Melissa Engle Photography

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Lancaster, PA
Melissa Engle Photography

Heartfelt photography for growing families I'm a photographer and artist who specializes in portrait and documentary style photography.

I am passionate about using my images to tell the stories of people locally and internationally. I am fluent in Spanish and my previous work with non-profit organization Mennonite Central Committee has taken me to 26 countries around the world. I am based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with with more than 8 years of professional photography experience in photojournalism, portraits, weddings, travel and events. I believe in making personal connections a priority so that I can learn more about you in order to create a fun, relaxed photo experience that will give you authentic and natural images. If you're looking for a fun, creative and affordable portrait, wedding or event photographer, I encourage you to be in touch!

*All sessions include full resolution digital negatives on disk and password protected online gallery to share with family and friends. See my website for more info: www.melissaenglephotography.com

10/26/2026

New favorite prompt: the family pile-on 😄 Kids sneak up behind mom and dad enjoying their quiet moment on a blanket and pile on top.

The Stoltzfoos family enjoys creek stomping so we made that the focus of our photo session at one of their favorite spots. And of course I couldn’t pass up the opportunity for some silhouettes ❤️

Lancaster family photographer, creek stomping, whimsical family photography, playful family photography, silhouette photography

10/19/2026

Cheers to making fall memories together as a family and inviting your photographer along to document it all! ❤️

This colorful autumnal apple orchard photo session experience at Kauffman Orchards was such a great way to kick off my fall season in September.

The Milton family brought their own picnic, complete with twinkle lights, handmade mugs and apple c***r, delicious homemade apple cake, lanterns, and a bouquet of fresh flowers, some of which were picked from the side of the road.

It was such a delight to capture this cozy fall family outing. If you have an idea or a vision for your photo session, I’d love to help make it happen!

Lancaster family photographer, apple orchard, Lancaster County photographer, lifestyle family photography, fall photo ideas, picnic in the orchard, twinkle lights, autumn photo session

10/14/2026

Let's talk about family photos at your home and why I love doing sessions like these...

-it's a place your kids know and feel comfortable being themselves
-it's easy to include family pets
-kids can show you their favorite spots to play hide-and-seek
-you can photograph in the privacy of their own backyard without having to worry about anyone else in the background
-there is always a bathroom close by
-you don't need to worry about a change of clothes or forgetting something you left at home!
-weather doesn't really matter b/c you can be inside or outside
-you can include personal items or details that are unique to your home like the front porch where you often hang out or document your family rituals like making homemade pizza together on Sunday evenings

This was the first time I photographed this family and as you can see we had a lot of fun! One of the little boys ran out to show me his Spiderman costume as soon as I arrived. Yes, there was some tiredness and some grumpiness but nonetheless we had a great time roaming their vast backyard picking dandelions, doing lots of frolicking and playing London bridge.

I'm hoping to document more in home sessions this coming year so please reach out at the link below if you're considering an in home session!

www.melissaenglephotography.com/contact

10/12/2026

I will never pass on an opportunity to photograph near the water. It’s my happy place and my calm. Maybe that’s the mermaid in me?

I have been photographing this family for years, since their firstborn was small, and what a delight to watch this family grow. It feels like every time they reach out for family photos that have added another little one to their crew; this time a sweet baby girl ❤️

When I arrived at their photo session, the kids raced over to present me with a gift; a brand new Elmo doll. I used to bring a singing Elmo with me to all my sessions with young kids but he has since been retired. I was so touched that they remembered my old worn out Elmo doll and gifted me a new one. ❤️

Feeling ever so grateful for this job and the families I get to meet and grow with.

Lancaster family photographer, water photo session, Lititz family photographer, playful family photography

10/09/2026

Which faceless photo is your favorite?
I will always be respectful of those who choose not to share their children’s photos online.

Here are some of my favorite ways to tell a story in photographs without showing faces:

1. Photograph from behind
2. Capture a silhouette
3. Focus on the details
4. Change your perspective, cropping and focus
5. Get creative with framing, shadows and reflections

In my contract I include a model release that grants permission to share photos both online and in print however I am always happy to modify it for those who don’t share online.

