Blog
Contact
Gallery
About
Home

PHOTOGRAPHY

Melliemade

x CLOSE MENU

curated • beautiful• classic

The Maternity Experience

So here you are! Pregnant and maybe a little (a lot) tired, maybe nervous, maybe excited too. Let me tell you, this is such a SPECIAL time in your life. You have an inkling that you should savor these moments before they pass you by, and I am here to help you bathe in the radiant glowing season that your pregnancy is! 
Once you submit an inquiry, I am here for you every step of the way. I am here to address your concerns, to help you pick a location you LOVE, to pick an outfit that will look good in camera but also still feels like you! Let me be your guide. Your fairy godmother, if you will, who will get you all ready before the clock strikes birthing time.

Life's biggest miracle is the gift of having life growing inside of you

Scroll

Your experience all starts with you filling out the contact form down below to get started! 

You will get an email from me soon after to talk about what you are envisioning for your photoshoot or for me to answer any questions you may have about this whole process!

We can then book a quick 15 minute phone call to talk about the details of your photoshoot. Or if you'd rather just email or chat or book on the spot, that is ok too! Whatever works with your busy schedule!

1. Say Hello

Once we pick a date, a contract will need to be signed and a non-refundable retainer paid.

After that, you are officially in the books!

2. OFFICIALLY BOOK!

During the weeks leading up to the photoshoot I will help look over any outfit choices you may be considering and giving guidance on what items to bring to your photoshoot. 

We will figure out a great location for you for your photoshoot, and I will give you a custom start time.

I also will send over a questionnaire to help me better get to know you and your needs.

3. PLANNING IT

This is the fun part!

Get dolled up and drive over to the location that I have routed you to.

Feel as awkward as a turtle about having to get your photos taken? No problem! It is normal to feel nervous and I am here to tell you that I'VE GOT YOU. I'll make you smile, I'll make you laugh, we're going to have a great time!

I will put you in the right poses and lighting. All I want you to worry about is following my directions, letting loose,  and HAVING FUN.

4.  YOUR PHOTOSHOOT

About 1-2 months later, your photos will be ready for you to download from a link. If you need some photos or all of them sooner, I have options for this!

People laugh, some have cried (HAPPY TEARS, not sad ones thank goodness! haha), but most grin ear to ear to see the end result!

It is during that time when you will have the opportunity to purchase more than your base set of photos and prints & albums. And get ready, because most people do!

5. YOUR PHOTOgraphs

1 2 3 4 5

The Maternity Process

Let's do it! »

Average investment $800-1600+

Maternity Photoshoots  Starting from $640

Photoshoots are on average 25-45 minutes long

Digital files are purchased in sets of 8, 15, 25, or all

Investment includes a photoshoot for five family members

Photoshoots within Orange County are included, travel fee may apply to locations out of OC.

Artwork (like prints and albums) are purchased separately

Special discount if bundled with Newborn Session

The Investment Details

I loved her work, so when we found out we were pregnant, I knew Melanie would be our maternity and newborn photographer. The booking process was a breeze; Melanie worked with us to nail down the location, outfits, and sent us her recommendations to prepare us for the photoshoot. She is very sweet and personable and it was so much fun to work with her! The photos turned out amazing and we're so glad we chose Melanie to capture our new journey. I cannot wait to work with Melanie again for our newborn photoshoot and future family photoshoots. We love love love our photos and can't recommend melliemadephotography enough!

Maternity session

Vanseka & Alan

Melanie was very professional and personable as well. She always responded to any of my questions when I needed help and tips. I worried my kids would not cooperate, but she know how to create a fun atmosphere for them and the photoshoot turned out to be so much fun for them. They started out shy and ended up getting a little bit too excited. The photos turned out beautifully. Thank you Melanie!

Family Session

Kira

We saw what a beautiful job Melanie did for our cousin’s newborn photos that we decided to reach out to her when our son was born. She was quick to respond and has a great attention to detail. During these unprecedented times with Covid-19, she provided professional and flexible terms for the photo shoot that worked with our schedule. We are grateful for her patience and unique eye to capture our newest addition to the family. Don’t hesitate to contact her, you won’t be disappointed!

NEwborn Session

Wendy

I worked with Mel last year for our first annual family photoshoot. Melanie was so easy to work with from start to finish (booking appt to getting our photos back in record time). She was very responsive when I had any questions about our outfits and needed suggestion for a makeup artist when mine wasn’t available. She was very patient with the kids which made it easier on me. I already booked an appt for our shoot this year and can’t wait to see the new location and photos.

Maternity Session

An

My husband and I just got our photos back from a maternity shoot with Melanie and we couldn't be happier! She was very professional (wore a mask the entire time) and she was able to give me and hubby instructions during the shoot like where he should put his hand and where we should look. The photos turned out beautifully and very representative of the airy esthetic I saw on her Instagram. Highly recommend her!

maternity Session

Joyce

I highly recommend booking with Melanie! I had such a great experience working with her. I was very impressed with how professional but personable she was from beginning to end. 

Our session might have been a disaster if she didn’t come to the rescue. Both my 2 year old and 4 year old had meltdowns (at the same time!) but that didn’t bother her. Somehow she got them to cooperate, made it work and captured some amazing moments! We love our photos and I look forward to working with her again in the future!

Family Session

Tuyen

By far one of my favorite photographers!

Melanie was so sweet, thorough and professional. It was such a pleasure working with her to take my newborn’s photos during a chaotic time. I loved so many of the photos that she took!! I would recommend her to anyone!

