"Being a good photographer is more than just mastering your camera or owning the latest camera gear out there! It’s about the inherent qualities that allow you to see beauty in the most unexpected places & capture that beauty in a photograph. Mel is truly talented & one of the best photographers I have ever met."
Every photographer has a story, and mine didn’t start with a love for photography..
My story started the day I packed my bags and moved to England. I had just finished college in my early 20’s and I was ready for a change. I have to tell you, this was the first time I truly felt like I had no control over what the future held and I didn't know it at the time, but doing something like this once really sets the tone on taking risks down the road, too.
I say this because years later after moving home and settling in, I did it again. It was much easier this time around though. This time, I sold all of my belongings- including my car, quit my comfy salary job at The Four Seasons Hotel and travelled around the world for a year. I started in Spain and slowly travelled around Europe, SE Asia and New Zealand. I would like to add that I had no trust fund or wealthy parents, I was raised by my mom who didn’t have much but gave us everything. This taught me to value my experiences throughout my life rather than physical things that I had.
The amount of life experience I got from my years of travel was more than any school, job or Individual could have EVER taught me. It truly humbled me and changed so many limiting beliefs I had about the world and about myself. If you leave for long enough, walls you never knew you spent your life building begin to break down and it changes you. I fell in love with so many wonderful places and beautiful walks of life on the road.
Years later, I find myself looking back on those moments often, and I don’t know what I would do without them. Photography was one of the only things that gave me those memories back. When I can do that for someone else, it brings me so much gratitude and reminds me that what I am doing is something that truly matters.
“If you want a human and honest documentation of what a wedding should look like..”
To every bride reading this - you do not need to look like a model posing in Wedluxe to have gorgeous photos (nor should you aim to look like one). If you want a human and honest documentation of what a wedding should look like you need to book Mel! She captured every single thing that added SO much character to our day - from my flower girl balling her eyes out down the aisle, to my sister twerking on the dance floor. She was so much fun to work with and super cool. Booking Mel was one of the best decisions we made planning our special day.
“How do I give Mel more than 5 stars?”
How do I give Mel more than 5 stars?? It's hard to express in words how amazing Melista is -- as a person & as a photographer. I wanted to have a bond with a photographer so that we can feel comfortable in front of the camera, since we aren't the most photogenic! Mel is able to make you feel very comfortable, and create a natural connection with you so effortlessly. Because of the bond, her pictures turn out flawless, natural and she truly pays attention to detail.
