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.

Theia sitter / The Woodlands Baby Photographer

June 17, 2020

Gosh, I can’t get enough of this smiley girl! We actually did this sitter session last fall, but I’m still playing catch up when it comes to blogging. I love that every Watch Me Grow session in our packages is ALWAYS a family session too. Let’s watch everyone grow! Ok, maybe not us moms and dads…I like to pretend I’m not aging, right? I sure do love watching those big brothers and sisters grow too! It’s also so much fun to document the ever changing relationship between siblings!

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but these “sitter” sessions are a perfect stage to capture because I call it the “potted plant” stage. They can sit up and support themselves now, but they are not quite off and moving! You just wait though…in just a few months, you’ll be running to keep up!

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Cole / The Woodlands TX Lifestyle in Home Newborn Photographer

June 15, 2020

My Watch Me Grow families are just so special. We all get to know each other so well, it really does feel more like hanging out with friends than an actual family photo session. And while we’re all so relaxed and just hanging out…we get a lot of great pictures too.

Getting to do Cole’s newborn session was such a treat because I got to see how much big brother, Ethan has grown too. He was one of my original Watch Me Grow babies! He has taken to his new role of big brother in the sweetest way.

I actually took Cole’s 8 month pictures this morning…so I’m quite behind on blogging, as you can tell! It’s crazy to think how much has happened in our world in the last few months. Even with all of the uncertainty and turmoil, it’s been a blessing to connect with others and safely continue to document the first year of these babies. They are only so little for such a short period of time.

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Lauren / Senior Photographer in The Woodlands, TX

June 12, 2020

My kids are just about at the age when they no longer need a babysitter. Not too long ago, babysitters were part of my lifeline, and Lauren was one of our very best. My husband and I would come home from a date night and my daughter could not wait to show off whatever elaborate braid Lauren had created…and then refuse to take it out for two days. Even after we no longer needed babysitters, she would ask me…but can’t she just come over and do my hair??

Now this beautiful girl is all grown up and part of the Class of 2020. A class that got their prom stolen from them, their last 2 months of time at school with friends..and almost graduation. We were not about to let Covid take her senior pictures away, although it sure did try.

Our first date got rained out, and so we put a random date on the calendar for the middle of March. What was supposed to be Spring Break turned into what is currently week 14 of a 24 week summer….let’s hope it’s only 24, anyways. Our session ended up falling on a Wednesday afternoon, shortly after social distancing became a thing but before the Stay at Home order was issued for our area. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to social distance for a senior photo session! I brought out my long lens and we got to work. I was thrilled to get to play with a few new locations close to my house, that I LOVED. They were completely different from each other, so it was fun to throw in some outfit changes to compliment each location.

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Ian 4 months / First Year Baby Photographer in The Woodlands, TX

June 10, 2020

I’m embarrassed to say how behind I am in blogging. This is Ian’s four month old photo shoot and he may or may not be 18 months old now. Sheesh!! I had to share this session with you though because I absolutely love this age for a photo session.

I love the four-six month stage so much, that is in every one of my first year photo packages. These babies grow and change so much…so quickly. By four months old, they are giving us lots of smiles and showing off during tummy time, letting their rolls hang out in all of their glory! I cannot get enough of it. It’s also a great time to take more pictures in the nursery. By now, they have usually moved into it…and this is their happy place too.

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Scout / Lifestyle newborn photographer in The Woodlands, TX

June 8, 2020

This family was thrilled to celebrate the arrival of their little girl, and add some pink to the mix. Her older brothers are already pretty smitten with her.

In home newborn sessions are perfect for big siblings. They can run in and be part of the pictures intermittently, and then run out for a snack or needed break. There is no set schedule. Everything is fluid, laid back and the session flows organically to your family’s needs.

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Front Porch Photo Sessions in The Woodlands

June 5, 2020

June has been keeping me busy with kids finally out of “school” and sooo many porch sessions! What started out as a way to document our time at home with our families…and possibly a few funny pics to give nod to the craziness that comes with an impromptu quarantine during a world pandemic, has turned into family photo mini sessions….that come to you.

The number one thing I hear after these sessions is….”well that was easy!”. That’s what I want! They are quick (just 15 minutes). This is plenty of time to get a bunch of great family pics and portraits of the kids, yet not enough time for any family members (dad, I’m talking to you) to get cranky or dripping in sweat. Hello! It’s June in Houston.

If an official family photo session isn’t in the cards this year, or if the thought of adding just one more thing to the list stresses you out…these might be a great option to consider.

You can find more information for these session and submit a session builder form of your own here.

