The Melissa Ortendahl Experience
Family, Maternity and Newborn Photography in Boston, MA + surrounding areas
Take a moment to look through the sessions that I currently offer to find what works best for you and your family.
Film package add on available
Two - Three week turnaround time
high-resolution photos delivered
50 edited photos in online gallery
Think less “everyone smile at the camera” and more “your kids being their wonderfully uncooperative selves.” You’ll end up with photos that actually look like your family — chaos, laughter, and all.
1 hour session | starts at $650
Family Sessions
Immediate Family
Group Shots of entire Family with small group breakouts included
10 minute mini session for each family unit
all usable images from session included
Gather the whole gang and let’s document the joy of having everyone together. From big group shots to the little in-between moments, you’ll walk away with images that feel like family history in the making.
1-1.5 hour session | starts at $900
Extended Family
Extended Family
Extended Family
high-resolution photos delivered
film package add-on available
two - three week turnaround time
high-resolution photos delivered
50 edited photos in online gallery
Your body is doing the wildest, most incredible thing — let’s celebrate it! These sessions are about connection, glow, and capturing this short-lived season.
1 hour coverage | starts at $650
Maternity
Maternity
Session
Maternity
film package add-on available
two week turnaround time
high-resolution photos
50 edited photos in online gallery
Forget perfect swaddles and stiff poses — all I need is one good window and your people. We’ll capture the real magic of welcoming a baby: snuggles, yawns, and the beautiful mess of it all.
1.5 hour session | starts at $650
Newborn
Newborn
Session
Newborn sessions
film package add-on available
two week turnaround time
50 edited photos from each session in online gallery
Why choose just one when you can have the whole story? From belly kicks to baby snuggles, with this discounted package you’ll get photos that remind you of both the anticipation and the arrival.
1 hour maternity session
Welcome Baby
Welcome Baby Package
maternity & Newborn Package
1 hour newborn session
Starts at $1150
High-Resolution Photos Delivered
You will receive at least 50 high-resolution images delivered to you in an online gallery within 3 weeks after your session. Make sure to download your images and back them up for safe keeping!
03/ image delivery
You'll receive a session prep guide from me to help you prepare for your session. Your job on the day of your session is to be fully present with your family and to take the hour we have together to connect with one another.
02/ session day
You can book directly online through the link below to choose the date that works best for you. Once you submit your signed contract and session fee, I'll be in touch to choose a location that will work for you and your family.
01/ booking your date
How It All Works:
Families are built in a million beautiful ways. I’m passionate about capturing real family stories in all their forms, whether that’s a growing family, chosen family, blended family, single-parent family, or anything in between.
I proudly welcome and celebrate families of all shapes, sizes, identities, cultures, abilities, genders, and sexualities. I am an ally of the LGBTQ+ community and a safe, affirming photographer for all.
Your family’s story deserves to be seen, honored, and remembered exactly as it is — full of connection, emotion, and the moments that make it uniquely yours.
Diversity and inclusion are deeply important to me.
- Jennifer Nguyen
Melissa has captured my family for three years now and each year I just absolutely LOVE our photos!
"She is amazing and made us feel comfortable and calm amidst the chaos of our kids!"
- Jess Baker
Melissa is simply amazing! She got both of our kids involved in some fun ways and was able to capture some really special moments. I highly recommend her and look forward to working with her again!
"She made me feel so comfortable about the chaos involved with photographing two young children."
My focus, my intention - always - regardless of the type of session we have together is to document your family as honestly as possible. If you're looking for a perfectly posed portrait session, I'm not the right photographer for you. If you want images that will bring you right back to this moment in time, whatever stage of life your family is in - then we'll be a good fit!
no.1
What should I expect during our session together?
The turnaround time for gallery delivery is usually two weeks. In the busy season (September - November), turn around time can be up to four weeks as I’m typically shooting sessions during the week and weddings on the weekends. I edit every single image from your session, so while I know it can be hard to wait, trust me, it’s worth it!
no.2
how long will it take for us to get our final gallery?
In general, I am usually booking about a month out for sessions. I usually always have open dates for newborn sessions (which take place on weekday mornings, at your home.) My fall outdoor dates tend to fill up faster. All my open dates are made available to my mailing list first, and then are opened up to the general public for booking. My best advice? If you want to secure a date, do it sooner rather than later!
no.3
how far in advance do i need to book my date?
That’s going to be a hard no. Editing is half of the journey of my work with you as a photographer. It’s an integral part of my creative process and it’s also one of the reasons that you were drawn into and love my work. Simply put, an unedited image is not complete and I don’t give out unfinished work.
no.4
do you provide the unedited raw files of images?
Weather here in New England can be less than predictable. That being said, if there is less than a 50% chance of rain during your session block, we will hold your session. The exception to this is the presence of severe weather (thunderstorms, dangerous winds, etc..) - if severe weather is forecasted, we will re-schedule your session.
no.5
what if there is bad weather for our session?
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