Newborn Session

Jenny

We had such a great experience with Melanie from start to finish. She was patient, kind, and sooo sweet with my kiddos. I had no idea how the photos would turn out but the outcome was better than expected! The hardest part was choosing our favorite photos.

Thank you, Melanie! Looking forward to doing our annual photos with your next year!

Family Session

Hannah

I highly recommend Melliemade Photography! My wife and I met her at a cute quaint place in Irvine for our maternity photo shoot. Melanie was very professional, prompt and well mannered. She instructed us on how to pose because we clearly did not know how to pose for photos. The park looked nice but our photos came out even nicer! Can’t believe how great they were! Would definitely do another photo shoot with Melliemade Photography! 

Maternity Session

Dinh

Melanie is such a lovely person to work with! Her photos speak for themselves (just perfectly light and airy) but the BTS experience makes it 10/10. She is super prepared and gave us great info on how we could prepare ourselves. We did a mini session with our dog and it was better than we expected! We never met prior to our shoot but she’s so warm and friendly, it felt like we were friends. 100% recommend working with her!!

Family Session

Abby

My first photoshoot with someone else was a total disaster. After that experience, I was so horrified that I never wanted to do a baby photo shoot ever again! However, when I started to talk to Melanie, she listened to my concerns and worries, explained how she plans and manages the photoshoot, and encouraged me to try again. After talking to her, I decided to try and I am so grateful that I did. Melanie was very professional, personable, and had strong portrait skills. My baby loved Melanie, and she knew exactly how to handle unforeseen situations and manage babies. She also made me feel very comfortable so we got plenty of nice photos with natural laughs (both baby and me!). Thank you Melanie for such a precious and fun experience and memory!!!


Family Session

Insoon

Melanie was great. The pictures came out perfect. She had such great energy and made things easy with our little girl. Parents know how difficult it can be with the little ones but she is really great with how she guided her. I would definitely recommend Melanie.

Family Session

Roy

Melanie was wonderful to work with and made great recommendations to ensure our photos turned out exactly as we had hoped. She sent us a photography guide with suggested locations and poses. She also took the time to understand our vision prior to the shoot. Overall, she was very efficient and knowledgeable and we love the final product.

Maternity Session

Thomas

I found Mellie in my local mom Facebook group. I looked at her portfolio and loved what I saw. She was offering mini sessions which was exactly what I was looking for since my son was around 1 at the time and had no patience with standing still and posing for pictures. She made it fun for him and the pictures came out beautiful! I have one of them framed on top of the mantle and I highly doubt I’ll ever take it down.

Family Session

Sara

We had a terrific experience working with Melanie!!! Our newborn pics and family portraits turned out amazing! It was a miracle how she was able to put my two year old toddler at ease in front of the camera. Highly recommend!!!

Newborn Session

Ly

We’ve had the pleasure of working with Melanie twice for our maternity photo shoots. She’s super friendly and extremely easy to work with! We love her light and airy photography style for maternity photos. Melanie definitely tries to make it easy on you throughout the process and helps prepare you well in advance for the photo shoot. We would definitely recommend her if you’re looking for a photographer with a light and airy style!

Maternity Session

Andrew

It’s been years since my son and I had professional photos taken. He’s 26 now, and the challenge has been to have photos that won’t come out mushy, or that would come out couplish looking. One of my sisters has had her family photos and professional photos taken by Melanie, and I liked them. So I decided to contact her for a photo session.

First of all, I loved working with her on the day of our photo shoot! So easy to work with! And more importantly, I loved how our photos turned out! I have a few marked for printing and framing already! Surely a great investment, one that will last for years to come!

Family Session

Marou

Mel came to the rescue and delivered! Our original photographer canceled last minute two hours before our appointment and we were desperately thinking of other options. As Mel was leaving another shoot in Temecula a friend contacted her and she agreed to do our shoot! Thank goodness for great people like Mellie! She saved the day and I was able to do our family holiday photos. I am 100% pleased with the turn out. She was great with my crazy 2 year old and has a great eye! Thank you Mellie for making this happen. Don’t think twice. Book with her!

Family Session

Shawna

It was a pleasure working with Melanie for our maternity photoshoot!! I have been following Melliemade Photography for awhile now and have been waiting to work with her. In all of her pictures, she shows great attention to detail and has a very keen eye for anything esthetic. Melanie prepared us very well with her "photoshoot preparations and general advices" to get the most out of the photoshoot. She was very accommodating with my sunrise shoot desire even though it would mean she would have to wake up super early. Working with Melanie is a breeze because she is very professional, sweet and personable which makes everything fun and easy--perfect for husbands and children. Her work is amazing and the pictures turned out absolutely beautiful!! I cannot wait to work with her again for my future family photoshoots. I am already showing off my photos and recommending her to everyone!!

Maternity Session

Kim

Thank you Melanie for the pretty pictures! We had to reschedule our family photos to a later date and Mel was so accommodating despite her packed schedule. My one year old was sick on the day of the photo shoot. I was worried the picture wouldn't turn out well, but was so pleasantly surprised by how many smiling photos she got of our daughter. My husband is usually very camera shy, but he commented on how nice they were and comfortable he was around them. They were both so patient and took the time to get good photos of us! I highly recommend Melliemade Photography l to anyone looking for a photographer

Family Session

Hannah

,,

let me show you how beautiful & radiant you really are

Inquire
SEND Message »

Let's chat! Please fill out this info below.
Note: Portrait packages start at $640
(Average Investment is $800-1600+)

STARTS HERE
journey
The beginning of your