Skip to main content
Weddings

About

For the brazen. soulful. authentic.

Luminous, true-to-life photography for couples who love dancing in the sun.

Or the rain. Because adventure happens wherever you are.

I'm Melissa Durham, and I'm an elopement, intimate wedding, & couple's photographer based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

What should you expect?

A visual story-teller who believes in nourishing adventurous, connected relationships. A photographer that reminds you to take the time to enjoy the person you spend your life with and to preserve the moments that truly speak to the legacy you leave behind. A friend who gets excited about your life's big moments AND in-between moments, because no story is complete without both. You can expect your time with me to be one full of movement, authentic emotion and chemistry, and a genuinely good time.

Available for elopements and intimate weddings under 30 guests.

  • Woman-owned
illustration popular

Vendors you may like

See other vendors that are popular with couples right now

Frequently asked questions

What is the starting price for your wedding photography services?

$3,000

Which of the following are included in the starting price?

High-Res Images
Multi. Locations
Digital Files

What is the price of your most popular wedding package?

$3,000

Which of the following are included in the price of your most popular wedding package?

Add'l Hours
High-Res Images
Multi. Locations
Digital Files

What primary photographic style do you identify with?

Natural
Photojournalism

What photography services do you offer?

Additional Hours
Destination / Travel
Engagement Shoot
High-Res Images
One Event / Day
Wedding Portraits

What photography items do you offer?

Albums
Canvas
Digital Files
Flush Mount
Prints
illustration question

Any other questions?

Message vendor

Reviews of Melissa Durham Photography

5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
53 Reviews
100% recommend it
  • Quality of service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Average response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Review summary

Powered by AI

Melissa is highly praised by multiple reviewers for her exceptional photography skills and professionalism. She is described as friendly, attentive, and treating clients like friends. Reviewers appreciated her ability to capture beautiful and meaningful moments, as well as her prompt delivery of photos. Melissa's passion for her work is evident, and many reviewers consider her not only a skilled photographer but also a valuable friend throughout the wedding planning process. Overall, Melissa is highly recommended for capturing the special moments of weddings and other events.

Review summary

Powered by AI
This AI-generated summary gives you a snapshot of the overall ratings and feedback from the reviews this vendor has received.

Melissa is highly praised by multiple reviewers for her exceptional photography skills and professionalism. She is described as friendly, attentive, and treating clients like friends. Reviewers appreciated her ability to capture beautiful and meaningful moments, as well as her prompt delivery of photos. Melissa's passion for her work is evident, and many reviewers consider her not only a skilled photographer but also a valuable friend throughout the wedding planning process. Overall, Melissa is highly recommended for capturing the special moments of weddings and other events.

Hannah
Hannah F. Sent on 08/06/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Engagement Session

I hired Melissa for my engagement session and I could not have found a better person to work with! Melissa was incredibly responsive to any question I asked and was very reassuring especially when it came to limitations relating to the coronavirus. Once we were at the shoot, she made us feel instantly comfortable and that really allowed myself and my fiance to have fun with each other. Melissa knew all of the best shooting spots and captured some truly incredible moments that I know we will cherish forever! I cannot recommend her enough!
W
Weston B. Sent on 06/29/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Phenomenal!!

Melissa was the most attentive and heartfelt photographer that we could have asked for; not only for our wedding day, but for the entire wedding planning process. She was so responsive and willing to work around all of our wishes prior to the wedding, and on the day of the wedding she was so punctual, organized, and helpful. She was an absolute pleasure to work with, and My wife and I couldn’t recommend her more.
K
Kimberly Sent on 01/14/2017
5 out of 5 rating
I can't not say enough how much I love Melissa. Not only was she super awesome to work with, I'm convinced that my wedding day wouldn't have gone as smoothly with out her. From the beginning Melissa put my nerves at ease, we communicate over email and phone since she is located in Virgina and I'm located Massachusetts. Not once did I second guess my decision to hire a photographer from out of state, she was constantly checking in with me and making sure we were on the same page. When the day finally came, it was borderline a hurricane outside. Melissa spent the day helping me carry my bags, bouquet, veil, and her camera equipment from location to location in the wind and rain. She really put my needs first, all while capturing my wedding day, she really is some kind of super woman. Now that I look back on the moments she captured I'm blown away. Her work is absolutely stunning, my husband even mentioned that he though she made us look like to models in a magazine. I'm dragging on here but really Melissa is a master in her craft and her personality and professionalism are miles above other vendors I've met and worked with.
illustration message bubble

Are you interested?

Message vendor

Awards

53
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2023 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2021 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2019 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2018 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2017 Winner
WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2016 Winner

Real Weddings

Austin & Jordan
25 photos · 05/02/2015

Professional Network & Endorsements

5 Endorsements
Pumpernickel Pickle Catering Co. Pumpernickel Pickle Catering Co. Wedding Caterers

Melissa has such a gift to share with the world! Beautiful work and a wonderful personality. We would highly recommend her services!

Makeup by Holly Burton Makeup by Holly Burton Wedding Hair & Makeup

Not only is Melissa an extremely down-to-earth, kind-hearted woman, she is also incredibly talented at capturing one of life's most sacred moments on film. She has an amazing eye for candid, beautiful photography that you will cherish forever! It was an absolute joy to work with such a smart and talented photographer and will be recommending her to all of my future bridal clients!!

RSP Entertainment RSP Entertainment Wedding DJs

Melissa, your words could only be echoed from our end, but obviously from the photography side things and thank you very much for your high compliments, we're glad our passion for what we do shows! It's obvious that you love what you do as well, which we feels helps make you great at it! You make everyone comfortable and the photo experience of the evening enjoyable. Capturing those little moments others may miss results in the big smiles you see on client's faces when they get to see their pictures for the first time, and many more times throughout their life together. We look forward to working with you at upcoming events and celebrations! For anyone looking for a photographer for your wedding, definitely check Melissa out, we highly recommend her!

Preferred Vendors

RSP Entertainment
5.0 out of 5 rating , 95 Reviews
· Wedding DJs

Map

Melissa Durham Photography frequently asked questions

Melissa Durham Photography includes the following photography services in the starting price:
  • High-Res Images
  • Multi. Locations
  • Digital Files
Melissa Durham Photography includes the following photography services in their most popular wedding package:
  • Add'l Hours
  • High-Res Images
  • Multi. Locations
  • Digital Files
Melissa Durham Photography offers the following photography styles:
  • Natural
  • Photojournalism
Melissa Durham Photography offers the following photography services for weddings:
  • Additional Hours
  • Destination / Travel
  • Engagement Shoot
  • High-Res Images
  • One Event / Day
  • Wedding Portraits
Melissa Durham Photography offers the following photography materials for weddings:
  • Albums
  • Canvas
  • Digital Files
  • Flush Mount
  • Prints
Melissa Durham Photography is recommended by 100% of couples who have used their services. Their overall rating is 5.0, with the same score awarded for quality of service, flexibility, value, professionalism and average response time.

Other vendors in Richmond for your wedding

Wedding Vendors