FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER IN BURLINGTON, ONTARIO
Capture what makes your family unique
Capture what makes your family unique
A GUIDED, CONNECTION-FOCUSED FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE
Family life is made up of seasons – the loud ones, the tender ones, and the in-between moments you don’t realize you’ll miss until they’re gone. As a Burlington family photographer, I create timeless, emotion-filled family photographs for families who want images that feel honest, connected, and true to who they are – not stiff or overly posed.
Whether we’re photographing your family outdoors in golden light or in the comfort of your own home, my approach is always the same: slow things down, help you feel at ease, and create space for real moments to unfold naturally.
I serve families across Burlington, Hamilton, Oakville, Milton, and surrounding Southern Ontario communities, offering a guided family photography experience from start to finish. Styling support is included (because coordinating outfits for the whole family shouldn’t involve panic-scrolling, multiple mall trips, or last-minute stress). I’ll help you choose pieces that photograph beautifully, feel comfortable, and work together effortlessly – so you can arrive feeling confident and relaxed.
These family photography sessions aren’t about sitting still and smiling at the camera. They’re about movement, connection, and the moments that make your family yours – kids being kids, parents leaning in, laughter, hugs, and the quiet magic in between. This is your family’s story in this season of life, captured with intention so you can come back to it again and again.
the process
How it works
Book your session
Contact me to choose your date, package, and finalize the details with a contract and retainer payment.
Virtual Planning
Schedule a 30-minute virtual session to align on your vision for the shoot.
In person styling
Take advantage of my carefully curated client closet to ensure you look your best, schedule your 30-minute in-person styling session.
Shoot day
The moment we’ve been waiting for!
Enjoy our session at your chosen location, capturing beautiful moments together.
Receive photos
Sneak peeks within 48 hours, a lightly edited proofing gallery in 3-4 weeks, and final images within 7 days of your selection.
packages
PRICING AND PACKAGES SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME | all pricing subject to hst
tHE HEIRLOOM collection $1150
Includes:
- Up to 90 minute family photo session
- All images that tell your story (approx. 120 images)
- Rush Delivery – receive your final gallery within 1 week
- All images delivered in colour and black & white
- Access to my Client Closet & Online Styling Software
- Up to 2 styled looks
- 30-minute virtual planning call to collaborate and plan out your vision for the session
- 30-minute in-person styling session
- 1-hour print ordering session (virtual)
- Complimentary Printed Gift ($185 value)
- 20% off all printed items
NOTE: Immediate Families only
THE Timeless collection $650
Includes:
- Up to 1-hour session
- 25 hand-edited images of your choice
- Final images delivered in colour and black & white
- Access to Client Closet & Online Styling Software
- 30-minute virtual planning session to collaborate and plan out your vision for the session
- 30-minute in person styling session
- 10% off all printed items
NOTE: Immediate Family Members Only
extended family sessions also available. PRICING STARTS AT $750.
FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE
Frequently asked Questions
I'm worried about my young child not behaving - can you help?
As a mom myself, I completely understand this worry. My advice may sound strange – but don’t worry about them behaving. Don’t stress about them looking and smiling at the camera. It is my job to photograph your story exactly where it’s at in this moment. I promise you we will get some beautiful photographs – your job will be to try your best to relax and just connect with your family members in an authentic way. Embrace the chaos. Give the hugs. Be silly together.
my child is nervous around new people, especially adults. Can you ensure that they won't be hiding behind my leg the whole time?
While I can never guarantee how a child will respond to me or the camera- I have a whole bag of tricks when it comes to getting your child out of their shell and to trust me. In my prep guide there is a whole section on how YOU can prep your child for our session together – if they know what to expect and what they’re walking into, that’s half the battle. When in doubt I also encourage families to bring some snacks (such as goldfish crackers) or their favourite toys to help ease their children’s nerves.
My partner hates photos, I'm afraid THEY'RE going to be a grump during the entire shoot. Help!
At the end of the day, there are really two routes: your partner can rally, put on a smile, and soak up this time (because future-you and your kids will be so grateful for these memories). Or, we keep it simple with a beautiful mommy & me session. Honestly – nothing throws off the vibe more than someone who truly doesn’t want to be there, and your experience deserves to feel joyful and relaxed.
Can you make me look skinnier in the photos using Photoshop? I forgot my phone in my pocket during the shoot- can it be removed in editing?
Extensive editing such as extreme body modification are above and beyond the scope of work included in my packages. If it is feasible to complete the requested extreme edits they will be charged at a rate of $15/image. Removing distracting items such as keys, wallets, apple watches, phones in pockets or hair ties on wrists are the responsibility of the participants and may not be able to be fixed in editing – these tasks will be considered extensive editing and will be billed accordingly if requested.
Why DO I NEED TO DO A VIRTUAL PLANNING CALL?
I believe that the best photos come from true collaboration. This quick video call helps me understand your vision, your family’s vibe, and what matters most to you- so I can show up fully prepared to capture it all in a way that feels authentic and meaningful.
It also gives us a chance to connect face-to-face before the session, which makes meeting in person feel way less awkward – I’m not just some random stranger showing up with a camera! We’ll chat through the details, answer any questions, and set the tone so your session feels easy, fun, and true to you from the very beginning.
What if I want more than just 25 images?
If you know ahead of time that you’re going to want all the images- then perhaps The Heirloom Collection is a better fit. As a bonus, you’ll receive your images faster (within one week) and you get a Complimentary Printed Gift so your images won’t just live on your hard drive – they’ll actually be enjoyed every day!
The other option is that once you receive your proofing gallery, you may upgrade to include more images.
Do you offer discounts or run sales?
I don’t discount my sessions, but I do offer limited mini and specialty sessions throughout the year. These are a great way to get a smaller collection of images at a lower price point, and my email list always gets first dibs with early access.
That said, full sessions are truly the best value. You’ll enjoy more time together, more variety in your gallery, and a full-service experience – including planning support, styling, and custom print options. Many families find the investment well worth it for the memories we create.
As a thank-you, returning clients receive 10% off full sessions. Payment plans are also available – just reach out and we can make it work.
testimonials from our happy families
"Melissa is a rockstar! We are beyond grateful for all of her talent and expertise in capturing photos of our baby boy and family.
From the onset she put us at ease with her pre-planning guides and taking the time to answer questions. As new parents she immediately put us at ease and we had so much fun with her. It was such a special time to spend together and Melissa created a wonderful and fun environment for all of us. We loved the sneak peek gallery! It was such a nice touch and when we saw the full gallery we were blown away at how well she captured our special moments. We can’t recommend Melissa Shearer Photography enough! Thank you again Melissa for being there to capture our special moments and life milestones.”
- Tanya J.
testimonials from our happy families
"We can't wait to make our session with Melissa a yearly tradition.
I found Melissa on Instagram and instantly fell in love with her photographs and photography style. We chose a flower field mini to get family photos of ourself and young daughter. Before the session I met with Melissa for a styling session to discuss our family’s outfits for the day. Not only did she give me great tips and explain everything about our mini, but she made me feel like I was visiting with a friend. On the day of our session, she made us feel very comfortable and had us laughing the entire time. After the session we were counting down the days until we got to see our photographs. When we got the photographs back, we were thrilled with how they turned out. She perfectly captured our family.
- Amanda
testimonials from our happy families
"My 5 year old daughter talks about her as if she's a family friend."
When you work with Melissa, you arent just getting photos, you are getting amazing memories! We’ve worked with her three times now, and my 5 year old daughter talks about her as if she’s a family friend. We have so much fun getting our family pictures taken with Melissa, and we can’t wait to work with her again in the years to come!
- Natalie S.
