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Thunder Ridge Ranch - Melissa Brannon Photgraphy

Backyard Bakersfield Wedding

Croad Vineyard

HEY YOU! SO GLAD YOU’VE FOUND MY WEBSITE!

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About Me

Pretty, vibrant images that stay timeless throughout the years is what I’m all about and I hope if you’re here, it’s what you’re all about too! I’m a bit of a perfectionist which tends to show through in my business. If you’re one of my wedding couples, you can expect a detailed timeline of what I plan to do for your entire wedding day, down to the minute. Your experience is what matters most to me; I want you to have pretty images but I also want you to enjoy everything along the way too! You will feel comfortable and beautiful and CARED for (that last one is MOST important to me). As soon as we meet, I want you to feel like we have known each other for a decade. And expect me to stick around long after your gallery is delivered too, because I want to celebrate your life achievements and milestones throughout the years! I invest a lot into my clients and that investment is not just monetary.

My Style

I would call myself both a traditional and photojournalistic photographer. I love those perfect, posed shots, but the candid ones….the candid ones are where it’s all at for me. These are the ones that make you look back on your wedding day (or even your family session) and remember those in between moments. The ones that are important, the ones that were the reason for the day. I have a lot of ways of getting you to open up and give me the “real you” even though my camera is in your face – and we have fun too! Capturing all the little details of your day is also so incredibly important to me, whether it be your rings, your florals or your holding hands. I know what it takes to plan a wedding and I know that every detail you chose matters! I tailor each of my sessions and weddings to you and give you lots of variety to make sure you are totally and completely in love with as many as possible (you know your favorite smile better than I do and I know it makes a difference!) I have a tendency to shoot close ups because I love when you can see the clear emotions and connection. Black and whites are where my heart really lies and I make sure to include plenty in your gallery (you will thank me later). Often, they end up being some of the strongest images and the ones that I feel show the most emotion. There is just something about stripping all of the color, to see what is behind with no distractions.

My Passion

I pour my heart and soul into my photography and it is my ultimate goal for you to feel something, anything when you look at my images, if they’re of you or even of a stranger.
I love everything about wedding days and I love building close relationships with all of my clients to ensure that I understand what is most important to you on your wedding day (I know that while one couple may think photography is the most important thing, another will feel that enjoying their guests is more important… I tailor a plan specific to YOU and YOUR wedding day and what YOU want). Because let’s be honest, I care about your wedding day almost as much as you do (true story) and I want it to be everything that you dreamed it would be. I want you to have these memories for a lifetime. I want you to relive the whole day afterward, because I know how quickly it flies by and how much you may miss when you are actually in the moment. I’ve been there! It will be a complete BLUR to you soon after. You just enjoy yourself -be in the moment- and leave the documenting to me.

But don’t be surprised when I’m dancing with you at your reception (in between photo ops, of course), sometimes I can’t help myself.

About Me

Pretty, vibrant images that stay timeless throughout the years is what I’m all about and I hope if you’re here, it’s what you’re all about too! I’m a bit of a perfectionist which tends to show through in my business. If you’re one of my wedding couples, you can expect a detailed timeline of what I plan to do for your entire wedding day, down to the minute. Your experience is what matters most to me; I want you to have pretty images but I also want you to enjoy everything along the way too! You will feel comfortable and beautiful and CARED for (that last one is MOST important to me). As soon as we meet, I want you to feel like we have known each other for a decade. And expect me to stick around long after your gallery is delivered too, because I want to celebrate your life achievements and milestones throughout the years! I invest a lot into my clients and that investment is not just monetary.

My Style

I would call myself both a traditional and photojournalistic photographer. I love those perfect, posed shots, but the candid ones….the candid ones are where it’s all at for me. These are the ones that make you look back on your wedding day (or even your family session) and remember those in between moments. The ones that are important, the ones that were the reason for the day. I have a lot of ways of getting you to open up and give me the “real you” even though my camera is in your face – and we have fun too! Capturing all the little details of your day is also so incredibly important to me, whether it be your rings, your florals or your holding hands. I know what it takes to plan a wedding and I know that every detail you chose matters! I tailor each of my sessions and weddings to you and give you lots of variety to make sure you are totally and completely in love with as many as possible (you know your favorite smile better than I do and I know it makes a difference!) I have a tendency to shoot close ups because I love when you can see the clear emotions and connection. Black and whites are where my heart really lies and I make sure to include plenty in your gallery (you will thank me later). Often, they end up being some of the strongest images and the ones that I feel show the most emotion. There is just something about stripping all of the color, to see what is behind with no distractions.

