Melissa Parsons is a Natural light lifestyle photographer specializing in family, birth and newborn photography, serving The Woodlands, Conroe, Cypress, Tomball, Spring, Montgomery, as well as other areas of North Houston.

Gray / The Woodlands Baby Photographer

March 7, 2019

I’m in the process of scheduling this little one’s first birthday photo session and can’t believe how fast her Watch Me Grow year has gone! You know what I also can’t believe? I can’t believe just how far behind I am in posting sessions to the blog! Let’s go back and pretend her four month sessions was just a few weeks ago, shall we?

I really like doing the 3-4 month photo session in the home. It’s not only always easier for the family and the baby, but it’s fun to document special spaces such as the nursery that don’t always get enough attention in the newborn session. Weather almost never has an impact on in home sessions either, which in Houston is a very good thing.

Four months is such a fun age. Babies little personalities are peeking out. We usually get lots of smiles and wide eyes, taking in everything around them. They are interacting so much and love to be part of the action. They have grown SO much in just a few months. I almost always try and strip down everything but the diaper for some shots so we can capture their rolls and chunky thighs in all of their glory…not to mention those sweet baby feet. This is another great reason to do the in home session so babies are comfortable letting it all hang out. Ha!

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Shirodkar Family Photographer in The Woodlands

March 5, 2019

I loved getting to do this fun family outdoor session in a little bit more of an urban location. We had unbelievably gorgeous light for this photo session and gorgeous light makes me super happy.

I was delighted to get to work with this sweet family again. These kiddos have SO much personality and they let it all come out which made the session so much fun! In one of my favorite shots (you’ll have to scroll through to see what I’m talking about), I had all five of them up against a wall and mom and dad leaned in while each kiddo struck their own pose. The final product made me laugh out loud …check out little brother’s face!

Family photo sessions are about having fun. They shouldn’t feel stiff and formal in my opinion, they should show your family just as you are! That means letting it all come out…the love, the jokes, the laughs…even the pouts. My favorite shot from this entire session was taken when we were heading back to our cars after the session was done (or so we thought). I never stop shooting. =) Little brother was DONE, and momma scooped him up. I got teary eyed when I saw the shot because I miss being able to scoop up my own kiddos. They only stay little for so long…we need to embrace it…the tears, the loud sillies, and the snuggles. Scroll all the way down to see my favorite picture from this session.

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Sophie / The Woodlands TX Lifestyle Newborn Photographer

March 1, 2019

Sophie’s in home newborn session was extra special because I’ve worked with this family for several years now. I first met them when we were anticipating Sophie’s big sister’s arrival.

You may even recognize her parents from the first page of my website. We’ve had a chance to work together several times, and I shared our family maternity session on the blog not too long ago.

Sophie’s in home newborn photo session was so much fun. You will have to scroll all the way down to see this amazing nursery! Mom and dad designed it and dad executed it perfectly!

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Talwar / The Woodlands TX Maternity & Newborn Photographer

February 25, 2019

This family contacted me just before the holidays looking for a maternity photo session as they were expecting their second little one to arrive soon.

I always love getting inquiries, but usually around late September, my calendar fills for remainder of the year. Fall is definitely busy season. So as I read this mom’s email, I was sad that I was going to have to decline the opportunity to work with them because my calendar looked Interstate 45 at rush hour.

I flipped through my calendar before replying to her email and realized I had had a cancellation open up a date for the next week. I responded letting her know, I would love to work with them but I had only ONE possible date to do it. She happily agreed and then we hoped for good weather, which if I’m being honest, last fall that was hard to come by.

Everything about this session felt like it was meant to be. Not only did we have great weather, we had GORGEOUS weather. Big brother was shy and quiet and first, but we became fast friends and he gave me so many smiles throughout the maternity session. Sometimes it feels silly calling these types of photo sessions maternity sessions, because they are always family sessions or couple sessions. Sure, we get lots of pictures of mom and her beautiful, growing bump, but that’s only part of the session.

We talked about their upcoming in home newborn session and what to expect when we saw each other again for it in a couple of months. The week I got an email from mom that she had actually gone into labor the very next day and had sweet baby brother. Our timing could not have been more perfect.

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Toupal / The Woodlands TX First Birthday Family Photographer

February 21, 2019

Birthdays are always fun to celebrate, but first birthdays are some of the best! They should be celebrated BIG, complete with a first birthday family photo session and CAKE!

I’ve seen this family quite a bit over the last year. We had a lot of milestones to capture including a maternity session, a Fresh 48 hospital session, William’s at home newborn session. Trust me that you will want to check out his nursery…after doing this for 8 years, it’s one of the most amazing one’s I’ve seen! We caught up again for six month photo session last spring and then celebrated William’s first birthday back in the fall.

I always ask moms when I chat with them before the first birthday photo sessions if their little one is walking yet. This gives me an idea of different types of shots we will try and get as well as what kind of shoes I need to wear to chase after these little ones. Ha!

When I asked William’s mom if he was walking yet, she said….”um, actually he’s been walking since he was eight months old”. Holy cow! This boy was on the move for sure. We got lots of action shots and ended the session with a fun little cake smash.

I’ve bragged on this momma before because she’s always so great about putting outfits together for each photo session. She nailed it with the beautiful cake and William’s knit overalls for the cake smash. I loved it! Make sure you scroll all the way down to check out our grand finale. The best cake smashes are the messy ones and it becomes very obvious why we save these to the end of the photo session!

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Isla / The Woodlands TX In Home Newborn Photographer

February 15, 2019

I LOVE in home newborn sessions….which mean, I LOVE every newborn session I get to do.

