Thank you for another amazing year for MHP!

After four years in business as Melissa Hayes Photography, this has by far been the best one in so many ways. I was fortunate to serve 65 different families and organizations in a total of 89 sessions. I was accepted into NAPCP, a fantastic association for professional child photographers, and have taken in priceless training and guidance from some industry professionals who I really admire. Most importantly, I’ve had the honor of capturing important and special moments for a number of amazing families who I love and adore.  This business of mine is so much more than just a job — it’s my passion and something that brings an immense joy and fulfillment to my life. There’s not a day that goes by that I am not thanking God for this opportunity to do what I love while still having the blessing of raising my daughter and being with her every day.

I’ve learned and grown so much this year, and I really look forward to bringing my clients the best experience yet in 2018. I’ll leave you with some highlights from 2017. Thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting my business (and in turn, my family)! It means the world to me, and I am thankful for each and every one of you!

R Family Fall Mini Session – Atlanta | Atlanta Family Photographer

I’ve had the honor of photographing dear friends and their families many times over the past 4 years of business, and it just never gets old. It’s so fun watching my friends become parents, and it’s the icing on the cake to get to capture precious moments for them as their children grow. We met up at one of my favorite in-town parks one evening last month, and we had a great time playing in the leaves, watching for dogs, and just being silly until the sun went down and there was no light left for photo-taking. Pretty perfect, if you ask me!

Brewer’s Newborn Session – Decatur | Atlanta Newborn Photographer

This cute little guy, Brewer, was named in honor of his mama’s maiden name, and I just love it. It’s a pretty cool thing when I get invited to a family’s home for the first time to meet and document this special time with their newest addition, their brand new baby.  Meeting new clients is always exciting, and to be honest, a little nerve-wracking, but these sweet parents welcomed me into their home like we’d been friends for years. The connections I make with my clients and their families is one of my favorite things about what I do, and I’m so thankful for the friendships that grow as I see them again and again through the seasons. Here are some favorites from Brewer’s newborn session. I hope you enjoy!

November Holiday Mini Sessions, Part 2 – Atlanta | Atlanta Family Photographer

This round of mini sessions for the season was a great one. I held them at this cute little park in Smyrna that doesn’t have a playground (perfect for sessions with kids!) and has the prettiest little wooden bridges, magnolia trees, and even a giant metal dragon sculpture (sorry — that didn’t make it in any of the shots). The leaves changed color really late this season and were so pretty for these sessions, covering the ground with golden yellow confetti. I got to photograph three of the sweetest families that day, and the kiddos were all smiles and so happy — always a dream for me!

R Family Fall Session – Smyrna | Atlanta Family Photographer

One of the biggest compliments to my business is when a client returns for another session with me, and I am always so very thankful for their repeat business! I first photographed the R family last fall when their youngest daughter was just a little tot, and now she’s a full-on toddler. It’s so neat to watch my clients’ families grow from year to year and to be a part of documenting and freezing this time for them. As the parent of a two-year-old, I am starting to really understand how our children seem to grow in the blink of an eye, and it only goes faster with each passing year. Enjoy some highlights from my session with these two darling, blue-eyed girls and their sweet parents.