My Passion

I pour my heart and soul into my photography and it is my ultimate goal for you to feel something, anything when you look at my images, if they’re of you or even of a stranger.
I love everything about wedding days and I love building close relationships with all of my clients to ensure that I understand what is most important to you on your wedding day (I know that while one couple may think photography is the most important thing, another will feel that enjoying their guests is more important… I tailor a plan specific to YOU and YOUR wedding day and what YOU want). Because let’s be honest, I care about your wedding day almost as much as you do (true story) and I want it to be everything that you dreamed it would be. I want you to have these memories for a lifetime. I want you to relive the whole day afterward, because I know how quickly it flies by and how much you may miss when you are actually in the moment. I’ve been there! It will be a complete BLUR to you soon after. You just enjoy yourself -be in the moment- and leave the documenting to me.

But don’t be surprised when I’m dancing with you at your reception (in between photo ops, of course), sometimes I can’t help myself.

About Me

Pretty, vibrant images that stay timeless throughout the years is what I’m all about and I hope if you’re here, it’s what you’re all about too! I’m a bit of a perfectionist which tends to show through in my business. If you’re one of my wedding couples, you can expect a detailed timeline of what I plan to do for your entire wedding day, down to the minute. Your experience is what matters most to me; I want you to have pretty images but I also want you to enjoy everything along the way too! You will feel comfortable and beautiful and CARED for (that last one is MOST important to me). As soon as we meet, I want you to feel like we have known each other for a decade. And expect me to stick around long after your gallery is delivered too, because I want to celebrate your life achievements and milestones throughout the years! I invest a lot into my clients and that investment is not just monetary.

My Style

I would call myself both a traditional and photojournalistic photographer. I love those perfect, posed shots, but the candid ones….the candid ones are where it’s all at for me. These are the ones that make you look back on your wedding day (or even your family session) and remember those in between moments. The ones that are important, the ones that were the reason for the day. I have a lot of ways of getting you to open up and give me the “real you” even though my camera is in your face – and we have fun too! Capturing all the little details of your day is also so incredibly important to me, whether it be your rings, your florals or your holding hands. I know what it takes to plan a wedding and I know that every detail you chose matters! I tailor each of my sessions and weddings to you and give you lots of variety to make sure you are totally and completely in love with as many as possible (you know your favorite smile better than I do and I know it makes a difference!) I have a tendency to shoot close ups because I love when you can see the clear emotions and connection. Black and whites are where my heart really lies and I make sure to include plenty in your gallery (you will thank me later). Often, they end up being some of the strongest images and the ones that I feel show the most emotion. There is just something about stripping all of the color, to see what is behind with no distractions.

My Passion

I pour my heart and soul into my photography and it is my ultimate goal for you to feel something, anything when you look at my images, if they’re of you or even of a stranger.
I love everything about wedding days and I love building close relationships with all of my clients to ensure that I understand what is most important to you on your wedding day (I know that while one couple may think photography is the most important thing, another will feel that enjoying their guests is more important… I tailor a plan specific to YOU and YOUR wedding day and what YOU want). Because let’s be honest, I care about your wedding day almost as much as you do (true story) and I want it to be everything that you dreamed it would be. I want you to have these memories for a lifetime. I want you to relive the whole day afterward, because I know how quickly it flies by and how much you may miss when you are actually in the moment. I’ve been there! It will be a complete BLUR to you soon after. You just enjoy yourself -be in the moment- and leave the documenting to me.

But don’t be surprised when I’m dancing with you at your reception (in between photo ops, of course), sometimes I can’t help myself.

Do you think we're a match?

Fill out my contact form and let me get to know you too!

I can't wait to hear from you!

Services & Prices

Weddings: Starting at

Inquire for Pricing

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Portrait Session: Starting at

$450per session

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All Inclusive Cake Smash

$850per event

Cake + Props Included

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Boudoir: Starting at

$475Starting at

Options to add Little Black Book, More Outfits, More Retouched Images

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you based out of?

I am a local wedding and portrait photographer located in Bakersfield, CA but available for travel all over California (but don't hesitate to ask me to head out of California as well).

Are you available for travel?

I am absolutely available for travel! As a photographer, especially a photographer in Bakersfield, California, I am always looking for new places to take photos and new locations to see. That's what makes for such epic photos. Bakersfield only has so many spots so I love when people suggest traveling for their sessions or weddings. Have a destination wedding in Greece? I'm your photographer! Italy? I'm there. Interested in engagement photos in San Luis? I LOVE SLO. So yes, I have my passport ready, I'm ready to go anywhere with you, given possible travel fees that we can discuss. Please give me a reason to travel and take me with you!

What type of sessions do you offer?

