Connection, movement, and the beauty of growing together.
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Where thoughtful planning, artistic direction, and timeless imagery come together to document your family’s connection by preserving the tender and playful spirit of these early years.
An effortless experience
for growing families
Charlotte
Family
Photographer
The Family Experience
Melissa Mayrie Photography provides a full-service family photography experience in Charlotte, North Carolina, designed to capture genuine connection alongside the playful, in-between moments of life with young children.
The newborn days may have passed, but motherhood doesn’t slow down — it simply changes shape. These years are filled with movement, negotiation, little voices calling your name, and the constant pull between being fully present and keeping everything running. It can feel hard to imagine pausing long enough to gather everyone together, let alone stepping in front of the camera yourself.
And yet, this is the season your children will remember. The way you knelt down to meet them at eye level. The way they reached for your hand without thinking. The closeness that exists even in the chaos, woven quietly into the ordinary moments of everyday life.
Family photography during the early years isn’t about perfection or stillness — it’s about preserving connection as it truly exists, before routines change again and these familiar rhythms quietly become memories. It’s about allowing space for movement, personality, and interaction, rather than asking your family to fit into a moment that doesn’t feel like you. A chance to document who you are together right now, with images that reflect both the tenderness and the life that fills this season.
The YEARS THAT SHAPE EVERYTHING
A moment to slow down and be present together.
The Family Experience
{The Despines Family}
"Melissa creates magic. She has captured the most special moments of my family’s life. I would never hesitate to recommend her to anyone who wants a true professional to create a customized photography experience. Melissa is fast to respond, patient and goes the extra yard to ensure you have the best experience. Not to mention she was beyond kind to our little ones during the entire shoot. They loved her! We can't wait for our next shoot with her."
A True PRofessional
{Heidi H.}
"Her work is beyond beautiful and her communication and planning leading up to our session was impeccable. She was so kind and bubbly during our session, I love that she guided us into poses that were comfortable and then let us giggle and interact so the photos were authentically “us”. I’m forever thankful for these moments now frozen in time thanks to Melissa!"
Forever Thankful
{Krystal}
"Melissa is amazing to work with! She has easily + quickly become our family photographer and I am so thankful I found her! My daughter just turned one and Melissa captured Santa photos, family photos and her one year old/cake smash photos for us and I am always blown away!"
Always Blown Away!
{Maggie}
"We are thrilled with our experience with Melissa. Her client closet was perfect, I loved the very first dress I tried on and the outfits for my kids were adorable. Melissa’s studio is incredible! It was a beautiful backdrop for our family pictures. Melissa was so patient with our 4 kids (ages 7 yrs., 3 yrs., 3 yrs., and 2 weeks) and did such a great job capturing their personalities. We will treasure the pictures Melissa captured of our family!"
CLIENT CLOSET WAS PERFECT
{Angela}
"Melissa is the absolute best! She is sweet and patient, walking us through everything, making us laugh the entire time! And our pictures were amazing. She was truly able to capture everyone’s personalities, and they feel so natural. We’ve had so much fun every time we’ve had a session with Melissa. So thankful for her capturing these phases of lives so beautifully!
Sweet & Patient
{Shelly}
"We could not love our family photos more! Melissa made the process fun and relaxed. She is a very talented photographer. From start to finish - flexibility in scheduling to getting our gallery to us super quickly to the portal she uses for clients to download the images - all very seamless, hassle free and well communicated. I would recommend Melissa to anyone and plan to have her photograph our family for years to come."
Felt at Ease
{Heidi W.}
"Melissa was fantastic. We had newborn and family photos taken in a beautiful natural light studio. Melissa is great to work with and her work is 12/10! She managed a fussy baby and a toddler who was … “toddlering” to say the least, haha - and our pictures came out amazing!! We can’t wait to work with her again for more family pictures! Can’t recommend enough - communication, professionalism, and her work"
fantastic
{Emilyne}
"From start to finish, the experience was absolutely wonderful and the resulting photographs are simply stunning. Overall, I cannot recommend this photographer enough. Her talent and dedication to her craft truly shines through in every image. If you are looking for a photographer to capture the special moments between you and your little one, look no further than this wonderful artist!"
Look No Further
Designed to be seen, not stored.
artwork
Heirloom Albums
Framed Prints & Gallery Walls
Portfolio Box
Portfolio Boxes - HEIRLOOM ALBUMS - Framed Prints - Gallery Walls
Rather than limiting galleries, I believe in delivering a complete story — one that offers variety, depth, and choice. Each collection includes a robust digital gallery so that you can experience the details and emotions that define this season in its entirety, without needing to narrow moments down or make difficult decisions.
For those who wish to bring their images into their home, custom artwork and albums are available as a seamless extension of the experience, thoughtfully designed to preserve your story for generations to come.
Wardrobe selections curated to photograph beautifully.
Client Closet
For Mom - For Baby - For Siblings
With over 250 thoughtfully selected pieces for women (XS–3XL) and children (newborn–5T), the client closet is designed to remove the guesswork from getting dressed. Each piece has been carefully chosen for its ability to photograph softly, flatter a range of body types, and complement the timeless, feminine aesthetic reflected throughout my work.
