Happy 10 Year Anniversary!
Happy 10 year Anniversary!!
Colorado Springs Photographer
WOW! I can not believe I am sitting here today, as a Colorado Springs Photographer, writing about this ten year photography journey. What a great ten years it has been!
I get asked a lot “What made you get started in photography?” The answer, is much like many other photographers, so I think anyway, I started when my oldest was born. Becoming a first time parent, I never dreamed the nightmare I would walk through. I had a perfect pregnancy, perfect delivery, and then to find out my daughter was born with a heart condition. Without immediate surgery, she maybe had two weeks to live. Yes, talk about scary! As a first time parent, you are excited and yes, even scared for the journey ahead. At just 5 days old, our sweet baby girl, underwent heart surgery at Denver Children‘s Hospital. It was at this time, when I was told by the Dr. “Melissa, you must understand, your daughter is so little (she was 5 pounds) she may not come out of this alive.” And the tears fell. How could they not right? I believe, in those moments, I cried and prayed harder than I ever had in my entire life.
Seeing your child come out of surgery, attached to so many wires and monitors, its a bit overwhelming to say the least. However, I knew, in those moments, I wanted to capture every moment with her. Never knowing what the journey ahead had in place for us. So, it was then that I picked up my camera and never turned back.
Here is what she looked like just after coming out of surgery. Heart breaking…I know.
13 years later, our daughter is a thriving teenager with all the mood swings, attitude, kindness and love you could image. I am beyond thankful and grateful for her. 
In 2011, I decided to turn my “I am a mom with a camera” gig and turn it into a business. Like most other photographers, I started slow. Offering sessions to friends and family to just build up my portfolio. A few months into it, things took off, fast! In 2016 I was able to leave my full time job in Medical Sales and I took on the full business owner title. Scary, yes! Exciting, OH YES! I walked away, COLD STONE WALKED AWAY from a very high paying very faithful job, to follow my dream of capturing memories for people to remember always! I knew in my heart, this is where I wanted to be. Having the faith to continue to walk forward day by day and knowing there was something greater ahead.
Here we are 2021, and I am loving this job more than I ever knew I could. Capturing just over 1000 newborns, hundreds of maternity, family, children and high school seniors. I am honored to have been part of these moments for so many families!
If you are interested in booking a session visit my website: www.lifephotographybymelissa.com for more information.