Today we’d like to introduce you to Melisa Ford.
Melisa, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Going way back, I got my start in photography by accident! After moving to Southern CA in high school, I tried to pick up where I left of with art classes. But I very much disliked my art teacher, and my neighbor happened to have a camera, so I switched gears with her borrowed camera and the rest is history!
While still in college, I stumbled across what would become my niche after asking my pregnant hair stylist to pose for an assignment. I wasn’t prepared for the emotional impact those images would provide her, and was blown away at the positive feedback from my instructors and peers. So, I took those handful of images, created a website, and ran with it. Photographing women was where I got my start almost 17 years ago, and I’m so proud to be providing a life-changing experience for my clients still to this day.
Has it been a smooth road?
The life of an artist is never dull, that’s for sure! I’ve had lots of ups and downs, just like any other business. The struggles I’ve had mostly have to do with the business side of things. Most artists are not business minded, and often struggle because of it. I always knew that art would be part of my life, from very young. But no one could have ever prepared me for how difficult it can be. I’m often alone, so I’ve had to learn self-discipline, which is still a work in progress.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Melisa Ford Boudoir story. Tell us more about the business.
Through boudoir photography, I help women feel empowered and sexy as they learn to embrace their unique beauty and own their fierce femininity. I feel extremely lucky that I’ve found what I love to do in life and that its also my career.
I’m proud that through the life-changing process of a boudoir session with me, my clients often times see their true beauty for the first time ever. For some its a healing process after a life change or recovery from a serious illness. For others, it’s to regain self-confidence that was lost long ago.
Being San Diego’s ONLY exclusive boudoir photographer is probably what sets me apart the most. I only photograph boudoir, and while I’ve definitely shot other genres in the past, female portraiture is where my heart is.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I love that the boudoir photography industry is becoming much more widely understood and popular. I feel as though the enormous amount of education and industry sharing amongst colleagues is hugely beneficial to the quality of work that is being put out there all over the world, and it’s only going to keep getting better and better.
In my opinion, the level of work, the quality of portrait products, and the exceptional customer service that go into running a successful boudoir studio is what is driving this industry to new, higher standards. I see this trend continuing and getting more competitive over the next 5-10 years.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.melisafordboudoir.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melisafordboudoir/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melisafordboudoir/
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