Melissa Mata Photography

Melissa Mata Photography My name is Melissa Mata. I am a professional central Illinois photographer specializing in weddings, family, seniors and newborn portraits. Hello and Welcome!

I am a central Illinois photographer with a profound passion for photography! I have loved getting to know so many couples and families throughout my 7 years of shooting. It has been a wonderful journey for me and I feel so blessed to have met such beautiful people. In addition to being a photographer, I am also a mother of two beautiful girls. They make this crazy life so much more fun and exciti

ng! After having my first daughter, I realized how fast time really did go by and I wanted to remember every little moment. Life goes by so quickly and I am so thankful to be able to capture so many moments in time for not only my own family but also all of my clients to look back on. My client’s stories inspire me and help me to be a better photographer every day so thank you to all of my clients so far for making my photography business an amazing experience! I cannot wait to meet many more new clients so please do not hesitate to contact me!

Emma & Scott 🤍✨What a wedding day.From the moment we arrived, every detail was thoughtfully planned and perfectly reflec...
06/28/2026

Emma & Scott 🤍✨

What a wedding day.

From the moment we arrived, every detail was thoughtfully planned and perfectly reflected who they are as a couple. Scott wore his grandfather’s watch, a meaningful piece that connected generations on such an important day. They also had custom Nike shoes featuring their wedding date (which were such a fun touch!), and of course, we can’t forget the margarita fountain that quickly became a guest favorite. 🍹

One of the most special moments was watching them exchange vows on the ballroom steps in such an intimate setting. There were definitely a few tears behind the camera during that one. 🥹

Emma & Scott, thank you for trusting us to capture such an incredible chapter of your story. It was an honor to witness all the big moments, the little moments, and everything in between. Your day was full of joy, happy tears, unforgettable memories, and so much love.

We are so excited to share this little sneak peek of your first day as Mr. & Mrs. McManus.

Congratulations!🤍✨

Venue: The Auditorium Ballroom
Flowers: Petals by Peyton Plant Shop & Florist
Cake: Shelley's Sweet Creations
Catering: Stone Jug
DJ: PETES MY DJ
Hair: Hair by Angela
Makeup: Bridal Brigade
Dress: Marien Mae Bridal Boutique & Events

06/25/2026

When the stars align and you get the chance to photograph a future bride and groom on the beach! 🌊

By pure coincidence, we had planned vacations in the same area at almost the exact same time — and were staying only 10 minutes apart. What are the odds?! I was beyond excited to make this session happen.

It’s not every day that I get the ocean, sand, and a beautiful sunset as my backdrop, and Cadence and Kane made it even more special. Thank you both for taking time out of your vacation to meet up for these photos. I already can’t wait to celebrate and photograph your wedding next year!

Nick & Katie
06/21/2026

Nick & Katie

Extra, Extra, read all about it! 📰Reece & Juliana’s wedding day was nothing short of incredible!From the moment I walked...
06/07/2026

Extra, Extra, read all about it! 📰

Reece & Juliana’s wedding day was nothing short of incredible!

From the moment I walked into the venue, I was absolutely blown away by the attention to detail. Juliana poured so much love and creativity into every aspect of the day—from handcrafting all of the centerpiece florals to creating custom wine glasses for each bridesmaid. And the newspapers? Such a classic and unique touch that tied everything together perfectly! Every detail was thoughtfully curated, and it all came together beautifully. And can we talk about those colors? Absolutely stunning!

Congratulations! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of such a special chapter in your story. I’m so excited to share your very first sneak peek as husband and wife!

Mr. & Mrs. Vaessen ❤️

Venue: The Westclox Event Center
Flowers: The Flower Bar
Cake: Kelsey's Kakes
Catering: Chef Fitzyour palate - Sara Fitzpatrick
DJ: Petes My DJ
MakeUp: Macey Chaney
Hair: Jenna Thompson

05/28/2026

Mary Ann & Al — what a special session this was. These two reached out about having their “Prom” photographed at Camp Aramoni, and the story behind it made it even more meaningful. When they were together over 45 years ago, they never got the chance to go to prom, so Al decided it was finally time to make up for it.