I provide most types of photo sessions but especially love photographing Weddings and Engagements, Couples through all stages of life, Families, Seniors/Graduates, Cake Smashes, and Boudoir. I am the person that loves breaking up habits so I love to be able to do a different type of session every day. It keeps my job fun and interesting!

Do you require a booking fee?

Yes, I require a non-refundable $1500 booking fee to reserve your wedding date in my calendar. I require this booking fee upon signing of your contract. For portrait sessions, I require a $150 deposit. In the event that you have to cancel your session, the deposit will not be refunded to you. However, I do allow one reschedule per deposit (unless the reschedule is due to weather or requested by me)

Do you have a referral program?

For wedding referrals (please tell people that you refer to let me know who sent them my way!), I do give a VERY special percent off your next session as a "thank you" for each wedding you send my way. For you to receive this percent off, they must follow through on the full booking process and let me know who sent them to me.

What kind of camera do you have?

I use two full frame Nikon d750s and a Nikon d780 and have a lens ready for any scenario. I also have plenty of lighting equipment that allows me to capture late nights at wedding receptions or indoors for boudoir sessions.

Can I have all of the RAW images from our session?

As your photographer, I do the hard work and carefully go through each image I take and pick the very best photos so that when you see them, you don’t have to go through and see closed eyes, funny faces, ten of the same images, etc. What you get is chosen and meticulously edited for you. It is a part of my artwork! So unfortunately, no, I do not give you any RAW unedited images.

Do you help with the wedding timeline?

Wedding Day timelines are. my. jam. I am a planner and a major list maker. For all of my wedding clients, as soon as you book one of my wedding collections, I do try and send a general sample timeline based on the time of sunset on your specific wedding day. This is usually just a photography specific timeline that is centered around what will be best for photos given what the light will be like on your wedding day. This wedding day timeline, of course, does not have to be followed but I like to let you see what would be the best way to time out your day so that I am able to get the best photos possible for you. We will make an appointment to meet or talk on the phone around 2 weeks before your wedding date to go over the final timeline that you have decided on. This way we are on the same page and your wedding will run as smoothly as possible.

Do you have a system to light night receptions?

I do! My camera does really well at night and I am equipped with light stands and flashes to adequately light any event!

What is a “first look” and why would anyone do it?

A first look is where you plan to see your significant other before the ceremony. I generally have the groom face one way, and the bride walks up behind him and taps him on the shoulder. Not only am I able to get both of your reactions to each other a little bit better, you also get a little bit of time together without all eyes on you. To me, they feel more intimate and honestly, a little more special. It makes it to where you are able to have a moment together, outside of the hustle and bustle of the wedding day. They are also really great time savers for your wedding day. They help things to run so much more smoothly because rather than having to do ALL formal photos in a time crunch after the ceremony and before the reception, we are able to allocate more time before the ceremony to get some done. That way we aren’t having to make your guests wait as long before your grand entrance. Another reason first looks are VITALLY important for fall and winter brides is because the sun sets much earlier than in summer months. Depending on ceremony time, if you decide against a first look and your wedding is in November, we may be left doing the majority of your family photos and couples portraits after the sun sets. So this is something I will strongly urge you to consider in most instances.

When is our remaining wedding balance due?

The remaining balance of your photography payment is due within two weeks before your wedding date as outlined in your contract. Generally, we will plan a final meeting around this time to finalize timelines and discuss any last minute details so this is an ideal time to pay the remaining wedding photography balance that is due.

Do you offer bridal boudoir?

I do offer bridal boudoir at a slightly discounted price for my brides! The Little Black Book that I include in one of my boudoir packages is such a perfect wedding day gift to give to grooms! And OMG talk about a photo op when he opens it. Can you imagine his expression?!

Can we add more hours?

Absolutely, you are more than welcome to add hours after you decide on a wedding collection. There are plenty of add-on options that we can discuss.

Can we break up our wedding hours?

I wish I could say yes, if you're on a budget but wedding day hours MUST be continuous. Breaks in between ceremony and reception, for example, will be included in the total number of hours that you hire me for.

Why should I add a second photographer to my package?

Second photographers are such a great thing to think about including in your wedding collection! Generally, when I send you a quote, it will be including a second photographer because they are just so vital to the flow of your day. There are so many reasons that I love having a second pair of eyes with me on your wedding day. One huge pro is that it allows me to make sure that I am able to include many more angles in your gallery. For example, say you are set on having me capture you walking down the aisle from behind you, with all eyes on you, but also want me to be able to capture you walking toward me. Beings as there is only one of me, it is nearly impossible for me to get both of those shots in the time that you are walking down the aisle. However, if I have someone assisting me, we are able to get both. They also help in the flow of family portraits, as they help to get family members ready for the next photo while I am taking the current one, which cuts down on time we spend taking photos so that you are able to get to your reception quicker! Also, sometimes our timeline makes it necessary to have two photographers to get groom and bride getting ready at the same time. In addition, when your guest count is high, it is important to make sure there are two perspectives on a main event, in case someone steps in front of one of the cameras. Finally, I am also able to get more creative shots and candid shots in addition to the main formal photos that I will include. And you know I want to be able to get creative and capture every possible photo for you! I PROMISE that your day is just as important to me as it is to you!

