Asheville’s Best Family Photographer

Exploring the hidden depths of normal, decent lives.
Mesmerizing, cinematic, and surprising images. Easy and enjoyable sessions.

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What is Documentary Family Photography?

Melina Coogan is currently the top rated Documentary Family Photographer in the world by the Inspiration Family Awards Association.

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Documenting the sublime absurdities of raising children in this era

Even when it’s good, parenthood is relentless, and in the ceaseless cycle of days we lose the ability to recognize how haunting, funny and pretty it all is. I am the fresh eyes you have been searching for without knowing exactly what you’ve been searching for. These images will reflect back to you all the beauty that exists in your life right now, exactly as it is.

About Melina

Melina Coogan is an international award winning family photographer and photography mentor based in Asheville, North Carolina. She has shot Day in the Life family sessions across the US, Europe and Ireland. Her work has hung in gallery exhibits, museums and private collections.

In addition to her two biggest passions (photography and her magnificent daughters, Olive & Ivy) Melina loves singing sea chanties, New England, climbing, the history of Northern Ireland and learning the Irish Language, which is ridiculously hard. Slainte!

A woman sitting on a chair with two children on her shoulders, one girl with curly red hair and the other girl with straight red hair, making peace signs and smiling against a black background.
About Melina
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  • Stunning and dramatically lit family photo. This award winning documentary family photograph was taken by the best lifestyle family photographer in Western North Carolina, and the top rated family photographer in Asheville.

    “Melina is a quiet genius. Her eye, skill, and style make her unique in a sea of family photographers. She is funny, brilliant, and approachable, and makes you feel at ease. The documentary style turns everyday life into art you'll cherish for generations.”

    SOPHIE | FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY ASHEVILLE

  • A young girl looks through a window at a woman who is leaning into the glass with her head down, both creating a reflective scene. Melina Coogan shoots in-home documentary family photography sessions in Asheville North Carolina. She is talented.

    “Her enthusiasm for making amazing images is contagious and makes it feel incredibly fun and collaborative to work together. She has an intuitive eye for beautiful light and capturing small moments of beauty that most people would probably overlook. Even if she’s in your home photographing the things you see everyday I guarantee you will be surprised by the images.”

    JULIA

  • A woman standing alone on a rocky ledge at dusk, wearing a dress, with a foggy landscape behind her. This epic maternity portrait was taken by the top maternity photographer and newborn photographer in Asheville, NC and Western North Carorolina.

    "The raw emotion that Melina embodies in her artwork demonstrates her bright and energetic love of life’s intricacies. Her art of depicting the variety of lifestyle in modern family life is not only revolutionary but a true gift to the onlooker and a treasure to the seeker. She is a rarity in lifestyle documentary photography."

    KIM

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