MEET YOUR JBLM AND OLYMPIA WA PHOTOGRAPHER

A woman sitting on a white armchair, holding a camera, smiling, with a large green plant beside her and a window in the background.

hey! I’m so glad you found me!

I’m Melanie. I am a Christ believer, an Army wife, a mother to four children, and your trusted storyteller.

As a former NICU nurse, I’ve traded hospital shifts for the beautiful chaos of raising a family. When I’m not behind the camera, I’m usually in the thick of motherhood myself, homeschooling my kids, drinking coffee that's inevitably cold, and trying to soak up every fleeting moment.

A Verse I Lean On:

Romans 12:12 – "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." It is the ultimate anchor for navigating the unpredictability of both motherhood and military moves.

Best Army Station:

Fort Richardson. It gave me the kind of deep, lifelong friendships that still survive on daily text threads and voxers.

Current Coffee Order:

An hot vanilla latte (though let's be honest, I'm usually drinking whatever I made this morning, reheated for the third time and not enough water).

My Go-To Lens:

The 35mm. It forces me to get right up close and be in the middle of the beautiful chaos with you.

The seasons I document are tender, unpredictable, and deeply personal.

My approach is calm, prepared, and intuitive. I pay attention to what’s unfolding in front of me, not forcing moments but honoring them as they are.

You can trust that you’re supported, understood, and in capable hands every step of the way.

What makes me different?

Work With Me

  • Our maternity photos are GORGEOUS. Melanie was a delight to be around, did a great job balancing posed and candid, and the colors are perfect. She helped us choose our outfits and was available for any and all questions leading up to the shoot. She was also amazing with our 2 kids!”

    —Hannah Davis

  • "Melanie was absolutely amazing from start to finish. Her communication was great, from helping me pick out the best outfits for our family, throughout the shoot and after. We really appreciated her direction during the shoot as well as giving us space to capture candid moments with our family."

    —Gamu Posell

  • "Melanie was an absolute joy to work with for our family session! She is kind, patient, and communicative throughout the entire process. She truly has an eye for capturing those special moments and making sure everyone is comfortable and looks great."

    —Jennifer Gilbert

Stories from the Motherhood Archives

FEATURED BLOG POSTS OF REAL MOMENTS AND REAL FAMILIES.

Featured
Maternity Photography in Tacoma That Honors Military Journeys
Maternity
Maternity Photography in Tacoma That Honors Military Journeys
Maternity

Honoring the unique rhythm of military families in Tacoma, Washington. Learn why maternity photography is more than just a photoshoot, it’s a chance to truly be present in a season of change.

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Maternity
Combining Maternity and Newborn for Sessions Made Simple
Maternity, Newborn
Combining Maternity and Newborn for Sessions Made Simple
Maternity, Newborn

Streamline your photography experience. From timing your sessions to coordinating your style, here is everything you need to know about making maternity and newborn session bundles work for your growing family.

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Maternity, Newborn
What Makes a JBLM Professional Photographer Right for Your Ceremony
Military
What Makes a JBLM Professional Photographer Right for Your Ceremony
Military

Planning a ceremony at JBLM means balancing tradition with real-life emotion. I’m sharing how to find a photographer who can move through your event with ease, capturing the unscripted moments that matter most to your family.

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Military

These are the days you’ll want to remember forever. Let’s capture them honestly.

Connect With Me