Meet Melissa Long

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Long.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have always loved taking pictures, whether it was something in nature or of people. However, I would just take pictures for fun. Never did I imagine I would turn my love for photography into a business. I thought my path was already set out for me. Let me explain…When I was ten years old, I was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer. I was given a 20% chance of survival. I made a deal with God that if He healed me of my cancer, I’d go back and help other people going through the same thing I did. Not only did I keep that promise by going to school to be a nurse, but I dedicated my life to volunteering at childhood cancer events or for childhood cancer foundations. I became obsessed with pouring into the childhood cancer community. It brought me so much joy and it felt so good to be living out what I felt was my purpose in life. After graduating college, I started working as a pediatric oncology nurse.

After a few years of doing this, I realized it was starting to take a big toll on me. I absolutely loved what I did but it’s not an easy job at all. I had lost numerous children I really cared for and because I could relate so closely to what these children and families were going through, I also struggled with every new diagnosis. Even if the child was fortunate enough to survive, the journey they endured along the way was so hard and it was emotionally and mentally draining to watch that journey over and over again. I decided that I needed some sort of a happy outlet to allow me to continue doing what I loved but to be able to also distract myself from thinking about those precious children and their families all the time. So, I started taking more pictures. I would ask friends or families to model for me and before I knew it, my hobby had turned into a small business. It became my escape from the reality of childhood cancer and allowed me that outlet I was so desperately searching for. In the process of starting this business, I fell in love with capturing beautiful memories for people. I leave each of my photo sessions on a high because I love what I do and I love even more the people I get the privilege of meeting as a result of this business.

Please tell us about your art.
I specialize in teen and high school seniors. After I finished treatment for my cancer, I had a really hard time adjusting back into normal life. I was bullied and made fun of for being bald as well as treated differently because of what I went through. Because of that, I’ve always been more in tune to how people are treated, especially those in middle and high school. I love this age group and felt like I could be a good, positive role model for them as well as get down on their level and relate to them because it wasn’t too long ago when I was their age, going through many of the same things they deal with. My goal is to make each of my clients feel and look amazing. Professional hair and makeup is included for each of my girl clients so they can get pampered and feel extra beautiful for their shoot. I aim to make them comfortable and relaxed. I’m a big goofball so it’s pretty easy for me to make my clients laugh. I love capturing candid shots!

Photography is so much more to me than just capturing a beautiful picture. I want to develop a relationship with each of my clients and their parents. I want their experience to be so fun, laid back and memorable that they continue to talk about it months down the road. Even though we are in a digital age now, I feel like having high quality, professional artwork is a must. So, with that being said, I don’t just offer digitals. My packages include albums, canvases and large prints so that my clients can display these in their house and have something tangible and beautiful to look at on a daily basis.

What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
I can only speak to photography. It’s a very saturated market now which makes things harder. There are a lot of people that call themselves photographers because they have a nice camera but photography is so much more than just having a nice camera. You have to know how to use the camera, adjust your settings based on different lighting, know how to pose your clients properly, know what outfits look best together and have a skill in post processing too. My photos straight out of the camera are nice but once I’m done editing them, they are gorgeous. Unfortunately, these “fauxtographers” make it hard to compete with because they charge $50 a session and include all of the digitals. Trying to explain to clients why it’s worth investing in me as opposed to paying $50 for an entire session can be a challenge sometimes.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My website is www.melissalongphotography.com and I’m on Instagram (www.instagram.com/melissalongphotography) and Facebook (Melissa Long Photography). People can support my work by sharing my pictures or referring me to teens in middle or high school. On top of photographing high school seniors, I love photographing quinceaneras or sweet sixteen.

Contact Info:

• Address: Melissa Long
• Website: www.melissalongphotography.com
• Phone: 540-533-7130
• Email: melissa.longphotography@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissalongphotography
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/melissalongphotography

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