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Meet Melissa

Melissa is a family and wedding photographer in Northern Virginia. When she's not glued to her camera, she enjoys crafting and spending time with her husband in Leesburg, VA.

There’s something so special about photographing people you’ve known for years, especially when they’ve found the kind of love that feels both joyful and deeply rooted. I’ve known Rachel since high school, and getting to reconnect for her engagement session with Karan felt like such a full-circle moment. We met up in the heart of […]

What started as a dreamy evening in a wildflower field quickly turned into something straight out of a spooky rom-com… and honestly? I’m obsessed. The Sweet Beginning Abby and Shane’s engagement session began just as you might imagine: golden light cascading across petals, the two of them wrapped up in each other, dancing between rows […]

I had an incredibly unique engagement session with Christen and Brent at Josephine in Alexandria! The restaurant was kind enough to let us in early before they opened, giving us the entire stunning space to ourselves. I started with some great shots through the front window and moved inside for adorable moments at the bar […]

Danvy and Antonio met me at the beautiful Morven Park in Leesburg, VA, and they came with a specific, fantastic vision for their photos! I spent time wandering the path down to the mansion on the property, taking photos along the way. One of my favorite images from the day was a grand, artistic shot […]

I had a fantastic time with Emily and Jason at a local winery where they are members; such a personal touch for their engagement session! I made use of both the cozy indoor spaces and the sprawling outdoor grounds. I found beautiful patios and even stumbled upon a cool, rustic door that looked like it […]

When couples choose a location for their engagement session, they often want something that feels meaningful and unique to them. For Jayde and Nolan, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, provided the perfect blend of timeless elegance and personal significance. What made this session even more unique was their decision to wear their […]

I met up with Jess and Chris on a cold winter day at a beautiful park featuring stunning scenes of water and woods. But the chill couldn’t touch the warmth of their connection! They brought their adorable dog, and I captured some truly amazing shots. I was lucky enough to catch the light just right, […]

I met Andrea and Ovi at Manassas Battlefield Park for a stunning sunset engagement session. Their deep love was undeniable and truly shone through every moment of the session! They looked absolutely incredible after an outfit change, and I kept shooting right up until blue hour. What is blue hour? It’s the period of twilight […]

As a photographer specializing in both engagement and wedding photography, I often get asked, “Do we really need engagement photos if we’re already getting wedding photos?” It’s a great question, and while it may seem like these two sessions are similar, they actually serve very different purposes. In this post, I’ll walk you through the […]

Manassas Battlefield Park Engagement Session | Melissa Cook Photography

As a photographer, one of the most common things I hear from couples is, “We’re so awkward in front of the camera!” or “We don’t know how to pose.” First of all, let me assure you: you’re not alone! So many people feel nervous about having their photos taken, especially when it’s for such an […]