We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melina Molina. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melina below.
Alright, Melina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
In addition to consistently working to reach a goal, I would say that there are two important keys to reaching a goal. Number one would be to surround yourself with people who are on the same path as you. People who think and act like you, and who feel an urgency to fulfill their dreams like you. I find that witnessing people whom I admire keeps me inspired and motivated to accomplish my goals.
Secondly, would be to live in your purpose. When you are happy with what you do, you enjoy every step of the way no matter the difficulties; that is when success is best enjoyed.
Melina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a conceptual and Fine Art photographer, born in Monterrey, N.L, Mexico. My love for photography began when my parents gave me a film camera, from that day on it sparked my need to create.
I became fascinated by photography and enjoyed using my friends as models. Over time I decided to pursue a degree in Communications and Photography. I found that each assignment and project made me more motivated to create. I also worked as a photographer while finishing my degree, so you could say I entered the world of photography gradually. I started with portrait sessions, which I still enjoy, but over time I realized that Fairytale Photography was much more fulfilling. This is due to my love of storytelling. I like to express a story with each photograph, and I think this is what led me to discovering my own style. In the beginning I found that this type of photography was not well known or there were no photographers who specialized in it. This made it difficult for my clients to be open to experiencing something so different, so I decided to create a session for myself. This gave me the freedom to create whatever concept I wanted and over time my style became more recognizable. I continue to do Portrait Photography, but my signature style is what I’m most known for.
My concepts are inspired by the femininity of women and nature, always surrounded by flowers. The protagonist can be anything from a fairy to a maiden or a nymph surrounded by landscapes that transport us to fantasy worlds.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Being an artist can be difficult when you are starting out, that is why it is hard for us to believe that we can make a living from it, but if you focus on what you consider to be your special gift or style and work to be the best, I believe you can live from what you love. That for me would be the most rewarding aspect, waking up every day knowing that your job is to create.
Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?
I am currently in the process of rebranding. Since the start of the Pandemic, I began exploring my love for floral more in depth. Today I specialize in Photography and Floral Design. Flowers has always been a heavy theme in my photography and my interest grew from there. I learned different techniques to create everything from flower crowns to floral installations.
I started by sending thoughtful gestures to friends and family during 2020 then word of mouth spread, and l was approached by acquaintances and friends alike, about ordering flower arrangements or Terrarium kits. This was when it became a full-blown business, and I created my LLC. Since then, I have been teaching in workshops and I specialized in Micro-Weddings. My floral business is called “Earthy & Whimsical” and I am in the process of changing my website design so that I can combine both specialties into one.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://melinamolina.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melinamolinaphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelinaMolinaPhotography
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdzxEQdwaBvRBZl4rik2hbg/featured
- Other: Floral Design https://www.instagram.com/earthyandwhimsical/
Image Credits
Models: Audrey English Antonieta Arce Ava Wayland Chloe Bergren Holly Griffin Kelsie Clark Madelyn Turner Marlene Collazo Marissa Duran Stephanie Oustalet Credits for some of the photos MUA: Veronica Toledo Makeup Florals: Earthy & Whimsical Wardrobe: Amauri Uscanga , Melina Molina