Imagine breathing the sigh of relief you crave, having hired a trusted Engagement Photographer (aka like an extra bestie / mom), to lead you throughout the entire photoshoot planning process so that by the time your once-in-a-lifetime day arrives, you are guaranteed a joy-filled, stress-free experience for your entire session (envision spending your photoshoot as if you were on vacation, without a care in the world instead of running amok, afraid you’ll miss any of the important details.)
Fun-loving, feels-like-you authentic Engagement photos for playful families who value images that tell YOUR heartfelt story
a fun, authentic Engagement photography experience
L
L
AS SEEN ON
I believe in making your portraits feel like you and your fiance, without the angst to be perfect or cookie-cutter. I make it easy to capture the real you, to show off your authentic self with confidence and fun.
PROMISE
my
You’ve been dreaming of hanging those precious family photos across your home.
But everytime you break out the camera trying to get those silly and adorable split-second moments, the kiddos decide in that second to have a meltdown, miss their nap, stain their white shirt you spent hours perusing Pinterest for, and ultimately make it feel more like a chore rather than a fun experience for you to cherish. You’re not alone, I’ve been there (I lament, sobbing into my Merlot).
You mumble to yourself “I just wanted one good picture!” while cleaning up the spilled juice.
Family photos don’t have to be the ultimate stress test for you (even if past photoshoots seem to prove this true!) You’re tired of missing out on all those little moments between you and your kids, and never having any way to enjoy them again.
You see the tender and loving touches between your kids, and know that their smiles will bring you happiness for the rest of your life. It’s your ONE WISH to have these sweet moments preserved forever and adorn your home’s walls.
My promise to you: A stress-free experience (and the fun feels-like-you photos to prove it)
let's Work together
You don’t need to spend your hired photoshoot looking over your shoulder, praying that your photographer isn’t missing a single detail that you spent loooooong months dreaming and wishing for (not to mention if you're vacationing in Traverse City and have this one-and-only chance to capture those adventurous, beach Lake Michigan photos you LOVE).
You've got enough on your plate
Your Engagement Photos will reflect the authentic heart and story of your relationship (not the cookiecutter ‘gram photos you see everyone else spew, but REAL moments captured for REAL couples)
Authentic heart & story-telling
will lead you from stress to ease, as I manage every situation / person / event the day of your photoshoot, ensuring you can relax and enjoy your day, as if you were on vacation 24/7 (count me as your extra mom bestie who knows exactly what you need so you feel supported and understood all day long)
My trusted award-winning wedding service
as a Traverse City Engagement Portrait Photographer guarantees a full 100+ pictures in your photo gallery that will highlight the most pivotal once-in-a-lifetime laughter, blowing kisses, playing in the sand moments you’ve dreamed of your entire mom life
My unparalleled 15+ years experience
Just Imagine...
But what if the solution wasn’t just dreaming about a Engagement shoot, but actually hiring a photographer whose
1 GOAL is the SAME AS YOURS?
^^ Because your memories matter...
These are the kinds of photos that will always bring you back to these precious moments, to remind you why you fell in love in the first place.
Because all of those little not-so-perfect things you love about your partner - the way he attempts to smooth your hair and only makes it soooo much worse; the way he is stubborn and difficult yet the most lovable (and secret softie when it comes to dogs); the way he always knows to bring you your favorite Brownie when you’ve had a bad day - those are the things that make beautiful, meaningful relationships (and therefore deserve to be showcased as the REAL you, even on a hectic day like your Engagement photo session!)
We have the same goal in mind - to highlight your authentic love story between you and your fiance, keeping this fleeting moment (and heart-felt story) alive for decades to come.
Cassandra, traverse city mi
I
NO
"Melissa was great to work with! She was patient and easygoing with our five energetic children, and she did a great job capturing beautiful moments with an artistic eye. Plus, she returned our edited photos sooner than promised. The photos look beautiful! I highly recommend working with Melissa!"
MAY & PETER, traverse city mi
"Working with Melissa was a dream. She made our day so enjoyable. We felt totally comfortable and loved every second of it. Our photos turned out perfect. I would absolutely recommend working with her for any event."
