Oh hey, I'm Melina.
PHOTOGRAPHER . BUSINESS OWNER . MARKETER . WRITER . MENTOR . MOTHER
I'm so glad you're here.
My journey towards being a professional photographer started while working in a photography lab (developing film!) while studying media/marketing/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, 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.
-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 at a photoshoot, 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
2 hour in-person session
Held across 4 weeks
$1190
Pay in 3 instalments
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.
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
1 hour
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
2 hours
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
1 hour
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
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
1 hour session
Online or in-person Geelong
$690
Pay in 2 instalments
Leave your 1:1 session with Melina having developed a solid foundation to build your thriving photography business.
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
1 hour
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
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 and alongside her, and see the inner workings of just how Melina prompts her models to create beautiful, natural photos.
This session includes a short debrief following the photoshoot and may also include other photographers.
2 hour session
In-person Geelong
from $290
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
Freebie!
Want to level up your Home Family Photo sessions?
Get my go-to shot list!
*COMING SOON*
Done-for-you templates to take your business to the next level
SESSION GUIDE
The guide to you and your sessions that guarantees you bookings, not ghosting.
PREPARATION GUIDE
Hold your client's hand as they get ready for a session with you through this detailed guide.
PREPARATION EMAILS
Tailored to each session type, stay in touch with your clients in the lead up to their session with these emails including styling, printing and advice on much more.
These and more freebies, *COMING SOON*
*COMING SOON*
Done-for-you templates to take your business to the next level
STYLE GUIDE
The guide that will set your photos apart from the rest. Incorporate your style into your client's photos through styling.
CLIENT WARDROBE
How to curate and display your tailored client wardrobe.
AFTER YOUR SESSION
The email template and guide to ensure your clients keep coming back for more, and tell their friends about you.
These and more freebies, *COMING SOON*
Reviews from photographers who've learned 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."
-CLAIRE, CEDAR PHOTOGRAPHY
"Melina is incredibly talented, and it was inspiring to see how thoughtfully she approaches her work. She has such a gift for creating cosy, intimate family shoot experiences, and she does an amazing job of breaking down her process in a way that feels both insightful and approachable. Her passion for storytelling through photography shines through in every detail, and I walked away feeling so inspired. If you ever get the chance to learn from Melina, don’t hesitate—it’s truly something special!"
-ALICIA, ALICIA BURGESS PHOTOGRAPHY
"Melina is an incredibly kind and warm natured teacher. Very knowledgeable with a great rapport with her clients and also her students. So happy to have the opportunity to learn from her. Very much an open book and happy to share her knowledge and experiences."
-KATIE, KATIE JANE PHOTOGRAPHY
"I recently had the pleasure of attending a workshop with Melina, and it was such an incredible experience! She was so supportive, answered all my questions, and shared so much valuable knowledge. I walked away feeling inspired and with so many new insights. I highly recommend her."
-SAMIE, LOWE & CO. PHOTOGRAPHY
"Melina has such a warmth about her that is evident as soon as you meet her.
She is an open book and shares all her tips and tricks from taking a booking right through to delivering a gallery and beyond. Her soft nature makes you feel at ease and comfortable asking questions. I absolutely loved this workshop and highly recommend."
-ANNIE, ANNIE BLOOM PHOTOGRAPHY