About

Overview & Vibe

Melissa Evans photographs weddings from her home on Lake Macquarie, half way between Newcastle and the Central Coast. She works with a second shooter, Shannon, and the pair are known for laughing their way through a wedding day — her own description of the job is that there is never a day that is the same. Her galleries run from clifftop ceremonies and sailing-club jetties to beach weddings at Caves Beach and Charlestown.

Style & Approach

Relaxed, candid and natural, with gentle direction rather than long posed sessions. She offers to suggest locations, the best times for light and a calm running order for the day, and most couples say they feel at ease quickly. Aerial drone photography is included where it is legally permitted and the weather allows, at no extra charge.

Ideal For

Couples marrying anywhere around Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, Port Stephens or the Central Coast who want one photographer for all of it without a travel charge. Three package sizes mean a two-and-a-half hour elopement is as welcome as a full day, and an open-air photo booth can turn the reception into its own set of pictures.

The Need-to-Knows

Packages start at $1,200 for a micro wedding or elopement, $2,600 for five hours and $3,200 for a full eight-hour day; the two larger packages include an engagement session, and the full day adds the photo booth and a leather or linen album. Extra hours run $200 to $300 each. A booking fee secures the date and the balance falls due before the wedding, with most couples booking six to eighteen months ahead.

Standout Feature

Sneak peeks land early and the full gallery follows in about two weeks — couples mention the speed unprompted in her reviews. A day-after session is also offered at $350, so you can put the outfit back on and shoot without a timeline.

Albums & Prints

Fine-Art Wedding Album. Price: From $350. Description: Handcrafted albums, with a deluxe leather or linen album included in the full day package.
Parent Album. Price: On enquiry. Description: A smaller companion album for family.
Premium Print Set. Price: On enquiry. Description: Framed prints and premium print packages ordered from the online gallery.

Appointment Policy

Enquiries are answered by email within twenty-four to forty-eight hours on weekdays.
Couples are welcome to meet or talk before booking.
A signed agreement and a booking fee confirm the date.
Most weddings are booked six to eighteen months ahead, and portrait sessions two to six weeks ahead.

Areas Serviced

Lake Macquarie – Melissa Evans is based on the lake itself, half way between Newcastle and the Central Coast.
Newcastle – Photographed regularly, with published weddings at King Edward Park, Fort Scratchley, Lambton Park and Merewether Beach.
Hunter Valley – Covered at standard rate, with published weddings at Ben Ean and Hunter Valley Gardens.
Port Stephens – Covered at standard rate, with several published weddings.
Central Coast – Covered at standard rate with no travel charge.

Booking & Deposit

A booking fee secures the wedding date, with the balance due before the wedding day.
The booking is confirmed by a signed agreement alongside the fee.

Hours of Coverage

[2,8]

Nearby Landmarks

Lake Macquarie – The largest coastal saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere, and the photographer's own home water.
Caves Beach – Sea caves and headland at the lake's southern entrance, where she has photographed weddings.
Wangi Wangi – A peninsula village on the western shore, used for engagement sessions.
Charlestown – A commercial centre on the lake's northern edge with reception venues.
Warners Bay – A lakeside foreshore promenade popular for ceremonies and portraits.
Belmont – A lakeside town with sailing clubs and waterfront reception venues.

Photography Packages

Full Wedding Photography. Price: From $3,200. Description: Eight hours of coverage from getting ready through to the reception, with an engagement session, an open-air photo booth, a deluxe leather or linen album, drone photography where permitted, and a private online gallery.
Half Day Wedding Photography. Price: From $2,600. Description: Five hours from the ceremony through to the reception, covering bridal portraits, family photographs and the key reception moments, with an engagement session included.
Micro and Elopement Wedding Photography. Price: From $1,200. Description: Two and a half hours covering the ceremony and bridal party photographs, for intimate weddings and small ceremonies. An engagement session can be added for $350.
Engagement and Pre-Wedding Session. Price: $350 as an add-on, and included with the full and half day packages. Description: A sixty to ninety minute relaxed session with easy direction throughout and an edited online gallery.
Open-Air Photo Booth. Price: Included with the full wedding package, and available as an add-on. Description: A relaxed reception setup with props, professional lighting and backdrop options; every image is edited and added to the wedding gallery.
Day After Wedding Session. Price: $350. Description: Put the wedding outfit back on for a relaxed session without the time pressure of the day itself.
Second Photographer. Price: On enquiry. Description: Adds more angles and extra candid coverage across the day.

Photography Style

relaxed
candid
natural

Price Notes

Additional coverage is $200 per hour on the full day package and $300 per hour on the half day and micro packages.
An engagement session is included with the full and half day packages and costs $350 added to the micro package.
A day-after wedding session is $350.
Albums and prints start at $350.
A second photographer is quoted on enquiry.
There is no travel charge across Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, Port Stephens and the Central Coast.

Services Offered

Wedding Photography
Elopements And Micro Weddings
Engagement And Pre-Wedding Sessions
Open-Air Photo Booth
Aerial Drone Photography
Second Photographer
Family Photography
Maternity And Newborn Photography
Event Photography

Starting Price

From $1,200

Travel & Destination

No travel charge applies across Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, Port Stephens and the Central Coast.
Weddings beyond those regions may attract a travel cost, quoted on enquiry.