Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Andrews.
Hi Melissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Even though I’ve only been doing professional photography for the last five years, I’ve always been fascinated by it. Capturing memories forever and having them to look back on has always meant a lot to me. I remember starting out with disposable cameras, then upgrading to a point-and-shoot that I’d bring to every family get-together just to take pictures of everyone and the moments we shared. I still love looking back at those photos today.
These days, my true passion lies in capturing genuine milestones, whether that means working with families, couples, or high school seniors. But as an animal and nature lover at heart, I also love stepping outside of the traditional portrait space to do dedicated pet portraits and birding photography whenever I can.
My journey into business really started when I bought my first DSLR from someone I knew who was upgrading. It was a Nikon D3000 with a kit lens, and it cost me $300. At first, I shot everything on auto mode because I didn’t really understand photography or what cameras were capable of. Eventually, I decided I wanted to learn what my camera could do, so I did a lot of online learning while taking photos for family and friends to practice.
I officially registered my LLC in 2022 as M Andrews Photography. I wanted a business name tied to my own so clients feel a personal connection. My husband and I actually have a little inside reference where we combined our initials, PM Andrews, which is where I drew my inspiration from.
After a while, I realized I wanted more formal and technical training, so I took a full semester college course at my alma mater, Keystone College. I originally went to Keystone for a bachelor’s degree in accounting, which I still use today in my full-time office job. While the photography class gave me a helpful foundation, it was pretty basic and left me wanting to learn more advanced concepts, especially studio photography.
Then a great opportunity came up. A photographer I follow (Tim Payne from FlashGear.net) was teaching an off-camera flash course on the East Coast. They’re from Arkansas, so they usually teach out that way or on the West Coast. I jumped at the chance and spent a full weekend with four photographers from FlashGear learning the basics of off-camera flash hands-on. We spent one day learning and applying the skills ourselves, and another day where they set up different scenarios, showed us light placement and techniques, and let us shoot our own photos with models.
By 2024, after taking that flash course and feeling more confident in my skills, I realized something was still missing, and that was community. I decided to join PPA and our state affiliate, PPA of PA. Joining was honestly the best decision I’ve made for furthering my skills and career.
Through PPA of PA, I’ve found such a welcoming photography community right here in Pennsylvania. I’ve made incredible friends and found mentors who have all inspired me to push myself further than I thought possible.
Doing Merit Image Review with PPA and Image Competitions with PPA of PA has also given me tons of valuable feedback, helping me improve both how I capture and edit my photos. I attend local workshops with PPA of PA a few times a year, and I even went to the ImagingUSA conference in Nashville earlier this year. Getting to listen to and learn from industry professionals from all over the country was an amazing experience.
Part of the formal framework with PPA involves earning professional designations. In an industry where the main barrier to entry is just the price of a camera, it can be hard to set yourself apart and prove your skills. I recently finished earning my Certified Professional Photographer designation with PPA. I had to pass several knowledge modules and submit technical photos to exact specifications with zero editing allowed. It was a rigorous process, but I’m really proud of myself for putting in the work.
The next big step in my photography journey is earning my Master of Photography degree with PPA. I am more than halfway through the process and should meet all the requirements in 2027.
Looking back, it’s crazy to see how far I’ve come from shooting on auto mode with a basic beginner camera. What started as a simple love for capturing family memories has grown into a true profession, fueled by continuous learning, an amazingly supportive local community in NEPA, and a constant drive to push my technical skills further.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting a business from the ground up completely on your own always comes with its challenges. People see the beautiful, finished photos, but they often don’t think about everything that goes on behind the scenes to keep a small business running. I handle the marketing, website design, client management, social media, accounting, gear and equipment maintenance, and so much more! My background in accounting and business definitely helps when it comes to the administrative side of things. Having that experience makes it much easier for me to manage all the financial and business details so I can put more focus on my creative work.
