: to make sure you are present in the memories that truly matter. Your everyday beauty, your unfiltered love, your irreplaceable bond with your family – these are the moments I want to capture for you. My
I love everything about this image. It's in the details, for me. Her perfectly nestled spot on Dad's lap, one foot casually propped, the other dangling free. It's in Dad's quiet presence, squeezed into that tiny chair, a look of profound wonder on h
Client previews just dropped and I'm already itching to deliver the full gallery! So excited for you to see it all. Get ready for a collection full of genuine giggles, sweet connections, and all those beautifully candid moments that truly tell your f
In a world that often rushes us, my work is about slowing down and truly seeing the good stuff. The quiet moments with your baby curled on your chest, the laughter from the other room, a sideways glance between siblings. These are the threads that we
Hi, I’m Mel I’ve had a camera in my hand for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was the girl who always had a disposable camera in her bag — at school, summer camp, hanging with friends — snapping photos just because I
✨ Some stories are told in stillness, where the magic lies. ✨ For years, I've observed the tender, unscripted moments that make up a life. Now, my new website is officially LIVE! It's a space reflecting how I see the world – where honest connec
The countdown is officially on! ✨ Just a few more days until my brand new website and updated offerings go live next week! I've been dreaming up this new online home for Mel Usry Photography, and I can't wait for you to experience it – a cozy c