From flowing gowns to delicate children’s pieces, the wardrobe is an intentional extension of the experience — allowing you to arrive feeling confident, comfortable, and beautifully styled. A curated preview of select pieces is available for inspiration, with styling always thoughtfully guided based on the vision for your session.
GALLERY Delivery
Session day
Wardrobe & Session Planning
Your experience begins with a personalized consultation designed to feel clear, calm, and effortless. Once you submit an inquiry, I’ll walk you through the Melissa Mayrie Photography experience, help you select the collection that best fits your needs, and introduce available artwork options so you can begin envisioning how your images may live in your home.
Consultation & Booking
Every session is carefully planned with intention. Using your preferences, I curate wardrobe selections for mothers and children from the client closet, ensuring each piece photographs beautifully and complements the overall artistic vision. Locations are thoughtfully selected as well, allowing you to feel fully prepared without the stress of planning every detail yourself.
Sessions are designed to feel calm, unhurried, and connected. I’ll guide you through gentle posing and natural prompts, creating space for authentic interaction while ensuring everyone looks and feels their best. The result is a balanced collection of refined portraits and organic, joy-filled moments.
Following your session, each image is carefully hand-edited in my signature light and airy style. Your full digital gallery is delivered approximately two to three weeks after your session, giving you the opportunity to relive the experience and see how each moment comes together.
A full-service experience designed with intention and ease.
the Family Session Process
Hair & Makeup
Professional hair and makeup services are available to clients who wish to begin their session feeling relaxed and polished. A curated list of trusted artists is provided as part of the planning process, allowing you to arrive ready to be styled and photographed with ease.
Artwork Selections
For clients who wish to bring their images into their home, artwork design is offered as a seamless extension of the experience. From heirloom albums to fine art prints and custom announcements, each piece is thoughtfully designed to reflect your space and preserve this season beautifully.
$300 due at booking.
The remainder is due prior to your session.
$850
investment Begins At
- A fully guided photography session
- Pre-session planning and creative direction
- Use of the natural light studio or choice of outdoor location
- Wardrobe styling for the whole family
- Access to the client closet for mothers and children
- Professional hair and makeup referrals
- A full digital gallery of thoughtfully edited images
- Professional artwork design services
ALL COLLECTIONS INCLUDE
Family COLLECTIONS
When time keeps moving, your photos will last a lifetime.
Investment Details
Don't let those new milestones slip away. These bundled sessions will ensure you get all the important stages reserved on the calendar.
First Year Collection
Want to capture it all?
Learn more about the
A shared appreciation makes all the difference...
We might be a great fit if you...
Appreciate soft, light-filled imagery with a timeless feel
Welcome a thoughtfully guided experience where the details are handled for you
Value the importance of displaying your artwork in your home
Find beauty in quiet connection, gentle moments, and natural interaction
What time of day will we take our photos?
Do you offer family sessions beyond the infant stage?
What's the best timeframe for a maternity session?
How early should I book my newborn session?
This may seem very early, but it's the safest way to ensure you reserve your session on my calendar, and it also allows you to schedule a pregnancy announcement session! I accept a limited number of newborn sessions each month so that I'm able to provide my clients with a seamless experience and flexible scheduling once baby arrives. With that said, babies arrive on their own schedule so sometimes I have last minute openings available. No matter what stage of pregnancy (or post-partum) you're at, it doesn't hurt to reach out and see if I can fit you in. I'd love to serve you!
In your first trimester
MOTHERHOOD faqs
What time of day will we take our photos?
Do you offer family sessions beyond the infant stage?
What's the best timeframe for a maternity session?
How early should I book my newborn session?
MOTHERHOOD faqs
Most mamas prefer scheduling their maternity session in the 28-34 week range, and I personally think 30-32 weeks is the sweet spot. This is when your bump is showing off and you're still feeling like getting glammed up for your session. Of course each person is different and circumstances like carrying multiples or being high risk for an early delivery may alter your timeframe. Just let me know during your inquiry and we'll be sure to schedule at the perfect time for you!
30-32 weeks is best!
What time of day will we take our photos?
Do you offer family sessions beyond the infant stage?
What's the best timeframe for a maternity session?
How early should I book my newborn session?
MOTHERHOOD faqs
Family sessions are scheduled year round either in studio or at one of my favorite outdoor locations. Whether your children are toddlers, elementary school-aged, or too-cool-for-photos teenagers, I'll be sure to make sure everyone has a fun experience - even when I ask them to hug their siblings! Families can book a portrait session that entails personalized planning, client wardrobe, artwork, and my other full-service benefits. I also offer petite sessions twice a year for families who just need a quick portrait update. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to be notified.
of course!
What time of day will we take our photos?
Do you offer family sessions beyond the infant stage?
What's the best timeframe for a maternity session?
How early should I book my newborn session?
MOTHERHOOD faqs
Ha! But really, we all know there's no catastrophe quite like a toddler who's ready for their nap. Studio sessions and newborn sessions are scheduled between 10am-2pm to allow for the best natural light of the day and outdoor sessions are scheduled about 2 hours before sunset or 2 hours after sunrise to get that soft, pretty light. With that said, please let me know if your little ones would benefit from altering that schedule a bit. I'm happy to accommodate when possible if that means setting us up for a more successful time together.
anytime except nap time
certified in
newborn safety
features & certifications
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Member
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