Sarissa Melissa Photography

01/28/2025

🌟 Meet Michele Warner: A 40 Over 40 Spotlight! 🌟

Michele is the co-owner and founder of Embellished Catering, based in the Adams Center. She’s a creative force and a hardworking woman who pours her heart into everything she does for her family, her business, and her community.

She joined the 40 Over 40 Portrait Experience to take a moment just for herself—a chance to pause, reflect, and celebrate her journey. After pouring so much love and energy into nurturing her family and building her business, this was her time to reconnect with herself and honor the woman she’s become.

✨ Moments That Changed Everything:
Losing both her parents at a young age changed Michele’s perspective on life forever. Her mom passed away at 57, and her dad suddenly just five years later. Those heartbreaking losses became the driving force behind her decision to live every single day to its fullest. Michele works hard, but she also cherishes the everyday moments with her family and friends, holding them close and making the most of the time they share together.

✨ Her Best Advice:
“Step out of your comfort zone and don’t be afraid to try something new. You can always restart, time and time again. Life is yours—go make the most of it!”

✨ Her Motivation:
Michele’s children, Maiah and Jaxon, inspire her every single day. Their love motivates her to dream big, work hard, and embrace all of life’s opportunities.

✨ Big Dreams for the Future:
Michele has incredible goals for her business, including expanding with a creative food truck and someday owning her own event venue. She’s a dreamer with a vision, and there’s no doubt she’ll bring these ideas to life!

Michele’s story is a beautiful reminder that challenges shape us and inspire us to live with intention and purpose.

Feeling inspired? Stay tuned for more incredible stories from my 40 Over 40 Portrait Experience—it’s all about celebrating women, their stories, and their strength at every stage of life.

✨Now booking for Volume 3 of the 40 Over 40 Portrait Experience for 2025! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this empowering journey—let’s celebrate YOU. Comment "I want in" or send a message if you want more info!

01/22/2025

I absolutely love photographing artists, and there's something so freeing about getting messy with paint! 🎨✨ I'm actually planning my 2025 branding session right now, and it's probably going to be just as messy because this year, I'm embracing the painter side of my identity (more details coming soon)!

These fun and super messy senior session photos are a perfect example of the creative energy I love capturing. I'm gearing up for a summer full of Class of 2026 High School Seniors, and I can't wait to see what creative ideas we can bring to life!

This year, we're thinking of something exciting... an SMP Senior Rep Team! If you're a Class of 2026 senior or know someone who is, and you're interested in learning more about our senior rep program, just comment "Class of 2026" and I'll send you all the details!

01/20/2025

Barb Stone, a coach, speaker, and friend I admire deeply, was featured in the 2024 40 Over 40 Portrait Exhibition. We captured her session just a few months after her incredible TED Talk. Her energy, wisdom, and zest for life are nothing short of inspiring!

When asked what inspired her to be a part of The 40 Over 40 Portrait Experience, Barb said:
"We never get old! We just keep creating! This experience builds on those thoughts."

Barb shared exciting ambitions for her future, including the publication of her upcoming book in 2025, So Much to Drool About: Lessons for Living Large. Through her motivational and inspirational writing, she aims to create a movement that impacts people's lives in meaningful ways.

When asked what motivates her, Barb’s answer was simple yet profound:
"My life. Creating. Learning. Clients. My dogs and Frank!"

And the advice she would give her 20-something self?
"Don't worry! You've got this! Surround yourself with people who believe in you."

Barb's session was a celebration of her journey, her wisdom, and her unwavering spirit to create and inspire.

💫 Now booking our 3rd Volume of the 40 Over 40 Portrait Experience and Exhibition! 💫 If you're ready to celebrate your story, capture your confidence, and join an inspiring community, reach out today to reserve your spot. Let’s show the world that we never get old—we just keep creating!

01/13/2025

Kick off the year with a fresh headshot! Update your LinkedIn, About Me page, or be prepared for future opportunities like interviews and resumes. Our headshot sessions include expert posing, lighting, and same-day image selection.

We also offer on-location headshots! That means, we can come to you to photograph your team at your location! Call or text 315-221-3696 or DM us for more details.

01/08/2025

This past weekend, I had an amazing time at the bridal show, sharing my beauty and bo***ir work—and of course, I brought along my gorgeous studio robe! Everyone who’s worn one of our robes has felt absolutely glamorous, just like Kristina did during her session.

