Oh hey, I'm Melina.
LEARN WITH ME
My journey towards being a professional photographer started way back when I was working in a photography lab (developing film!) while studying journalism at university.
Fast-forward, and I was leading digital marketing for large-scale brands (think, Kmart) and welcomed my first son, Albie. My life changed so incredibly with his arrival that I knew that my career needed to come back to what ignited me inside.
I picked up my camera and Melina Takes Photos took off in ways I never imagined.
I have been requested to photograph numerous celebrities and brands, been asked to guest write for peer magazines, I've hosted group creative sessions including a maternity photoshoot with 16 women, workshops teaching other photographers my trade secrets, and captured the love stories of hundreds of families across Geelong and Australia.
What I know is that all those years spent developing photos and selling cameras, and all those years crafting my passion for writing and learning the ins and outs of marketing, have given me the solid foundation that enables me to both enjoy every single photoshoot I create (because I know how to use my camera AND my creativity), how to run a successful photography business while parenting three children, and how to sell myself, without the salesy jargon stuff.
I know what it feels like to be alone in starting a photography business. Having a business buddy who has been-there-done-that is an invaluable tool. After requests to tap into my knowledge for many years, I am so excited your here to take your business to the next level with me.
Choose from four options to learn with me below.
LET'S GO!
-MELINA x
“Wow I learned so much and Melina is a such a natural at teaching.”
Featured in...
Gallery Lane Magazine
Edition 21, November 2024
Cover image and featured artist photographed by Melina Takes Photos
Gallery Lane Magazine
Edition 18, August 2024
Feature article written and photographed by Melina Takes Photos
'Melina's Large Scale Creative: Bloom Mother Bloom'
“I walked away feeling inspired and with so many new insights. I highly recommend her.”
Photographers, this is for you if...
- You've got the hang of your camera, now it's time to take the magic you can make with it to the next level
- You're ready to make this side hustle a business, led by your heart and your passion
- You don't know where to start with the foundations for setting up a business like galleries, questionnaires, contracts, guides, print labs, client wardrobe
- You are new to the marketing game and are feeling a little lost
- You want to know how to set up a website, create content, write copy and connect with your people, simply and with impact
- You want to see me in action, learn my prompts and posing techniques to capture those natural, in between moments
- You have a creative passion and idea that you want to bring to life
- You know you can make this passion of yours something more
But, you*DON'T* want to lose the passion you have for photography in the day-to-day of running a business.
Are you ready?
Learn with Melina
It's time to level up your photography business
The intensive 1:1 experience
An intensive 1:1 experience with Melina for the photographer who wants to see first-hand how to create heart-lead, timeless photographs, run a photography session, create the ultimate client experience, establish a reputable brand and deep dive into how to develop a thriving business.
Pre-session preparation
2 x 1 hour online sessions
3 hour in-person session
Held across 4 weeks
$1190
Pay in 2 instalments
What's included?
Pre-session
- Detailed questionnaire to help me to get to know you and your business
- Website and/or social media portfolio review
- Marketing + branding review
Online session I
- Discuss portfolio, marketing and branding insights to provide clarity on your current status and direction
- Discuss how to bring 'you' into your photography sessions and make your business stand out
- Work with Melina to plan a stylised photoshoot to bring your creative vision to life
In-person Session
- Shoot alongside one another in your dream stylised creative photoshoot
- Watch Melina direct and interact with the model/s while you shoot ask questions of her throughout the photography session
- Debrief after the session
Online Session II
- Detailed discussion about the processes involved in running a photography business
- Creating an outstanding client experience
- Ask Melina anything about photography and business
Post session
Ask Melina anything via email for 2 weeks following the 1:1 experience
Bonus Add on
Add on a mini Studio brand photography session to capture images to showcase you and your brand +$250
Leave your 1:1 experience with a stunning collection of images from your dream creative session, feeling prepared and inspired to create beautiful photographs and knowing how to create a successful photography business that is truly you.
Online or in-person 1:1 session
A high level chat with Melina for the photographer who wants to kick their business off in the right direction from the get-go.
Pre-session preparation
2 hour session
Online or in-person Geelong
$590
Pay in 2 instalments
What's included?
Pre-session
- Detailed questionnaire to help me to get to know you and your business
- Website and social media portfolio review
- Marketing + branding review
Online or in-person session
- Discuss portfolio, marketing and branding insights to provide clarity on your current status and direction
- Discuss how to bring 'you' into your photography sessions and make your business stand out
- Pick Melina's brain about anything photography and business
Post session
Ask Melina anything via email for 2 weeks following the session
Bonus Add on
Add on a mini Studio brand photography session to capture images to showcase you and your brand +$250
Leave your 1:1 session with Melina having developed a solid foundation to build your thriving photography business.
Creative shoot along
For the photographer who wants to witness Melina in action at a stylised creative photoshoot, hear her prompts and understand her direction, this is your opportunity to build your portfolio while creating beautifully artistic photographs.
Come along to a creative photoshoot planned and directed by Melina. Shadow Melina in a photoshoot, shooting behind or alongside her, and see the inner workings of just how Melina prompts her models to create beautiful, natural photos.
This session includes a debrief following the photoshoot and may also include other photographers.
2 hour session
In-person Geelong
$590
Pay in 2 instalments
Leave your session with Melina having created a beautiful collection of images to build a portfolio that will inspire your next client to choose you.
Group workshop
*COMING SOON*
Join a duo of local Geelong photographers as they lead a group workshop filled with creativity and fun designed to:
- Provide stunning stylised creative photoshoots for you to capture
- Build your portfolio
- Gain business, branding and marketing insights
- Meet other photographers
1 day workshop
In-person Geelong
Feedback on learning with Melina...
“Melina is a phenomenal mentor and educator. I attended an in home workshop where she ran through her processes. Wow I learned so much and Melina is a such a natural at teaching. Brilliant guidance and she checked in all the time to see how we were going. Highly recommend, she’s a true master of the tog world.”
