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I’ve loved traveling ever since I can remember. I grew up in a bilingual European home, with relatives in France, Italy, Switzerland, and Tahiti. Even though we grew up in Texas, my parents made it a priority for me and my brother to grow up cultured by traveling and visiting family abroad. I am so […]
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I’ve loved traveling ever since I can remember. I grew up in a bilingual European home, with relatives in France, Italy, Switzerland, and Tahiti. Even though we grew up in Texas, my parents made it a priority for me and my brother to grow up cultured by traveling and visiting family abroad. I am so […]
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So many people ask what they should wear to their group graduation photos when they schedule larger sessions with me! Group coordination is something SO important to make photos look cohesive and pleasing to the eyes. I recommend picking some sort of color scheme for the photos, and making sure everyone sends their outfits before […]
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High School Senior Photo Outfit Guide Senior photos are such an exciting experience that create lasting memories, but oftentimes, my clients are focused on stressing over what to wear. This guide will go over every outfit you need to achieve the senior photos of your dreams! Every shoot should have at least one casual, everyday […]
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Hey guys! I thought I’d make a blog post just about popping champagne! It really is an art to master and after hundreds of shoots of failed attempts and getting the it just right, I’ve finally discovered how to get that perfect champagne pop photo. The trick is… DON’T POP IT. Most people think they […]
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Hi TCU Seniors!! This is a guide of my personal and experiential advice to making the most out of your graduation photos. As many of you know, I provide a purple cap and gown for my Texas Christian University senior clients to use at the shoot! However, there are a few other things you can […]
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Hello there! I’ve decided to start blogging about my adventures being a photographer. I’ve been taking photos almost as long as I can remember. It started when I was about 12 years old and recruited my friends to recreate “high fashion” photoshoots with our pink glitter lip gloss and a wrinkled sheet back drop. The […]
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For our anniversary this September we packed up the car, turned up the playlists, and drove from Dallas to Santa Fe for a weekend we’ll never forget, one full of red rock views, crisp mountain air, great food, and dog-friendly fun. It was our first time in Santa Fe and we absolutely loved it- from […]
October 15, 2025
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I just spent two incredible weeks exploring Northern Italy, and I can honestly say it was the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and breathtaking scenery. My journey began with a week on the sparkling shores of Lake Garda, where I wandered through charming lakeside towns, indulged in gourmet meals, and enjoyed boat rides on the […]
August 15, 2025
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If you’re dreaming of a tropical escape where the beaches are straight out of a postcard and the vibe is relaxed and welcoming, Turks and Caicos is the perfect spot. This little slice of paradise in the Caribbean is made up of 40 small islands (though only a few are inhabited), and it’s all about […]
May 20, 2025
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My husband and I took a trip out to Jackson Hole, Wyoming this December and it was the perfect couple’s weekend getaway! Jackson Hole is a popular destination year round- with hiking, biking, horseback riding, and more in the warm months and of course the world-class skiing and snow activities in the winter. There’s direct […]
January 6, 2025
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About a week before this trip, two friends and I were joking about seeing Taylor Swift in Europe. A few hours later flights and concert tickets were booked to see her the following week in Lisbon! We were able to find great flight deals with a connection in Paris for only 65k points roundtrip. Many […]
May 30, 2024
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My husband and I got married in Tuscany this September, so Puglia was the perfect honeymoon destination for us. It’s been on my bucket list for a while now as I’ve visited most of the popular destinations in Italy, but had never ventured down to Puglia. You really need at least a full week to […]
October 9, 2023
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I’ve loved traveling ever since I can remember. I grew up in a bilingual European home, with relatives in France, Italy, Switzerland, and Tahiti. Even though we grew up in Texas, my parents made it a priority for me and my brother to grow up cultured by traveling and visiting family abroad. I am so grateful to have visited over 21 countries by 25 years old. There are so many more places I want to see, but I will cover the top places I would love to revisit for photo shoots as well.
When I say “photography travel bucket list” I mean places I would love to photograph a couple or a styled shoot with a model, not necessarily landscape photos! So here are my dream shoot locations! If you are a client ever wanting to book me for a shoot in these locations I will go with NO TRAVEL FEE!
IN THE U.S.
Places I’ve been and want to go back to for shoots:
- Yosemite National Park
- New York City
- Colorado
- Napa Valley
- Big Bend National Park
- Lake Tahoe
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Glacier National Park
- Oahu
- Maui
Places I’ve never been but would love to go for shoots:
- Alaska
- Grand Canyon
- Zion National Park
- Antelope Canyon
- Bryce Canyon, UT
- Yellowstone
- Oregon Coast
- Death Valley, CA
- Bonneville Salt Flats, UT
- Kauai
ABROAD
Places I’ve been and want to go back to (there are many more but these were my favorites):
- Tahiti (Bora Bora, Moorea)
- Mexico (Tulum, Cabo)
- Switzerland
- Italy (Amalfi Coast, Venice, Florence, Tuscany)
- France (Paris, Nice, lavender fields in Valensole, Cassis)
- Monaco
- Estonia
Places I’ve never been and am DYING to go to:
- Greece (Santorini and Mykonos)
- Scotland (Dunnottar Castle, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, Loch Ness, Isle of Skye, Edinburgh)
- Ireland (Cliffs of Moher, Dunseverick Castle, Kinbane Castle)
- Germany (Neuschwanstein Castle, Christmas Market in Frankfurt, Bamberg, Bastei Bridge)
- Austria (Innsbrook, Salzburg, Vienna, Hallstat)
- Norway (Fjords)
- Turkey (Cappadocia hot air balloons)
- Tokyo, Japan
- Australia (Great Ocean Road, Bondi Beach, Kangaroo Island)
- New Zealand
- Bali
- Thailand
- Banff, Alberta
- Canada
- Croatia
- Iceland
- Kenya
These are just my top priorities of places to visit, but there are sooo many more!
I’ve loved traveling ever since I can remember. I grew up in a bilingual European home, with relatives in France, Italy, Switzerland, and Tahiti. Even though we grew up in Texas, my parents made it a priority for me and my brother to grow up cultured by traveling and visiting family abroad. I am so […]
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Crafting timeless and artful imagery—
capturing life's most meaningful moments worldwide.
my mission
I’m Merissa, a Dallas-based photographer specializing in weddings, grads, lifestyle, and branding. I’m passionate about capturing people in their best light and creating photos that are modern, authentic, and unforgettable.
Always traveling, always inspired.
Photographer, Artist, Wife, Dog Mom, and Visionary for Beauty.
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