I'm so glad you're here to get to know me! First and foremost, I'm a wife and a mom. I'm married to my high school sweetheart, but we've known each other since we were in elementary school. Awww! Haha yeah that's usually the reaction I get. We have a beautiful daughter that was born in 2014. She is the light of my life and my reason for pursuing photography as a career in the first place. She and I are both huge bookworms! If you love to read, I know we will get along!
My first experience with photography was back in high school. I learned how to shoot in manual on a good old film camera, and I absolutely LOVED working in a darkroom. Although school took me down a different path, I wound up back at photography in the end. Having my own photography business was a dream of mine since I got my first DSLR in 2009. Becoming a mom was that push I needed.
The journey into motherhood is so incredibly special that I felt like it was where my time needed to be spent. I became passionate about helping pregnant women look and feel amazing during their maternity sessions! And freezing time during newborn sessions when they don't stay that little for very long!
It brings me so much joy to see you light up at how gorgeous you look at your maternity session. We don't give ourselves enough credit during pregnancy, and I'm here to show you how absolutely stunning you are.
Creating images of your time together at home with your newborn gives me so much honor, knowing that these pictures will be what you look back on with fondness when your kids are all grown up.
So let's do this! Let's document your motherhood together! I can't wait to talk to you!
Your Friendly photographer
Hey, I'm Melissa!
Here's a snapshot into my world.
A Little Behind The Scenes Of My Life
Having known my husband since we were kids, it was easy to fall for someone who became one of my best friends in high school. We never intended to get married so young, but life had other plans. I wouldn't change a thing though. The road we took brought us to where we are today with our beautiful, spunky little girl. Being a mom was something I wanted for so long. We actually had her name picked out before we even got married, not even knowing if we would ever even have a girl. They can both be a pain in my ass sometimes, but I love them both more than anything!
My Family
MY HUSBAND, DAUGHTER, & ME IN GERMANY
I'm a huge bookworm. There was a point in time before I became a mom that my nose was almost always in a book. Things have changed quite a bit since then, but I still try to make sure that I read at least a little bit every day.
Favorite Series:
Harry Potter by JK Rowling, The Shadowhunter Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, and Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
Come chat books with me in my Facebook group for Bookish Babes!
enjoying a book together
Reading
I'm a second generation German-American. My mom is the first and only American citizen in her German family. I was born in Germany, and we lived there until I was 7 years old. My sister and I went back to visit with family every other summer until my sister was 18. I can't tell you how much I dreamed of living in Germany again growing up.
Well, the military granted my wish, and we got stationed in Germany for a short time. While we were there we got to travel to so many cool places! I wish we'd had more time to travel to even more countries, but I am so thankful for the time we did have. Scotland was my absolute favorite place we visited!
Europe
Midhope Castle Scotland (AKA Lallybroch)
My Favorite Things
"Melissa is absolutely AMAZING at what she does! Well worth the price. My styled maternity shoot went very smoothly. She knew how to make sure I got the photos and poses I didn't even know I wanted. Very easy to communicate with and everything was a breeze from start to finish, could not recommend her enough!"
Chantilly Maternity Photography
Destinee
"I have been doing mini photo shoots for several years with random photographers, but we have finally found a home with Melissa. I love her communication, assistance with picking outfits, colors, poses, etc. Everything came out beautifully and it wouldn't have been so if it weren't for her!"
Alexandria Newborn Photography
Karen
"Melissa is wonderful. The quality of her work is worth the price. The experience of taking the photos with our kids was fun and easy and she had great ideas for candid shots, which I said I prefer. Our kids loved her and even wanted to pose for a picture with her at the end of the shoot. She was so patient and kind about scheduling and rescheduling. And the photos speak for themselves. It was an unforgettable day and the memories are permanent now in these gorgeous photos."
Burke Family photography
Nikki
"Melissa is the absolute best!! From the start of this process, she has been so communicative and helpful on everything that I needed to do and was so supportive. The shoot was SO much fun and being able to include my dog and sister made it even more amazing- Melissa is extremely personable and has such great instruction on posing, etc! When I got my pictures, I was stunned at how beautiful they are- I can’t wait for my newborn photoshoot! You can’t go wrong with Melissa, she is amazing and very talented!"
Chantilly Maternity Photography
Samantha
"Attention to detail, thoughtful, creative and caring are a few words that come to mind when I think about my newborn session with Melissa! She made everything so easy from start to finish! Her booking process is seamless, user friendly and SO informative. She covers all the bases when you’re her client and she treats you like a long time friend. You will NOT regret your session with Melissa!"
Manassas Newborn Photography
Jillian
"Choosing Melissa Driggers Photography was the BEST decision our family could have made. She was flexible, professional, incredibly prompt, friendly, and great with our kids. Our pictures are stunning-hands down the best family photos we’ve ever had. I am blown away! I can’t wait to share them with friends and family and hang them in our home. I can’t recommend her enough!"
Fairfax Family photography
Marian
"It was an amazing experience working with Melissa! She had everything ready for me and was so flexible for when I needed a break. She was also so encouraging which is important to someone like me who is going through a lot of changes. I will absolutely be booking with her again!"
Burke Maternity Photography
Jessica
"Melissa was great! She fit me in for both a maternity and a newborn session on fairly short notice. She had a ton of perks in her business package - she provided beautiful dresses and a try-on session of those dresses for the maternity shoot, hair and makeup professionals (this was extra, but not having to research/book people for this was worth it), and a beautiful photobook. Her photos were fantastic!"
Haymarket Newborn Photography
Lisa
"Melissa was a dream to work with. She was organized, efficient, and flexible from booking through receipt of the gallery. The images she manage to capture of my family were beautiful (and I have two very active young children). I would absolutely work with her again."
Chantilly Family Photography
Jennifer
As a Northern Virginia photographer and fellow mom, I felt there was a need for a safe, supportive, and drama free space for moms and moms-to-be to come together and support one another through the crazy lives we live as moms. Come join us and chat all things motherhood, pregnancy, and more!
