Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Minkner.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was an artist even as a child and as I got older it was always my dream to be a photographer. I started with film photography in middle school and never took my hands off a camera since! As college approached, I was pressured to pursue a more “stable” career path. I was told by friends and peers I would never make money being a photographer, and that if I did what I loved for a living, I would not love it anymore. With the lack of support, I chose the path of another of my passions- veterinary medicine. I moved out when I was 19 and struggled to juggle being a full time college student, work enough to make rent and attempt to start a photography side gig.
In the depths of my struggles six years ago, I had a realization one day that brought me to my knees. That realization was that the only thing that brought me joy was photography. Right after that realization, I dropped out of college only 1.5 semesters away from my Bachelors of Science. I was overwhelmed with a sea of disappointment from my family and closest relationships. Over the next three years, I fought for my dream. I had no mentors. No money. And low grade equipment. I had nothing except ambition.
Today I am a full time profitable business owner and photographer of luxury mountain weddings and boudoir. My path was not easy, and it took a very long time to get here on my own. But that path has made me the artist, and person, I am today.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I had many struggles. I would say the biggest one was that I just winged it. I didn’t know what I was doing and I developed my own processes. Without having any type of mentor, I didn’t know until much later about the equipment and software that existed that would have made my progress a LOT faster and easier. Another thing that I felt may have helped other photographers succeed was popularity. I didn’t know a lot of people so getting started was on a smaller scale for me.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Melissa Brielle Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
There are two specialties within my photography business: 1) Wedding photography for romantic mountain weddings 2) Boudoir Photography for women.
Now the other thing that I am particularly well known for in Colorado Springs is Boudoir. Boudoir is a fancy word for sensual and provocative women’s portraiture. I have created a masterpiece of a studio in Colorado Springs, where I provide an empowering experience for women. My boudoir work is clean and tasteful, while still being insanely evocative. I think that all speaks for itself!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
The bad luck has made me a stronger artist and business owner. I don’t think there was ever a time I had good luck!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.
melissabriellephotography.com https://melissabrielleboudoir. com/ - Email: melissabrielle@yahoo.
com - Instagram: @
melissabriellephotography @melissabrielleboudoir - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ Melissabriellephotography/ htt ps://www.facebook.com/ mbpboudoir/
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