I absolutely loved photographing this evening. The smiles, the laughter, and the way Mary Ann lit up the entire session — it was impossible not to feel emotional witnessing such genuine joy and love. The kind of love you hope to have as you grow older.

They’ve been camping at Camp Aramoni for the past few years, so it only felt right for this beautiful place to become the setting for their long-awaited prom. I’m so grateful I got to be there to capture such a heartfelt and unforgettable moment!

05/28/2026

Jason and Zoey — what an incredible session. The evening was beautiful, the scenery was stunning, and the most special part was ending at their home. It felt like a private little oasis — so warm, peaceful, and welcoming. Doug, Zoey’s goat, even made an appearance alongside their dogs, which made everything that much more fun and personal.

We also attempted the iconic Dirty Dancing lift… and let’s just say it’s a lot harder than it looks! But the effort made for some adorable photos and plenty of laughs.

I already can’t wait to photograph their wedding next year. Their connection, their energy, and the way he looks at her — it’s all just so genuine and beautiful. Absolutely amazing!

The Biagini's ✨What a beautiful day for a wedding! Black and white never goes out of style, and this celebration had suc...
05/24/2026

The Biagini's ✨

What a beautiful day for a wedding! Black and white never goes out of style, and this celebration had such a timeless, classic feel from beginning to end.

Kayte & Austin had an absolutely amazing day — gorgeous weather, so many fun moments, and just an all-around joyful celebration! Kayte mentioned a TikTok tradition I had heard about at another wedding: burying a hot dog or sausage to bring good weather. Apparently, it works… because they had the most perfect sunny day! ☀️🌭

This was my first time at this venue, and it was such a fun experience. Thank you both for letting us be part of such a special day!

May you have many more “firsts” together, but here’s a sneak peek of your very first day as husband and wife! 💍

05/19/2026

From preschool to doctorate, I had the honor of photographing so many incredible graduates this season! 🎓

Graduation is more than just a cap and gown — it’s a new adventure, a fresh beginning, and another exciting step forward. I always love capturing these meaningful moments and the stories behind them.

Thank you to everyone who trusted me to document this special chapter. Congratulations, graduates! 🎓 🎓 🎓

From preschool to doctorate, I had the honor of photographing so many incredible graduates this season! 🎓Graduation is m...
05/19/2026

From preschool to doctorate, I had the honor of photographing so many incredible graduates this season! 🎓

Graduation is more than just a cap and gown — it’s a new adventure, a fresh beginning, and another exciting step forward. I always love capturing these meaningful moments and the stories behind them.

Thank you to everyone who trusted me to document this special chapter. Congratulations, graduates! 🎓

05/19/2026

The Hunts ✨

Paityn & Zach had the most incredible day, and we had so much fun celebrating with them! They tied the knot in a tiny chapel surrounded by their closest family and friends — such a sweet and intimate ceremony.

I still remember meeting with them for their wedding consult and hearing Paityn’s dad talk about transforming the backyard space into their wedding venue. I’ll admit, I couldn’t fully picture it at first… but WOW, he absolutely exceeded every expectation! Seeing the vision come to life was amazing, and it was so special watching this family pour so much love and hard work into every detail.

We’re so grateful to have been part of such a beautiful day. Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Hunt! 🤍

Cermony: Mendota Historical Society Country Chapel
Venue: Private family bldg
Flowers: HyVee Floral Peru, IL
Hair: Leslie Miller & Daisy Vazquez
Makeup: Makeup by Kendra & Ryann Avery
Dress: Marien Mae Bridal Boutique & Events
Tuxes: That Guy’s Secret

Address

3229 Carrie Street
Peru, IL
61354

Telephone

+18152526907

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