About Me

Hello! I'm Melissa — the heart and lens behind Melissa Atkinson Photography.

My love affair with photography started in high school, when my dad handed down his Nikon camera my sophomore year. I learned photography on film, experiencing the darkroom firsthand, and that foundation never left me, it's a big part of why I include black and white portraits in every gallery I deliver. Later my sophomore year (way back in 1998), my parents surprised me with my first camera, and something clicked, literally and figuratively. Though I went on to earn an English degree in Creative Writing and Poetry from CSUSB, and built a career as a general manager, photography never really left me. After becoming a mother, I found my way back to it, and I haven't looked back since.

I live in Poway with the people who mean everything to me, my daughter Payton, my son Brayden, and my husband James, who I've had the joy of doing life with for 19+ years. They are my PB+J: my biggest supporters and the loves of my life. They've long accepted that wherever we go, my camera goes too. Our family also includes Delilah, my dachshund/corgi mix and self-proclaimed firstborn, a flock of chickens whose fluffy little runs toward me never get old, and a deep, unwavering obsession with Disney and Disneyland treats.

5:00 AM gym go-er, plenty of caffeine, little sleep, a packed schedule, and a good audiobook, that's basically my love language. When I'm not behind the camera, you'll likely find me volunteering at my kids' schools. I've served as PTA President (2020–2022) and PTSA President at the middle school level (2023–2025), across numerous committees and board positions. In 2022 & 2026, I was honored to receive PUSD's Volunteer of the Year award. I also volunteer with the Rady Children's Hospital Auxiliary-Poway Unit and several booster clubs at the high school. And between all of it? I'm probably sprinting to or from a field or court cheering on my kids.

Why I Do This

I know what it feels like to be on the other side of the lens. As a mother, I also know how easy it is to be the one always behind the camera, present in every moment, but missing from every photo. That's exactly why I show up to every session with one goal: to make you feel relaxed, seen, and genuinely yourself.

Not every session goes perfectly, and that's completely okay. Cranky toddlers happen. Teenagers would rather be anywhere else, I get it. But within that beautiful, imperfect reality are the real moments, the ones worth keeping. My clients consistently tell me I'm "so calm" and that I made the whole experience feel "effortless and easy." That's exactly what I'm going for.

When you book a session with me, you're not just getting photographs. You're getting memories that will last for generations.

My Gear

I shoot with: Nikon Z6III, Sony a7III, and Nikon D750, primarily paired with 85mm, 35mm, 50mm, 28–70mm, and 70–200mm lenses. I use Westcott FJ400's for my sportraits photography. I work on a Mac and hand-edit every single image. All sessions are delivered digitally, your gallery is yours to download and print wherever you love. I also offer a professional print store if you'd like archival-quality prints directly through me.