WS
South FloridaMelissa Arlena
Photography
Photography
Hey there, I am Melissa Arlena, a Virginia native who traded the traffic jams of NoVa for the mountain views of Charlottesville.
I’m a military wife, Marine Corp to be exact, and mom to three littles, Will, Rob & Grace! I love DIY and interior design and when I'm not behind my camera I'm probably planning or doing some kind of home renovation project.
Keep scrolling to learn more about me!
Why should you trust me to take photos of your brand new baby who is going to grow so quickly?!?!?
I’m an award winning photographer and this isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve been photographing families for 14 years, and I know you can’t redo these photos or get this moment back.
Here’s my highlight reel so you know you’re in safe hands:
I earned my Master Photographer Certification in Maternity and Newborn Photography with the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) which means I am able to produce consistent high quality images in any environment.
Expertise.com named me Best Newborn Photographer in Richmond and Best Maternity Photographer in Charlottesville for 2023.
I was the Featured Artist in the November 2021 issue of Inspired Magazine. I was able to give advice to other photographers based off my 15 years of experience and a portfolio of my work was featured!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"MELISSA WAS SUCH A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH. SHE MADE OUR NEWBORN PHOTOSHOOT EASY AND COMFORTABLE. WE WERE BLOWN AWAY WITH THE PHOTOS WHEN THEY CAME BACK."
KRISTA L
When I’m not busy photographing adorable newborns you can catch me sailing on our 40′ sailboat Apogee with my handsome husband David, and our crazy kiddos.
We have brought each one of them onto the boat as babies so they have been sailing all their lives. Now the boys are getting old enough to start helping out a bit and they love it! Grace would spend all her time with her feet hanging off the boat (tethered of course) if we let her.
Sailing was something we just kind of fell into and here we are 14 years and 3 boats later spending our summer vacations cruising the Bay for weeks on end!
Melissa Arlena is an award winning Richmond and Charlottesville photographer. She recently earned her Master Photographer Certification in the Maternity, Newborn & Family categories from the National Association of Professional Child Photographers. Melissa offers maternity, lifestyle newborn, and family photography in her relaxed, natural, and joyful style.
Melissa serves Charlottesville, Richmond, Staunton, Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Culpeper, Gordonsville and beyond.
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Melissa Arlena Photography captures newborns, maternity, and families.
Charlottesville and richmond, va
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