Meet Melissa Kobe of M. Kobe Photography in Downtown L.A.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Kobe.

Melissa, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My first real introduction to photography was my advanced art class in junior high. The class was responsible for putting together the school’s yearbook. Not exactly sure how I ended up the editor, but I’m certain it had to do with the fact that such a title meant I could get out of class and roam the school freely taking pictures. I worked other jobs as an adult but always kept shooting as a hobby. 14 years ago, I decided to quit my job as a commercial talent agent and go to school for photography. It was the best decision I ever made.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Hahaha… Smooth roads and I don’t hang in the same circles. While there’s something to be said for the path of least resistance, I feel that if you’re not failing along the way, you’re not doing it right.

Please tell us about M. Kobe photography.
My business is ALL me! I hire second shooters and assistants when needed and am very comfortable working with a team be it event vendors, editors or publicists, but when I go to work at my office, it’s just me.

Most of the work I get is in the event world, but I do everything from commercial work, portraits, product and my passion, photojournalism. No matter what the realm, I think my skill is being able to capture the essence of the person or the moment in an honest and beautiful way. I am not interested in shooting someone’s persona; of course, that comes with the territory of being a professional photographer, but my goal is always to go deeper and hopefully reveal the joy in life.

I built my business from the ground up, my way. I get to be me and document the life in front of me from my perspective. My clients hire me because they like my point of view and because I’m a get-r-done type of gal. I’m always on time and I can be trusted to handle the most serious or casual of affairs. I think the way I perceive the world is what sets me apart.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Hmmm, that’s a good question! It’s a tie between our senior year production of Steel Magnolia’s (I was Truvy!) and my first backpacking trip with my cousin. It was a week long trip in Canada that involved canoeing with our gear to an island as part of one leg. I totally got hooked. I loved how hard it was! I felt like such a badass after, like I could do anything.

Pricing:

• General event rates start at $200 per hour.
• L.A. area weddings start at $4k
• I do a half-hour, $100 headshot session once a month. $20 of which goes to charity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mkobephotography.com
• Phone: 323.804.2504
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @bigmeliss
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/mkobephotography
• Other: www.mkpblog.com

Image Credit:
Photos by Melissa Kobe