We recently connected with Christina Mellor and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Christina , thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
My art has always been fueled by self-love. I grew up, like so many other young people. I was feeling deeply insecure. Then, I entered a career of making people feel good about themselves, holding up the mirror to their beauty. Routinely providing this experience for other people made me question what was possible for me. I started to photograph myself. taking self-portraits, and learning to see myself through the kind eyes I saved for everyone else.
Over the years I saw massive changes within myself and my ability to think of myself with kindness. It changed my entire life and led me to my current offering: The Self-Love Workshop.
My goal was to change the experience of having your photo taken from an outward/stressful/rushed experience to one that provides room for inward joy and validation.
I have my clients do a week’s worth of journal prompts and corresponding yoga sessions leading up to our time together. Then, on our shoot day, they are PAMPERED with an at-home massage, a home-cooked meal, a freshly arranged bouquet of flowers, reflection time, and finally a photoshoot. By the time we take photos, they are relaxed, cared for, and ready to be truly seen.
The results from these workshops have been mind-blowing already. It’s wonderful to see people take up space. One client that flew me from SLC, Utah to Brooklyn said “The biggest joy from this was the experience of being truly seen.”
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Christina is a nonbinary and queer photographer whose work has central themes of self-love and LGBTQIA+ liberation. They believe that storytelling plays a large role in building stronger communities and a brighter future by empowering each individual toward liberation through self-compassion. Their colorful, creative, and expressive art is backed by the belief that we all deserve to see ourselves through kinder eyes.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
When I first started photographing seriously in the SLC, Utah area, I realized that there was a huge lack of diversity in the industry. It seemed that every model who was getting opportunities was a white, blonde, extra-small human. I saw the way that most of the people who stepped in front of my camera were self-conscious, afraid of taking up space and comparing themselves to others.
My artwork is meant to be as diverse as the rainbow, showcasing primarily BIPOC, queer & trans people. I am deeply passionate about preserving accurate skin tones, highlighting who the person GENUINELY is, and creating beauty with what already exists in a person.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The look on people’s faces when they have changed their mind about themselves in some way shape or form. When they see themselves in a new light. It’s the best feeling in the world. 
Contact Info:
- Website: https://christinascaptures.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinascaptures/?hl=en
- Tiktok: @christinacphoto