About
MEET MELISSA, THE LADY BEHIND THE LENS
Melissa
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 with my husband, Dekota the horse, & Coco the doberman (my awesome side kick assistant). My main line of work is a Hospital Liaison Nurse with a private Nursing company.
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 some up coming Pre-Christmas photography specials.
Photography packages to come soon ...
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!
So thats my story! So far…
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
AIPP (Australian Industry Professional Photographers)
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
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
Centre for Contemporary Photography (CCP Salon 2018) exhibition
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Sales
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
MCC Photo Book competition (Judged by MGA) (2018)
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Beechworth Asylum Folio Award - Commended
Travel Exhibition - Melbourne Camera Club (2018)
Ballarat International Foto Biennale (2017)
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Frozen Flowers Exhibition/Sales
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Yellow Dot Exhibition & Fundraiser Sales
Creswick Photographic Competition/Exhibition (2017) - Best in Show
BOP Farms and Fields exhibition (2018) - Sales
Strawberries & Cherries Festival Photographic Exhibition (2017)
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
Shot in Port Phillip Photography Exhibition (2018)
Lens Culture (2017) - B&W Finalists