Wedding Photographers Chicago | Melissa Diep Photography | Blog bio picture

Background

Remember the scene in Sex and the City the movie when Louise from St. Louis gives Carrie her Love charm? That’s Melissa Diep. She’s in love with Love. She’s the kind of gal who wears her heart on her sleeve and cries a little when her brides and grooms take their First Look. She loves the thrill of photographing the magic that exists between her couples, the innocence of a sleeping newborn, and the simplicity of a family in their own backyard.

Melissa is always on the hunt for the new and interesting in her hometown of Chicago, by way of Saigon, Vietnam. It is because of her family’s hardships and tenacity during their flight from the communist North––spending 10 days on a cramped fishing boat, then living in a refugee camp in Thailand for nearly two years––that have shaped who Melissa is today as a woman, wife, mother and photographer.

Armed with only a handful of pictures from her early childhood––one single baby photo and just a few as an infant in her family’s camp––it’s easy to understand why Melissa employs a photojournalistic approach behind the lens. She aims to deliver photo memories with stunning visual impact; natural and unscripted while telling your story effortlessly.

Melissa’s upbringing motivates her to live fully and to appreciate the grand, the small, and the in between. In her everyday, Melissa rocks girly dresses with blazers on photo shoots and drinks Vietnamese coffee. She believes in finding beauty in unexpected places, always doing her hair and lusting over shiny red Minis (regrettably, but dutifully, she upgraded hers to a more baby-friendly vehicle).

Melissa lives in Chicago with The Giant and Little G, also affectionately known as her husband and one year old son, of whom she religiously takes one 100 photos a day.

Chicago Engagement Photographer | Michelle and Adamo-ENGAGED!!

April 19, 2012

I used to work with Michelle a few years back when I was in the dental industry. Fast forward three years later, she’s now engaged to a super sweet and FUNNY man named Adamo. We decided to meet at the Lincoln Park Zoo for their session. The weather forecast has been threatening 60% chance of rain for days. On the day of, it was cloudy and warm. I met Adamo for the first time that day and we bonded like I’ve known him for years! Adamo sure does know how to spice up this session. It was non-stop laughter. From us getting yelled at by a crazy passerby while we were minding our own business to Adamo being a risk taker and practically vandalizing a fenced off fully bloomed floral tree so we can have the perfect shot. I wish this session was on video because it was comedic.

Thanks Michelle and Adamo for making this session so much fun. It was definitely memorable to say the least. Best of luck to you both!!!

couple couple couple