Date: October 28th, 2007
1st degree of separation - Let me start by saying that Melanie Bess is my sister. I am so excited for her and this project. It has been fun to watch Melanie grow as a photographer and chase down her dreams whether it was leaving home, traveling the world, or going to photography school to pursue her dream career. Too many times we let obstacles get in the way of our dreams and Melanie is not one to let that stop her. I hope that you will find her story as inspiring as her work. I have, of course, ordered one of each print. Each one speaks volumes - again the old adage - a picture is worth a thousand words. Some of the 30 images are places I recognize, all are gorgeous compositions, some are new images I haven't seen before but touch me just the same. I have always been envious of the artist talent and eye that Melanie possesses. My hope for each of you that I send this to is that you will be touched and inspired by one or more of the images, that you will be motivated by a story of dream chasing, and that you will participate in what could be a life changing project and a fantastic testament of human connection. I will say no more as I want you to get to the good stuff. Please read on and read all of what is to follow! I guarantee that it is worth it! Best of luck Melanie! I believe in you as always!
DaNel Huggins - 1st Degree
Meridian, Idaho
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About Me - Melanie Bess Hogan
I was born October 28th, 1978 and raised in Southern Oregon, in the small, lovely town of Applegate, located just west of Medford. With three siblings and many cousins living within a mile stretch, most of my childhood was spent outdoors. Whether we were riding bikes, building forts, playing tag, trying to catch crawdads in Thompson Creek, swimming in the Applegate River, sleeping under the stars or helping out with the farming chores, it was an incredible time. My Gram's property stretches just over 600 acres, and 19 of those were certified a Century Ranch in 2003, receiving recognition as being owned and operated as a working ranch for 100 years within my family. I feel so fortunate to have grown up with such history, not to mention the freedom and encouragement to explore the wide-open spaces of the countryside that my family has maintained through hard work and perseverance! I love being a country girl!
I knew I wanted to be a photographer since I was a junior in high school and applied to Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California. Art has been something I have always enjoyed and still-framing moments to later watch come to life again in the darkroom had me completely intrigued! How can you not love it? It is such a magical process! I was forever hooked when I took my first photography class at Southern Oregon University, while also taking the general education classes required to officially enroll at Brooks.
The reality of the financial requirement to follow this passion of photography sank in, and I made the decision to put off going until I could save more money. This is when the notion of becoming a nanny was put in front of me, and within two weeks of checking into it, I was on a plane to meet a family back East. After two years with the same family, and a little money tucked away for Brooks, I had yet another reality to choose, and that was whether or not to see the world. Brooks or the world? This was a no-brainer, as I have always been one for adventure. So I put off Brooks again and spent most of 2000 back-packing overseas. This was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I've ever made, and if you get the chance, DO IT!
Using up all the money I had saved for Brooks while traveling, I was back to square one. So with nearly another two more years of nannying, serving up lattes at Starbucks and saving, I was ready to start. I arrived in Santa Barbara on my 24th birthday and began Brooks just days later. It was a goal set and a goal achieved, well worth the six-year hiatus it took me to get there!
I graduated cum laude three years later with a Bachelor's Degree in Photography, double majoring in Commercial Advertising and Advertising. Even while attending school I was freelancing, along with maintaining my position at Starbucks and being a part-time, live-in nanny. Since graduating I have shot weddings, portraiture, fine art, worked as a studio manager for Door 9 Studios, and had the great privilege of working as the Photo Editor for America's Underwater Treasures, a book put out by Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society.
I jumped at the opportunity to exchange palm trees for pine trees in July 2007 and moved to the Inland Northwest. My move, although partly to escape the high costs of living in Santa Barbara, was to assist my sister Jennifer with her brand new coffee stand, Droolin Dog Espresso, located on Ramsey Road in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Perhaps I wouldn't have thought of this project had I not been on that road trip back from Jackson Hole, and that wouldn't have happened had I not made the decision to share in my sister's new adventures. I am grateful for both!
My goal, besides successfully completing this project and being Debt-Free by 30, is to inspire others! I want to travel, and being a destination photographer is the way to make two of my passions a reality. On the road getting there and when I finally do, need always come my desire to be true to myself and true to others, and in that comes inspiration!
Your thoughts?
Below each post, you will see the word "comments"...if you click on it you can leave me your thoughts, impressions, ideas...good or a good critique, I would love to hear them! Mb
1 comment:
First off Hi Mell!!! I can't believe this is your beautiful work. I have known you since high school and you have always been amazing. You and the girls were always great friends to me. I miss hearing you all call me by my nickname. Where ever you came up with it I will never no. I haven't seen you in forever. How have you been? We must keep in touch. I hope that everyone who see's your work and reads your words gets an understanding of who you are. How wonderful of a person you are. Your kindness is so pure and unimaginable. The distance you go for those around you is amazing. So now its our turn to go the distance for you. Keep up the great work and I will be puchasing some of your work soon. Miss ya and keep in touch. I should retract my earlier statement. I can beleive this is your work. Thats how great you are.
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