Check Out Melissa Rasmussen’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Rasmussen.

Hi Melissa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I always wanted to be a mom. I would have never imagined that this is what motherhood would look like. Some days are exhausting, some days are full of laughter, and other days all I want to do is hide in my bedroom with a pint of Ben + Jerry’s to escape the madness. I’m pretty sure every parent has a secret treat stashed away.

Am I right?  You’re thinking of that treat right now, aren’t you? (hmmm, cookie dough…)

I’ll be honest, I never had aspirations of being a photographer. I wanted to be a pediatrician. I wanted to spend time with kids, helping them be happy and seeing them smile. Turns out though, when you visit the doctor it’s because you’re sick, which means you are not very happy. Who knew? Lucky for me, I found a different way to help kids smile, and it’s a lot more fun!
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The very first time I picked up a camera was for my oldest daughter’s newborn pictures in 2011. I borrowed a DSLR camera from my brother, (thinking that I would be able to figure it out on the spot) in hopes of getting some beautiful images of our rainbow baby. The pictures from that experience, are in no way award-winning, but they were the springboard that put me on the path to where I am today.

I currently photograph children and family portraits, but my passion is photographing newborns when they are only about a week old. To make things easier on the new momma, I bring the posed newborn session right to her home! I set up a little mobile studio where mom and baby are most comfortable.

Plus, if older kiddos are included, they get to be with all their favorite toys and snacks, instead of having to be dragged to a studio where everything is off-limits. I love what I do every day!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
At the very beginning of my career, I was just a mom with a nice camera.

I would follow photographers on social media, and dream of the day that I could be just like them. I would compare my work to theirs, and it led to more tears than I am willing to admit. Now, years later, I’m still not like them, and that’s ok! I am ME! My photography is my own, and I am proud of how far I have come. The comparison game is a hard one to overcome, and I still work on it every day.

I may have a few years under my belt in the photography world, but that doesn’t mean the challenges/obstacles have gone away. They have just changed. I’m not just a mom with a nice camera anymore, I am a work-at-home mom! Being a work-at-home mom for sure has its struggles. I get to be wife, mom, business owner, chauffeur, cook, nurse, maid, all the things!

At times, it is difficult to fit everything I need to into one day. Why can’t there be more hours in the day?! Honestly, I would probably just end up filling the extra hours and still ask for more.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an in-home newborn photographer based in Surprise, but I travel all over the valley to new moms’ homes for their posed newborn sessions. This arrangement was born out of necessity, as I don’t have a studio.

But now, I don’t think I want a set studio space! I love serving new mommas by allowing them to stay where they are most comfortable. No need to pack up baby. No need to sit in a studio for hours on end. They stay home, I bring the studio. It’s the perfect combination!

The thing that I am most proud of is my growth as a photographer. In the midst of being a wife and full-time mom of four kids, I have grown a business I am proud of. I’ve heard it said that if you find a job you love, then it will never feel like work. I have that!

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
We LOVE living in Surprise! There are parks everywhere. The food scene is far more varied than we anticipated. And our kids’ school is fantastic! But most importantly, the people here are so friendly!

Of course, there’s always a grumpy bunch here or there, but for the most part, the people are so kind.

Pricing:

• In-home Newborn sessions: starting at $400
• Outdoor Family Sessions: $250
• Children’s Sessions: $200

Contact Info:

• Email: melissarenaephotography@gmail.com
• Website: melissarenaephotography.com
• Instagram: @melissarenaephotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MelissaRenaePhoto