Can I change my wedding package later?

If you are wanting to add an hour or an album, etc, then yes! However once you choose a package, we can't downgrade it to less.

Do you cover elopements?

Oh my gosh, elopements are 100% my thing. I love intimate settings! And then let's talk about a destination elopement? I’m all there.

Can we hire you to do our engagement session and then book you as our wedding photographer?

You’re on the fence, I get it, it’s a big deal and a big investment. Absolutely!! Try me out. See if we are a good fit. Book an engagement session with me and whatever amount you pay will go toward the wedding package you choose afterwards. I'm confident that you will be happy and hopefully will want to book me for your wedding.

We don’t need an engagement session, can we substitute?

Engagement sessions are my gift to you for booking me as your wedding photographer. They are a great way for me to get to know you and see how you do in front of the camera before the most important day of your life. Not only is it helpful in the sense of posing, but it lets us get to know each other. I need to gain your trust and make you feel comfortable which isn’t always easy during the stress of a wedding day. Building strong relationships with my Wedding Clients is one of the things that I am most proud of as a wedding photographer. When you book me, you become a part of my family! That starts with the engagement session.

How long does it generally take for me to get my images back?

For most portrait sessions, my turnaround time is around 2-3 weeks. During slower months, I will likely get your photos back to you sooner. Wedding Galleries may take 8-12 weeks but I make sure to send plenty of sneak peeks within the first couple of days so that you can "ooh" and "ahh" while you're on your honeymoon!

How many photos can I expect to get back?

Every session is different and it really depends on how well the session goes but you should expect to receive, on average, a minimum of 40 photos for portrait sessions. For weddings, you can generally expect a minimum of 100 images per hour that I am booked (minus the dinner hour - because everybody hates mid eating photos - think Christmas dinner when Mom/Dad whips out the phone and says smile and everyone's mouths are full - No? Just me? Okay). This means, if you book me for 8 hours, you will likely receive around 700+ images. This, of course depends on how many details you have and how big your wedding party and family list is, etc. In all honesty, I am a huge fan of options, so it's likely that you will have more than the minimum.

What comes with the portrait session fee?

Beforehand, I am more than happy to consult with you on outfits and locations and your vision for your session. I travel anywhere within 30 miles of Bakersfield, at no additional cost. We spend up to an hour, which is more than enough time to ensure you get a variety of amazing images. You receive an online gallery of edited, high resolution images available for download for you to print wherever and whenever you want. Retouching services are available, at an additional cost per photo.

I am terrible at taking photos, will you pose me?

I love posing people and am more than happy to help put you in flattering positions for any body type. I love to show your best attributes and I understand not everyone is the same person, so I have made myself familiar with what poses work best for anybody. I also love to get candid and raw moments. So for a part of your session, I try to just let you do your thing, while I’m ready with my camera for any fun in between moments. Candids bring so many more fun memories back to you when you look at them in 20 years. That's my ultimate goal as your photographer! Another thing that I love to do is give you prompts and things to do to break through some of the stiff poses and get that real emotion and connection. (Be expected to hear me say something like: "Okay, now hug her and whisper in her ear what you ate for breakfast in the sexiest voice possible").

I am not quite happy with my appearance, can you photoshop me?

I will gladly edit out minor skin blemishes that take away from the overall image (up to my discretion). If I somehow miss something that you are completely unhappy with, just ask and we can discuss! I take pride in being able to make you feel good about the photos you receive. Depending on the size of your gallery, we will come to an agreement on how many photos I will be able to fix at no additional cost. Aside from that, I do offer other retouching services, available at $125 per hour (retouching included in boudoir sessions).

Can we make payments?

This is something that we can discuss on a case by case basis.

Why should we print through a professional lab rather than a drugstore?

Quick service printing does not offer the highest quality products for your photos. They don't last as long and the colors are not true. Generally, when you print through a drugstore, your photos will look much more saturated and sometimes your skin tones will appear to be more green or yellow. And overtime, those colors only get worse. When you purchase prints from my lab, they are archival quality so they will last at least 100 years, allowing you to be able to pass them down for generations. They are true to color and won't be overly saturated. In general they just appear better and last longer and are much more worth the few extra dollars spent.