II
No
Simon & Liz, traverse city mi
III
No
"We loved working with Melissa! We traveled to Traverse City for our babymoon and thought it would be fun to take maternity photo while we were there. Melissa picked the perfect locations for us and sent helpful tips before our shoot to make sure we were prepared. Taking photos can be kind of awkward, but she was so comfortable and easy to work with, which definitely helped us to relax. I highly recommend her!"
got married and started our own family with the greatest love of my life
2023 /
engagements, proposals, maternity & newborn portrait shoots in beautiful northern michigan
800+ /
years awarded the knot's best wedding photographer in michigan award
4 + /
experience as a fine art Engagement photographer in michigan and landscape painter
15 yrs /
Engagement portraits & photoshoots in traverse city, glen arbor, petoskey and northern michigan
1,000+ /
YEARS
Through the
Your Engagement Photos are the only part of your day/vacation/year you get to take with you for the rest of your life (imagine if you never had any pictures of you and your fiance doing what truly lights you up - playing, laughing, swinging them around... lost forever to you?!) I know this pain! And I NEVER want you to feel this lifelong regret.
it’s no secret...
Introducing our unparalleled, stress-free experience for the mom who values story-driven images that are authentically YOU
Once you book with us, receive a life’s worth of inspiring step-by-step Photoshoot advice (especially if you’re planning a destination vacation in Traverse City), customized Day-Of Timeline, Family Shot Lists, Outfit Guidelines, and Posing Instructions to feel candid and REAL - all to easily set you up for success - so you can experience your Family Pictures in Northern Michigan with vibrancy and joy in a way that works for YOU… all designed and curated so you can receive the best gallery of photos you will ever have!
This process is the exact method I have used to perfect the Engagement photo experience of over 1000+ couples...and 15+ years photographing weddings in Traverse City of award-winning experience for moms JUST like you, looking to hire a portrait photographer that feels more like another bestie, rather than a random stranger.
curated for
our cherished brides
PACKAGES
our engagement
An online gallery with unlimited downloads (FREE for you, your family, and your extended family members so they can enjoy your pictures as much as you) Including an option to order prints, canvases, and albums directly from your gallery, without the hassle of trying to figure it out all on your own
Online Gallery
100 beautifully curated images to tell your authentic story, edited with an artistic light & airy style (no slapping on random filters - I personally hand-craft each and every single photo that I create for you)
100 Fine Art Images
60 Min of Coverage
1 hour of Engagement portrait coverage in beautiful location of your choice (whether its sand dunes, beaches, Lake Michigan, botanical gardens + more)
Custom designed Engagement Package, designed specifically for you to achieve your dream photos with you and your spouse.
Custom Package
With the push of a button, you will have a photographer (aka like another best-friend / photographer who always has your back) here to take care of every detail from today until after your photoshoot, so you can always feel fully supported and understood
Book today, and you’ll walk away with all this good stuff. Every Engagement Photo Package includes:
Book today, and you’ll walk away with all this good stuff. Every family package also includes:
Want to dive deeper into our fun-loving photography package?
All-you’ll-ever-need Outfit Guide and Posing Guide (+ a secret Pinterest Board for your dream outfit inspo)
Outfit & Posing Guide
BONUS 3
An Exclusive Engagement Photoshoot Magazine that will walk you through all your session planning needs so you don’t have to spend hours scouring the internet for answers - it’s all put together in a beautiful digital magazine exclusively for our Lux Light Brides
Exclusive Photoshoot Magazine
BONUS 2
A personalized Photoshoot Timeline that is tailored to a successful outcome for all your personal details, favorite locations, pose inspiration, and more (written exclusively by me, for you!)
Day-Of Timeline
BONUS 1
A Photo Shot List for the day-of, so you don’t have to fear leaving anyone out and feel guilty later on
Photo Shot List
BONUS 6
All booking is completed online for your convenience, so you can save your session details on your own time (I know how busy you are!)
Online Booking for Convenience
BONUS 5
Coordination for the best lighting and location inspiration for all your family photos, ensuring you get those dream images you've always longed for (beach, dunes, you name it!)
Location + Lighting Suggestions
BONUS 4
Unlimited monthly communication with me so you can rest assured someone always has your back and knows exactly what you want executed, down to the smallest detail
Unlimited Communication
BONUS 9
Hand-edited images all fine-tuned personally by me (no computer-generated, lack-luster filters used here!)