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Shearwater Porch Project Part 1 / The Woodlands TX Front Porch Photographer

May 14, 2020

A couple of weeks ago a sweet neighbor of mine asked if I might be open doing some Front Porch photo sessions. I had seen some of these on social media and loved the idea of documenting this crazy time we’re all living through.

After sending out a couple of texts to neighbors and friends, I was blown away by the response. Apparently a lot of people thought an easy 15 minute family photo session was a good idea. What I didn’t fully expect was how much I am LOVING doing them.

Some families are taking a more satirical spin on things, getting a few fun photos showing what they’ve been doing to pass the time, entertain the little ones and just….survive this quarantine time. Others are documenting missed events…dance recitals, sports events, etc. One of my favorite sessions this past week was one I’ll share with you here. My friend, Brittany gave birth to a beautiful baby boy a couple of weeks ago. Her traditional newborn photo session didn’t happen and a front porch session was a perfect opportunity to capture some photos of this little guy. Big sister pretty much stole the show, which makes me love these photos even more.

Interested in booking your own front porch session?? You can get more information and submit a request here.

I would love to come see your family…from a safe 6-8 feet.

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Willie / The Woodlands TX Newborn in home photographer

March 11, 2020

This newborn photo session is a perfect example of why I prefer in home lifestyle photo sessions to studio newborn sessions. I’m still a little traumatized when I think back 10 years ago to when after three hours of sleep the night before because, NEWBORN, my husband and I struggled to get out of the house in one piece with tiny newborn and an under two toddler. Why would anyone do that??!! Oh because I definitely wanted newborn pictures of my son and the photographer I was using at the time worked out of a studio…that was a million degrees and about 40 square feet in size. Try containing a sweaty, temperamental toddler, who you just ran out of bribes for, in a hot sauna, while trying to cuddle your new little family of 4….and looking SERENE and HAPPY about it! It was more than a struggle that made my husband swear off photo sessions for a while.

I much prefer in home newborn sessions, where everyone is free to relax in their own space…there’s air conditioning and snacks! These babies are at ease and the newly promoted big siblings can play, and cuddle….run in for a sweet snuggle and then run out for their own little break. Most times they want to show me whatever they’re into at the moment and we get pictures of that too…because this is a FAMILY newborn session…yes, there is a new baby to focus on but this is also capturing this stage of your life that I promise you, you’re going to want to remember….lack of sleep and all.

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Wu / The Woodlands & Conroe Maternity Birth Photographer

March 5, 2020

This maternity photo session, taken in Jones State Forest was delightful from start to finish. I was giddy about trying out a new location and oh.my.word…it was glorious! We had perfect weather and light to play with. Now let me just say…this location might not work as well in warmer months because mosquitoes and um…”critters”, but for December in The Woodlands, it was perfect!

It was wonderful to be able to do this session with Evelyn and Josh because we had an entire hour to chat, engage and just relax and get to know each other….which was great since I was going to be photographing the birth of their little boy! I always make it a point to schedule some time to get to know a birth client before the big day. It’s important that everyone is comfortable and at ease instead of having to worry about introductions, etc the day of the birth! It also gave us more time to discuss details, and expectations, etc, which I have no doubt put us all more at ease.

I knew shortly after meeting this couple that their love for each other was just on another level. They radiated it. I mean, normally I coach couples through a little bit more, but they were just so naturally reaching for each other and seriously could not take their eyes off of one another. My camera soaked it up.

I told her after the session it was going to be hard to narrow the photos down because I had 500 favorites! Seriously…it was that amazing of a session!

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Sophie / The Woodlands TX First Year & Birthday Photographer

March 3, 2020

Ok yall, I’m OBSESSED with this session I’m about to share with you. First of all, I ADORE this family. They have been with me for several years when we took maternity photos while they were awaiting Zoe (big sister) to be born. Through newborn, baby and birthday photo sessions, we have blown past the client relationship and are now well in the friend zone. I couldn’t be happier about it.

We tried out a new location that was super fun for our morning session and I loved it! The sun was coming in beautifully and it matched the glow of joy coming off this family in every direction. Funny fact, they were actually moving this very same weekend…AND celebrating a birthday! I mean…there was a lot going on. And yet. They arrived ready to go and I laughed, telling Katie….”don’t worry, the hard part is over now…you’re here!”.

I sincerely tell every client that when they arrive to our session. I don’t disregard that it can be a challenge to get everyone out the door, not just dressed, but “camera ready”, on time and generally, with smiles on their faces. I mean, that can feel like Mission Impossible sometimes. But when you come out on the other side, arriving at our session, I’ll greet you with a smile on your face and remind you that yes…the hard part is over and now we just get to relax and have fun. So we did. We had a LOT of fun at this session.