Hi I’m Melody! I’m a senior portrait photographer here in beautiful Sonoma county!  I have three amazing wild & busy, toe headed little girls and a husband who just might loose his mind when they are all in high school.   Growing up in beautiful Mendocino,CA  I was blessed to be surrounded by such beauty on a day to day basic.  Our high school over looked the ocean and everyone knew everyone, it was AWESOME. So when Michele asked me to host I jumped for joy at the chance to share my beautiful home town with you.

[Mkay, Michele butting in here, but isn’t she just all sunshine and everything California??? I adore Melody with Melody White Studios in Santa Rosa, CA and I couldn’t be more thrilled to get to hang with her again at her home base in Northern California this summer. Read her interview below to get some insight as to how she’s made her business such a success and how she feels about hosting a Pinkle Toes Photography workshop in August. Now back to Melody…]

What makes your photography business unique to you?
I have build my business by learning to say NO to shoots that I didn’t feel represented myself or the direction I wanted to go.  Even though I own a camera it doesn’t mean I have to shoot everything.

Best thing about being a photographer? 
About three years ago I decided it was time for me to “specialize”  in one area of my photography and it didn’t take me long to realize I was the happiest when photographing teens.   It has been such a rewarding experience seeing these young girls look at their images for the first time and feel truly beautiful (something their parents and I saw from the get go).  Working with teens to me isn’t about just that one day they are in front of my camera, they have become apart of my everyday life and that’s a pretty awesome feeling.

Toughest thing? 
As nice as it is to be the “boss” it also it quite stressful.  One of my toughest things was learning to balance everyday life and work.   Having three little girls with crazy schedules finding time for them, my husband, church and friends has been quite challenging.

If you could photograph anyone/anything in the world (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
My husband comes from a large family there are 6 of them all together 4 boys and two girls!  15 years ago his older brother passed away (before I was in the family).  Then 7 years ago he lost his younger brother.  My “One” photography wish would be to take just one more photo of them all together…..just one.  That would be pretty awesome.

Why does Mendocino, CA ROCK for serving as a host town for a workshop?
A little fun fact about Mendocino is that its not a town at all they still consider it a village, cool right! It has a population of almost no one and stays alive because its one of the top total travel destinations in the US.  Mendocino sits on the beautiful Pacific coast cliffs in Northern California about 3 hours North of San Fransisco.   Many famous movies have been filled here such as Overboard, The Karate Kid 3, Dyeing Young, Forever Young and Murder She Wrote.  Mendocino is BEAUTIFUL there is no other place in the world like it.  PROMISE.

If you could describe your business in 3 words prior to the Pinkle Toes workshop, what would they be? 
Unorganized, Unmotivated and Unstructured

And what about after? 
Confident, Motivated and a clear vision about my business.

Best part of your Pinkle Toes Workshop experience? 
Before I attended The Pinkles toes workshop I had been to two other workshops.  I left both workshops feeling like I was just a paycheck to them. There was no personal connection, no interest in my work and helping ME become a better photographer.  SOOOO you can image when I told my husband that there was this ONE MORE workshop I wanted to attend. He was a little apprehensive and so was I.

Never-the-less, I look a leap of faith and pressed the Pay Now button said a little prayer that this workshop would be different and before I knew it I was off to Texas.  BEST DECISION EVER!  Michele not only answered every question I had she also cared about MY business and how to make it better.  After the workshop was over, we face-timed and Michele answered any more questions that I might have missed.  My whole experience at the Pinkle Toes workshop was amazing.  Plus the added bonus was all the amazing friendships I took away.

Most challenging part?
Honestly Michele is a great teacher and I felt like there wasn’t a hard part at all.

Advice to anyone who attends the workshop you’re hosting? 
I’m just excited for you to all fall in love with my beautiful home town of Mendocino and witness first hand how amazing the Pinkle Toes workshop is!

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Thank you so much, Melody, for your honest and kind words, my friend. I can relate to you on so much of what you discussed here. I know we are going to have a fun and productive time at all of the workshops coming up this year! Side note: On April 1st (#pinkletoesworkshopnojoke), I will be sending out info regarding a VERY SPECIAL OFFER on the 2014 workshops, so make *sure* you’ve signed up to get workshop info so you won’t miss out!

Meanwhile, here’s a sampling of some of Melody’s AMAZING work and make absolute certain you become a fan on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram, too!