Thanks for being here! I’d love to hear more ideas on faceless portraits if you care to share ❤️ My personal favorite is a silhouette because you can see everyone’s outline and it doesn’t matter what their facial expression is doing or if their eyes are open or closed.

Faceless family photos, Lancaster County family photographer, creative ideas for faceless photographs

10/04/2026

Hey it’s me and that’s our pet leopard gecko, Yoshi, on my shoulder. 🦎

Here’s a little nod to Glamour Shots where my love of portrait photography began many years ago.

It was 1995, I was 12 years old and my mom took my sister and I to do Glamour Shots (swipe to the end to see). I remember how much I loved getting to wear makeup and sparkly jewelry and being wrapped in feather boas and shimmery fabrics. After that I started having my friends over to do photo shoots. I would throw a velour blanket over the curtain rod of our sliding glass doors as a backdrop, we’d curling iron our hair to the maximum volume, spray a ridiculous amount of hairspray and I’d take their photos (all film in those days!)

I still remember the proud moment when we went to pick up our photos at K-Mart and the employee at the photo counter asked my mom if they were taken by a professional photographer because if so, we needed a print release.

As I enter middle age, I’ve been reflecting on my journey as a photographer and leaning in to the resurgence of 80s/90s nostalgia in clothing, music and analog. I still love playing dress up and have a desire for everyone to see the beauty in themselves.
Back then just as it is now, it is about the experience I want people to have, keeping it personable and most importantly, fun!

And I hate that I feel like I have to say this, but no AI was used to create these photographs. They were all taken in our laundry room on a pop up reversible backdrop by my daughter and my friend Carrie Martin Beachy ❤️

1990s nostalgia, glamour shots, studio portraits, child of the 80s, portrait photography

09/29/2026

It’s fair season in Lancaster County! I love photographing playful families having fun together, whether at the local carnival or hiking a favorite nature trail or just hanging out in the backyard.

I believe photo sessions can be positive experiences where core memories are made. You don’t have to worry about sitting still or feeling bored or posing a certain way. While I do guide, direct and prompt here and there, it’s mostly just about capturing who you are together.

This session has a part 2! Any guesses where we went after the East Petersburg Carnival?

Lancaster family photographer, carnival photo sessions, fair photo session, Lancaster County family photographer, colorful family photos,

09/26/2026

Just a heads up, I'm sending out a poll to my email subscribers tomorrow morning to help me choose a date for Christmas mini sessions at the historic Strasburg Railroad in November! If you're interested, please take the poll.

FYI these will be held on a date when the trains are NOT running so we have full access to take photos at the station without the crowds and we can also go in/on the train cars.

09/18/2026

Proof that you can find sunshine on cloudy days 🌻

Happy sunflowers thanks to Wildflower Lookout and a beautiful growing family who will soon be adding a second little one to their clan ❤️

Lancaster family photographer, sunflowers, Lancaster maternity photographer, sunflower photo session, candid family photography

09/14/2026

If you’ve ever had a photo session with me before that included toddlers, you probably know I am extremely patient and love to encourage play. I know that it can take time to warm up, and that toddlers can be very opinionated. I never pressure anyone to perform or do anything they aren’t comfortable with. This is also why I prefer a full session over a mini session; I really want to tell a complete story through photographs. Sometimes my favorite photos happen during the second half of the session when everyone is used to me and can be themselves. I also prefer the freedom to capture little details and parts of the scenery that a shorter session doesn’t allow.

Even though I photographed this family twice before, it took a while to gain this little girl’s trust. So I observed from afar at first and just encouraged her parents to interact with her. Every now and then I would play peek-a-boo from behind a tree or show her a flower that I picked. We threw grass into the water, stood on canoes, peered over the edge of a bridge, walked through the flowers and had a little ‘picnic’ on a blanket.

I often hear parents worry their child won’t sit still or behave long enough for a full session. But I would say that having more time is actually to a benefit in capturing true personalities, depth and variety in a photo session. I’ll always capture the ‘grip and grin’ shots as we photographers say, but my heart lies in capturing the candid, genuine, unscripted moments. Sitting still not required! 😄

Lancaster family photographer, photographing toddlers, Mount Gretna, summer photo session, storytelling photography, documentary photography

Address

Lancaster, PA
17603

Website

http://www.melissaenglephotography.com/

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