We recently connected with Melanie Reyes and have shared our conversation below.
Melanie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
My passion for photography is founded on one fundamental characteristic – my love of people. Whether I am walking in to photograph your young family or a family full of teens; an office staff or an entrepreneur; or some of the most amazing days of your life (bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings and even celebrations of life) it is my love of people that motivates me to capture it for you.
As a mother, I think it is an incredible privilege to help other parents freeze this moment in their family’s history by capturing the spirit of their family, the giggles that erupt between siblings and the sweet hugs that a young child gives freely.
As a photographer I love walking into your family’s historical moments and making sure that the people are captured and you can relive the joyful moments. We care that your parents and grandparents are present – and we make it our business to know who’s who and make sure those connections are documented. We are honored to meet a bride and groom’s friends and we even do our best to memorize all of their names. Why? Because if they’re important to you, they’re important to us. As I always tell my clients, “You will never have the exact same group of people gathered together again in your life, and I want you to remember that.”
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?
I am Melanie Reyes and I have been a professional photographer for 17 years this year. I have two photography businesses: a portrait business of Melanie Reyes Photography that specializes in portraits, weddings and events. We photograph about 30 wedding and events a year and over 100 portrait sessions. We have such a great base of repeat clients that we have watched grow over the years. You. may have met Deana if you have been at a wedding/bar or bat mitzvah she has been my right hand for over 12 years. Having a devoted second shooter has been such a gift to my business – it means we are a well oiled machine – knowing our roles and supporting one another through what can be long and chaotic wedding/event days.
Five years ago I opened LOVE LUNDI. LUNDI is French for Monday. I love Mondays. As a business owner I love getting to wake up on Monday and chase my dreams and goals. LOVE LUNDI exists to capture businesses and share that love. We offer headshots, lifestyle brand sessions, capture corporate events and marketing photos. We love providing our clients with photo assets that authentically fit their brand.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
When we moved to Michigan 14 years ago my photography business was still a baby – and it was during the 2008/2009 economic downturn. I knew coming into this market that I would need to pivot to stay afloat in this industry. Arriving in Michigan and restarting my business here I focused on marketing my weddings and events. I knew that while families needed to tighten spending on frequent photo sessions, major life events would still be prioritized. I was grateful this approach helped my business blossom here. I also continue to maintain ways for families to access senior and family portraits – with mini sessions I offer year round in Dexter at a lower price point.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
(wavering slightly on this question)
I am grateful that my skill set of photography can help our local community, providing images to help market non-profits and families in our community in need. I am grateful for my long standing relationship with the Cancer Support Community of Ann Arbor and The Brides Project (selling wedding gowns to benefit the Cancer Support Cmty of Ann Arbor). Over the years I have been able to volunteer my time and talent to provide images. I have met some wonderful people along the way, as we’ve captured the very people benefiting from their services to share their stories of hope. As a photographer you meet so many many people – all the time – and I’m grateful for this community and the great work they do to bring hope, support and education to so many people affected by cancer.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.melaniereyes.co
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/melaniereyesphotography www.instagram.com/lovelundi
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/melaniereyesphotography www.facebook.com/love4lundi
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-reyes-290052b/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/melanie-reyes-photography-ann-arbor