Melissa Hoko Photography

Melissa Hoko Photography Maryland Wedding & Lifestyle Photographer. Available to all surrounding areas.

15 years. ✨ I never planned to be a wedding photographer…but 15 years later, I’ve had the honor of witnessing more love ...
05/29/2025

15 years. ✨ I never planned to be a wedding photographer…but 15 years later, I’ve had the honor of witnessing more love stories than I can count.

What started as a creative outlet has turned into a career that has shaped my life. I’m grateful for a job that has allowed me to stay creative, and has also given me the flexibility to be present for my kids as they’ve grown. It has connected me with some of the most incredible people along the way.

15 years since my very first wedding…I’m sharing 15 honest, random tidbits from behind my lens. 😊

1. Our feet and back hurt.

2. The speeches your parents give are often extremely profound. But, I wish you could hear them 3-5 years into your marriage, when you can truly embrace the advice.

3. We are starving and seriously dehydrated by dinner time. We are truly grateful for any hot meal and a moment to sit.

4. Mr. Brightside - The Killers is my top fav vocally engaging dance floor song.

5. The most overused line in a best man speech: “{insert bride’s name} you look absolutely beautiful tonight.” Sweet, but an overused google find used at almost every wedding.

6. Without fail, guests will approach me and say what an amazing job I am doing (without ever seeing a picture I took).

7. Also without fail: “What kind of camera is that? And how much does your lens cost?”

8. It’s really thoughtful you designated a place setting for us at a table, but what we really prefer is a quiet isolated spot where no one can talk to us.

9. The mother & son dance: I cry behind my camera every time.

10. We’ve seen and heard it all. Not much surprises us—and we probably have a photo of it.

11. We are constantly thinking about lighting, or where the sun is.

12. The job is very physical. Imagine a 10-hour HIIT workout, then getting hit by a dump truck the next morning.

13. Speeches: guests zone out by 2 minutes. Unless you’re a comedian, keep it short. Always.

14. Late night Chick-fil-A to go bags are the best wedding favors I’ve seen.

15. I may be bias, but wedding photography is one of the best investments you can make for your wedding. Long after the cake is gone and the music fades, the photos are what remain.

Happy Wedding Week Brittany & Chris 🥂 (and Taz!)
08/29/2024

Happy Wedding Week Brittany & Chris 🥂 (and Taz!)

T minus 7 days until Lauren & Win’s wedding! 🌸🌺🌼
08/16/2024

T minus 7 days until Lauren & Win’s wedding! 🌸🌺🌼

2024 wedding season is approaching ✨📸
03/18/2024

2024 wedding season is approaching ✨📸

7 kids. 8 years old and under. Photo challenge accepted!Grateful to know this wonderful family for many years! 😍
09/26/2023

7 kids. 8 years old and under. Photo challenge accepted!

Grateful to know this wonderful family for many years! 😍

OBX bound this summer! ☀️ Message or email me if you want to schedule a photo session 📷⛱💌: melissahoko@gmail.com
07/14/2023

OBX bound this summer! ☀️ Message or email me if you want to schedule a photo session 📷⛱
💌: [email protected]

Congrats to Julie & Drew on your beautiful wedding celebration at Brookside Gardens! 🌸🌷🌺🌼
06/16/2023

Congrats to Julie & Drew on your beautiful wedding celebration at Brookside Gardens! 🌸🌷🌺🌼


I specialize in directing drunk people. Can I add this to my resume?? I never anticipated the amount of communicating yo...
06/02/2023

I specialize in directing drunk people. Can I add this to my resume??

I never anticipated the amount of communicating you have to do as a wedding photographer. A full day of talking to the couple, the parents, the friends, the planner, the videographer, the officiant, and all the (drunk) guests who seem to become your best friends by the end of the day 🙃 Taking a good photo is really just a small portion of this job and everyone has a professional camera these days. The tricky part is communicating to complete strangers—so that they trust you—and then you can get to the creative part. I love getting a beautiful photo, but the people you meet along the way, are what makes the job enjoyable. 💗


I often get asked, “Do you take photos other than weddings?” The answer is YES! I especially love taking photos for past...
04/13/2023

I often get asked, “Do you take photos other than weddings?” The answer is YES! I especially love taking photos for past clients. I photographed Jess and Kevin’s wedding back in 2017. I recently traveled to their house in DC to document some newborn photos of their brand new baby boy 💙 Welcome Cooper!

It was completely worth the 4 hour drive to document Jen & Tim’s beautiful Fall wedding at  near Charlottesville VA. Che...
11/12/2022

It was completely worth the 4 hour drive to document Jen & Tim’s beautiful Fall wedding at near Charlottesville VA. Check out those stunning views! 🤩 Thank you to my photog assist Nikolai for the drone magic ✨✨

Congrats newlyweds! Enjoy these preview photos! ❤️

Venue
Photographer
DJ
Videographer
DJ
Beauty Team
Catering

Address

Elkridge, MD

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Melissa Hoko Photography posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Melissa Hoko Photography:

Share

Category