Those first few weeks after coming home from the hospital with a newborn baby are such a fog, but so sweet. I remember when I had my son’s newborn session, I loaded all of us up in the car (along with my 19 month old toddler) to go to a photographer’s studio for his newborn session. It was miserable. Nothing against that photographer, but the studio environment was just stressful and HOT. My toddler was all over everything and we were crammed in this small space pretending we were feeling very loving towards each other. Ha!

In home newborn sessions are the way to go. No need to jack up the heat to where everyone is sweating. I bring a small space heater and spend some time in natural poses with your little one focusing on their tiny details and preferences they are already developing. Then we get some shots with everyone else loving on each other and snuggling the newest member.

Speaking of tiny details, I realize almost anyone with a heartbeat swoon’s over baby feet, but I also LOVE newborn hands. Their tiny little fingers get me every time.

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Gattis / The Woodland TX Family Lifestyle Photographer

January 30, 2019

Winter can sometimes be a tricky time for family photo sessions. No one really wants to be outside and our usual lush locations have seen better days. I always like to suggest in home family lifestyle photo sessions. In the Woodlands, TX, these in home family photo sessions can take place any time of year and they capture your family just as they are …..in their happy place.

We had planned on doing this photo session during the holiday season so we could capture a little magic during that special time of year. Weather and sickness don’t pay attention to a calendar though so we actually rescheduled this one a couple of times and ended up finally doing it a few weeks ago in mid-January.

Side note-although in home photo sessions can take place anytime of year…whether its freezing outside in the winter or sweltering in our six month summer we have here in Houston, weather is still a bit of a factor. If it’s pouring rain outside or VERY dark and gloomy, I will always try and reschedule. I’m a natural light photographer, meaning I don’t use flash or even inside lights during our session. I utilize that gorgeous soft window light throughout your home, so extremely gloomy or rainy days are not ideal.

I started off this in home session in each of the kids’ rooms so they could show me their special space and things they enjoy doing. It also gives me a bit of one on one time for them to get more comfortable and warm up to me….it usually doesn’t take long!

Then I like to let the rest of the session play out organically. When I talk with mom or dad over the phone a few days before our session, I usually tell them to have some activities they enjoy doing as a family in mind. Do yall enjoy cuddling together and reading? Are dance parties a thing in your house? Don’t feel the need to bake cookies in the kitchen just because this is something you see all over Pinterest! Let the session be authentic to your family and the stage of life you are in!

I LOVE that we were able to add on the Life in Motion video to this photo session. You must take a few minutes to watch how this short video adds depth to these memories. They are priceless moments to have.

Gattis from Melissa Lebo Parsons on Vimeo.

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Eilers / Tomball Lifestyle Family Photographer

January 22, 2019

This fall photo session season was one for the books.

I thought I was on my A-game when I planned out my calendar back in August. I usually book up remaining sessions for the year toward the end of August or early September. In an effort to balance work and family life, I left every Saturday open so that I wouldn’t miss out on my own kids activities and only scheduled family photo sessions on Friday afternoons and Sundays. I remember thinking in the back of my mind, “…this way I also have a few rain out days built in!”

Um….maybe for any year besides 2018. Guess what? I used up EVERY SINGLE rain out date by the end of October. I lost count of how many photo sessions we had to reschedule due to weather. This sweet family was SO flexible. I believe we rescheduled our photo session 3-4 times! We finally were able to get together and capture lots of laughs and smile, and the sun even came out and joined us!

I love how big sister wanted to include her snuggle bear in a few shots.

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The Woodlands TX Hospital Fresh 48 Photographer / Grayson

January 18, 2019

Fresh 48 sessions (which are photo sessions done at the hospital within the first 48 hours of a baby’s life) continue to be my absolute favorite! I have known this family for a few years now and you probably will recognize their cute faces from my blog as they have made an appearance many times.

I was over the moon when Sarah let me know they were expecting again and decided to take advantage of my one of my Watch Me Grow Packages. This means I’m going to see them quite a bit over this next year and we’ll get to document so many of sweet Grayson’s milestones and stages….and get lots of sweet pictures of big sister, Sloan, as well. She tends to steal the show in the best way possible.

I met mom and dad up at the hospital the day after Grayson was born and spent the first 30 minutes or so focusing on pictures of Grayson and mom and dad. Big sister was super excited to meet her little brother, and we knew we wanted to document that as well! This is the highlight of many of the Fresh 48 sessions. Each little one reacts differently, but I LOVED watching Sloan timidly walk into the room so happy to see her mom and little brother and then over just a few minutes, envelop him with sweet touches and affection. It was so beautiful to see and I love the images we got.

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Scarlett / Houston TX Baby & Family Photographer

January 14, 2019

Sitter baby photo sessions are some of my very favorite. They are part of every single one of my Watch Me Grow Packages and take place when your little one is between six and eight months old. Ideally, this is the age when they are sitting up but not quite on the move yet, but they sure are trying!

Sweet Scarlett was full of smiles during this morning session. I find that early morning sessions work great for this age because they are well rested and ready to start their day!

I thought mom did a great job choosing Scarlett’s outfit for this family photo session as well. It was neutral, simple, and adorable! This session took place on a fairly warm morning, so this babe was totally comfortable. I usually tell families not to even worry about baby shoes at this stage either….give me all the baby feet and let their toes go free! Usually when we try to include shoes, they end up falling off anyways or we just see the sole of them….baby feet are way more cute, in my opinion.

Are you expecting soon? Check one thing off your list, but do make it a priority. Your baby will grow and change So much in this first year, and at times it will feel like a blur. Consider which one of my Watch Me Grow packages will work best for your family. By booking one of these, you ensure that you make photo sessions a priority this first year and secure priority on my booking calendar….AND you save a substantial amount of money from a la carte sessions. I would love to work with you and meet your sweet little one!