We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Sheridan recently and have shared our conversation below.
Melissa, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from being a military spouse and a mom. Those roles have taught me how to adapt quickly, hold steady during uncertainty, and find beauty in chaos — all of which spill over into how I run my business. I’ve moved often, built and rebuilt my photography brand in new places, and continued serving families even in challenging seasons. My resilience is fueled by purpose: knowing I’m helping families preserve their most meaningful moments keeps me going, no matter what comes my way
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a family and newborn photographer based in Northern Virginia, and I’ve been running my business for over 9 years. I started when I was pregnant with my first daughter — I wanted to document her life on something better than a phone camera, and that simple desire grew into a full-blown career. As a military spouse and mom, I’ve moved across the country multiple times, rebuilding my business with every move. That journey taught me how to adapt quickly, serve a wide range of families, and photograph in all kinds of settings — from the beaches of Hawaii to Washington, D.C. monuments.
What I love most about what I do is helping families feel seen and celebrated – especially other military families whose lives often feel too busy or chaotic to think about regularly documenting. So many parents are overwhelmed or don’t think they’re “camera ready,” but I specialize in creating a relaxed, effortless experience that leaves people feeling beautiful and connected. I’m also especially passionate about serving military families because I know how important and fleeting those milestones can be.
Right now, I’m focused on growing the heirloom side of my business, helping families print their memories with beautiful, tangible pieces like albums and folio boxes. I’ve also recently updated my client experience to make sessions even more custom, from wardrobe fittings in my studio to detailed planning guides. It’s been exciting to offer more than just photos — I want to create an experience that feels personal and unforgettable.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, connection, and intentionality.
Resilience helped me keep going through challenges, like growing my business while moving often as a military family and balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship. Connection has been key in building trust with clients and other creative entrepreneurs, creating meaningful relationships, both in person and online. And intentionality is what helped me grow from a casual side hustle to a polished, high-end experience. I try to make every part of my client process thoughtful and personal.
For anyone just starting out, my best advice is to build slowly and with care. Learn your craft well, figure out what really matters to you, and connect with people in a way that feels genuine. Don’t rush it or get caught up in comparison. Most of the success stories you see started with years of quiet, steady work behind the scenes. Just keep showing up, even when it’s hard. That’s where the real growth happens.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
As a busy business owner and mom and family who moves frequently, I do often feel overwhelmed!
When I’m overwhelmed personally, I always try to get movement/exercise in, hydrate, and focus on healthy meals, as well as routine in general. Without these things, I’m a mess and can’t function as a wife, mom or business owner.
When I’m overwhelmed in my business, I take a step back and remember that I don’t have to do it all. As a photographer, it’s easy to have a front row seat to many other photographer’s businesses online. Just because so-and-so is offering 10 mini session days this fall does not mean I have to. It sounds simple when I put it like that, but I think we are all comparing ourselves to others much more than we realize thanks to social media. Saying no when it does not align with my schedule or values, and setting hard boundaries around my work life has helped stop overwhelm before it starts. Just remembering that I am in charge of my business and I set the boundaries and rules helps a lot. Clients are looking to me for guidance, not the other way around. If someone truly wants to work with me, their vision and hope for their session aligns with what I’m offering and when I’m available.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melissasheridanphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissasheridanphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissasheridanphotography
Image Credits
The images of me in a tan suit jacket and where I’m showcasing photos and my planner are by TuBelle Photography – https://tubellephotography.com/
All the family images are by me.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