Hand-edited Imaged
BONUS 8
Fast turnaround time to receive your edited images after the photoshoot (don’t be one of those horror stories that has to hound their photographer for a glimpse at their pics even months after the day!)
Receive Your Images Quickly
BONUS 7
bonus 10
The best heart-led Engagement photos of your life. Period.
View next
roberta robinson
from
Melissa was a dream to work with. Such a great communicator prior to my big day but on the actual day, her creativity just flowed"
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What our brides are saying
01/04
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may + peter swift
from
Melissa was an absolute joy to work with!! Highly recommend!!! From the moment we booked she had incredible communication and many words of wisdom and advice along the way. On our photoshoot she was very professional and also made us feel very comfortable and at ease. We can’t say enough great things about our experience with her.
“
WHAT OUR MOMS ARE SAYING
02/04
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simon + liz smith
from
Stop what you're doing right now and reserve Melissa! The images she captured are once-in-a-lifetime & gorgeous!”
“
WHAT OUR MOMS ARE SAYING
03/04
View next
amiee danson
from
I feel like there are not enough words to describe how truly amazing our experience with our choice for Melissa as our photographer for our wedding. Not only was she incredible with constant communication. She made us feel at ease with everything."
“
WHAT OUR MOMS ARE SAYING
04/04
Imagine getting to finally hang those REAL feels-like-you Engagement photos (with a fun & stress-free experience to prove it) on your home's walls, so you can remember all the best parts about being a bride.
With this one click, you’ve procured a best-friend and photographer all-in-one. I’ll be in touch monthly to help you create your perfect timeline, shot list and more. Expect me to be your voice and backbone from today until even after your portrait date
Pop the Champaigne (or double-shot espresso)
Once you choose your Engagement Package, you’ll receive a digital invoice to pay your deposit (50% down) and sign your contract. This will officially save your date for your Northern Michigan photoshoot!
Select Your Custom Engagement Package
Fill out an inquiry form with your estimated photoshoot date and the vision you have for your day. I will then be able to send you our Pricing Guide with any custom packaging needs to help you achieve your dream Engagement pictures.
Contact Us
IS EASY:
BOOKING
Book today, and you’ll walk away with all this good stuff!
Our Engagement Portrait Sessions start at $450 for the entire 1 hour of coverage, online gallery, and all 10 bonuses
Led by her heart-and-soul, who takes the time to genuinely get to know you and what truly will warm your heart (and your home’s walls) for decades to come.
Hire a best-friend-turned-photographer you know and trust,
with over 1,000 photoshoots under her belt
Don't worry - we will work on getting those "Christmas Card" pictures where everyone is ACTUALLY looking at the camera (yes miracles do happen ;)
But we can also play games, get dirty, sing awkwardly loudly and run amok, to bring out those authentic relationships. It's all about balance!
you value play just as much as slowing down
No, things aren’t going to go perfectly on the day of…but you’re ok rolling with the punches and enjoying the intimate moments with your fiance
You cherish the present moment and want to enjoy the experience of your family time (presence over perfection, please!)
You’re more about the REAL moments and REAL laughter that feels like you.
You don’t want a photoshoot gallery full of awkward looks and weird unfamiliar poses
You’re in the right place if
adventurous
well-traveled
planning their next trip
playful
unapologetic
thoughtful
wine enthusiasts
avid-readers
adventurous
well-traveled
planning their next trip
playful
unapologetic
thoughtful
wine enthusiasts
avid-readers
adventurous
well-traveled
planning their next trip
playful
unapologetic
our clients are
who we work with /
Plus, she returned our edited photos sooner than promised. The photos look beautiful! I highly recommend working with Melissa!" - Erin, family shoot in glen arbor, mi
"Melissa was great to work with! She was patient and easygoing with our five energetic children, and she did a great job capturing beautiful moments with an artistic eye."
Kind words from our Mommas
let's Work together
Because I am so confident in the service and high-end photos that I PROMISE to deliver to my families, I am only a click away from any communication, questions or support that you need throughout this entire portrait photoshoot planning process. I’m here from start to finish for YOU (no fear of ghosting here). My service is tailored and customized to you (which is why I am VERY LIMITED with my bookings.
Your happiness, guaranteed (aka I’ve always got your back!)