Do you offer printing services?

I do offer prints and I am such a huge advocate for printing your photos! Not to mention printing through a professional high quality printing lab. The prints I offer are high quality, archival prints that will literally last a century! And they are delivered so incredibly quickly! Usually when I deliver your online gallery, I will give you a list of prices of commonly purchased print sizes for you to look over.

Can I share on social media?

I LOVE when my clients share their images on social media. I truly appreciate when those images are not altered though (I worked super hard to make them perfect with that Melissa Brannon Photography flare!) and I do a little happy dance when you tag me or give photo credit! I love to see the response from your friends to your beautiful images. And let’s be honest, that is one of the main ways that I get business. SO if you were totally and completely happy with the services that you received, giving credit and sending referrals are one of the best compliments and "thank you"s that you can give!

Do you post sneak peeks?

I always love to send you a hefty amount of sneak peeks (usually within 24-48 hours) for weddings. I know the waiting game is hard and wedding galleries can take up to 6-8 weeks (WORST case scenario!!) I totally understand how anxious you are to get your photos and I am just as anxious to get them to you so I go through and choose a handful of my favorites and send a quick gallery of them to you then I will post some with your approval. For regular portrait sessions, I will generally get the full gallery to you within 1-2 weeks, so I rarely share sneak peeks for those.

What my clients have to say

view all reviews

Melissa was absolutely AMAZING! She did such a good job with our engagement photos and the wedding photos. I honestly can’t stop looking at my wedding photos. I have had so many people compliment me on them. She really listened to me on what I thought was important during the big day and really implemented details that I asked her too. I really liked how organized she was and how she directed us during the wedding. She made the photos seem so effortless. My guest even came up to me during the wedding and complimented her, before even seeing photos saying, how hard she was working and how on it she was! At the end of the night I realized I literally had ZERO photos of my wedding, I am so grateful that Melissa was there to capture every moment! Would recommend her to ANYONE!

Cassidy S

Via WeddingWire

Melissa went above and beyond from our engagement through our wedding day and everything in between. She was so organized and had every detail worked out, which was amazing on our wedding day because it took so much stress off of us and our families. Melissa made our day so smooth and seamless and allowed us to enjoy every moment. She has such a great eye for photography and will make you feel so comfortable in front of the camera. Our wedding and engagement photos were absolutely beautiful, we could not be happier. Melissa is a joy to work with and I would recommend her to anyone looking for an amazing photographer!

Delaney C

Via WeddingWire

Melissa was our wedding photographer and we would recommend her with zero hesitation! We shopped around for a few quotes on photographers and Melissa not only had the best value but she is top talent! Melissa is organized, professional, patient, personable and any other positive adjective you can think of. We loved her from the moment we met during our engagement session and she continued to wow us ever since. She basically planned our wedding day with her detailed timeline and was always happy to make any changes we requested. Her pictures are gorgeous. We also really appreciated that she made sure to get to know us and what was important to us so she could make sure she gave us everything we wanted. Even our wedding guest were impressed, many telling us how great our photographer is. We couldn’t agree more! You’ll be so happy you chose Melissa for your special day.

Adrienne E

Via TheKnot

Professional, punctual and truly an artist. Melissa, you are an angel. We got the opportunity to work with you for a photo shoot and after our second photo shoot with you (that my now husband turned into a proposal) we knew you HAD to shoot our wedding! You are the sweetest ever but knew when our bridal party needed a little tough love after too many drinks (THANK YOU, my goodness and so sorry..) You had such a long, busy day but we never could tell, you were there for all the shots and we couldn’t thank you enough!! I truly love you and so very glad to have met you. You will definitely be shooting any big life events we have in our lifetime until you are no longer shooting! Book this woman now before she has no availability because she is THAT GOOD! Also how quick we got our sneak peeks… unheard of! You are the best and we thank you so very much for EVERYTHING!

Kaylee G

Via TheKnot

Words are not enough to express how amazing Melissa is! She has a passion for what she does and it shows! She’s professional, personable, and more importantly funny. I would chose her 500 million times over again! She did an amazing job with our engagement photos and wedding photos! It would be a big mistake to not us her. I got married November 8, 2019 and even though it’s been 2 months, I still get compliments from my guests! You will not be disappointed!

