Melinda Torres of Toluca lake, ca on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Melinda Torres and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Melinda , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
The achievement I’m most proud of is building my brand and, more importantly, staying true to it. Self-employment is a journey defined by sacrifice and a relentless level of commitment; it isn’t always easy, but the autonomy of being my own boss is incredibly rewarding.
​People often see the finished product, but they don’t always see the challenge of maintaining a constant state of creativity. Inspiration isn’t a fixed resource, life happens, and there are moments when you feel stuck. In those times, I’ve learned to intentionally seek out fresh perspectives from people, cinema, and travel. As a creative, I feel a responsibility to stay one step ahead of myself, constantly evolving so that I can provide my clients with something truly unique and forward-thinking.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Melinda Torres, the founder of
M Studio LA (PinUps & Weddings). My studio is the brainchild of my two long-standing passions: Creating A PinUp and Creating An Image. By merging these worlds, I’ve created a space where high-concept glamour meets authentic wedding storytelling.
​Based in Los Angeles, I specialize in creating unique, immersive sets that allow my clients to step out of their comfort zones and feel truly empowered and beautiful. Whether it’s a vintage-inspired pinup session or a wedding day, I’m dedicated to capturing memories that stand out from the rest.
​I’m also a frequent traveler, and I’m excited to announce that I’ll be heading to Hawaii on May 25th for a series of destination shoots. I love bringing the M Studio LA aesthetic to the islands, capturing love stories and empowering portraits against such a stunning backdrop.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My professional drive actually started in event promotion. I realized early on that I had a knack for seeing a vision through from a concept to a successful, high-energy reality. That experience taught me that with the right strategy and persistence, I could achieve any goal I set. I’ve carried that ‘limitless’ mindset into my photography career, where I apply that same level of logistical planning and creative execution to every project I take on.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve developed a very high level of professional resilience. In creative work, things don’t always go exactly as planned, and while I’ve faced my share of disappointments, I never view them as a reason to stop. Instead, I use those moments to recalibrate. I take pride in my ability to pull myself back up, find a new angle, and keep pushing forward until the project is a success. To me, giving up simply isn’t an option

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’m someone who values authenticity above almost everything else. I like to joke that the only filters I use are on Instagram—in my professional life, I’m very direct and real with my clients and teammates. I’ve found that being my true self builds trust much faster, which is essential when you’re trying to capture someone’s vision or lead a project.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Ultimately, I want to be known as someone who didn’t just ‘take photos,’ but who chased a vision and made a tangible difference in people’s lives. My goal is to capture the best version of the people I work with—freezing those happy, authentic moments in time so they can see themselves the way the world sees them. For me, success is knowing my work has left a lasting, positive impact on someone’s story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.creatingapinup.com
• Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/creatingapinup
• Other: https://Www.creatinganimage.net