Kristina joined me for a session in October 2024 to celebrate her birthday. It was her first-ever experience like this, and she trusted me to guide her through it. From styling to makeup, I took care of everything. Her stunning look came entirely from my wardrobe closet, and I even created a fun, creative hairstyle for another outfit during her session.

If you’re ready for a session that sparks joy, empowerment, and confidence—or if you're looking for a beauty or bo***ir session just in time for Valentine’s Day—send me a message! We have both bo***ir mini-session dates and full-session experiences available. Let’s book a complimentary 10-minute chat to talk about all the details. I’d love to create something beautiful with you!

01/03/2025

Ready to level up your brand in 2025?

I’m so excited to announce that .stickel.ea just booked the first branding session of the year! She’s got some BIG things in the works this year, and I can’t wait to help her showcase her vision through iconic, authentic photos.

Want to stand out and connect with your dream clients like Amanda? Branding photos are the perfect way to shine and show up confidently. Swipe through to see how branding photos can help you save time, build trust, and elevate your business.

Have questions? Let’s connect! Book a complimentary consultation call, and let’s bring your 2025 goals to life.

01/02/2025

Happy New Year💕🥳🥳✨
I hope everyone had the most amazing New Year Celebration. The past few weeks I have been quietly prepping for the holidays, wrapping up end of 2024 headshots and holiday sessions and getting a lot of family time.
I have lots of incredible photos and stories to share about 2024. But I couldn’t rush into it. I’m planning to share all the goodness in January. January theme will be “Gratitude & Stories” from 2024 and also a little bit about what we have in store for the new year. 🥳

My mission for 2025 is to show up, shine, take messy action, share the stories and magic behind my sessions.

Thank you for being a part of my creative journey. And thank you to all the amazing friends who have become like family along the way. Wrapping you all up in big hugs.

💕💜Melissa

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas from Melissa & family. 💕✨✨ I hope everyone has a day filled with joy and love 💜

12/18/2024

This is the “why” to what I do. The power of the portrait & the experience.

The power of a portrait to help people feel open to shining bright, and sharing their truth.

The power of the portrait to open up conversation and stories to inspire others and bring hope.

✨🙌When you have a moment, please read what Amber Alguire from Hair Chemistry Studio by Amber-J has written about her story. Be ready to be inspired and empowered by this magnetic woman. See her shine in her portraits. Her joy✨🙌🙌

I can’t find the right words to say other then I love you Amber for our years of friendship, and celebrating this path with you. ✨🙌🙌💕

12/13/2024

Oo holiday yumminess at Embellished Catering

12/13/2024

Thank you Stephanie Coppola Davis for being a part of this years “40 Over 40” Empowering Portrait Exhibition. From the moment we met, I knew you were going to create magic together and in the process, form a beautiful, supportive friendship. I love the way you lift up everyone around you. 💕💕💕💕 Thank you for sharing your story and being an inspiration.

12/09/2024

Big shout out of gratitude to Makinna, Angela, Destiny & Heidi from The Youth Alliance for volunteering at my portrait exhibition ✨🙌💕💕✨

12/09/2024

40 Over 40 Prizes🥳

12/08/2024

🥰 Thank you Meghan for being a part of this years 40 Over 40 Portrait Experience 📸

It was an honor to be part of the 40 over 40 woman exhibition last night. There were so many beautiful woman with such amazing stories there. This experience was a dream come true. Thank you to all of you for your love and support throughout the years!! I’m truly blessed!!

12/07/2024

Today's the Day!

My second portrait exhibition is here—a dream turned into a beautiful reality. The first one felt surreal, filled with questions like, Would anyone want to do this? And they did!

This second time has completely blown me away. Many of the women were inspired by the stories and the courage of those featured in the first exhibition. Like before, these women came ready—ready to shine, embrace themselves, and celebrate their unique brilliance.

What makes this exhibition even more special is the mix of familiar faces and new connections. Many of the women I photographed this time are people I’ve known in our community for years. And then there are those I met for the first time, who quickly became like family to me.

Tonight, we celebrate stories of resilience, strength, tenacity, and light. I am endlessly grateful to everyone who has supported this project—whether by participating, sharing it online, or simply being a beacon of encouragement in my life. You mean the world to me, and I appreciate you with all my heart.

A special thank you to my incredibly talented friend Martha Felix Photography for this stunning portrait!

See you at 5pm! ❤️