Ashley C

Via TheKnot

The bessssssst
Whatever you do, PICK MELISSA. Just do it. Don’t think about it, just do it. When choosing Melissa I had no clue about anything to do with weddings. I literally saw her instagram by doing my own research & set up an appointment strictly off of her Instagram. I met Melissa on a lunch break so it took me less than 30 minutes to decide that she was the one who would capture the best day of our lives. I didn’t know Melissa , I didn’t know anybody who knew Melissa I just instantly loved the person she was! It felt like I knew her lol.
She tells you exactly what to do for your photos and even the poses you might think are kinda awkward turn out the best, because she knows what she’s doing! She brings things to life that would have never even crossed your mind. I have the BEST wedding album. I have pictures of literally everything that went on at my wedding and then some. And she was all by herself without a second photographer (which proves how amazing she really is!)
Before my wedding I would have known the HUGE part a photographer plays in your big day. It’s bigger than anybody can imagine. You think “yeah I’ll get some nice pictures” but who comes up with the poses for those nice pictures? Who makes sure to tell the guys to keep their hands in pockets??? MELISSA! So thankful we had her for our big day! We love you!!!! And look forward to using her in future events, family photos, whatever else I can get a picture out of lol.

Kandice H

Via WeddingWire

Words can not describe how grateful I am to have had Melissa as my photographer, but I will give it a shot! After having a different photographer booked for several months and finding out 2 weeks before my wedding they were canceling I was frantically looking for someone else. Melissa responded back to me within hours and met me in person a couple days later to get more details from me and set up a shooting schedule for the day of the wedding. After meeting her and realizing how professional and organized she was made me so relieved. On the day of, she brought a 2nd photographer with her and they were so prepared that we were able to take all the photos I wanted and we even had extra time for fun and creative photos! Maybe 24 hours after the wedding, she emailed me a sneak peek album with about 20-30 photos in it (like what?! I thought I was going to be waiting for months!!) Melissa is friendly, kind, organized, professional, proactive, and above all she takes the most beautiful, bright, happy photos. (Also, can I just say I never realized how amazing black and white photos were until she sent me some! Like wow! 😍) So, if you want your wedding to live forever through photos and remember how beautiful and happy that day was then book Melissa. She will exceed your expectations in every way. ♥️

Jessica S

Via TheKnot

I had no idea what I really wanted but she made everything perfect!! She knew what she was doing and I love all my photos. She was so sweet to work with and I definitely recommend her to everyone

Laura O

Via WeddingWire

Amazingggg!
I knew from the moment I met Melissa she was going to make this process so easy. When you think back of your wedding day all you have are photos to remember your big day that’s why it’s important to pick an amazing photographer and we did just that. I’m so thankful she captured beautiful photos and made the process so smooth. I would totally recommend Nelissa to anyone looking for a photographer. Thank you from the bottom of my hearts.

Becky H

Via WeddingWire

Endless memories
Melissa was such a pleasure to work with. She was very attentive to my requests and really saved my sanity on my wedding day! She provided a detailed timeline which was incredibly helpful but was also flexible when something didn’t fall exactly in line. I am still in awe of the 700+ amazing photos she provided from my wedding in July. She was able to capture so many one time, special moments and having photos to reminisce and be reminded of our special day for years to come is priceless! I highly recommend Melissa, she is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met and she made me and my husband feel so comfortable even before we met in person. She is very talented and definitely will not disappoint!

Lilly G

Via WeddingWire

Melissa is an AMAZING photographer. She makes you feel comfortable in front of the camera and truly made me feel so beautiful on my wedding day. She is very nice and professional. She gave me a timeline ahead of time so that I knew exactly how my day with her would be. She delivered my photos ahead of time and sent me sneak peaks the next day. If you are in search of a photographer, end it here! She is overall an amazing person! My husband and I are SO HAPPY & IN LOVE with our photos that we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

Kayla C

Via WeddingWire

She’s amazing! I am beyond amazed with my pictures. She will now be my photographer for everything. She captured the sweetest most intimate moments. Literally bawled when going through my pics.. Thank you melissa!

Nichole R

Via WeddingWire

Melissa is such a phenomenal photographer! She photographed my wedding March of 2018. When I met her for the first time she was so nice and taught me so much about wedding pictures! I honestly had idea there was so much to it. I just thought it was a few pictures here and there. Right then and there I knew she was the prefect one for the job! The day of my wedding it poured the entire time. But she didn’t let the rain stop her from capturing my big day. She stood in the rain and took pictures the entire night, she didn’t care that she was getting soaked all she cared about was getting beautiful pictures. Which she did! I love all my wedding pictures. I still use her to this day for any type of pictures I need because I am in love with her work! Don’t think twice about booking her for your special day, she is the right one and you won’t regret it!!❤️

Jazzmen W

Via The Knot

She was amazing!
Melissa was an absolute dream to work with. She made everything so easy and she was so organized. Her pictures turned out stunning and we are so happy she captured our day for us. I would recommend over and over again!

