Panoramic mountain lake landscape with evergreen forest and wooden pier at sunset.

Photography for those in love.

Capturing your journey, from life's big moments to the tiny ones you'll treasure forever.

Lifestyle Portrait photography


I am so glad you're here.


I'm a lifestyle photographer located near Rapid City, South Dakota that captures the real moments. I love love and all of the babies. I offer a relaxed, fun photography experience that’s not about capturing "perfect" photos but about capturing real, authentic moments. Expect plenty of laughs, games, and cuddles as we create memories together. With gentle direction, I’ll help you feel at ease while capturing those in-between moments.

A family and their goldendoodle dog stand together in a mountain meadow during golden hour.
Joyful indoor family scene with candid laughter and interaction in warm lighting.
let's connect!
Family walking through tall grass with mountains and trees in background.
couples, family, and newborn photographer

Every one has a unique story to tell.


Rapid City, South Dakota and beyond
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Hey! I'm Melissa, the girl behind the lens.

Casual lifestyle portrait with white button-down top, light jeans and vintage cane chair against neutral background.

 

I'm introverted as heck, so I get it. But extroverted when it comes to being behind the camera hyping you up! I grew up in Arizona, but I have also lived in North Carolina, Ohio, and now South Dakota. My husband currently serves in the Air Force and we have two kiddos and a pup. Mexican food, pasta, and sandwiches are some of my favorite foods. I love reading and being home, but, I also enjoy camping and fishing. I absolutely love capturing couples and families, but, newborn sessions are dear to my heart.

 

LOVE NOTES

A couple walks their dog through a golden field with pine trees and mountains in the background at sunset.
Testimonial

“Melissa took our family photos when we were visiting the Rapid City area. She was an absolute dream to work with! She made us feel so comfortable and worked so well with our 1 year old and our dog.

She delivered the pictures so fast and I kept saying “omg I think this one is my favorite” basically at every picture!! I can’t wait to hang these pictures in our home I truly cannot recommend her enough and am so thankful she captured our little family so well"


Rachael

Couple sits in autumn field with their black dog against mountain backdrop in series of intimate outdoor portraits.
Testimonial


“We had such a fun time shooting with Melissa! She captures authentic photos and encourages you to just be yourselves along with just the right amount of guidance. The whole experience was so easy going and our faces hurt from laughing and smiling after! Our crazy pup can also be hard to capture and she got the best shots of her! We will 100% use her again in the future"


Sadie

Close-up of tiny baby feet against white blankets.
Testimonial

“Melissa did our fresh 48 photos for our first baby. I can't even express how great it was to capture these first few moments and how precious the photos are to us. Our baby boy is 5 months old already and he has changed so much and I am still looking at these photos with teary eyes. I can't recommend her enough, if we still lived in the area I would love to get photos done by her again! She is so great, easy to work with, and being a mother also gives her a special edge to capture those beautiful moments ❤️“


Laura

Black and white image of people resting on blankets.
Testimonial




“Definitely would recommend Melissa for photography had the best experience with her with my little ones personal pictures and pictures of her own ideas and loved every single picture taken Definitely great communication, patience and not afraid to interact 10 plus for me.“


Antonio

Casual lounging on carpet wearing distressed denim jeans, white sneakers and light colored top near brown leather sofa.
Testimonial


"Melissa did our maternity and family pictures, and she was amazing through it all! For our family pictures, her and her husband were amazing with our 4 children, keeping them entertained long enough to get some amazing pictures. I wish I had more time here for her to capture more of my family memories. Thank you, again Melissa!!"



Andrea

Black and white photo of a couple embracing in a grassy field with pine trees on the horizon.
Testimonial

“Melissa is an absolute magician behind the lens! After five years of marriage, my husband and I finally had the opportunity to take professional photos together, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. My husband—who typically avoids the camera and shies away from public affection—was completely at ease in Melissa’s presence. Her incredible talent, use of natural lighting, and ability to capture genuine moments turned our session into something truly special. The photos aren’t just pictures; they’re priceless memories that we’ll cherish forever. If you’re looking for a photographer who can bring out the best in you, Melissa is the one!“


Lacey

Two young children lying together on a gray couch in a sweet black and white photograph.
Testimonial



“I highly recommend Melissa Figge Photography. Melissa was able to capture many different angles and poses during our session. We had a lot of photos to choose from. She was able to make my shy toddler feel instantly comfortable and was okay with us needing to take a few breaks. We enjoyed our experience and will be using Melissa again in the future!“


Hannah

A black and white photo of a parent and child sitting on a blanket in a meadow with mountains in the background.
Testimonial




“Obsessed with how my mommy and me photos turned out! 100% Recommend Melissa for anyone wanting family photos done! She was incredible to work with! She got me the sneak peeks and full album incredibly fast!“


Erin

A couple in sage green and khaki outfits share joyful moments with their newborn baby in an autumn field setting.
Testimonial



“Melissa somehow managed to capture the love and craziness of our little family in the most beautiful photos!! I’m of course beyond happy with the final product, but she actually made the session fun, comfortable and just rolled with the flow of my 18 month old. 1000000% recommend!!"



Ellyn

People running and playing together on a grassy hill during golden hour with evergreen trees in the background.
Testimonial




“She does an amazing job! We are a hard family to shoot and Melissa was so patient and wonderful with our two little ones. Our photos are perfect and we will be coming for more family photos!“


Courtlyn

Parents share a kiss while playfully holding their young son between them in an outdoor setting at sunset.
Testimonial




“Melissa was fantastic to work with! My family is awkward to photograph, and she took that in stride with fun shots to reflect us in a flattering way. Melissa made us feel comfortable, is such a fun person, and comes highly recommended.“


Megan

A series of black and white close-up shots showing hands rolling a cigarette with tobacco and paper.
Testimonial





“Melissa was so great working with us and our newborn for our family photos! The pictures turned out better than I could’ve imagined and we hope to take more family photos with her in the future!“


-Makayla

Family lounging together on brown leather couch.
Testimonial





“We had the absolute best experience with Melissa! She was patient and relaxed. We felt comfortable with her and she definitely knew what she was doing, especially with the kids! I highly recommend her for family pictures.“


Maren

Desert landscape with cacti and mountains under blue sky.
Testimonial

“Let me just start by saying 100% yes! During my pregnancy I had hoped I could get some fun, sexy maternity photos done out in the desert and Melissa was able to capture that perfectly! she was also just great to be around It can be so awkward getting photos done but she made sure I was laughing the whole time and comfortable! If you need solo or family photos done she’s your girl! We can’t wait to get more done with her!“


Samantha


Intimate indoor scene with soft natural lighting.
Testimonial



“Melissa is an all around amazing photographer! She was flexible and worked with our schedule. Best of all she beautifully captured some very special moments of my family’s life. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone who wants photos taken. I would hire her to take photos again in a heartbeat!“


Daniela + Anthony

Black and white close-up of hands holding tissue paper.

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