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Start Here if You’re Planning a Session
See how a Traverse City family film preserves the laughter, movement, and connection of a sunset beach session in a way photos alone never can.
Traverse City Family video for a Mom Who Never Want to Forget This Season
family video
june 2026
See how a lifestyle newborn session in Traverse City captures the quiet snuggles, tiny details, and genuine connection of those first weeks at home with your new baby.
Traverse City Lifestyle Newborn Photography | A Relaxed In-Home Session
newborn photography
2026
This Traverse City beach session beautifully captures the joy, connection, and lake life memories that make Northern Michigan summers so special.
Lake Michigan Vacation Family Photos
family beach photography
june 2026
Featured Family Sessions & Stories
see our real families
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This engagement photography session was so much fun, because I got to show these Detroit-natives around my favorite location in Traverse City, the Old State Hospital! And they loved it, which warmed my heart strings right up! We had a blast exploring the rustic brick buildings around the beautiful campus, and ending up on the […]
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I had been looking forward to this surprise proposal photography session for a few weeks – because when Anthony first called me up, asking if I would work with him to pull this idea off, his voice was chalk-full of excitement for the moment when he could ask Angie, if he would be his wife. […]
read all the latest
Start Here if You’re Planning a Session
See how a Traverse City family film preserves the laughter, movement, and connection of a sunset beach session in a way photos alone never can.
Traverse City Family video for a Mom Who Never Want to Forget This Season
family video
june 2026
See how a lifestyle newborn session in Traverse City captures the quiet snuggles, tiny details, and genuine connection of those first weeks at home with your new baby.
Traverse City Lifestyle Newborn Photography | A Relaxed In-Home Session
newborn photography
2026
This Traverse City beach session beautifully captures the joy, connection, and lake life memories that make Northern Michigan summers so special.
Lake Michigan Vacation Family Photos
family beach photography
june 2026
Featured Family Sessions & Stories
see our real families
read the post
Engagement photography in northern Michigan, especially in the winter, and be a gorgeously romantic and run portrait session for all! Add in the smiles and giggles, and two fluffy happy puppies and you’ve got a great combination for an engagement session! Kellen and Joel were great sports tromping through the 3 feet of snow, bearing […]
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Nothing says a winter wonderland engagement pictures in northern Michigan, than 5 inches of snow, 30 mph winds, and a 10 degree day! But this amazing couple braved the cold and the snow for their romantic engagement photography session, and we had some fun to boot! Their easy going smiles and relaxed attitude was the […]
read all the latest
Start Here if You’re Planning a Session
See how a Traverse City family film preserves the laughter, movement, and connection of a sunset beach session in a way photos alone never can.
Traverse City Family video for a Mom Who Never Want to Forget This Season
family video
june 2026
See how a lifestyle newborn session in Traverse City captures the quiet snuggles, tiny details, and genuine connection of those first weeks at home with your new baby.
Traverse City Lifestyle Newborn Photography | A Relaxed In-Home Session
newborn photography
2026
This Traverse City beach session beautifully captures the joy, connection, and lake life memories that make Northern Michigan summers so special.
Lake Michigan Vacation Family Photos
family beach photography
june 2026
Featured Family Sessions & Stories
see our real families
read the post
Engagement photography sessions is one of the most important steps in your wedding planning process. It allows you to meet your photographer, get a feel for each other’s styles and comfortable levels, and gives you solid one-on-one advice and instruction on how to pose and feel natural in front of the camera, before your big […]
Every session you see here is designed to show what family photography actually feels like — relaxed, connected, and centered around your real life, not perfection.
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WHY READ THESE STORIES?
See how sessions actually unfold
Understand what to expect
Get inspiration for your own session
Feel confident before reaching out
Beautiful Images for Your Walls
The only photographer in Northern Michigan offering both family photography and cinematic family films.
Ready to create your own family story?
Whether you're local to Northern Michigan or visiting Lake Michigan for a summer vacation, I’d love to help you preserve this season.
Serving Traverse City, Northern Michigan, and vacationing families on Lake Michigan
inquire to get started
You don’t need perfectly behaved kids or a perfectly planned session — you just need to show up exactly as you are. I’ll guide you through the rest and create a relaxed, meaningful experience your family will actually enjoy.
**If you do not hear from me within 24 hours, check your SPAM**
melissa@luxlightphotography.net
231-883-9500
Traverse City, MI
Thank you!
Thank you for your message! I look forward to being in touch in 1-2 business days.
After you inquire, I’ll personally reach out within 24–48 hours to learn more about your family and the kind of session you’re dreaming of. From there, I’ll help guide you through choosing the perfect location, timing, and session experience so everything feels simple and stress-free. Once your date is officially booked, I’ll send over all the details you need to feel fully prepared — from outfit shoppable links for the whole family, styling guidance, prop choices, and what to expect during your session.
Once you’re ready to move forward, I’ll send over your booking proposal with everything you need in one place — your contract, invoice, and session details. A signed contract and retainer officially reserve your date on my calendar. After that, I’ll guide you through the rest of the process so you can simply look forward to a relaxed, meaningful experience with your family.
Adding a family film to your session is simple and seamless. Video can be added to any photography session, allowing me to preserve not just how this season looked, but how it felt — the movement, laughter, cuddles, and tiny voices you never want to forget. During your session, I naturally capture both photo and video moments together, so the experience stays relaxed and connected for your family.
All you really need to do is show up and love on your people.
I’ll guide you through everything else — from location and timing, to gentle direction during your session so nothing ever feels awkward or forced. There’s no need for perfect outfits, perfect behavior, or a “picture-perfect” day. Just come as you are, be together, and I’ll take care of preserving the rest.
I recommend locations that feel natural, relaxed, and meaningful for your family — places where your kids can be themselves and you can simply enjoy time together.
In and around Traverse City, some of my favorite spots include quiet Lake Michigan beaches at sunset, sandy dunes, open fields with soft golden light, and cozy family cottages or lake homes if you’re vacationing here. The best location is always the one that fits your family’s story, and I’ll help guide you toward a spot that feels beautiful, comfortable, and true to this season of your life.
Don't worry - as a fellow mom, we've alllll been there on the days where there are meltdowns, more tears than smiles, and just an "off" day! Or maybe the kiddos are wound up and seem to have drank at least 10 cans of Coke. It's all going to be OK, I promise!
This is where working WITH the kids is so important. We've got lots of tricks up our sleeves - from bribes, fun games, engaging and competitive prompts....we will work with the kids to help them (and you) feel relaxed and comfortable.
We'll have backup plans and rescheduling options available. No worries — I am always watching the weather and will give you the best options available.