Now Booking Senior Girls- Class of 2023

When Should I have my senior photos taken?

Most people hold their senior photo session in the summer months prior to their senior year and into the fall of their senior year. There are many reasons for this.

First, you probably want and outdoor session, which eliminates the cold winter months. The summer and fall in Connecticut make for BEAUTIFUL backdrops and light!

This only leaves the spring of your senior year but this may be too late, depending on what you want to use the images for.

I have a very limited amount of available dates left for the summer. And soon, my fall calendar will be booking up with families. If you are interested in a senior photos session with sweet Melissa Photography, click the link below to get on my calendar now!

8th Grade Grad Sessions a Gift for Her! - Connecticut Lifestyle Photographer

Attention moms of 8th grade girls in central CT!

Attention moms of 8th grade girls in central CT!

Time is slipping away and soon your baby girl will be graduating middle school and heading off to high school. The days of elementary school are sadly coming to an end. Where has the time gone? Wasn’t it just yesterday that you had her newborn pictures taken?

Wonderful adventures await your daughter as she embarks on her high school journey. Let’s celebrate how far she has come with a milestone photo session! These images are perfect for graduation party invitations, party favors or decorations, keepsake memories, albums, pictures for your home, images to share online or simply just because!

Why not give your daughter a graduation gift of a photo session to celebrate this milestone? What girl doesn’t love feeling special and smiling for the camera?

The best time an 8th grade grad session is NOW! Spring is upon us and we all know how busy this season is for our families. Sports, events, you name it. So let’s get you booked with a date on the calendar BEFORE graduation day quickly arrives! My calendar is filling quickly but I have a little wiggle room left to book with you before graduation day!

You captured so many milestones of your daughter’s life on camera already, from newborn, to 6 months, 1 year and childhood. Why not NOW? Do not wait on this opportunity to get your baby girl photographed during this special transitional time in her life!

Swipe Right Photo Session - images for your online dating profiles! Connecticut Lifestyle Photographer

Attention singles in Connecticut who are using online dating apps. Are you struggling to make that perfect match? Do you now know what images of yourself to post on your profiles? Are all y our pictures outdated, out of focus, cell phone selfies or just not showing your best self? Girl, I got you!

Book a Swipe Right photo session with me and together we will get you some gorgeous, updated images that will turn your dating profile into the glorious unicorn that it should be!

You’ll stand out, you’ll get those second looks, and you’ll get your potential match to “swipe right”!

Check out this recent Swipe Right session that took place in West Hartford, CT at Blue Back Square. The perfect spot for any kind of photo session in my opinion!

Now imagine images like this on your very own dating app profiles!

Why did you hire Sweet Melissa Photography?

“I found her through Social Media and loved her work!”

“I felt so relaxed and not awkward at all. I’ve done a lot of shoots and I always feel out of place and like I don't know how to pose, smile, look, etc. Melissa directed all the above and made me feel at ease in every outfit and location.”

“I love my photos! They are beautiful because they are natural. I look like myself and I look happy!”

“Everything was done very thoughtfully and efficiently. There was no confusion about meeting, outfits, image delivery, the whole process was clear which definitely eased my nerves.

Melissa is super professional and fun - I highly recommend!”

Click the link below to learn more about “Swipe Right” sessions:

A Location for a Maternity Photo Session You Wouldn't Expect - West Hartford Connecticut Maternity Photographer

I love thinking outside the box for my on-location lifestyle sessions! A parking garage offers the best backdrop. It can be dressed up like my gorgeous couple here, or even played down with casual, urban vibes.

We started this session inside the parking garage and as the sun started to get softer and set lower in the sky, we made our way up to the rooftop. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is where the magic happens!

Meet Amanda and John, expecting their second baby this May. Amanda first contacted me about doing a warm session in my field location in Farmington, but New England weather had other plans for us (hello snow!). I knew the parking garage would be plowed, so I asked her to trust me, and off we went!

Do you love these images as much as I do? The couple totally dressed the part and Amanda just could not be more stunning and glowing.

Ready to book your maternity session? Get in contact with Melissa to get on the books!

8 Color Palettes for your Spring Family Photos

When you think of family photo sessions, does the Fall season automatically come to mind? Most people tend to book family sessions for the Fall for the beautiful foliage in Connecticut. But for some strange reason, spring is often times overlooked. But WHY? Look at the gorgeous new life and blooming flowers. Spring is the perfect time to book your family photo session.

Here are 8 color palettes that compliment spring family photo sessions:

Ready to book your Spring family photo session with Sweet Melissa Photography?

I have limited sessions left for the spring season so get in contact with me ASAP to get on the books!

3 Reasons Why YOU Need A Personal Branding Session for your Business or Brand - personal branding photographer, Connecticut -

1 - It humanizes you

If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur, you know cold sales simply do not work. People need to warm up to a brand before making purchases. It all comes down to relationship marketing. Check out this article on LinkedIn if you want to read more about the Know, Like Trust factor.

