Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Dawn Johnson.
Hi Melissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I don’t know if it was the mini polaroid camera my sister got for Christmas when I was a kid, or that first class play in second grade where I played a flower, or finger painting when I was four years old, but at some point in my childhood I got bit by the creativity bug and I’ve been infected ever since. I still remember the first time my cousin taught me how to load and unload a film camera hidden in the dark under her dining room table as an extra precaution to protect the film. From the moment the first black and white polaroid photo developed, I was hooked. The same could be said for my acting. Fifth grade, I’d finally made it to the coveted fifth-grade musical performance. This year the theme was jazz, and one of the starring roles was a character named Melissa. It was like it had been written just for me. Flash forward a couple of decades and 3000 miles from home, I’m now a SAG-AFTRA actress and passionate photographer living in the epicenter of creativity- Hollywood.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve yet to meet a road in L.A. that doesn’t have at least a few bumps or cracks. I blame the earthquakes! I think life is no different really. I’d hate to play the old tune of the starving artist, but I’m sure we’ve all been there. I’ve even spent a few days living out of my car when I was between homes. They say it takes 10 years or 10,000 hours to master a thing. Well, I’ve been in LA for nine years now and I think there’s some truth to that saying. I finally feel more settled in my creative pursuits, more confident in my work and abilities, and thankfully more comfortable in my living and working situations.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As I mentioned, I am an actress, photographer (and writer actually) here in Los Angeles. I think I most known for my comedic acting amongst my peers, but I have such a special place for fantasy and drama in my heart. Most recently, you can catch me on the upcoming season of the Netflix show Family Reunion.
As for my photography, though I do a lot of headshot and portrait sessions, my passions there also lie with the fantastical. I love finding beauty in the mundane and magic in ordinary life. I also love exploring what it looks like to get people to see things in new and interesting ways. I have some work currently up as part of a group show with the Los Angeles chapter of Black Women Photographers (BWP). The exhibition is called “Our Black Experience” and can be viewed in person at the Perfect Exposure Gallery in Alhambra October 15 -December 3, 2022 or on their website at http://www.theperfectexposuregallery.com/home/
Contact Info:
- Website: www.melliejohnson.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/Melissamelliej, www.instagram.com/MellieJPhotography
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/MellieIRL
