We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melinda Wilkinson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Melinda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

As a photographer, I know that the pictures I take might be the very first, or the very last, images of a person. I love celebrating the excitement when I meet my families for their maternity session, and then the pure joy when they introduce me to their precious little newborn. I am always so honored to be one of the first to meet their babies and be able to hold and speak softly to them as I work.

I had one maternity client who had hired me to photograph her newborn, as well. Right around her due date, I received an email that my services wouldn’t be needed, because she lost the baby. Fortunately, we had used the same doula, and I contacted our doula to ensure that she was aware of the organization Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. This wonderful group of people volunteer their time to photograph babies who are born sleeping, or who never get to leave the hospital. Our doula let me know that they couldn’t find a photographer, and I was heartbroken for them. I offered to come out and take pictures for them, as long as they knew that I had never done it before.

I remember vividly that evening. I cried silent tears as I tried my best to capture the only moment this family will have together. It was the hardest thing I have ever done as a photographer, and probably one of the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Period. I remember when I walked out the double doors to the glass surrounded lobby I sobbed, and realized that they had friends or family there. One came up to me and said he knew what I was doing in there, and he was so thankful. I took those words with me as I left the hospital.

After that session, I decided to volunteer officially with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. I’m not able to take a lot of sessions with my young children at home, but I know that every family I do get to help, will cherish those images. I wrote a letter to that first family I helped a few years later. I had to let them know that their little boy mattered, and that because of him other families are getting the gift of portraits with their precious newborns.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

As many photographers do, I started learning my craft simply because I wanted pictures of my own children. Soon, I discovered that I loved creating art and providing families with their own special pictures. I slowly transitioned over from a little bit of everything, to focusing on maternity and newborn portraiture. I love celebrating this time in my clients’ lives. There is excitement, joy, a bit of apprehension, and a whole lot of love in these moments.

My clients always tell me how much they appreciate my patience, and my calm demeanor. I am honest, work passionately to create artwork for my clients, and I like to focus my newborn images on the baby. There aren’t a ton of props, or decorations, in my work, because I just think that babies are beautiful on their own. I make sure to capture their fingers and toes, their eyelashes, their little lips, and then also get those special images with the whole family.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I work hard to put myself out there and be visible for my clients, but it is hard for shy, quiet types like I am. My clients share my work with their friends, neighbors, and coworkers, and it makes a huge difference. They have seen me in action, seen who I am and how gentle and careful I am with their newborns.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Photographs hold emotions. They can capture the joy and the sorrow, the excitement and the apprehension. I love that I create something so personal for my clients, and it is so rewarding knowing that they will cherish these and look at these for many, many years to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: melindawilkinsonphotography.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/melindawilkinsonphotography
• Facebook: facebook.com/melindawilkinsonphotos