As someone who runs a photography business part time while working a full time job and raising a family, one of my biggest struggles is finding the time to do it all. When I was first growing my business, I was eager to take on every single job opportunity that came my way. Eventually, that left me feeling burnt out and overwhelmed. I finally had to start setting boundaries and limiting the number of projects I took on so that I could give my all to everything on my plate without losing myself in the process.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention my biggest supporter, my husband Patrick. I heard another photographer say once that any professional accolades someone earns should also be shared with their spouse, and I completely agree with that sentiment. Without my husband’s unwavering support, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am today in my photography journey. Every time I am out doing a session, attending a workshop, or traveling for a conference, he is home taking care of our daughter, and I am so grateful for him.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a professional portrait and event photographer based right here in Northeast PA and the proud owner of M Andrews Photography. My specialty is portrait photography, specifically working with families, couples, newborns, maternity, and seniors. I also have a special passion for pet photography, having three cats myself, one of which was a feral kitten we took in a few years ago. For more personal projects, I love to do birding and capture photos of our local wildlife.
I am most proud of my awards and achievements in my professional photography journey. I regularly participate in image competitions with PPA of PA, and I have even earned a few best-of-category trophies in the Nature, Pet Portrait, and Reportage categories. Earning my Certified Professional Photographer designation with PPA is another huge milestone I am proud of, and I am working hard toward earning my Master of Photography degree next year.
What sets me apart is my commitment to technical excellence and professional growth. Between running a solo business while balancing a full-time office job, raising a family, and actively pursuing advanced credentials like my upcoming Master of Photography degree with PPA, I treat photography as a true craft rather than just a hobby. I invest in continuing education, participate in image competitions for critical feedback, and constantly push myself to master the science behind the light.
Since the majority of my clients are parents, I also feel that being a mother myself really helps in my client interactions. I understand the daily struggles parents go through, and I try to be as flexible as possible when unexpected things come up. I love interacting with children to capture genuine smiles, giving them the space to just be kids so I can photograph them as they naturally are. Ultimately, I want all of my clients, both adults and children, to feel calm and confident in front of the camera.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Starting photography with zero technical knowledge taught me that the absolute best way to learn is simply to get out there and shoot. Doing this helps you get familiar with your camera, figure out your current limitations, and discover what you need to focus on next. Staying humble and open to critique is just as important. When you are excited about a photo and someone offers criticism, it can definitely feel a bit defeating at first. However, you have to take that feedback and use it as fuel to improve.
For me, my biggest skill jump happened after I started doing Image Competition and Merit Image Review. What I thought were amazing photos, mostly because of my personal connection to the subject, were not always technically strong. I learned so much about what not to do when capturing images, and I was able to apply those lessons directly to my future sessions.
One big lesson I learned along the way is not to take on everything that comes your way. Different genres of photography require completely different skill sets, lighting setups, and editing styles, so trying to do it all right out of the gate is a recipe for burnout. It is much better to focus on a niche you genuinely love and master that first, rather than struggling to be a jack-of-all-trades.
Another huge piece of advice is to put yourself out there and build a strong network. So many job opportunities came my way simply because I made an effort to be visible. Showing up for local events, posting consistently, and tagging businesses and people will boost your engagement and get you noticed. Surrounding yourself with a great community of peers matters just as much. Whenever my schedule is full and I cannot take an inquiry, I love recommending a local photographer who can handle the job, and I have gotten plenty of bookings through other photographers returning the favor.
Finally, if you are starting your own small business, whether it is in photography or something else, realize just how much work goes behind the scenes. You have to decide if you are truly willing and able to take that on. As I mentioned before, running a business means handling everything from website design and social media to marketing and client management. You have to be ready to learn those skills yourself, or have the resources to outsource them to someone else.
Looking back, I wish I had known that the path to success does not require you to have everything figured out on day one. You just need to embrace the messy middle, keep learning from every mistake, and trust that your creative voice will naturally fall into place over time.
Pricing:
- Mini Session – 15 Minutes – $90
- Classic Session – 30 Minutes – $175
- Deluxe Session – 60 Minutes – $285
- Event Photography – $150 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.MAndrews.Photography
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandrewsphotography570
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MAndrewsPhotography
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mandrewsphotography
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/m-andrews-photography-avoca
- Other: https://calendly.com/mandrewsphotography570
