October 16, 2016

Meet Atlanta Photographer: Mel B

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mel B.

Mel, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started with an internship in high school but before then, I started with a flip phone. A Verizon flip phone. – I took a lot of pictures of myself (LOL) and saw an interest in photographing other people. After a high school project, I met Derek Blanks. He works with everyone. During my internship, I met a few people in the industry. I met one of my mentors, Derek White who has helped me with everything. Unfortunately, due to car issues I lost that internship and soon after got an opportunity to intern with James Anthony. Worked with him for a few months and ventured into my own thing.

Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been smooth, at all. I have definitely come into some obstacles but also I have come into some proud moments in my field but the road to get there hasn’t been easy. Just like anything else. One of the major struggles I had starting out was really creating a market for myself to gain clientele and respect. As many know, this is a very full industry. People are doing it in some senses, not because of the passion but because of a trend so it is very hard to really be taken serious sometimes. I had a hard time really fitting in. I could go on and on but it has not been an easy road at all.

Have you ever wanted to stop doing what you do and just start over?
There have been plenty of times where I seriously thought what I was doing was not for me. I’ve wanted to quit and result into adapting to regular lifestyle often. The thing that pushes me often to overcome that is recognizing how far I’ve come and where I started. Another thing that pushes me would be the messages and conversations from people who are interested in chasing their dreams or who are currently chasing their dreams. They often look at me like a triumph story. Sometimes I’m amused because I feel I’ve done nothing except take the initiative to be different and not settle. As in anything, you’ll always have second thoughts because we all go through seasons of disbelief where we are unmotivated and unmoved. It happens to the best of us, especially creatives.

What advice do you wish to give to those thinking about pursuing a path similar to yours?
The best advice I would give would be to find your style. I often struggled when I started because I saw work that I loved but in the long-run, I realized it was a style that I was not yet comfortable with and ultimately wasn’t for me. I would also say find someone in the field that you are in who is well established. You’d be surprised at how much information we don’t know because we don’t ask. Then, when building clientele, look to attract people who you can build long-term relationships with. Don’t be so opposed to taking small jobs like birthday parties, etc. Sometimes the smallest paying gigs lead to big opportunities. It has done that for me. I’ve done small jobs and met executives and owners from big companies who have then hired me for different things. So, in all be open-minded, ready to learn and also be ready to fail..because you will sometimes.

What are you looking forward to?
I’m excited for my future personally and professionally. This field has taught me a lot about myself. It has taught me patience, endurance and how to “trust my gut so, I’m excited to explore the world. I’m excited to keep growing creatively, building my portfolio. I’m excited to meet people who have watched me grow via social media, those who I have had conversations with. I’m just ready to be a light…a different light. I’m ready to reach the world and push people who are in the same boat as me.

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