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.

Owen’s Birth Story / The Woodlands TX Birth Photographer

February 28, 2020

There really is no bigger honor than being asked to be a small part of the day a child is welcomed into this world. As a birth photographer, I am trusted by a couple to document through photos and video one of the most monumental moments of their life and it’s something I regard as sacred.

I met this amazing couple for the first time at their maternity session back in November. We talked about the anticipation of welcoming Owen as well as a little bit about their birth plan. I was really excited to hear that they were planning on delivering at The Addice, a beautiful birthing center here in The Woodlands. While I have photographed several hospital births, this was my first Addice birth, and it was a beautiful, amazing experience.

I received a text from Evelyn around 1:30am on February 2nd that her water had broken and she was laboring at home. She let me know she would keep me updated. I “slept” with my phone in my hand after that. Another text came around 3am that they were headed to the Addice. I rolled out of bed and started getting my gear together, along with a thermos of tea (looking back, coffee may have been the better choice). Arriving at the Addice, around 3:45 am, I quietly got out my camera and began to document.

Evelyn’s strength just astounded me. Through contractions, she stayed incredibly focused, even saying her son’s name through breathing while Josh quietly recited encouraging meditations they had written beforehand. As the sun started to come up, Evelyn’s labor intensified and then it was time to push. Owen was welcomed into the world just before 11am, weighing in at a whopping TEN pounds.

Evelyn and Josh were a truly amazing team as they worked together to welcome their son. With Evelyn’s permission, I”m so thankful to be able to share Owen’s birth story with you.

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Theia 4 months / The Woodlands TX Baby & Family Photographer

February 25, 2020

I literally took this beauty’s first year photos this morning, so I figured I should probably catch up and post her in home 4 month old photo session! It was one for the books.

This girl’s smile lights you up! I mean, as soon as she catches your eye, her gorgeous face lights up. I found it to be contagious as I could not stop smiling throughout the session. I love that we do the second session in Watch Me Grow packages almost always in home. This allows us to do it no matter the weather, and I love that we let these little babes hang around fancy and free, showing off those newly developed rolls.

It’s also great to be able to utilize the nursery…because the baby might actually be sleeping in there by now! We incorporated story time and play time into this family photo session and it was fun watching the two sisters start to interact more. I have so many photos to share because I just could not choose, so I apologize. but you’re going to need to scroll to see a few of my favorites from this session.

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The Woodlands Newborn Hospital Photographer / Lewis Fresh 48

February 12, 2020

Newborn hospital photo sessions get me every time. I arrive knowing what a sacred, special, and happy time this is for the family. I want to guide my camera in capturing that awe they have for this little new family member…who is only a few hours old. I get those tiny newborn details and expressions…the yawns, dream smiles, and even cries.

I absolutely adore getting to watch older siblings take on their new promotion as they meet their best friend for life for the very first time. I love watching mom and dad’s hearts multiply before us as they take both kids into their arms. They had wondered how they could possibly love another child as much as their first born and the camera captures those moments as their hearts explode while their oldest takes the tiny finger of his little sister into his own chubby hand and says, “hi baby sister, I luv you.”.

If you are considering booking a hospital photo session, please do not hesitate. You will never regret having these memories forever documented, because trust me….those first few hours and days can be quite a blur. You must scroll down and see this sweet big brother step into his new role with so much love and awe for his new little sister. It’s one reason I can’t get enough of these Fresh 48 photo sessions!

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Grayson sitter / The Woodlands TX Family & Baby Photographer

February 10, 2020

I cannot get enough of this sweet family! I was over the moon when they booked a first year package for Grayson, because I knew this would ensure I would be seeing a lot of them throughout the year. The third photo session of these Watch Me Grow packages are usually a “sitter” session, taken some time between six and eight months old. These babies are on the cusp of finding their freedom through movement…and some already have! The next time I will see them, these little ones will be celebrating their first birthday! We soak up these baby rolls and snuggles as long as we can.

You can see Grayson’s newborn session here and his 4 month in home session here!

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Brooke / Houston TX Newborn & Lifestyle Photographer

February 7, 2020

I must prepare you that the following session is a bit of an overload on cuteness.

Best three year old brother ever? Check.

Gorgeous color scheme? Sweet sleeping baby? Check. Check.

I loved I hear from past newborn clients that they are expecting again and would like me to come back and take some more pictures for them. I mean, it’s so fun catching up with families that now also feel like friends but also seeing those sweet little newborns grow up and take on the role of big brother or sister! This one took on this new role in such a natural, beautiful way…doting on her with sweet snuggles and kisses. I could not get enough of it.

You know what also made this session next level? The color scheme. Does this mean if you don’t have a neutral palette, you need to redecorate before your newborn or in home session? It’s your session and I want it to reflect your space and your home. However, if your taste is bedding is more colorful and has a darker color that could throw a color cast on the baby’s skin or faces, we can talk about this! For some sessions, I bring a white down comforter we can use so that all focus in on your family.

I often get asked….what should we wear? There is no straight cookie cutter answer for that. However, I usually recommend softer colors and textures instead of bolder patterns and colors. Again, you want the focus of the pictures on your baby and your family. I also loved what this mom chose to wear and thought it photographed beautifully! She was comfortable and able to move around and snuggle easily, yet the ivory/white and beautiful textures only accentuated the photos.

