Meet Melissa 

Melissa Arlena is an SEO expert and educator, specializing in helping photographers get discovered on Google.  As a former IT nerd, Melissa has a knack for taking technical things and making them simple and relatable. She’s using that superpower for good and helping photographers learn how to run profitable businesses and get booked by their ideal clients!  With 15 years of experience as a photographer and small business owner, she’s used SEO to transform her own business, going from zero inquiries to booking 5+ sessions per month and raising her rates. When she isn’t behind the computer or her camera, you can find her hanging out with her family and two dogs on their sailboat cruising the Chesapeake Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Melissa Arlena – Richmond VA Newborn Photographer & SEO Expert (@melissaarlena)

Written by: Rebecca Danzenbaker

Although I shoot mostly newborns, i really do love shooting and styling sitter sessions. Because of this, I was elated to learn I won first place in both the Spring and Autumn 2019 APNPI Image Competitions in the Sitters category!   😀

I’m a low volume photography studio – limiting myself to only 8-10 sessions a month. This schedule allows me to devote a lot of time to retouching my images (I spend 8-10 hours editing each session), and to keep up with the business and social media/marketing that needs to be done as well.
Most of my sessions are newborns and families, and at least 75% of my family sessions are returning clients.  I don’t offer a baby package because my schedule fills up very quickly (usually booked for the year by March), so I usually don’t have holes in my schedule that I can fill.  I also can’t afford to discount sessions when I need every bit of the income I get from such a limited number of clients.
So, all of that said, I usually only do around 8-10 sitter sessions in a year.  It simply doesn’t make financial sense for me to purchase a whole bunch of adorable sitter outfits and props exclusively for clients I don’t see very often…  so I don’t.  😀

Instead of purchasing a bunch of sitter props, I usually repurpose my newborn props for sitter sessions. This is a newborn bed that I love using with sitters. Not only does it have a low-profile, making it safer so that baby can keep her feet on the floor, the headboard and footboard are easy for baby to grab onto to support themselves.

When styling sitter sessions, I also use a lot of silk flowers to dress up my photos. There are always great sales on flowers and coupons at Michael’s. These are versatile accessories that can be used for any studio portraits from newborns to senior portraits and maternity.

While I don’t purchase any sitter outfits, I do have a couple dozen hats for babies 3-9 months old. Sitters have so many wonderful baby rolls so it’s great to get some photos without clothing to show those off!

Sitters still love playing on their backs and tummy time as well! Use your studio’s sheepskins/flokatis to capture those cute moments.

Likewise, a lot of sitters can also stand with support!  I have a few of these benches that are just the right height to allow them to stay in a standing position, but double as stools for children to stand or sit on.  Make sure you select stools that have a wider base that the top so that they’re less-likely to topple over.  I always keep a parent within reach of their baby and then edit them out of the photo.
Balloons are a fun and inexpensive addition to baby’s first birthday session.  Walmart sells helium tanks and balloons in many colors.  I always send the balloons home with the parents after their session for a fun parting gift.

Thinking of joining APNPI? Learn more about our membership options.

Celebrating Creativity: Meet the Maternity Category Winner of the APNPI Image Competition

We’re thrilled to show off our 2nd place winner in the 2023 Autumn APNPI Image Competition for the Maternity Category, aaaaand, having scored so well consistently in both rounds of competition, Amanda has also won the Photographer of the Year award!

Read on below to learn more about what inspired Amanda to enter and about her experience.

2nd Place Winner Maternity Category: Amanda Capello

Business Name: Acapello photography

Located in: Phoenix, Arizona, USA

APNPI Competition 2nd place winner – Maternity Category | “Simplicity” by Amanda Capello