Krista G

Via WeddingWire

Where do I start? Our Family has taken photos with Melissa for the last 3 years & couldn’t imagine anyone better to capture beautiful memories with. Melissa is always a fast text away when I different ideas, when I ask for suggestions even when it’s not about phots, like who would she suggest for hair and makeup? Or would she able to make a flower swing for my daughters birthday photos. I’ve never heard no from her or that something I liked wouldn’t work. Melissa has so many great poses in her head and they all come out amazing!

Andrea H

Via Yelp

Melissa went above and beyond for our engagement photoshoot and the results were so beautiful! I loved how communicative she is and she super down to earth but very professional. She’s passionate about her work and definitely takes lots of pride. She finds inspiration in every shot she takes. I wish we had enough in budget to have hired her as our wedding photographer.

Jadira B

Via WeddingWire

Melissa far exceeded my expectations! I couldn’t have picked a better photographer to capture my wedding day. I am having such a hard time picking my favorite pictures to frame because there are SO MANY amazing shots! She managed to catch a ton of details and fun little moments. I feel like everyone’s personalities truly show in the photos and it makes me cherish them much more. I have a tendency to be a little awkward for pictures but she made me feels so comfortable and we were laughing and smiling the whole time. She also managed to get my husband to loosen up for pictures and he hates getting his picture taken. Lol I’m totally blown away with her professionalism and talent. I got a bunch sneak peeks back almost immediately and her turnaround time for my (huge) wedding gallery was so fast. She’s just amazing. The whole experience was very relaxed and fun. I highly, highly recommend her to anyone needing photos done.

Katherine G

Via WeddingWire

I found Melissa on Instagram and she responded right away. She went out to the location a few days before the shoot to make sure the flowers were still there which she didn’t have to do because it was quite a drive for her. She gave me a few options on locations, and the different flowers that would be there. We were a little late arriving for our photos but Melissa didn’t mind. We kind of did our own poses and Melissa let us take as much time as we needed. She didn’t give us a time frame which is what a lot of photographers do. She was in no rush and I felt like she really took a lot of pictures of my 1 year because we all know how hard it is to get a good picture of a baby. A few days later she sent me some edited pictures to show me some samples and I really liked that because I was very anxious to see them. Lol. They all came out perfect and we definitely being booking her in the future.

Andrea H

Via Yelp

Melissa was so patient with my daughter and getting her to smile. It was my daughter and I first time taking professional pictures together and they came out so good.

Nicole S

Via Yelp

We recently did a couples shoot with Melissa and it was wonderful! Melissa did such a great job not only with our photos but making us feel comfortable and we had so much fun! If you are looking for some great natural light photos Melissa is your girl! We will definitely be booking her again!

Courtnie L

Via Yelp

Melissa is amazing, truly has an eye for photography and is sure to impress! I will continue using her for all of my portrait and family sessions. I do not have kids but she was patient with my three wild dogs and our photos turned out fantastic. I’ve also done a boudoir session and felt very comfortable in front of her, she is respectful and her photos made me feel beautiful! I highly recommend Melissa Brannon Photography.

Jordan V

Via Yelp

Such a wonderful photographer in every way! Professional, friendly, fun to work with and takes the most AMAZING photos!! I would 100% work with her again.

Kaylee H

Via Facebook

Melissa is a new photographer in Bakersfield but she has the promise to be one of the best! She is very friendly, professional, and easy to work with. I had a few ideas for poses, and she is great at collaborating with you. I’ve worked with several other photographers in past and things she did NOT disappoint with as others had: She scoped the location ahead of time to make sure it was good to go (I’ve had a photographer tell me same day that the location wouldn’t work after all and had no backup location so we cancelled), she was on time and ready to go, (again, I’ve had some be late), she had ideas/toys to try to get child to look into the camera. (I’ve had another photographer with absolutely nothing).
She was very PATIENT and understood that kids need time to warm up. She worked with us and was able to get nice smiles from my girl. Other photographers I’ve worked with will keep shooting whether the child is frowning and not even care in the end how the child looks. That would make for bad and unnatural photos. I compared her to other photographers because I’ve worked with several others who had been doing it for years who did not compare to Melissa’s professionalism! It was a breath of fresh air! She takes photos until she gets great ones! Melissa captured a variety of posed and candid photos. She is super easy to work with and does beautiful work! 🙂 We love our pictures and are thrilled with them! You won’t regret hiring her for your photos! She is awesome at what she does & loves it!

Christie Y

Via Yelp

Melissa gave us the best experience while taking our family photos. She was so laid back, made it so easy for us to be ourselves and have fun. She was great with my kids. Her prints came out so clear and look so great on my wall. I can not wait for another session.

