Today, we’re getting to know Melanie Dressel a little bit better! This is part of a series of interviews we will be having with KIKI members. If you would like to be interviewed go to our interview page and answer a few questions!
Website/ Blog: www.melanie-dressel.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/MelanieDressel
1. When and how did the photography bug bite you?
I started taking pictures at Hardcore-Shows in 1996. I wanted to capture the energy of the music and the interaction between musicians and audience. Singalongs, stagedives… all on film and all in black and white. Spent weeks in the darkroom to develop films and enlarge the pictures. For years i refused to take portraits… now I’m a wedding an family photographer and i love it. Life is crazy.
2. Your house is on fire, your family, equipment and pets are safe, but you only have time to take 2 items, what would it be?
Loveletters and some cash.
3. If you could have a conversation with anyone about anything, who would it be and what would you talk about?
Umm, that’s tough! I might be a boring person, but I would choose one of the photographers I admire and would talk about… photography! Surprise!
4. What can you talk about for hours? (apart from photography)
Children, Family, Music.
5. What makes you really angry?
Dishonest people. People that only care about their lives without trying to make the world a better place.
6. You help an old lady load her groceries in her car; only to find out she is extremely wealthy. She wants to buy you something to say ‘thanks’. What would you choose?
An apple? Something really small and cheap.
7. What subject matter do you love shooting?
What i do most: families, children and weddings.
8. If you could only take one lens on every shoot (even if you don’t currently own it), which one would it be and why?
Tough question too. There ist a reason for every single lens I own…I would choose the 24-70 2.8L because it’s a perfect lens for nearly all purposes. As long as there is enough light.
9. Have you ever had one of those embarrassing moments at a shoot? Would you tell us what happened and how you survived?
A priest told the crowd that now, after the ceremony, we all would go “outside in the beautiful bright noon-light to do a remarkable group picture!”.
Not only that the couple and I scheduled this pictures for the late afternoon at the reception location, it was the worst time (noon) and the worst location (the church was surrounded by a cemetery) for a group picture. I tried to explain this to all the guests that asked me where they should stay for the picture. The mother of the bride was a little bit irritated that i did not take the shoot there.
10. What music do you listen to when you have to get through long hours of admin and editing?
I often hear soundtracks like the one from LOST, which is perfect for editing wedding pictures, or audio books.
11. When you have to make big decisions, which do you prefer? “Flipping a coin”, “Comparing the pro’s and con’s” or “going with the flow”.
I’t s a mixture between comparing the pro’s and con’s and trusting own instincts.
12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Traveling with my family in a camper trough california.
13. Give a link to one of your recent shoots that you absolutely loved shooting? Why did you enjoy it so much?
A beautiful, relaxed couple; a sunny autumn day with great light and a unique location…I love this wedding!
