Melanieinterview
An interview with the beautiful Oregon-based model, Melanie and a selection of her work, enjoy!
Know more about Mel at instagram.com/melayyynie
How would you describe yourself in a few words?
I’m very easy going. It’s hard to get on my bad side & it’s hard to to get off my bad side once you’re there if I don’t see the potential there to actually work as friends.
How long have you been a model?
I started modeling at the end of October in 2015
How did you get into modelling?
I am super into landscape photography as a hobby and when a videographer named Gavin Millette from LA saw some of my work he asked for collab on a shoot. He also suggested that I try modeling & after I agreed, he helped me set up everything up. & when I say everything I do mean e v e r y t h i n g. He taught me everything I know about the modeling game & how to go about it all.
How was your first shooting? Tell us a bit about that first experience.
My first day of shooting was with Claire Thorington & Ryan Mckinnon. Even though they were two separate shoots I think of them as one since I literally drove from shooting with Claire to meet up with Ryan. Naturally, I felt very awkward posing & unsure of myself. They were both great, talking me up to relax a bit (I don’t think any amount of praise would have made me feel totally at ease that day) & loosen up. I still very much so enjoy shooting with them now.
What does modelling mean to you?
Modeling to me is telling a story. There is an endless amount of concepts, looks, poses, angles, captions, makeup, hair etc. that go into a photo. Everything is perfectly placed to create the story trying to be told.
A model you particularly admire?
Hmm.. I used to try to pick one or narrow it down to a few but I feel like I always find something to admire in each model. I can’t choose. Although I will say the more versatile a model is, the more impressed I am by her.
If you could choose, where would you like to shoot?
Somewhere warm, preferably the beach.
What is your dressing style in everyday life?
That all depends on where I am going & what I’m doing. Sometimes I’m lazy & relaxed & other days I get all dolled up.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
That’s hard because I feel like you don’t truly know what a place is like until you’ve lived there for a while. The people, the place, the politics, the culture etc. I guess I need to travel the world for long periods of time before I figure that one spot out.
What is happiness?
I think happiness can’t be defined by one person. Although since this interview is about me, I’d say my happiness would be having people in your life you can exchange the good, the bad & the ugly about yourself. No walls, no secrets, just raw thoughts & they stick around. A true unconditional love I guess, with family, friends & eventually a guy.
Where can we find you on a Friday night?
I’m usually just hanging out by myself. Maybe that’s somewhat due to the last question hahaha. I’m pretty reclusive & keep to myself. However, if my immediate family lived closer I’d hang with them more often. I don’t want to make it sound like I don’t enjoy people because I truly do, but I’m one of those people who feels drained after spending a lot of time with anyone. I need to recharge after a lot of superficial conversing.
What’s your next goal?
Aside from one day being paid full time to model, a goal of mine is to kind of force those meaningful conversations to happen more often instead of just going with whatever is being said & not speaking on my true thoughts.
Credits
Header, 1 to 4: by Claire Thorington instagram.com/clairethoringtonportraits– www.clairethorington.com
5 to 8: by Christian Peña instagram.com/christianpena.photos