Mom to 3 Boys
Hi, I’m Melissa - a family and wedding photographer based in Central Massachusetts.
I’m a boy mom (to three, including identical twins) who loves travel, good music, and the kind of belly laughs that make your face hurt.
10 years ago, I walked away from a decade-long career in higher ed to be home with my kids and picked up a camera, teaching myself everything from scratch during nap times and late nights.
What started as a side passion has grown into a full-time business that lets me document love, connection, and the everyday beauty of right now.
I know how quickly seasons change, and my goal is to give you images that feel real and true to your life - so you can hold onto them long after this stage has passed.
fluent in sarcasm | laughs loudly
I'm Melissa Ortendahl,
Your Photographer.
hey there,
Wife to my college sweetheart
Spotify always on
traveler at every chance
believer in honest moments
10 YEARS IN BUSINESS! I am beyond excited (and proud) to be celebrating my 10th year of having my own business and 7 years of being a full-time photographer. Its incredible to me that I get to do this thing I love so much as a job and also support my family. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this was possible and it's all thanks to my INCREDIBLE clients!
Continued to grow my business, managed to keep it alive during a global pandemic and having to home school my three kids. I was brought by clients to Florida, San Diego, Malibu, Idaho, Colorado as well as all over New England for family, maternity and newborn sessions- fulfilling a secondary dream I had to be a traveling photographer!
I gave myself the three years I was home before my youngest two went to Kindergarten to build my business to a level where I could go full time. That September morning they got on the bus to go to their first day of Kindergarten was the first day of working 100% full time for myself.
Worked a part-time job to help make ends meet and built my business during nap times and after my kids went to bed. I taught myself how to shoot in manual mode, how to use photoshop and lightroom and also how to run a business (something I had ZERO experience in). My dad has been a small business owner for my entire life (almost 45 years!) - I guess it's in my blood!
Made the decision to leave my 10+ year career working in Higher Ed (for which I hold a Master's Degree) to be at home with my three boys. Having always loved photography, I decided to try to turn my passion into a business
it all
started
how
pot roast and potatoes
6. my go-to favorite meal to make from scratch:
pottery!
5. a hobby i have always wanted to start, but haven't yet:
d. Indian
c. Pub Food
b. mexican
a. italian
4. favorite type of food:
sleep in late
3. on my days off, the first thing I like to do is:
d. dress pants & a button down
c. bluejeans & a tee
b. a dress & high heels
a. sweatpants & a comfy top
2. my go-to outfit is:
Southern California or a National Park
1. IF I COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE ON vacation, WHERE WOULD IT BE:
GET TO KNOW melissa
LET'S DO THIS THE FUN WAY, SHALL WE...
WE've enjoyed working with Melissa for the past four years - she has consistently exceeded our expectations!
"Her ability to engage with our kids and capture genuine moments is remarkable"
01/
- Vincent Kan
- Morgan Gallant
If you're thinking about booking a newborn shoot, definitely book with Melissa!
"I am obsessed with how well she captured our little family!"
02/
She is so patient and kind and her eye for photography is truly unmatched. I'm so happy I invested in her, I will be using her again!
"She captured our family perfectly!"
03/
-Heather Barker
A storytelling focus, to capture all the details and emotion of your family
Sessions based in motion, not perfect poses.
Picture this: you’re chasing laughter through a field, spinning your partner around. Maybe there’s a little one hanging off your neck mid-giggle, or someone taller now, hands in pockets, offering a half-smile instead of a grin. Different seasons, same connection.
You’re not posing. You’re living it.
And that’s exactly where I come in. Not to stage a scene, but to create enough space and comfort for everyone to show up as they are. The wild energy, the quiet in-between moments, the softness you didn’t see coming. Just you, your people, and the kind of connection that unfolds when no one’s being asked to perform.
What Makes Me Different...
storyteller & photographer
web design by fetch studio | Customized by Pop Impact
copyright 2026 melissa ortedahl photography
