We were lucky to catch up with Melissa Campos recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa , thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Photography is a happy accident. Photo has never been something I pursued since my background is primarily in Performing arts and beauty/style. But after a trying season of life I wanted to try and “reset” my brain by learning something I had never done- so I purchased a camera.

To help aid my learning process, I watched you-tube videos, read camera forums and just shot A LOT with anyone who would let me. Though the most unexpected thing I did that would prove most helpful in my journey was creating an instagram account full of photographers I could earn from. Using instagram as a tool for connection and learning (and eventually advertising) was essential to my success.

The great thing about using Instagram as a tool for learning was the ability to make the world smaller. I’d ask questions from people I follow that lived hundreds if not thousand miles away or just right down the road without ever having leave my house. My delivery was simple, “Hi! I really love your work and am trying to learn how to take photos myself. Could you help me…” or “I’m new to photography and would love to know more about how you took this photo!” Many times photographers were eager and willing to help and loved chatting about their work.

After a few years of continually posting people I shot for free, I began to inquiries about how I took the photos or if I would shoot with their families! Thus, my journey into photography began. Every year I’d gain new followers and new clients until 2021 where I made my business official.

I’d say the biggest obstacle into learning photography is cost. Photo is not a cheap thing to “pick up” lenses, camera bodies and editing software costs money and the investment to begin can be large if a person isn’t careful. To combat this I like to tell those who want to start that, no one cares if your gear is new or old- so by used. In my few years I’ve been doing this I’ve only been asked a handful of times if my camera body was “brand new” otherwise, no one cares.

Additionally I think having a thick skin for criticism is important. Posting your work for feedback and potential critique can be nerve wracking and developing the idea that not 1) not everyone will appreciate your work and 2) learning from the critiques you receive can help you process the feelings of imposter syndrome and “lack of followers/clients” early on.

I’m always learning and I think photography is something that will always be evolving for me. I do my best today to try different styles, techniques and genres so that I can expand my learning. In fact- I took my first actual photography class just last fall at the community college. The class was online, affordable and super great to learn basics that I could really focus on. If I could do it all over again, I probably would start with a class like this!

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 the owner of Melissa Campos Photography where I focus on branding, lifestyle and photography workshops.

My life has not always been about photo though, for many years I worked as a Makeup Artist in San Francisco and a Personal Stylist (also in The Bay). I picked up my camera in 2018 and since have shot with hundreds of people, collaborated with dozens of businesses, shown work with several galleries and appeared on television! I’ve helped businesses create content for their social media channels, models create portfolios and families create memories.

At the time of writing this article I have just completed my 6th workshop since 2022 where I curate everything from sets to models and invite photographers to shoot, create content and meet other photographers in the area. I’ve always wanted to be able to put my skills in makeup, fashion and now photo together and being able to see relationships flourish from these workshops have been an added bonus and fills my passion for connecting people. I’m incredibly proud that many of these workshops are low-cost to no-cost as I have a firm belief that learning should be accessible to everyone!

When I’m not shooting I’m a Mom with two boys, I sit on a board for a local non-profit called Give Every Child a Chance as well as host a free support group for mothers! I hold a bachelors in human development with an emphasis in women’s development and am incredibly passionate about Motherhood and women navigating multiple hats at one time. I like to lead by example and show that I can do many things well but also am human and do know when to pull back.

Currently I’ve been exploring gallery work and have recently shown in Sacramento. I hope to do more shows in the future. Potentially my own show! But for now, I’m happy where I am in business and life. I love what I do and am so happy that photo found me.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I dropped out of college when I was 19 to pursue acting in Hollywood. My parents were horrified and as a parent myself today, I’m horrified that I even did that, too. But looking back, I wouldn’t change it. It set me on a trajectory toward learning to pivot, saying no to what I didn’t want and focusing hard on my goals.

The longer I stayed in LA and did extra work for TV, took classes in dance and hustled with agents for work, the more I realized that life was not for me. It was not something I enjoyed nor wanted after a while so I decided that I wanted to learn makeup- since I got my makeup done all the time on set- why not learn to do it myself?

And so I pivoted and learned makeup, moved to San Francisco (after a brief relocation home) and became a Makeup Artist. Did fashion shows, photoshoots, weddings and more with a large retailer.

But then I met my husband. Who lived in my hometown and I pivoted again. This time trading a life in the city for something more simple in the suburbs, a home and eventually my children.

And again, I needed to pivot, pivot, pivot…until I found myself here, today. Will there be another Pivot in the future? Most likely, yes.

I didn’t have a degree to fall back on early in my life so I had to work extra hard to ensure that the decisions I was making made sense financially and strategically. Once I did get my degree my pivots became less about me and more about my family but I still have a sense of focus, direction and adaptability so my husband and I can provide the best possible future for ourselves.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most satisfying moment for me in my career as a photographer thus far is being able to provide spaces for others to learn and grow. For much of my life I was in a place financially where attending workshops was too expensive, framing my work to be showed was out of the question and purchasing gear was a huge strain on the budget. So today, being able to create a space for others without having to worry about the details is a huge sense of joy to me. I know what it feels like to “hustle” for an opportunity and the shame that sometimes comes from not being to afford things so eliminating that financial barrier for other people no where they are in their journey feels SO SO good.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.melissacamposphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissalikesphotos/?hl=en

Image Credits
The two photos of me; Aubrie Barr Photography (edited by Melissa Campos Photography)