Stephanie S

Via Yelp

Melissa is the best photographer I have ever met! I booked her 2 years ago for my wedding and ever since I have had her do so many sessions for me! I wouldn’t choose anyone else for your special day or a family session! I promise you will fall in love with her work right away! Here are a few pictures she has done for me through out the years!!

Jazzmen W

Via Yelp

Melissa is so sweet to work with. She recently squeezed me in for a family session. She was patient with my 3 year old and ensured she got great shots. She had a quick turn around time too and I them back very quickly. We love our photos and our experience with her. I highly recommend her and will definitely be using her in the future.

Miranda M

Via Yelp

Melissa was very sweet and very professional! The pictures came out absolutely amazing! She was so great with my son. I highly recommend her! I’ll definitely have her to more photos in the near future! Thank you again Melissa!

Christie L

Via Facebook

Melissa did a family session for us, and it was awesome! She is very patient with small children & manages to capture all the perfect moments! I would recommend her to any friends or family!

Liz R

Via Facebook

Melissa is by far the best photographer I’ve worked with. She did both a boudoir session, as well as almond orchard session. She made us feel comfortable, and able to capture us as we are and make the photos beautiful!

Jordan C

Via Facebook

Fantastic Photographer! I got the chance to see Melissa in action last weekend at a wedding at the Padre Hotel in downtown Bakersfield. I’m also a wedding vendor so I get to see a LOT of photo-g’s and how they work. With Melissa, not only did I see the great work she does capturing everything on the day of, but I also got to see pictures of myself just a few days after the wedding. Great, high quality shots that I hardly even noticed she had taken. She really went above and beyond doing an excellent job during and after the event. Everything you want in a photographer for your special day, I’m sure you can find with Melissa!

Jay C

Via Yelp

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661.282.7283

info@melissabrannonphotography.com

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Refunds & Cancellations

Session deposits are non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
In the event that Melissa Brannon needs to reschedule a session for any reason (including, but not limited to weather, illness, etc), the session deposit will be applied to a new date.
One reschedule is allowed per deposit, in the event that the client requests to reschedule more than once, a new deposit must be paid.
In the event that the client is late to their session, Melissa Brannon will wait 15 minutes and if no contact has been made between client and photographer, photographer can leave.

In the event that the client is late but contact has been made, your time slot will remain the same and the original ending time will not change, resulting in fewer images.
If the client requests a reshoot, it is up to the discretion of Melissa Brannon.
Client must pay any and all fees if required for a session location (I.e. admission fees, parking fees, permits, etc).
Travel to any session within 30 minutes of 93311 is included as part of your session fee. Additional mileage will be set at $0.50/mile roundtrip.

Discounts

Discounts cannot be applied to mini sessions.
Pricing can change at any time, for whatever reason, without notice unless deposit is paid to lock in pricing.
Retouching images will incur a rate of $125/hour. This includes things such as “slimming” but minor fixes can be applied to a fixed number of images, agreed upon between client and photographer.
If you choose to order any products/prints through Melissa Brannon Photography, all sales will be final.
Any products purchased will include the current CA State Tax.

Gift certificates or credits of any sort are not redeemable for cash.

Melissa Brannon will choose the best images from each session and will deliver only what she deems fit as a professional. These images will then be color corrected and sent to you via an online gallery.
Edited images will be available to you in your online gallery within 2 weeks from your session date.
If a payment Plan has been discussed, no images will be delivered until payment has been made in full.
The clients have permission to print any and all photos provided to them by the photographer from the event.

Copyright & Social Media

The copyright of photographs remains with the Photographer. The Photographer grants the Clients permission to print/make copies of the images under the following conditions. The photos may not be altered in any way. The images taken by the Photographer are for personal use by the Clients and their friends and relatives. Sale, Publication or any Commercial use of the photographs is not allowed without prior written permission from the Photographer.

Clients understand that their images may be used on Melissa Brannon Photography’s website or social media.
Clients are able to request to keep their photos private and decline the use of any images online.

Liability

Photographer is not liable for any injuries the client sustains during the session or on the way to the session. In the event of an injury, Melissa Brannon is released from any claims against herself or her business.
The Photographer has working methods in place to prevent loss or damage to your images. However, there is the unlikely possibility that images may be lost, stolen or destroyed for reasons in or beyond their control. In these circumstances, liability is limited to the return of fees paid for the service or part thereof according to the percentage of images supplied or a comped reshoot can be rescheduled in place of a refund.

*Disclaimer: These are general policies. Individual services have individual policies, as outlined in your contract. These policies are subject to change at any time.

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