• Welcome to Melissa Stewardson Photography!

    Celebrity photographer as featured on People.com

    Awarded as one of the best newborn photographers in Orange County, by Expertise in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022!

    Melissa Stewardson Photography, located in Orange County, CA and established in 2012 specializes in custom portraits of maternity, newborns, children and families. Experiencing a photo session with me should be fun and relaxing. I know what you're thinking...did she say fun and relaxing?! Am I crazy?! I don't think so. My goal for each session is to shoot photos that look natural and highlight the personalities and vibrancy of the people in them. While, I will shoot some traditional poses, I feel some of the best photos come during candid play or general foolishness! Time flies by so fast so let me capture your family memories today! I can't wait to get to know you and show you what I see through my lens!

    {Melissa Stewardson Photography is fully insured}

Orange County, CA Newborn Photographer // Amazing story of friendship and love

Think about your best friend. All the fun times you’ve had together. All the laughs you’ve shared. Maybe you’ve even been through some tough times together. Now let me ask you this…..would you carry a baby for your best friend for 9 months?!

Back in May I received a phone call from a woman named Michele. She lives in NYC with her husband and she was interested in booking a newborn session with me. It’s always exciting when I get calls from strangers who want to book a session! When she told me her best friend who lives in the city adjacent to me was their gestational carrier I literally got chills! I cannot think of a bigger act of love that one friend can do for another. The ultimate selfless gift.

Fast forward to June. Michele and Brian flew out to Orange County from New York to await the arrival of their baby boy. Sam arrived at the end of the month and then we set up his session date. Besides getting to snuggle with a newborn baby for three hours, I also get the privilege of getting to know the parents during a session. Sometimes you just really click with clients, and with Michele and Brian there was a definitely connection. They now feel like friends instead of strangers! We had great conversations and just look at the amazing photos we got of their most precious gift!

And to Michele’s friend who I never met……You are a tremendous woman. Friend. Mother. Person.

XO,
Melissa
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Orange County, CA Family Photographer // Kerr Family

Photographing friends of mine and their families is one of my favs! And we had the perfect weather, light and even their outifts were spot on. Leigh, is also on the MSP staff as a hair stylist -she is amazing!!! They nailed all the poses and didn’t even complain when I made them trek through the gnarly brush! Thanks Kerr Family!
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Orange County, CA Newborn Photographer // Taylor, 7 days fresh

When a newborn session has this many great photos I HAVE to do a blog about it. Itty bitty Taylor was such a great poser and just so beautiful! And equally as gorgeous is the rest of her family. As evident in the photos you can see they are all beaming with pride over the newest edition.

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Orange County Cake Smash Photos // Aubrey

Beautiful Aubrey visited me in studio for her one year photos! Loving my new reclaimed wood backdrop and her gorgeous outfit popped perfectly. I love doing the combo of one year photos with a cake smash at the end. Too much fun!

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