Getting the call from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia made my heart skip a beat. I love traveling and learning about different institutions and communities. Marymount was looking to update their branding photos, so we settled on a shoot day this fall, and then two more in the coming spring. Exploring a new campus and uncovering its hidden gems is one of my favorite parts of this work, and Marymount was full of them. Marymount’s campus is a cozy 21 acres built into a hill, and I just LOVE the way the buildings interplay with each other. From elevated walkways and a maze of staircases to light-filled hallways – smiling students and faculty were quite literally around every corner.

When you invest in hosting an event, whether it’s a conference, gala, fundraiser, retreat, or company celebration, you’re doing a lot more than just having a party. When you host these events, you’re creating an opportunity to tell a story, market your brand, and create a  connection with your audience. Professional photography turns these moments into marketing assets that you can use long after the event is over.

At Melissa Kelly Photography, my team and I help organizations capture the energy, emotion, and intentionality behind your events so you can leverage those photos across platforms year-round. Here’s why professional event photography delivers such a strong ROI.

Back in October, I had the chance to photograph “Contested Frames: Taiwan’s Indigenous Peoples Confronting the Colonial Gaze” at the Temple Anthropology Lab & Museum. It was one of those projects that stays with you long after you pack up your gear.

Widener University Homecoming weekend is always a good time! Last year we had picture perfect weather, so we were due for a little drizzle this year (while inconvenient for the event, made for some memorable photos)! This year, MKP team member, Theresa, ran with the show and did an amazing job capturing every event across campus, both big and small. I’m so thankful for the incredible team I’ve assembled over the years. Their professionalism makes sure every client experiences the same high-quality photography we’re known for.

Last month, the Drexel Dragons traded textbooks for paddles as students from LeBow College of Business’s Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program took to the river for a day of dragon boat racing.

Asplundh Concert Hall at West Chester University was packed last month with supporters celebrating Dr. Laurie Bernotsky's inauguration as West Chester University's 16th President. Having met Dr. Bernotsky for some branding photos prior to this event, I can tell you she's absolutely brilliant and has such genuine enthusiasm for WCU's future.

Before we let Women’s History Month slip away, we wanted to share our recent collaboration with Lasalle University during their 2025 Women in Leadership Award Luncheon.

Lasalle’s Women in Leadership Award Luncheon celebrates the achievements of exceptional women who have made significant impacts in leadership roles. The event highlights their contributions to various fields and provides a platform for inspiration and networking. And this year, it just happened to fall on International Women’s Day!

Millennials and Zoomers are so tired of online ads (I mean, aren’t we all). Think of how quickly you skip an online ad or install an ad blocker. Out-of-Home advertising (OOH) or, ya know, billboards, can use authentic and honest messaging to influence consumers… AND, you can’t ad block a billboard!

At the end of January, Villanova University hosted their Annual Women in Tech Conference. In 2025, Villanova celebrated 10 years of hosting the conference, so I was excited that our team was able to cover the event once again this year.