Today we’d like to introduce you to Melody Ybarra.

Hi Melody, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

My story is an unexpected journey with twists, and turns on my path. Describing this, may take me a minute!
Professional goals when I was starting out in my adult life included studying in college to become a Police officer. (It never happened). I did get myself on a hiring list for Pierce County Sheriff’s department in Lakewood, WA. There was a hiring freeze due to some internal issues within the department, and I was not hired. Later that year I did welcome my first child into my life. I changed my focus to a less dangerous career and became an interior designer. I was hired and trained for two years by a company in Puyallup, WA. called Total Interiors. I learned a great deal about all products needed in new construction to completely finish the interior of a home. The installation of these products is equally important to the success of the design. My years in design were spent learning about everything from construction to installation to the beautiful accessories needed to finish a room. I enjoyed many years of this process to take a space and make it a home.
In 2008 we experienced a recession. It was incredibly difficult for everyone and especially the design industry. No new homes were being built, and with no remodel projects on my schedule, I struggled for a couple of years trying to keep my position. Ultimately the recession also affected my career and my personal life.
I had to give my high school aged son to his father to continue his education, because I had lost my own home after depleting my savings and doing everything I could to maintain my livelihood. I had to leave WA.

I spent a couple of years in Ogden, UT with one of my daughters and worked for Pier 1 Imports as an assistant manager. My heart was in WA state and I desperately wanted to return. I even drove my car with expired WA plates, because I believed that I would be able to go back home!
Once I did return to WA I had a conversation with my older brother. He asked me what I wanted to do. What is in your heart, Melody? I had to give it a bit of thought, because I had been in survival mode for so long. That conversation brought back memories from my childhood when I’d look up at the sky. I wanted to be up there! I used to lay down in the back seat of my father’s car and stare at the tree tops as we were driving, so I could pretend I was flying. My brother gave me some money and told me to buy something nice for my interview!
Without his encouragement, I would not have tried. I was hired and worked as a flight attendant for ten years. Honestly these were some of the best most incredible experiences of my life!
My first vacation I was able to take my son on an international trip to Japan. It was his graduation present for successfully graduating from the University of Washington.
I was also able to connect with long lost family in Poland and go and meet them! (My grandparents immigrated to the US in the early 1900’s.)
I was able to go to Australia! My own parents wanted to immigrate to Perth when I was 5. They were not successful and I always wondered what I had missed.
These are incredible experiences that I would have never had unless I let go of the life I knew. It truly was magical.

I retired from being a flight attendant and reconnected with Meghanne Storey. Years ago, as a child, she was my daughter’s best friend. Meghanne is an incredibly talented independent music artist. I began to follow her and attend her shows.
Because I was there, I began to take her photographs and share them with her.
Meghanne asked me to be her photographer.
I had some experience in photography and I am happy to focus on providing her with images that represent her musical abilities.
I took photography classes in high school and back then you processed everything yourself in a dark room. (Ugh.. The chemical smells were not good!) I used photography during my design career for before and after pictures of my work. This created my eye for details. I enjoy photography very much and have since been able to attend art walks and sell some of the prints I have of city scenes, nature scenes and anything I find to be interesting.
This is where I have found myself, currently. Photography is very satisfying and creative for me.
I’m enjoying the all aspects of being a photographer and plan on continuing this part of my journey.

Alright, 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?

This is an interesting question.
There have been many struggles along the way. Personal things I never expected.

I had to survive the birth of my second daughter. In 1983 I contracted a bacterial infection from her birth. I remained in the hospital for two weeks. They had to break my fever, at its highest it was 106 degrees.
I couldn’t give up, I had a baby and a todler to go home to. Definitely a tough time in my life.

Divorce was another big struggle. I had been married for 21 years when I chose to leave a very destructive and dysfunctional relationship. Remaining in that marriage had led me down a very dark road that resulted in alcohol abuse. I had to conquer that problem, as well. I have been sober now for over 20 years.

Oh then we had the recession of 2008 where I explained earlier, that it led to my loss of my home and having to leave my son with his father while I pursued work opportunity in another state.

Definitely not a smooth road. But we all survived.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

As a photographer, I am most proud of the feelings that my photos can illicit. The beauty of nature. A moment in the city. The concentration of performance.
I love sharing these images because I think capturing these moments are important. We can reflect on the beautiful and best parts of life.
I am most proud of the authenticity of my images.

How do you think about happiness?

The pure joy of traveling somewhere I’ve never been and to interact with people I would have never known makes me incredibly happy! I love adventure and new experiences. You never know what you will learn by seeing how the rest of the world lives.
The entire experience is exhilarating for me!
Meeting my Polish ancestors has been a highlight of my life. To see them in person and see the physical features I recognize in my family of origin. I walked the streets where my grandparents lived.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://designermel.square.site
• Instagram: @designermeloriginal