Meet Your Photographer
Hey, I’m Melissa
A Creative Soul with a Love for Connection
I’m a wife and mum with a love for family, the outdoors, and finding beauty in everyday moments — ocean walks, time with friends, and quiet moments of stillness.
I first discovered photography in high school, where I fell in love with the art of storytelling through images and achieved top in my course nationwide for two years.
After high school, I studied photography at university in Hawaii. In 2013, I started my wedding and portrait photography business, and I’m now incredibly grateful to do what I love full time. Photography allows me to creatively communicate and connect with people on a deeper level.
While I’ve explored many genres of photography, I always come back to weddings. It’s incredibly special to be invited into such an important day and create photographs that hold such sentimental value for the couples I work with.
Photography has connected me with so many amazing people. I truly love what I do!
13+
years
photographing weddings
100+
Wedding Days
beautifully documented with care
70+
five Star GOOGLE Reviews
kind words from happy couples View Here
Things I love the Most
Joshua
My husband — the one person I’m so grateful to journey through all seasons of life with. We’ve been married for 11 years and share many of the same passions: the arts, good coffee, tramping, and faith. We love our weekly coffee dates at Your Local in Pukekohe, where we share creative ideas and dream together about the future.
Cinematography
Get me talking about beautifully and thoughtfully composed imagery and I light up. I love films like The Notebook, Little Women (2019) and Dune — the emotion, pacing, and visual storytelling in movies like these deeply inspire my photography.
West Coast Beaches
On a spare Saturday, you’ll find me at the beach — swimming, surfing, or reading a good book. It’s where I go to slow down, breathe deep, and simply enjoy creation.
My Family
Becoming a mum has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my life. My family brings me so much strength and joy, and wherever they are, that’s home for me.
The heartbeat behind Nectar Photography
Everything I do in my business is centred around two main goals.
The first is to create an incredible experience for you. From the moment you get in touch to when you receive your final photos, I want you to feel truly cared for. Through clear communication, thoughtful planning, and a calm, supportive presence on your day, so you can relax knowing you’re in good hands.
The second is to create imagery that captures the heart of your day — your connection, the quiet moments, the joy, and everything in between. Photographs that are treasures. The kind you will hold onto forever and pass down through generations.
This is more than just taking photos. It is about creating a personalised experience and creating heartfelt portraits that feel true to who you are.
AWARDS
2025 International Wedding Photographer of the Year Awards — Finalist — I-Do Crew Category
- Recognised for storytelling, creativity, and photojournalistic wedding imagery
- Selected among 2,600+ entries from 568 photographers across 61 countries
Book a call and tell me about your day, your vision, and what matters most to you. I’m excited to hear from you!