feel beautiful & confident

in front of the camera, without the stress of hoping your session goes well

I help newly engaged couples experience all the joys of their wedding planning by providing a luxury experience during your engagement session. I want you to feel more confident and beautiful with each passing moment, so you can trust that these once-in-a-lifetime images will withstand the test of time and memory, so that you never have to stress or worry that this fleeting experience will be forgotten. 

I have photographed over 300+ weddings and I can promise you that each fine art image in your gallery, with take your breath away and will leave you feeling happier and more in love with each other with each passing day.

finally

hey I'm Melissa

we've been featured in

leading publications

you've always wanted breathtaking images of you and your fiance...

but you know that you've only got one shot to make this happen - and you don't want to be disappointed!

engagement experience

the once-in-a-lifetime

this moment only happens once. don't spend your precious time together worrying. there is another way to feel confident & beautiful & to finally have images of you together, without the fear that it'll never turn out...

When Cory (my husband) and I were first engaged, it felt like my entire world was made more alive! I felt like we were so in love, that I couldn't possibly grow to cherish him anymore than I already did. My heart almost hurt from containing the excitement that finally...FINALLY...I had found the one whom my soul most loved.

But I made one HUGE mistake...

Our 8 years of being together has told me that on that day when Cory proposed, as we walked hand in hand on the beach, a soft mist overtaking our faces, the waves of Lake Michigan lapping at the shoreline...that our story was just beginning. 

And it did!

But let me tell you where it went all wrong...our engagement photos. Or, as I should say, our lake of...

Not knowing anything about the wedding industry at the time, I searched and searched google for the "perfect photographer." I read all sorts of "pretty" promises and thought I had booked a gal that would provide me with pictures of the two of us (something we never had, aside from the lame, weirdly angled selfie.)

I got my hair and makeup done for the first time in my life, and I showed up to the engagement session more excited (and nervous) than I had ever been in my life...

My promise to you: you will walk away from our session gorgeous, more in love with each other now than ever. You will experience confidence that your images tell your authentic story, and will forever be a cherished start to your legacy and your story together.

let me tell you a secret...

I wanted images of my husband that I loved. But what I needed more, was guidance - I wanted to trust that I could feel beautiful and confident despite the nerves and self-doubts I had deep down - I had never been in front of the camera before, and I didn't want it to show...

That's where everything went wrong for us. I don't look back on those engagement images today and cherish them. I don't feel excited to see them, or motivated to love my husband more today than I did yesterday. I feel disappointed, and remorse that I did not experience the joy and fun that so many of my friends claimed to do, during their sessions. 

And the worst part? I can NEVER get this moment back...

YOU WILL NEVER EXPERIENCE THE SAME SINKING FEELING IN YOUR STOMACH, THE SAME NERVES, OR THE SAME PAIN IN YOUR HEARTT THAT MAKES YOU FEEL ANYTHING LESS THAN PERFECT.


"She just makes you feel so comfortable and has a great eye for creative photos for everlasting memories"

As soon as I contacted Melissa via email… I knew she was the one! She was sincere in her response and I could sense her passion for photography and weddings before ever even meeting her. We loved her so much! If you are looking for a sincere photographer with a passion for what she does, Lux Light Photography is where it is at. Melissa is wonderful, relaxing and creative. She just makes you feel so comfortable and has a great eye for creative photos for everlasting memories.

Hayley, LuxLight Bride, Traverse City Michigan

"Thank you, Lux Light Photography, for helping make our big day perfect and beautiful in every way!"

Wow, is all I can say! Lux Light Photography, Melissa Lande, is AMAZING! My husband and I are beyond thrilled with the beautiful photos this talented photographer took at our wedding in Michigan! Melissa was great to work with and made us, our bridal party, our family and guests feel completely at ease and comfortable. She was able to capture all the emotions of the day!! We adored them! Thank you, Lux Light Photography, for helping make our big day perfect and beautiful in every way!

Kallie, Lux Light Bride, Traverse City Michigan

"People said that they were the best wedding photos that they have ever seen."

