Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Markle.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Melissa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Well, they say, God works in mysterious ways and that couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to my photography journey. Some may call me a “Jane-of-all-Trades” because of all the things I did before finding my passion in photography. I’ve taught music (voice and piano) privately, competed and taught as a professional ballroom dancer, and even been the lead paralegal for a 4 attorney office. While holding down these regular jobs, I always had a camera of some sort in my hands. It started as an outlet for me to use my creative nature. In fact, when I started really focusing on my photography, I concentrated primarily on landscapes and things in nature.
Leap forward to 2011, it was shortly after my husband and I got engaged when all of a sudden my love for the art of photography took a turn I never saw coming. That’s when a local photographer whose work I had been following posted on social media that he was looking for a new assistant. Being a bit of smarty pants, I jokingly commented on the post that I could do it. I never in a million years thought I’d get a response, but he asked to see some of my work anyway. I sent off a few photos I had taken recently with a message indicating I was just being sarcastic and not to feel bad if he didn’t like what he saw. As I recall, I even told him that I don’t photography people. He saw something in those couple of images that unraveled a sequence of events leading to a 2-year internship of sorts and lots of education. I assisted him with weddings during that time and eventually when past brides and grooms began to grow their families, the maternity, and newborn sessions were passed directly to me. It wasn’t long before I was photographing family sessions, kids, newborns, maternity and still managing to assist with weddings.
When we moved to the Dallas area, the distance alone prevented that business relationship from continuing. It was after that cross-country move that I knew I couldn’t give it up and had to take the bold step in the faith of starting my own business. I also knew that if I was going to do this on my own I had to be different and offer something above and beyond the standard photography experience. It was through that vision the Melissa Markle Experience was born.
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?
Nothing in my life has been a smooth road but to be honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Shortly after we arrived in Dallas, my husband lost his job. At the time, our son had just turned 1 and we were suddenly in a brand new place far from our family and friends. Starting a new business can be daunting but trying to do it with absolutely no friends or family around and no money coming into the home can feel like a defeat before the starting gun. There were many times even just in the startup process that I would sit and contemplate if it was even worth it. Why was this so important to me? When Melissa Markle Photography was born, we had next to nothing. We had a roof over our head and some food on the table and that was basically it. Every night was a prayer of gratitude for making it through another day and a request for guidance in the days ahead.
Now? We still haven’t reached one of our biggest goals for the business but we see the light at the end of the tunnel. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned even over the last 6 months is to trust the process because even when you have no idea what God is doing, He is always working.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Melissa Markle Photography (and Markle Photo Workshops) story. Tell us more about the business.
We actually have 2 sides to our photography business. Our portrait side, Melissa Markle Photography, specializes in telling your life’s stories through the art of photography. We provide a custom designed, personal concierge-style photography service complete with our signature white glove treatment. From the moment you arrive on our red carpet to the very second your wall art is carefully hung by white-gloved hands, you and your family are treated like the VIP’s that you are. We design your session with you before a piece of camera equipment is picked up and are even able to show you what your images will look like on your own wall in correct sizing before your order is placed. We go above and beyond and often feel like part of the family when the process is over.
The other side of our business is our photography workshops and classes, Markle Photo Workshops. We offer a variety of photography classes for all levels. Our most popular class is our beginners class called “7 Steps to Better Photography.” It’s a 4-hour crash course that takes students from just taking the digital camera out of the box to understanding the buttons, the language and even using the camera in manual mode like the professionals. My goal with the workshops is to give our community, our students, access to the very best photographic education available that takes them beyond the basics. I want them to take complete control of their camera and experience the joy of their peak level of creativity!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not a big believer in luck. I think we are all on a divine-steered journey together and sometimes those journeys coincide with each other. People come into our lives at just the right time and for just the right reasons. I guess some people call that luck.
Contact Info:
- Address: 25 Noble Ct., Ste #119
Heath/Rockwall, TX 75032 - Website: www.MelissaMarklePhotography.com and www.MarklePhotoWorkshops.com
- Phone: 214-489-7782
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Main photo by Debbie Martin
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