We recently connected with Melissa Giles and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Melissa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

My father was a photographer and had his own studio in the 70’s and 80’s. Even though he was a creative, he wasn’t supportive of me wanting to go to college for an art degree. Like most parents, he wanted me to aim high and become a doctor or lawyer. I am now 40, have a successful photography business, my own commercial studio space, and am doing what I feel I was always meant to do. Be creative.

I like to tell this story of when I was in one of my college painting classes and the professor said “You will never be successful in art. No one wants your random flowers and fruit. They want pictures of their grand children and dogs and things that have meaning to them.” I remember sitting there thinking “wow, what a de-motivating thing to say to a bunch of young minds” but it was and still is the most honest advice I have ever received. He was right.

You have to think about your audience and what they want. What sets you apart from other artists? What can you offer that nobody does around you? How do you do it better? If you can’t answer those questions, it doesn’t matter how amazing of an artist or creative you are, you will never be successful.

Melissa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Sure! I am Melissa, I love chocolate, wine, and tamales -but not long walks on the beach. My photography journey didn’t actually start till my son was born. Before then, I did head shots and paintings but when he was born, I finally had a muse. I loved photographing him. I was his own little paparazzi. In the beginning, because of so many pregnancy losses, I didn’t get any maternity or newborn photos of him. But, I still have that first “real” image with my camera and it is one of my favorites. When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, I wanted to capture every moment possible. Those moments made me into the photographer I am now. I found my subject, my love, and my drive. I wanted to share the same feeling of pure love and emotion that those images gave to me, to all my clients.

One thing that I believe sets me apart from other photographers is my diverse portfolio and the experience my clients have when working with me. I love to connect with my clients and get to know them so I can capture more of their personalities together as a family. For maternity and newborn sessions, I provide everything including clothing for mom and baby so it’s one less thing for them to think about. My goal is to create a fun, memorable, and most important- stress free experience.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

My goal as a photographer is to create memories in tangible form. I don’t want my clients to keep their memories on a hard drive or a reminder on Time Hop. I want them hung in their home so that when they pass the image I took of dad dancing with his daughter, or of a son holding his mother’s face, that they smile and continue that emotion. But, as a mom of two I also know how difficult that can be so had my husband create a system (BokehPix) where my clients can order everything I have on the walls of my studio (from heirloom prints to canvases and specialty items) straight from their galleries. If local, I love hand delivering the items. It is the greatest feeling for me as an artist to see my client’s reaction to my work in printed form. It is such an amazing, and indescribable feeling.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of clients for me has always been word of mouth. Fostering those relationships with my clients so that they share their experience with others has been a better reach for me than social media or any other outlets. I love when prospective clients call me and say “hey, so and so referred us.” It has taken years to get my name out there and build my brand, but I can honestly say I have worked with some of the best families in Atlanta and can’t wait to continue those relationships.

Contact Info:

• Website: melissagphotos@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissagphotos/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissagphotos
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/melissa-giles-photography-norcross?osq=melissa+giles+photography

Image Credits
Katya Vilchyk