Business Details
15 Years
experience
Award-Winning Maternity, Newborn & Family Photographer in Colorado Springs
Since 2011, Life Photography by Melissa has specialized in capturing life's most meaningful moments through timeless, heartfelt photography. Our studio in Colorado Springs offers personalized sessions for maternity, newborns, families, high school seniors, and professional headshots, with a focus on creating lasting works of art. With over 500 five-star reviews, we are recognized as one of Colorado Springs' highest-rated photographers, combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of the emotional significance of each session.Our founder, Melissa Stynski, brings over 15 years of experience in newborn safety protocols, CPR certification, and specialized photography for medically fragile infants. We provide tailored experiences including in-studio and outdoor sessions, a curated selection of maternity gowns, and custom collections to meet individual client needs. Our commitment to excellence extends to mentoring aspiring photographers through one-on-one coaching sessions, sharing the business strategies that have driven our success.
Services
Maternity Photography
Newborn Sessions
Family Portraits
Senior Photos
Professional Headshots
Cake Smash Sessions
Wildlife Photography
Photography Coaching
Digital Products
Gift Certificates
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- We have over 15 years of experience in newborn safety protocols and specialized photography.
- Our studio offers a curated selection of maternity gowns at no extra charge.
- We provide personalized sessions tailored to each family's unique story.
- We maintain 500+ five-star reviews and Better Business Bureau recognition.
- Our founder offers one-on-one coaching for aspiring photographers nationwide.
Associations and certifications
- Accredited Professional Newborn Photographers International (APNPI)
What people say
Exceptional photography
Personalized service
Capturing meaningful moments
500+ 5-star reviews
Award-winning
Services
Maternity Photography
Our maternity sessions document the beauty of pregnancy through in-studio or outdoor sessions between 28-35 weeks. We provide professional guidance on styling, location selection, and wardrobe coordination including complimentary maternity gowns. Sessions focus on creating timeless images that celebrate the emotional journey of expecting parents while ensuring comfort and safety throughout the process.
Newborn Photography
Specialized newborn sessions take place in our home studio designed specifically for infant safety. We offer a comprehensive collection of props, outfits, and accessories while maintaining strict safety protocols. Sessions typically last 2-3 hours to accommodate feeding and soothing breaks, with expertise in photographing medically fragile infants and NICU graduates while prioritizing their comfort and medical needs.
Senior Portraits
Custom senior photography sessions combine studio and outdoor settings to capture each student's unique personality. We collaborate with Colorado Springs high schools to meet yearbook requirements while creating artistic portraits that celebrate academic achievements. Our process includes wardrobe consultation and location planning to ensure images reflect both traditional and contemporary senior photography styles.
Family Portraits
We create cohesive family portraits that balance posed and candid moments across multiple backdrops. Our approach works with all family dynamics to capture authentic interactions while managing children's attention spans. Sessions include location guidance and color coordination advice to ensure timeless images that showcase family connections through different life stages.
Photography Coaching
Founder Melissa Stynski offers personalized coaching for photographers covering technical skills and business operations. The one-day mentorship program shares proven strategies for session management, client relations, and workflow optimization. Participants gain access to our successful business model developed over 15 years serving Colorado Springs families and maternity clients nationwide.
People
Melissa Stynski
Founder & Lead Photographer
Award-winning photographer with 15+ years specializing in maternity and newborn photography. Recognized by Better Business Bureau for exceptional customer service. Developed safety protocols for medically fragile infants. Teaches business strategies to photographers nationwide through personalized coaching sessions.
Questions
What types of photography sessions do you offer?
We specialize in maternity, newborn, family, high school senior, and professional headshot sessions. Additional offerings include cake smash sessions, wildlife photography, and photography business coaching.
How far in advance should I book a newborn session?
We recommend booking during your second trimester to secure preferred dates, as sessions typically fill several months in advance due to our personalized approach and limited availability.
Do you provide maternity wardrobe options?
Yes, we offer a curated selection of maternity gowns at no additional charge. We also provide styling guidance to help clients choose colors and outfits that complement their unique features.
What safety measures are in place for newborn photography?
Our studio follows strict safety protocols developed through APNPI certification and CPR training. We maintain a controlled environment with specialized equipment and never compromise baby's comfort or medical needs during sessions.
Can you photograph medically fragile newborns?
Yes, we have specialized experience photographing NICU graduates and infants with medical requirements. Our approach prioritizes safety while creating meaningful images that honor these special circumstances.
Do you offer photography coaching for professionals?
Yes, founder Melissa Stynski provides one-on-one coaching covering technical skills and business operations. The program shares our proven strategies for success in maternity and newborn photography industries.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Khalilah Cooper
Dec 14, 2021
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Melissa is absolutely amazing and very patient. This was me and my husbands first pregnancy and first time ever taking professional photos. As soon as we met Melissa it felt like we have met her before, we felt so comfortable and relaxed. I was so nervous at first because I never took photos before but she makes you feel like its the easiest thing in the world. She has the best ideas for photos. If you show her how you want your pictures taken she doesnt disappoint what so ever, your pictures will look exactly how you want them. She is very quick responding and she makes sure you have all
Kian Schuemann
Dec 04, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Melissa has taken family photos and engagement photos for our family, and weve been thrilled with everything shes done. Shes a true artist when it comes to photography. Shes also caring and intuitive, which are key qualities when it comes to capturing important milestones! Highly recommend!
Melissa has taken family photos and engagement photos for our family, and weve been thrilled with everything shes done. Shes a true artist when it comes to photography. Shes also caring and intuitive, which are key qualities when it comes to capturing important milestones! Highly recommend!
Tammy Casias
Nov 25, 2021
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Melissa is awesome!!! This is the second time we have had her photograph our Grandson. We chose an outdoor setting and she was very knowledgeable about the park, which resulted in the photo shoot going very smoothly. She was very accommodating with our requests and put our almost two year old Grandson at ease. As far as the finished product, when your first pass through the pictures ends up with 72 pictures that you love, that should say something about Melissa as a photographer.
Shaun Johnson
Nov 21, 2021
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We have worked with Melissa for our son's baby milestone photos since he was three months old (just completed our one-year cake smash pictures) and have been thrilled with the album of photos we've created from these sessions. Melissa has captured Parker's personality every time, giving us the fun/serious/goofy faces our little guy makes. Beautiful props, lots of creative setups, adorable outfits -- we have been very impressed and will enjoy each photo for the rest of our lives. Thank you, Melissa!
Jenner McCormick
Nov 18, 2021
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Melissa simply creates magic. She has photographed our family since before our first was born and now our third is 18 months old. She is incredible with children and is able to capture the perfect moments in each session. Melissa is a true artist and has so much passion for her craft. We are always so impressed with our photos! I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone in search of an amazing photographer!
