Lake Macquarie | Newcastle, | Hunter Valley | Central Coast | Port Stephens
Your Story, Beautifully Told
If you’re looking for a family photographer who captures real connection, gentle moments, and all the beautiful chaos that makes your crew unique, you’re in the right place.
Bring the whole family — grandparents and extended family are included at no extra charge.
Family photos don’t need to be everyone standing still, smiling at the camera. I want the laughs, the cuddles, the silly faces, the kids running off and all the little moments that happen when everyone stops worrying about getting the “perfect” photo.
Bring the grandparents. Bring the cousins. Bring the partners. Bring the cat.
The more the merrier — crazy and all.
You don’t need to know how to pose or what to do with your hands. I’ll give you a little direction when you need it, and let the rest happen naturally.
“We wanted photos of the whole family, including grandparents and the kids, and Melissa made it all feel so easy. There was lots of laughing, a little bit of chaos and absolutely no stress about getting everyone to behave! The photos captured our family beautifully and are something we'll treasure always.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goal is simple: to make your session feel relaxed, enjoyable, and completely you.
With years of experience photographing families across Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, Port Stephens, and the Central Coast, I’ve learned how to create a space where everyone can unwind. No stiff poses. No “what do I do with my hands?” panic. Just gentle direction and a friendly approach that feels like hanging out with someone who happens to have a camera.
Not sure what to wear? Wondering where to go? Don’t overthink it.
If you have a location in mind, great. If you’re not sure what will work, let me know what sort of setting you’re after and we can work from there.
For clothes, think comfortable and like yourselves. You don’t all need to match — coordinating colours and textures usually work much better than everyone turning up in the same outfit.
Most importantly, don’t worry about getting everyone perfectly organised before you arrive.
The kids don’t have to behave. You don’t have to know how to pose. And nobody needs to practise their smile.
Just bring your family. I’ll take care of the rest.
Expect a relaxed shoot with plenty of laughter, play, and natural interaction. I’ll capture:
The hugs and hand-holding
The wild toddler giggles
The wind-tangled hair
The quiet moments in between
The good stuff happens in between the poses — and that’s what I’m looking for.
Every family, maternity, baby, or couple session includes:
45–60 minute relaxed lifestyle session
Guidance on choosing a location that suits your family and the photos you’re after
A private online gallery to view, download and share your photos
A fast turnaround so you can enjoy your photos while the memories are still fresh
Session Fee: $350
Sessions are available year-round. Sunset times and weekends often book out quickly, so if you’ve been thinking about it—this is your sign to go for it.
Your full gallery will be delivered through a private online gallery where you can easily view, download and share your photos with family and friends.
Want something tangible? You can also order fine-art prints, frames and custom-designed albums to display at home, give as gifts, or keep for years to come.
Absolutely. The more the merrier.
Grandparents, cousins, siblings, partners and furry family members are all welcome, and there’s no extra charge for extended family.
You don’t need to keep the guest list small just to make the photos work. These sessions are about the people who matter to you — so bring them along.
Whether you’re celebrating your wedding, wrangling toddlers for family portraits, or hosting a milestone event, my approach is rooted in storytelling.
Warm, natural light
Real emotion over stiff poses
Genuine moments that unfold without force
From beach sunsets to at-home newborn snuggles, I capture life exactly as it is — beautifully imperfect and full of heart.
Most family sessions run for 45–60 minutes. That gives us plenty of time to settle in, explore the location and capture the good stuff without anyone feeling rushed.
And don’t worry if your kids need a little time to warm up — we aren’t racing the clock.
Wear something you feel comfortable in and that feels like you. I usually recommend soft, neutral or earthy tones that work well together without everyone looking like they’ve been dressed in the same outfit. 😂
Comfort is key — especially when kids are involved — and clothes you can move in always photograph best.
Once you book, I’ll send you some simple styling tips to make choosing outfits easy.
Don’t stress — seriously.
Kids don’t have to sit still, smile on command or behave perfectly for an hour. In fact, I’d much rather photograph them being themselves.
I work with kids at their pace and keep things relaxed and playful. They can run, explore, cuddle, climb, be silly, or have a little meltdown if that’s what the day brings.
You don’t need to apologise for your kids. They’re kids. I’ll work with them.
Some (actually most) of my favourite photos come from the moments nobody planned.
You get the full gallery. 📸
I don’t put a strict cap on the number of photos you receive. Every family and every session is different, so I focus on capturing the moments that tell your story rather than working towards a set number.
You’ll receive your full gallery of edited high-resolution images — no choosing favourites or paying extra for more photos.
The number of images will naturally vary depending on your family, how the session flows and what we get up to, but you won’t be left wondering which photos made the cut.
If I photograph it and it’s a good image, you’ll get it.
Bring the grandparents, cousins, siblings, partners — whoever makes up your family. There’s no extra charge for including extended family, so you don’t have to leave anyone out.
Extended family sessions are a great way to celebrate a milestone, a reunion, or simply having everyone together.
If you’re planning a larger group, just let me know roughly how many people will be coming so we can choose a location and timing that works for everyone.
And don’t worry if your family is a little chaotic. That’s allowed too. 😂
Cloudy weather? I’m actually a fan. ☁️
Soft, overcast light can be fantastic for photos, so a few clouds definitely won’t have us running for cover.
If it rains or the conditions genuinely aren’t suitable for your session, we’ll simply reschedule to another available date at no extra cost.
I’ll keep an eye on the forecast and we’ll make the call together — you won’t be standing in a muddy field wondering whether we should have cancelled. 😂
You won’t be waiting weeks and weeks to see your photos. 😊
Your full online gallery will be ready within 1 week of your session.
You’ll receive your full gallery of edited, high-resolution images, ready to download, print and share.
And if you have something special coming up and need your photos sooner, just let me know. I’ll always do my best to help.
Whether it’s just the four of you, three generations, or the entire wonderfully chaotic crew, I’d love to photograph your family just as you are. You don’t need to know how to pose, have perfectly behaved children, or have everything figured out. Just bring your family — I’ll take care of the rest. $350 • 45–60 minutes • Full gallery included • Extended family welcome at no extra charge
