I’ll never have this version of him again…
…so I hold it in a photo,
while I’m getting to know the next one.
Most photographers want to travel the world and capture exotic places and magnificent beauty.
My quirk is that I prefer documenting ordinary things, daily life and familiar spaces.
I like travel but there’s no place like home.
Nothing changes as quickly as a baby. We pull out our camera photos to record it all and, in doing so, push ourselves out of the moment, sacrificing our presence for preservation.
The photos you see of my son here? I’m not in them.
I’m so glad I have them, I just wish there were more versions of….us. Us through childhood.
You can have both. You can be present to your children and have beautiful memories of each version of them.
Because seeing meaning is exactly what I do.
I’ll capture this version of your family so that you can be fully present to the next one.
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Hi, I’m Mel.
I’m a Washington DC and Northern Virginia family photographer, a mom, and someone who understands how hard it is to raise kids in a world that asks so much of them — and of us.
I have an MFA in photography and design and have been a working photographer for over 20 years. Family photography isn’t new to me — neither is the near impossible task of holding everything together while raising children with intention and respect for who they are.
I know what it feels like to want to do right by your kids. To give them opportunities, to help them shine, to protect who they are and to raise them in a way that feels aligned with your values.
This is probably why I turned towards natural, candid capture. Cookie-cutter mini sessions did not feel true enough or as empowering as photography should be.
I’m not trying to create perfect images or ask your family to perform. I’m paying attention to how you move through life together — from the quiet, love-soaked beginnings to the closeness and mayhem of the early years, all the way through the fast-paced school aged years.
I see what changes but I also see what stays the same. You may not believe it, but your love has “a look” that shows up again and again.
If you’ve been feeling like traditional family photos don’t quite fit your family, you’re probably right — and you’re in the right place.
If there’s love in the room, prepared to be obsessed with these photos. Now and always.
EEE
Mel is extremely creative and her photos are beautiful and captivating.
Mel captured our most cherished family memories over the years. I have learned so much about photo journalism and the joy in perfectly imperfect portraits!
January G
Let’s play a game…
Let’s play “Four Truths and a Lie”!
Can you find the lie about me in the 5 statements below?
Childhood is going by fast over here…
Features Q Partners Y
take photos…
and live with them too!
Photographs don’t just show us what we looked like — they shape how families understand themselves.
When kids grow up seeing themselves held, included, and connected, it reinforces a sense of belonging that lasts far beyond childhood.
Sadly, most photos sit on the Cloud and never make it to print….
Turning photos into something you can live with — albums, framed prints — takes time and energy that’s already in short supply.
That’s part of my work, too.
I design and create finished pieces for you — books your kids can flip through, wall art you will see each day — that affirm your feelings of connection.
T
About Mel Worthington Photography
Mel Worthington is a Washington DC and Northern Virginia newborn and family photographer with over 20 years of experience and a Master’s degree in photography and design.
She specializes in relaxed, in-home and real-life photography for families who want images that reflect connection, personality, and the evolving nature of childhood.
Her work spans all stages of family life — from newborns to school-aged children and teenagers — with an emphasis on photographing families in a way that feels natural, respectful, and true to who they are.
In addition to photography, Mel designs custom albums and printed artwork, helping families turn their images into lasting pieces that live within their homes.
