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Melissa Madden Photography Logo
Couple embracing on sunlit desert dunes with windblown sand Happy family of five hugging outdoors at sunset in a field Family walking barefoot on a sandy beach trail at sunset Family of six laughing and holding hands on a sunlit outdoor trail at golden hour Happy family of four playing and laughing on a sandy beach path Smiling couple in formal attire lying on sand, sharing an affectionate moment outdoors Couple kissing beside a large tree trunk, with the woman in a yellow dress and the man in a green jacket Father and daughter touching foreheads and smiling outdoors in warm sunset light Couple holding hands and walking barefoot across sand dunes in a desert. Father and daughter smiling together on a rocky beach at low tide Smiling family of five walking hand in hand through a sunny field at sunset Smiling couple embracing outdoors at sunset with warm golden bokeh. Family holding a blanket over two children running through a grassy field at sunset Smiling couple embracing outdoors at sunset, with the man kissing the woman's forehead. Family walking on a sunny trail with three dogs and a golden retriever, outdoors at sunset
Portrait of Melissa Madden with long red hair wearing a light gray sweater against a dark background

Hi, I'm Melissa Madden.

My commitment is to capture your life story, no matter what stage, with my professional gear, years of experience, and endless time spent at seminars, classes and international retreats, I will do everything needed to create beautiful memories for you and your family.

Pricing Information - Click here

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The Experience

I am a full-service photographer, which means I do more than just show up to your session and hand you digitals. I specialize in experiences! We live in a world that’s inundated with cell phone images which are buried in our digital world without ever seeing the light of day. My goal for you is to create memories that can be used as pieces of art in your home and will be cherished for years to come. Once you choose to work with me to fulfill your photography needs, I will guide and help you every step of the way. I will create a unique experience for your family, delivering top notch results. If you are expecting the best level of service and high quality products, I am your person!

Cozy living room with three framed couple photos above a bench and woven home decor

"Melissa not only provides an amazing experience from beginning to end, but also designs exquisite and high quality products."

"The beautifully framed canvases we purchased are an ever-present reminder of what is important for us, our love for each other”
- rebecca

The Process

the dream consultation

The sky is the limit! During your dream consultation, we will design your session, discuss outfit options, and brainstorm where you might display your finished wall art pieces. This session is best when done in the comfort of your own home. I’ll treat you to coffee, bring some beautiful dresses for you to try on, and we can scout out the best wall for your photos.

the portrait session

Your portrait session will last anywhere from 45 to 75 minutes. I do not limit the time, but rather go with the flow and end when we have captured everything and you have a huge smile. Expect fun and connection with your loved ones!

the ordering appointment

This is the best part! Prepare to cry tears of joy as you watch the photo montage of your photos. Everything we had planned will come to life before your eyes. You will place your product order at this appointment, which takes place in the studio. Your products will be delivered with 3-4 weeks after the invoice is paid in full.

Top view of a desk with notebook, coffee cup, keyboard, and laptop corner on a white workspace.

INVESTMENT

Wooden letter tiles spelling FAQ surrounded by scattered tiles on a white background
Dog beside a baby in a decorated vintage chair against a beige background

Maternity & Newborn

People standing on a rocky beach taking a group photo near the water

families, love & portraits

Three children gently holding a newborn baby together

"We will absolutely hire her again!"

We hired Melissa for the second time this year and were extremely happy with the whole experience. She had great customer service from first communication to product delivery and our kiddos had so much fun during the session. We received a gallery of both candid and posed images that look stunning printed on our wall. We will absolutely hire her again!
- kesley smith

Smiling toddler sitting on an adult’s lap outdoors at sunset

"I can't say enough about how wonderful our experience was with Melissa Madden."

Right from the start she put all four of us at ease. She gave really clear direction, but left plenty of room for us to be ourselves. I've never met a photographer who was so great with kids! My son, who was determined not to smile, ended up laughing the entire time. Melissa's photos capture such a special time in our life and we couldn't be happier with the final product!
- danielle v.

Pregnant woman in a sunlit field wearing a sunhat, smiling at sunset

"WOW! We have now hired Melissa for 5 different shoots"

- pregnancy announcement, pregnancy photos, professional headshots, new baby, and family photos. Her talent and professionalism are so far above what we've gotten with other photographers. I confess, I've had other shoots with other photogs and, well...we didn't pay much and got what we paid for. With Melissa, SHE'S WORTH IT!
- ruthie s.

Toddler standing beside a hospital bassinet, looking down at a baby in black and white

"Melissa was such a joy to work with."

Melissa was such a joy to work with. She had excellent communication from when I went into labor and when she was able to arrive for the photos. She got some great photos with my very active toddler and my newborn. She took my fresh 48 photos and made it very stress free! I would recommend her to all new parents. She captured some great moments that I am forever grateful for!!
- jasmine s.

Smiling mother holding a happy baby, seated on a gray blanket against a neutral background.

"Melissa has done many photo sessions for me."

She does amazing work and does so well with kids! I highly recommend her!
- sabina a.

Three generations of family gathered on a couch, holding a newborn and sharing an affectionate moment

"Melissa has a knack for bringing out the best in people…”

We've worked with Melissa for first 48 newborn photos, newborn lifestyle, as well as professional headshots. Aside from having tremendous professional photography chops (we were really, REALLY pleased with the quality and composition of the final photos we received), Melissa has a knack for bringing out the best in people—including their smiles—during photoshoots. That goes for fussy babies and squirmy adults alike.
- martin c.

Portrait of a young girl with long brown hair and bangs, looking at the camera outdoors

"If I could give more than 5 stars, I would!"

I cannot express enough how talented Melissa is. She is professional, attentive, kind and so very easy to work with. I didn’t have to worry about a thing during my daughters photo shoot, as she had so many ideas and got her to make the cutest poses!! The pictures came out amazing. I will forever cherish them. Thank you so much!
- teresa l.

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@melissamaddenphotography

Family of six holding hands on a sandy beach at sunset with Jan-June 2026 text
858.737.9111
San Diego’s best bilingual family photographer
info@melissamadden.com
3911 Fifth Ave #204, San Diego, CA 92103
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