Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Hower.
Hi Melanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In high school, I took a film photography class and immediately fell in love with photography. As I progressed into senior year and eventually college, I found myself loving psychology as well. I never thought I could put the two interests together until my professor said to me, “You have that left brain, right brain thing going on. You should be an art therapist”…. and so that’s what I did!
Through my years of being an art therapist, I never stopped taking photos, although it was just a hobby for awhile. During the pandemic, I took a digital photography course because I only knew how to shoot film. And as it happens, I was asked by friends and family to take photos for them…. until it became more of a job than a hobby!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It certainly hasn’t been the smoothest. The photography field is quite oversaturated in my area, so it was tough to find my style without comparing myself to other photographers. It’s tough to not have imposter syndrome entering the photography world.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I originally saw my ‘art therapist’ identity and my ‘photographer’ identity completely separate, but as I started shooting more weddings and engagements, I realized my art therapist self often sneaks itself in to my photography work. I think being a therapist has truly helped me become a better wedding photographer. As you can imagine, wedding days can be stressful and come with lots of emotions. I am literally trained in holding space for them, and I’ve had to use my therapy skills at weddings I’ve shot! I’ve helped couples set boundaries with complicated loved ones, I’ve helped calm a bride down before her anxiety developed into a full blown panic attack… I even taught a bride how to belly breathe during family speeches. Of course I have to give the disclaimer that I’m not actually the couple’s therapist, but I am using the skills with them that I often use with therapy clients.
What are your plans for the future?
I would love to move into more micro weddings and elopements, rather than large weddings. Being an introvert, I thrive when it’s a small enough wedding where I don’t need a second shooter. So no big changes, just hope for a shift!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melaniehowerart.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/@melaniehower_art