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My kids are what got me here / The Woodlands TX Family Photographer

February 6, 2020

I get asked often what got me into photography. It’s an easy explanation….my kids did.

Like a lot of moms, when my kids were babies, I couldn’t take enough pictures of them. My phone could only do the job so well….I mean, I’m pretty sure I had the original iPhone at the time, being that it was 2008. I bought my first camera, (a Nikon D90) when my daughter was 7 months old. Then I had to teach myself how to use it! It was a learning curve, for sure…but I remember trying to soak up as much information as I could from online tutorials, and a fabulous community/website called, Clickin Moms. Once I finally figured out how to take my camera off manual, I was hooked! In fact, if you want a little laugh, you can see the very first pictures I took while off the automatic setting here. That was 11 years ago!

I loved sharing pictures of my kids to our family blog. That was back when almost every mom had a blog and it was more of a lifeline to the outside world than social media has now become for many of us. After a few years, I had a neighbor ask me to take her daughter’s newborn pictures. I was terrified, but also overjoyed to try my hand at something I loved. You can see that very first newborn session from almost 9 years ago here. And so began Melissa Parsons Photography.

When I look back at that first newborn session, I brace myself a little bit if I’m being honest, because….there is so much technically with those pictures that was “wrong”, but what I do love is that I can see those candid sweet moments I was seeking out even then…not really having a clue as to what I was “supposed” to be doing, but knowing what made my heart leap.

Nowadays, my business is primarily made up of newborn clients, and young families. My kids are well into school age, both tweens now. It’s rare that I take out my camera to capture them now, outside of a sports game…I mean the phones have improved quite a bit over the last 10 years! A few years ago when I would ask to take pictures of them (for holiday cards, etc), they would groan a bit, but after a bribe could be usually brought around. This year, they asked me….”mom, when are you going to take our pictures again?” I realized it had been so long since we had done that, that they actually wanted them! We joked the whole time through it.

Tween photos can be tricky. Gone are days of tickle wars and even fart jokes to get them to laugh, but a good ribbing…and sometimes even dropping something inappropriate does the trick…anything to get their real smiles and smirks. These are the photos I love.

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Hermann / Conroe Family Lifestyle Photographer

February 4, 2020

I am long overdue for sharing this in home family photo session with you! I get so excited when family’s hire me to basically come to their house and watch them hang out together. These kinds of sessions are so fun because they don’t revolve around a big event or milestone…they are just about pressing the pause button on time with photos capturing your family just as you are in this stage of life.

This family is often on the move due to dad’s work schedule, and so it was extra special to capture these moments of play together using the backdrop of their home. I hope they will look back on these photos and be momentarily taken back to those giggles, happy shrieks and sweet snuggle smells. Those moments that might otherwise be filed under the everyday, forgotten days….those that are often described with the phrase, “the days are long, but the years are short”, are now forever available to return to in our memories. Photos do that. They can take you immediately back to those toddler years, but without the diapers and sleepless nights.

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Hannah / The Woodlands TX Senior Photographer

February 3, 2020

I got to take this gorgeous girl’s senior photos last year. Even though the bulk of my clients are looking for newborn, hospital, or young family photos, every once in a while I get the opportunity to sneak a little senior photo session in and I love it! This senior just radiated beauty, both inside and out.

I loved how she let her personality shine though and was so impressed at her sense of style. She selected all three outfits with one free spirited, bohemian sundress, a clean retro preppy look, and finally a casual outfit as a nod to her next chapter. Although for senior photos this session took place a little late in the season (read May), we were rewarded with gorgeous wildflowers and long grasses as a backdrop for part of our session, which was really fun.

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Boyle / The Woodlands TX Family Photographer

January 30, 2020

This shopping area in The Woodlands is actually one of of my favorite locations for young family sessions. It’s great for morning photo sessions because we have the place pretty much to ourselves, and the light can be absolutely gorgeous filtering through the various foliage and buildings. There are so many textures and fun pops of color, and lots of places to let little ones move around, while staying safe (always the most important factor when I look for a location).

This family and I have done several sessions together and after each one I think, well now this one’s my favorite! Little sister had just celebrated her first birthday, so it was the perfect time for a photo session! I loved watching big brother interact with his sister, who he clearly adores. He still got plenty of attention though because each kiddo deserves to feel like they have moments when it’s all about them!

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Charlotte 4 months / The Woodlands TX Baby Photographer

January 28, 2020

I may or may not have just finished up this little girl’s Watch Me Grow keepsake book that compiled sweet photos from her newborn, four month, sitter, and first birthday photo sessions. This goes to show you how behind I am in sharing recent work over the last year! Now that busy season is behind me, I’m hoping this blog gets a little more love over the next few weeks because I have SO many photo sessions to share!

Oh my goodness, I love the age of four to six months! It’s probably my favorite session in the Watch Me Grow packages because these little babies have changed so much in just a few months since their newborn photo session. I love to see their gummy little smiles and watch their personality come out as they react to loved ones and I can’t get enough of those leg rolls and chubby cheeks! These sessions usually take place in the client’s home which works well because everyone is comfortable and we don’t have to worry about weather conditions and it being too hot or too cold.

Charlotte is my first Watch Me Grow Baby to have ALL of her sessions done in the home, which was really neat because the family actually moved half way through her first year. I know her family will love having these pictures to look back on for the memories of both special places she spent her first year.