It humanizes you

Showcase who you are -

as a brand and a person

In today’s online world, you just HAVE to put yourself out there and showcase who you are. You need to connect with potential clients on a real level and let them see a behind the scenes look of your business and even a sneak peek of your personal life.

Personal Branding sessions with me will showcase you not only as a business owner, but a mom/dad, wife/husband… and showcase your interests and hobbies as well!

2- It saves you time

Just one personal branding photo session will provide you with 50 plus images to use as you wish. You can now fill your website, create a standout email signature, post on your blog, create print or digital ads, use images on your presentations and most of all, fill your social media with beautiful, professional images. This will save you TONS of time!

It saves you time

50 plus images at your disposal

You know that feeling when you have something to post, but no picture to go with it? No longer. I can take product images, shots of you working, behind the scenes images, headshots, photos with your children, images of you enjoying your hobbies… you name it. You have a vision and together we can create it!

3- It shows you’re serious

It shows you’re serious

Take your business seriously and so will your potential clients

As a brand, you need to show potential clients that you have value and knowledge. If people are are looking to spend their money, make them want to spend it on you. If you are an authority in your niche, then you will stand out above others. What a better way to show clients that you are serious than to have gorgeous images that scream “professional” !

If you take your business seriously, so will your potential clients. Imagine what a difference it would make for a client to land on your social media feed and find finely edited, professionally crafted, beautifully well-lit images. Compare that with another brand in your niche that has lackluster cell phone images, poorly lit and edited selfies and just unprofessional images. It makes a difference.

Ready to book a personal branding session with Sweet Melissa Photography? Reach out and let’s get you booked. I am excited to work with you and your brand!

Swipe Right Sessions | images for your online dating profile

F Auto: Shoot in Manual and Get in Control

Have you invested in a fancy camera but find that you reach for your phone instead?  Is the shiny new camera too complicated and intimidating? What do all the buttons and dials do? Want to learn how to use that expensive new camera and be in control of the final image?

Let Rob and Melissa teach you how to get out of auto mode and into manual where you can take stunning everyday images of your family and friends

“Either the camera takes the picture or you do”

WHO IS THIS CLASS FOR:

•  Anyone who owns a DSLR camera and too intimidated to use it to its fullest potential

WHAT YOU WILL GET:

• 2.5 hour hands-on mentoring session in Suffield, CT on Saturday July 11th, 9:30 am -12 noon

• 5:1 student to teacher ratio

• mixture of direct instruction and hands-on learning through breakout practice sessions

• a solid understanding of how to adjust your camera settings to create stunning yet everyday images in any environment

• private, members only Facebook group for on-going learning before and after your mentorship

WHAT YOU NEED:

• a DSLR or mirrorless camera (Canon, Nikon, Sony.. any brand)

• a willingness to switch off auto mode and take control of your camera AND your creativity

NEXT STEPS:

• Book your spot here: https://www.sweet-melissa-photography.com/f-auto-shoot-in-manual-and-get-in-control?fbclid=IwAR3WVT-r00KOOlpRa12YczRYLNTCTJt1t1Y7hHI_9h8ijYAWRRJMjmhFkxQ

  WHO ARE WE?

  Melissa is a mom and the owner of Sweet Melissa Photography. She specializes in lifestyle and emotional family photography, personal branding for business professionals and boudoir. While being in business for over 10 years, she has also been an elementary school teacher the past 17 years in the same school as Rob. Melissa prides herself in her natural ease in connecting with children and bringing humor and emotion to each and every photo session.

  Rob is a father and owner of RJ Photography. Not only is Rob a veteran elementary school teacher, he also runs his own photography business specializing in sports photography as well as family, high school seniors and head shots.

  Together, Melissa and Rob can bring their expertise from their own photography business as well as their years of educating in the classroom to help you “F Auto: Shoot in Manual and Get in Control”.

Enter to win a FREE maternity or newborn photo shoot!

Enter to win a FREE newborn or maternity photo shoot with Sweet Melissa Photography!

All you have to do is share a picture of your bump!

To be entered to win the session, head on over to my social media pages and look for the contest post to enter:

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sweetmelissaphotography/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sweetmelissaphotography/

FINE PRINT:
Photo session must take place during May, June or July. Maternity sessions typically held between 30-36 weeks pregnant. Maternity session must be held in Farmington, CT area and no greater than 20 minutes outside of Farmington, CT. Newborn sessions held in your home and take place around 2-3 weeks after birth. You must be located in the Farmington Valley or no greater than 30 minutes outside of Farmington, CT to be considered to win.
Contest ends Feb 29th. Winner chosen at random. Winner will be announced the first week of March on Melissa’s Facebook and Instagram feeds. Winner will be contacted via FB PM or Instagram DM. Winner must have completed all 3 required steps to be entered to win. Your name is entered again for each bonus entry you complete.
Winnings include a free 30 minute in-home newborn photo session OR a free 30 minute maternity session (outdoors in Farmington area) or in your home. Winner also receives 5 digital images included. Option to purchase more however no purchase is required. Cost of additional purchases: https://www.sweet-melissa-photography.com/investme