burlington maternity, newborn & Family Photographer
About Melissa Shearer
Before we talk about me, let’s talk about you for a second.
You’re somewhere in the thick of it. Maybe pregnant, maybe chasing a toddler, maybe both at once. Life right now is full and loud and beautiful and exhausting, and you know in your gut that this exact season is flying by faster than you can hold onto it.
You want family photos that feel like a memory, not a performance. You want to actually be in them – not hidden behind the camera again. And honestly, you’re a little nervous about the whole thing: whether your kids will cooperate, whether you’ll feel awkward, whether it’ll be worth the investment.
I already know all of this about you. And I’ve got you.
That’s what I’m here for: to take everything off your plate so you can just show up and be present with your family.
The rest is my job.
Hey, I'm Melissa
And i've been obsessed with preserving moments since I was eight years old!
That’s when my uncle handed me my first camera and I never really put one down. I went on to earn my BA in Film Studies at Brock University, spent years working in television production, and then spent a decade travelling the world as a professional travel writer – filing stories from every corner of the globe and photographing everything I never wanted to forget.
What every chapter had in common: I was obsessed with story. Not just the beautiful surface of things, but the feeling underneath. The in-between moment. The look that passes between two people when they think no one is watching. That’s the thing worth chasing.
It took becoming a mom – to two wild, hilarious, wonderful boys – to understand just how urgently those moments need to be captured. Because they are gone before you can blink, and the only way to hold onto them is to actually hold onto them.
I founded Melissa Shearer Photography nearly a decade ago and have been serving families across Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton, Milton, and Southern Ontario ever since. I’m a proud member of the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers (IAPBP), and I get to spend my days doing the thing I love most: helping families see themselves the way I see them.
When I’m not behind the camera capturing your most important memories, I’m navigating and enjoying life with my husband, our two wild boys, and our 130lb Great Pyrenees-Rottweiler TĂŁne (tah-nay) – who absolutely believes he’s a lapdog.
From meeting your baby for the first time to the laughter of your growing children, let me preserve your familyâs story in photographs - book now for memories that will last a lifetime.
What working with a Burlington family photographer
should actually feel like.
No stiff poses. No checklists. No stress.
I don’t do forced smiles or rushed sessions. I show up knowing your kids’ names, who needs snacks every twelve minutes, and who’s going to take a little time to warm up – and I work with all of it, not against it.
My maternity, newborn, and family photography sessions are full-service, curated to your needs, and collaborative so we make your vision a reality! That means virtual planning calls, in-person styling sessions, access to my carefully curated client closet, and prep guides that cover everything so you’re not up at 11pm Googling “what do I wear to a family photo session.”
And if your partner is less than thrilled about the whole thing? Completely normal. I’ve worked with reluctant dads, overtired babies, and toddlers with very strong opinions. It always comes together – and the images you receive will be proof of that.
You don’t have to show up perfect. You just have to show up.
Serving Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton, Halton Region & beyond.
Based in Burlington, Ontario, I work with families throughout the Halton Region, including Oakville, Hamilton, Milton, Grimsby, St. Catharines, Brantford, and Cambridge. Whether you’re looking for a Burlington maternity photographer, newborn photographer in Oakville, or a family photographer in the Hamilton area … you’ve found your person.
Personalized Experience:
Clients get personalized support with virtual planning sessions, in-person styling sessions, an extensive client closet, and comprehensive prep guides to ensure each photo session is fun and relaxed, allowing true personalities to shine through.
Emotive Storytelling:
I capture the in-between moments - the laughter, the quiet touches, the way your family feels like yours. No stiff poses, just real connection and fleeting memories made timeless.
Mentorship & growth:
Iâm passionate about mentoring photographers with real, no-BS guidance. Through mentorship, workshops, masterminds and community events, I help photographers build confidence, refine their craft, and create a sustainable business - without all the trial and error.
Features & accolades
Iâm incredibly honoured to have been named the 2025 Platinum Winner for Best Photographer in Burlington by Community Votes Burlington, featured as the cover story for Lakeshore Living‘s June 2026 issue, as well as being recognized as Unraveled Academyâs Artist of the Year in October 2025.
My work has been featured in VOGUE, Gallery Lane Magazine, She Shoots Magazine, Best Version Media, and Travel Massive, and showcased by City of Torontoâs St. Lawrence Market, Toronto Tourism, the Jamaica Tourism Board, and Nomad Adventure Tours Africa.
Iâve also had the joy of collaborating with award-winning musicians including the James Barker Band and Leah Daniels. Iâm a proud member of the International Association of Professional Birth Photographers, where I continue to grow, learn, and share my passion for documenting one of lifeâs most intimate and transformative seasons.
testimonials from our happy families
"Melissa is extremely professional, personable and delivers high quality!
Melissa took newborn photos of my son and our growing family when he was a couple weeks old. The pictures she took were amazing, they were exactly what I wanted and we couldn’t be happier with them! Melissa is extremely professional, personable and delivers high quality!! Can’t wait to use Melissa again in the future!
- Sarah W.
testimonials from our happy families
"I am absolutely blown away by the outstanding talent of Melissa. Her skills are second to none.
She truly knows how to work with the lighting and location. She makes you feel comfortable and at ease knowing it can be a little awkward to have a camera following you around. She’s great at giving direction when there are certain shots she wants to get, but is amazing at capturing the best candid moments. Melissa gets right down on the ground and isn’t afraid to get dirty to ensure you get the best pictures possible. Her editing skills are phenomenal. I just want to print all of the pictures! I would use Melissa’s services again and again and again.
- Jen P.
testimonials from our happy families
"Melissa is the perfect photographer to capture these special moments.
Before my husband and I had our little one, we knew that we would want someone special to capture one of the greatest moments you could experience. We contacted Melissa a couple months before our girl was born and we connected immediately! Not only did her photography capture the moments Kyle and I would cherish forever, but she was unbelievably flexible and accommodating in her schedule, extremely supportive and understanding and made the whole process full of enjoyment and love. Melissa is the perfect photographer to capture these special moments and we have been complimented by many of the amazing pictures we have of our daughterâs birth.
- Alanna & Kyle T.
testimonials from our happy families
"Melissa captured my body transitioning during the second trimester with such beauty and realness combined.
It was the perfect tribute to the miraculous changes I was going through. Melissa was very easy to work with and gave great direction throughout the shoot. Her turnaround time for providing the edited gallery was so quick and when I saw the proofs I was speechless. These photos are the most precious captures of me and my body which has become the vessel of life for my baby. Melissa has a wonderful way of capturing the maternal love and inner glow which shines through in her finished photos. I highly recommend Melissa for all your family photo needs.
- Rebecca M.
Hey Photographers - this part's for you!
If you’re a photographer in Ontario who’s been piecing together conflicting advice from the internet, undercharging, and wondering when it’s all going to click – I’ve been exactly where you are. I built this business from scratch, made every mistake in the book, and figured out what actually works. No gatekeeping. No fluff. Just real, honest guidance from someone who genuinely wants to see you succeed.
Beyond 1:1 mentorship, workshops, and content days, I’m also the co-founder of Motherclickers – a community and education platform built specifically for photographers who are raising kids and building businesses at the same time. Because doing both is a whole thing, and you deserve support that actually understands that.
Head over to the education page to explore mentorship, workshops, and Motherclickers – your people are waiting