This week’s ambassador spotlight shines a light on Melissa Klein of Melissa Klein Photography. Read on to find out more about Melissa, see some of her work, and find out which bluebird chic strap is her personal favorite!
Melissa Klein is a baby, child and family photographer who focuses on fine art portraiture. Her studio is located in St. Paul, Minnesota, but she resides just north of the cites with her husband, two kids and two Siberian Huskies. Self-proclaimed goofball, hockey fanatic, and lover of cold, rainy weather. She loves to travel and listen to live music. If not at work, Melissa can usually be found outdoors with her kids (both the human and furry ones), at the hockey rink or cozied up on the couch with a hot cup of coffee. No matter what she’s doing, she almost always has a camera in hand. To see Melissa’s work, please visit her website at Melissa Klein Photography.
How long have you been a photographer?
It will be 8 years this coming May.
What is the best part of being a being a photographer?
I love meeting new people and helping them create their family’s art. I also like working in my pajamas from home when I’m not at the studio – big perk of the job right there.
How has your photography evolved over the years?
My style has evolved into a more simplistic/minimalist form over the last few years. It’s been great focusing on my clients, their love, the details…and not the next prop I want to buy. Instead, I am purchasing items for a curated studio wardrobe, so I guess if it’s not props, it’s something else.
What made you decide to pursue photogrpahy?
Wanting to take better photos of my own children morphed into something much bigger. I’ve always been interested in photography, even as a child myself, but once I had my own kids it took on a whole new level of obsession. I wanted to capture every little detail, every moment and put them all into albums.
What impact do you want your business to have on others?
Preservation of family history. I feel like there are so many photos taken these days, but not enough quality print work being produced from those images. I offer my clients archival prints and albums, so they’ll be able to look through these images in the future with their children, and their children’s children. I mean, I love uploading to Facebook and Instagram as much as the next person, but who knows if either of those will be around in 20, 50 or 100 years (my guess is no).
What advice do you have to other women who are thinking of starting their own businesses?
Make sure this is really something you want to do. Running your own business is a lot more work than enjoying photography as a hobby. Now that my camera is used mainly for work I barely take it out for fun anymore, but I wouldn’t change a thing. If you have the passion and drive, I say give it a go! Make sure to do your research on the legalities of running a business in your state, get set up and have fun with it!
Which of your business achievements are you most proud of and why
Return clients! 🙂 There’s no better honor than to have people who truly trust to capture their family in photographs,and keep coming back year after year. I have families I’ve been working with for almost 8 years, and I absolutely love it.
What’s your favorite thing about your bluebird chic strap?
I normally wear either black or grey, so this is a nice pop of color. The light tones fit my brand well, too.
I love everything about my strap! I love how well it’s made, how comfortable it is and it’s the perfect length for me.
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Melissa’s ambassador pick, the all-new Soft Sunset, coming to our shops soon!
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Thanks for sharing with us today Melissa and for supporting the bluebird chic brand!
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