Mel Hudson Photography

Mel (Melanie) Hudson is a Carrickfergus-based family photographer who specialises in relaxed, lifestyle family photography across Northern Ireland. An introvert with a camera and a mummy to four little humans, Mel’s work is driven by a quiet curiosity: she looks for the small, honest connections that reveal who your family really is. That instinct — paired with years of experience shooting outdoors and at home — produces images that feel lived-in, warm and true. Why choose Mel? She brings an award-winning, gentle eye to every session and a calm, unfussy approach that helps even the most camera-shy parents relax. Mel’s signature is capturing movement and emotion rather than forced smiles: kids running through dunes, siblings giggling in autumn leaves, parents sharing a quiet moment at golden hour. Her sessions are about real life — the scruffed knees, the wind-blown hair, the tiny hands in big ones — moments you’ll want on your walls and in albums. What makes her approach special is the combination of craft and humanity. Mel learned her craft with an SLR and time in the darkroom, and she still chases light — the soft glow of sunset, the glow through a window — to create images that feel timeless. She understands how the seasons and locations around Carrickfergus and the wider North Coast can enhance a shoot, and she’ll work with you to pick a place that means something to your family. How she works: sessions are relaxed, collaborative and built around your family’s rhythm. Mel often starts with a simple posed shot to get everyone comfortable, then lets the shoot unfold through play, walks and gentle prompts. She chats, explores and finds ways to make children (and parents) forget the camera is there — bubbles, danders, and favourite hiding spots often do the trick. For expectant families, Mel offers maternity sessions either at home or on location, focusing on intimacy and the quiet beauty of this season. Mel loves the storytelling side of family photography — preserving the ‘right nows’ before they slip away. If you want authentic, joyful family portraits shot with warmth, creativity and care, Mel Hudson in Carrickfergus is a specialist who will make the experience enjoyable and the results something to treasure.