Leading up to the wedding, Melissa would send me helpful tips to prepare myself for the big day. She seemed like the genuinely was excited for my wedding and really wanted to help make it the best experience ever. I would consider Melissa a friend now. She treated me like one. I would recommend her services to anyone who is looking for the best pictures ever for their engagement or wedding. You will not be disappointed. She is simply the best!

Michelle, Lux Light Bride, Traverse City Michigan

"THE BEST ONE EVER!!!"

THE BEST ONE EVER!!! Melissa was so patient, considerate, very pleasant and happy to work with and indescribably talented at her job! She is just too amazing for words.

Sophie, Lux Light Bride, Traverse City Michigan

WHAT CLIENTS ARE SAYING

your engagement
experience

luxury, fine art film images

for the modern romantic couple

the engagement package includes:

Each session is carefully curated to fit your individual needs. I help plan the entire session, from suggestions to posing, lighting, outfit selections, recommended hair & makeup artists, a 60-page Styled Guide (yours to keep), and props to guarantee that each image you receive will take your breath away (without any stress or worry if you've never been in front of the camera before.)

—1 to 2 hour session
—2 locations & 2 outfit choices
—50 high resolution images
—Online gallery storage and access to images
—Print release for your images
—Easily save, print & download your images with ease & share with family

book your session

View Wedding Services

Investment $450

book your session

the real lux light experience

Want to see the REAL experience you will receive when choosing Lux Light Photography for your special day! Tune in below for some fun, behind-the-scenes footage and imagine your dream wedding along the way!

what if you could have the best wedding photos you've ever seen

WITHOUT THE STRESS OR ANXIETY OF BEING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA?

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!

Please check your SPAM folder if you do not get a response from me within 24 hours! This will ensure that you can get your wedding info and photography booked as quick as you need it!

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!

thank you!

i have the answers for you

so you can feel comfortable & confident during your session

how long does our session last?

WE AREN’T VERY COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, HOW WILL WE KNOW HOW TO POSE?

WHAT KIND OF MAKEUP/PREPPING WORKS BEST?

CAN I INCLUDE AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION IN MY WEDDING PACKAGE?

Our sessions typically last about 90 minutes. In that time, we can visit 2 locations to get a variety of landscapes and poses that you love.

While in front of the camera, I suggest wearing slightly more dramatic makeup than normal - think night out on the town. This is also a great opportunity for a makeup trial before your wedding! Getting your hair done by a stylist is also a top recommendation, so you look and feel fresh and vibrant throughout the session.

Certainly! We are very flexible and custom design each package to fit your needs. Our baseline ELEGANT & LUXURY Wedding Photography Packages already include the engagement session in their final price, but we can build it into any quote that you desire!

Don’t worry, I understand! I know that a typical date night doesn’t include staring at each other and smiling for 2 hours..it’ll be so much more fun than that! I can help you each pose so that you feel comfortable, relaxed and joyous throughout the session. There are some easy posing tips that I can share, to ensure that you guys feel comfortable and have fun throughout your entire session! Posing is easy when you are relaxed and comfortable – those candid giggles, funny looks, and inside jokes will light up your expressions without you even realizing it!

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

I suggest wearing something fun and more formal. For example, are you dying for an excuse to wear a sequin dress? Have a tulle and lace skirt you’d like to showcase? Treat yourself, go buy these dream, gorgeous wardrobe and you’ll love your images even more! I would suggest staying away from very loose clothing such as sweaters, ponchos, scarves, etc. These tend to take away depth to the photograph and are distractions away from you. Please avoid very bright colors-such as bright pink, red, orange, and yellow. For further instructions, check out our Engagement Style Guide.

WHEN DO I RECEIVE MY FINAL IMAGES?

You will receive your images within 2-4 weeks. We pride ourselves on the ability to turn our images around quickly, and never want to keep you waiting! The industry standard is about 6 weeks, and we promise to always stay ahead of this timeline!

my artistry

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weddings

fine art

engagements

intimate

portraiture

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