About
WHO IS BEHIND THE LENS?!
Melissa Jane
PHOTOGRAPHER
Coco
ASSISTANT
WELCOME TO MY WEBSITE
Melissa Jane is the name behind the brand Sweet Magnolia Photography. I reside near a pretty little town called Bacchus Marsh on the outskirts of Melbourne, Victoria with my husband, Dekota the horse, & Coco the Doberman (my awesome side kick assistant). I am a Registered Nurse with many years of Acute Nursing experience (Neurosurgery being my speciality) Photography is my passion my outlet & lets me see the hidden beauty that is around us everyday..
I love nothing more than grabbing my camera & heading to explore regional Victoria.
Lets face it, we are totally spoilt for good coffee & cafes. Some of the best farmers markets are within an hour of Melbourne & I am lucky to have some of them on my doorstep! you might even find me setup with a stall at a few local ones... Keep an eye out for Me!!
A BIT ABOUT HOW I GOT HERE
Photography has been in my life for as long as I can remember. Not like it is today, but I always owned a camera growing up. It wasn’t until some much needed soul searching after some life changing events that I decided I needed something more, so I looked into Photography courses and found Photography Studies Collage in the city, this was life changing.
After 2 years studying Bachelor of Photography at PSC I have recaptured my passion for photography, the challenge to produce a body of work or capture landscapes at sunrise seen me getting out and enjoying what was around me again, capturing that beauty that was always around but unseen.
Photography is the medium of choice for my creative expression, I still get excited about the power and magic of Photography and its ability to capture my own unique perception of the moment in a form that I can share with others.
While my photographic subjects vary widely, I am often drawn to landscapes and object’s from the past such as anything abandoned, but I also love flower art and the creations that can be captured in my home studio.
WHERE TO FROM HERE
To continue on my photographic journey creating visual art for all to enjoy. I will be constantly adding new work to my online shop & also adding any projects I am involved with along the way. So keep an eye out for upcoming Markets & special events throughout the year.
HOW I CAME UP WITH THE NAME
Sweet Magnolia Photography was created late last year after a certain tree on our property decided to flower after 7 years of being dormant (the tree was destined to be pulled out). A beautiful big white magnolia bloomed, as big as my hand “It just came to life” … and that was the start of my new business name!
My Website is forever "Under Construction"
New Greeting Card Designs to be added and some of my most popular sellers will be back in stock mid 2020
You can follow me here via Instagram to keep up to keep up to date with what's happening with Sweet magnolia Photography
@sweetmagnoliaphotography_mjane
@melissajane_images
Photography is an art of observation.
It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.
- Elliott Erwitt
You don't take a photograph.
You make it.
- Ansel Adams
Awards & Memberships
MEMBERSHIPS
APS Australian Photographic Society
MAVA Melbourne & Victorian Artists
AIPP (Australian Industry Professional Photographers)
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emerging member
MCC (Melbourne Camera Club)
MGA (Monash Gallery of Art)
CCP (Centre for Contemporary Photography)
IPA (International Photography Awards)
Capture Magazine
Focus Australia
Lens Culture
Life Framer
BOP Artists Meredith
AWARDS EXHIBITIONS EVENTS
Ballarat International Foto Biennale
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Yellow Dot Exhibition & Fundraiser 2020
Australian Photographic Society Australian Cup 2019 APSCON
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Judges Choice Medal
Melbourne & Victorian Artists CFA Fundraiser Art for Donation 2020
International Womens Day Exhibition at the Melbourne Camera Club 2018 2019
Melbourne Camera Club end of year Photography Exhibition 2018 2019
Leigh Hawke Trophy B Grade Aggregate Prints 2019 MCC
Capture Magazine Australia’s Top Emerging Photographers 2018
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Top 20 for Ice Flower Folio
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Highly Commended for Beechworth Asylum Folio
Australian Photographer of the year 2018
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Commended B&W Folio Train Depot
Australia's Top Photographers Emerging Student 2018
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TOP 20 #16 Frozen Flower Folio
Australias Top Photographers Emerging Student 2018
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Highly Commended Beechworth Asylum Folio
Rotary club of Bacchus Marsh 49th Art Exhibition & Sales 2019
Shot in the City of Port Phillip Photography Exhibition Held by the Melbourne Camera Club 2018 ( Book of images )
Travel Photography Exhibition MCC 2018
Centre for Contemporary Photography CCP Salon 2018 exhibition
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Sales
Centre for Contemporary Photography CCP Salon 2019 exhibition
Nature Photography Exhibition Melbourne Camera Club 2019
Focus Awards 2018
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1 Silver & 9 Bronze awards
Royal Melbourne Show 2018
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Won Best in Show & also 1st place in the Pet photography category
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1st place Natural Environment
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2nd place Experimental Photography
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Highly Commended & Commended
Royal Melbourne Show 2019
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Multiple Awards in set Categories
Skipton Photography Show 2019
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Multiple Awards in set Categories
Bacchus Marsh Flower & Garden Show 2018 & 2019
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Best in Show
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Multiple awards in set categories
MCC Photo Book competition (Judged by MGA) 2018
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Beechworth Asylum Folio Award - Commended
Best Creative Print 2018 MCC
Photo essay Print of the year 2018 MCC
Travel Exhibition - Melbourne Camera Club 2018
Ballarat International Foto Biennale Artist 2017
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Frozen Flowers Exhibition/Sales
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Yellow Dot Exhibition & Fundraiser Sales x 2 Prints
Ballarat International Foto Biennale Artist (2019)
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Asylum Walkthrough
Creswick Photographic Competition/Exhibition 2017 Community Bank Winner-
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Best in Show
BOP Farms and Fields exhibition 2018 - Sales
Strawberries & Cherries Festival Photographic Exhibition (2017)
International Photography Awards 2018
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Honourable Mention (Still Life Immortal)
International Photography Awards 2017
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Honourable Mention (Still Life)
Post Card Project 3340 2016
Trentham Winter Show/Sales 2016
Bacchus Marsh Flower & Garden Show 2018
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Won Best in Show
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1st , 2nd place flower category, 1st ,3rd place tree/shrub category
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2 highly commended
The Print Swap 2017
Lens Culture 2017 - B&W Finalists