Hey, I’m Melissa, and I believe in creating dreamy, REAL family photos for REAL couples, who value joy over hustle, fun in the present moment, and laughing at the imperfect moments of life.
Because your portrait shoot is more than just a one-and-done sorta day. It’s a huge milestone that you’ve been waiting for your entire lifetime for. And as a professional painter-turned-photographer, I’m here to tell the visual story of your day, led with heartfelt emotion and genuine experiences with the people you cherish most to share in this magical moment in your kid's livesx.
Years from now, I don’t want you to look back and feel like your photos are just another digital folder on your desktop that you should do something with. Every time you view your gallery, my goal is to transport you right back to the moment, so you can relive and fall head over heels in love with being a mom, all over again.
I’m your sunset chaser, dog lover, probably-make-weird-faces-at-your-kids kinda girl
About melissa
As someone who ACTUALLY promises to be dedicated to your happiness, I will be here for you, day in and day out, to be your cheerleader and support system and to personally guarantee that you will LOVE your family portraits.
over 145+
5-star reviews
we love our moms + families
We love our brides and the unique stories that define who they are and the heart of their relationship with their kids (stories that are now preserved for all time)
signature
BROWSE our
WORK
Traverse City, Michigan
location
frequently asked questions
we love open and candid conversations
For most of your Engagement photoshoot, I have a photo-journalistic style. This means that I am constantly documenting the laughter that turns to games of "tag", the moment your hubby brushes back your wind blown hair, and the way your husband teases and jokes with you. It’s real. It’s raw. It’s beautiful. These are the pictures that reflect the one goal I have for you - to transport you back to the realness of who you are as a family, and how you’ve chosen to celebrate with vacation all together.
But let’s be honest - we all (and I include myself in this category) are secretly dying for those wind-swept beach pictures, the vivid sunset images as you and the kids hold hands staring at the horizon, and the ONE photo that will make us swoon every time we see it (aka our new Christmas Card). These moments often come with a little help and suggestion from me - which is why we also spend some time posing in natural, golden light, and setting yourself up for a gorgeous mix of both candid and posed images. You never have to choose just one or the other - I guarantee you will see both styles reflected in your Engagement picture gallery for you to love.
You’re not alone in this feeling. Most of my couples come to me with the admission that they’ve never hired a professional photographer before. But this is great news! It means we get the opportunity to be REAL with each other. I am here to coach and direct you every step of the way. We most often will start off with some more posed and smiling pictures (just to get those creative juices flowing.) As the session progresses, you’ll be pleasantly surprised how fast you start laughing and becoming more at ease in front of the camera. This is when we start incorporating a great mix of both posed and candid images. They tell a story - your story! Led with true heart and genuine emotion. And you never have to worry about choosing a photographer who is only good at posing, or who refuses to pose you and leaves you hanging for “candid” images. I’ve got you (and you can count on both styles in your gallery!)
I pride myself on a quick turnaround (I don’t want you to become one of those horror stories where you practically have to track down your photographer to get your hands on your images!) You will receive your entire gallery of images (all hand-edited personally by me) quickly, so that right away, you can keep your love and enjoyment of your wedding day alive!
The photos will all be delivered to you in an online digital gallery. Unlimited downloads for you, your family and your extended (if you choose to share the gallery with them) is guaranteed!
Ummmm yes! I’m a Pinterest-aholic myself. So I love a good inspiration board. Send ‘em all my way and guarantee that you and I are on the same page for the duration of your Engagement portrait shoot together.
Inquire through my Contact Page, or send me an email to melissa@luxlightphotography. If you are from a different area and are vacationing in the Northern Michigan or Traverse City area, I suggest booking your family photos as quick as you can, so you can make sure I am available for your vacation dates. Contact me ASAP, to see if I still have your desired portrait photoshoot date available.
Keep the memories,
the genuine laughter,
& the feels-like-you fun spirit of your fiance alive with the right photographer!
book your Engagement pictures
Everyone says planning your wedding is a blur, but it doesn’t have to be…
SUBMIT >
ready to book? have questions?
Please, fill out the form below with as much information as possible-this will give you the best answer from me! email me at melissa@luxlightphotography.net If you don't hear back within 24 hours, please check your SPAM!
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Please note that office hours at 12-4pm, M-F. I will respond to your email within that time frame. If you email me on the weekend, I will respond the following Monday. Thank you!