Melissa Rodwell, Los Angeles, California
Melissa Rodwell is a Los Angeles-based Fashion Photographer.
We’re especially thrilled to feature the work of Melissa Rodwell here on Folio Hunt. In addition to being a leader in the industry, Melissa also contributes a generous amount of her expertise and time to helping educate photographers worldwide through her blog — the Fashion Photography Blog.
Inspired by the fantasy world depicted in Helmut Newton’s fashion photography, Melissa picked up a camera at 17 and thus began her journey as a fashion photographer. She graduated from Art Center College of Design in January 1987 and embarked on a career that brought her to many new cities and countries and introduced her to an amazing assortment of interesting people. Fashion Photography is all she has ever done as a career. Melissa is working on a new fine art project/series and continues to shoot fashion editorials and advertising campaigns in Los Angeles. She also plans to travel to Milan and Paris this Fall.
Why are you a photographer?
The questions stumped me a bit. I mean, why am I an artist? Because I couldn’t be anything else. Photography called to me when I was really young and I haven’t done anything else since. It’s become a part of who I am and what I do.
What is the key to being a successful photographer/artist?
would say the key to being successful would be to produce amazing work and either have good business skills or work with someone who has good business skills.
If you only had one photograph left to make what would it be?
I’d have to wait and see how I felt in that moment. Probably of myself with the ones I love. But who knows.
Where do you turn for inspiration (what/who inspires you)?
Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Cartier-Bresson. I go back in history to find my inspiration. I also live in the moment and that inspires me as well. Awe inspiring moments.
What was the last project you worked on? What projects do you have planned for the future?
I just did 20 pages of fall fashion editorial for Flaunt Magazine and Genlux Magazine that will come out in September. I have a personal project that I’m working on that will take a few years to produce and I am going to Milan in September to shoot and see the magazines.
Images Copyright: Melissa Rodwell
Melissa’s Exhibit website
Blog
* Thank you Melissa for all you do for the Fashion Photography industry and the community of photographers worldwide.
