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Meet Melanie Willett of Melanie Alice Photography in West LA

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Willett.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I picked up my first camera 20 years ago. It was a manual Canon AE-1 that my Dad gave me. And I knew right then and there before I even used it that I was going to be a photographer. I knew I was never going to be behind a desk or wear pantyhose and that I really wanted to travel, and so, photography it was. I started out doing more street photography and then when I was 25, I sold everything I owned and traveled around the world photographing my journey. I spent most of my time in Africa, specifically, Malawi and Tanzania. I had a show of my photos in Venice, on Abbott Kinney, at a gallery, called The Sandbox, which hosted a great many amazing artists back in the day. This was old school Venice, when there weren’t any stores and artists could afford to live in Venice and just make art. I was 25, I waited tables and had a little green Schwinn bicycle that I rode around Venice on. Life was great, I spent my days in the ocean and my nights in the darkroom. It was an amazing time. I think two things happened at the same time that really changed how I work. Technology, specifically everything going digital and me turning 30 and wanting a family. I started shooting weddings but by the time I had my daughter being gone for 12 hours shooting weddings, wasn’t possible so I started doing maternity, family and kid sessions. It works for me. I can leave my house for a few hours, create my own schedule and come back to be with my kids which is priority number one for me. I also love what I do. I’m obsessed with family photos and our history and our stories. I don’t want to just preserve perfect images of everyone smiling and looking at the camera. I want to tell your story. The real one. And I want your kids’ kids to look at the images years from now and really learn something about that one moment in time so long ago. I don’t use props or lights or backdrops and I encourage my clients to try and be as natural as possible. I guide them, of course, but really, the most important factor in one of my sessions is that my clients feel comfortable. In my heart, I am a visual story teller and I always will be.

Has it been a smooth road?
You know it has been pretty smooth actually. I think the hardest part has been telling people who call me that I won’t use props, not even if they pay me. Because, you know, at the end of the day, whatever is the new trend on Pinterest, doesn’t interest me in the slightest. I believe that in 10, 15, 20 years, people will look at all those latest trends and kind of giggle at how dated it is. I want to take classic, timeless images that are honest. Those are the kind of images that stand the test of time.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Melanie Alice Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
People always tell me how fun my sessions are and how comfortable I make them feel. This is probably because I hate having my picture taken. I’m a classic introvert and I don’t like attention, which makes me attuned to create a relaxed vibe for even the most uncomfortable person. Also, I like simplicity and crisp light. I am not a fan of cluttered images. I want the focus to be on the people in it and the connection they have to each other.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Yes! Huge Changes! Time will tell, really but I think photographers are really going to have to be on their marketing game. Good photos are everywhere. You need your images to be seen first. Also, be authentic, people like warmth and a degree of realness in this profession. You are walking into their personal lives and you want them to feel relaxed around you if expect to get great images.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Melanie Alice Photography

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