"Melissa has done photos for my family - including maternity pics and yearly family keepsakes - and event photography for my nonprofit organizations. Hands-down, she is amazing! 

As someone who often feels awkward in front of a camera, Melissa has always made our entire family feel so comfortable and at ease. She is extremely skilled at capturing the pure, authentic, emotional moments in a candid way where you hardly realize she is even there. She also has an extremely creative eye, working with natural light to bring out the beauty of the moment in a way most people need filters and editing to achieve. 

Professionally, all of the photography she has done has truly captured the spirit of each event in a way that has helped further our nonprofit missions. Her work has helped us tell the story of why these activities matter and how much they truly change lives."

-Jess Franzini

"As a wedding planner, I’ve worked with Melissa on many weddings since meeting her a decade ago. Most recently I asked her if she could be there for my baby sister’s. She is beyond talented. She knows all the right angels and makes the best use of the light in a space. She is also a wonderful human. I think it’s because she’s such a wonderful human that the end result photos end up looking and feeling so true and genuine and beautiful. She’s patient and kind. She treats people with respect and has a lovely sense of humor. She has made my clients and my family feel beautiful and at ease in front of the camera. She is a gem of an artist and a friend."

-Vanessa Holman 

"I have had the pleasure of working with Melissa for over 13 years and I cannot recommend her enough. We hired Melissa for my now almost 14-year-olds newborn session and have gone back to her time after time to capture our lives as it has grown and changed over the years. From start to finish, the experiences my family and I have had with Melissa was nothing short of exceptional. Melissa has an incredible eye for detail and a talent for capturing moments in a way that feels both natural and artistic. What impressed me the most was her ability to make everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera. Her friendly, professional demeanor put us all at ease, which translated into beautiful, authentic photos. Whether it was a candid shot or a more posed portrait, every image was thoughtfully composed and perfectly lit. The final photos always exceed my expectations, she has a way of capturing the moments, both big and small. The quality is outstanding, with sharp details, and a true sense of emotion in each shot. Melissa is also incredibly efficient, delivering the edited images in a timely manner without compromising quality. If you're looking for a photographer who is not only technically skilled but also passionate about their craft, look no further. Melissa will undoubtedly capture your moments with creativity and care, leaving you with photos you'll treasure for a lifetime. I couldn't be happier with the results and look forward to working with her again!"

- Kristin Pilong

"If you're searching for an incredible photographer who's amazing with kids and knows all the best spots for family photo shoots, look no further than Melissa! She's not only super talented behind the camera, but also has a real gift for connecting with children of all ages. We didn’t know what to expect when it came to getting family photos with four young kids. Melissa's patience, easygoing nature, and genuine love for what she does made the whole experience a breeze. She helped us feel totally comfortable in front of the camera, so we could focus on making unforgettable memories as a family. We cherish every single picture she took of our family."

“Working with Melissa was an absolute delight! She was easily able to capture the pure joy and essence of my 8-year-old nephew, Oliver! The beach setting in Ocean City, NJ, provided a stunning backdrop, and Melissa knew just how to use the natural light and scenery to create beautiful, natural, and timeless images. Melissa’s experience and caring personality instantly made Oliver comfortable and happy during the shoot, and it truly shows in the photos. Our family will treasure these memories forever and highly recommend Melissa Chinici to anyone looking for a talented and personable photographer!”

- Justin Dodge

"Melissa went above and beyond for us with our pictures. It was no easy task, I had such a specific idea in my head, a wild toddler who was not going to listen or pose, and the location wasn’t the easiest. Honestly, after we were finished taking the pictures I had written off the pictures and was hoping for one or two (thanks to my sons refusal to participate). When they came back, I was shocked. Every picture was better than the last. With every picture I thought back to how we got it and it made me laugh and cry. I can truly say Melissa can do the impossible with patience and incredible talent. I would beyond recommend her as the best you can get especially for photos that will capture the true essence and personality of your family! I also was not planning on having maternity photos but in a moment waiting for my son she got a few of just me with my baby bump and I will cherish them forever. Just another example of her patience, talent and thought."

- Danni Friedman

"Melissa was wonderful to work with. Communication to set up a date and time for our shoot was easy - even needing to last minute reschedule due to a sick kid. She is very personable and was able to get our 2 year old out of his shell and cooperate for the pictures! The photos that she captured were beautiful and something we will be able to cherish forever.

- Tara & Tom Cunningham

"Melissa is the best! As parents of a newborn, we wanted a photographer who would capture natural, authentic photos of our new little family. Melissa did just that. Melissa has such a great eye and she captured the most beautiful photos of our newborn and our family at home that i will cherish forever. She made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera and we had so much fun during the session! It was a plus that she was so patient with our dogs, too! We can’t wait to work with Melissa again and we definitely recommend Melissa for capturing your family’s special moments." 

 -Keighley & Vince Clementi 

"Anyone can take a photo but an artist finds the right light, infuses her joyful energy, and creates magic. Melissa Chinici’s work is outstanding. Over the past decade she has been capturing my family in her works of art. These images are my most treasured memories."

- Ashley Mcguire