I am thrilled to introduce you to Melissa of
Z. Noelle Photography.
Z. Noelle Photography {LISTmember}
is a boutique photography specializing in newborns, children and families. Located in Denver, Colorado, and owned by Melissa Downham, provide personalized, custom photography with a fine art flair.
When and why did you start your business?
Z. Noelle Photography started out as Melissa Photography in Chicago, Illinois, photographing weddings. Weddings were the primary focus from 2003 to 2011. In 2011, owner and photographer Melissa Downham changed the focus exclusively to portraits and rebranded as Z. Noelle Photography, named after her daughter, Zoe Noelle.
How did you learn your craft?
I attended the College of DuPage after college and earned an associates in photography technology.
Describe you photographer style and approach to portraits/sessions.
When approaching a session, I spend a lot of time finding out what the client is looking for and how I can fulfill that with the best location and light. I try to look at each session as an art form and use natural light creatively. I also consider post processing part of that art form and visualize where I want an image to go as I'm taking it. Each image is hand edited.
What or who inspires you?
My inspirations are my two children and husband. Both of which I could not live without.
Any awards or features/publications?
My images have been featured in Two Bright Lights blog, Boundary Stone Baby blog and Love and Wander blog. I have fine art commissions hanging in Shay Financial, Chicago; Shear Pandemonia, Chicago; and several private collections in Chicago and Santa Fe.
Favorite location to shoot?
There are so many fabulous locations in Colorado, but I love Westerly Creek Park, Bluff Lake Nature Center, The Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge and any open space between Golden and Boulder.
If you could shoot anywhere in Colorado, where would it be?
I would love to do more shoots in the mountains, but the drive kills me!
Advice for a family planning a portrait session?
My best advice for a family planning a session is to relax and trust your photographer. Don't feel like you have to match perfectly and children have to behave perfectly. We have seen it all and I can make any situation work.
Where did you grow up and how did you end up in Colorado?
I grew up in Wilmette, Illinois, attended collage at University of Colorado--Boulder, then moved back to Chicago for 11 years. In 2008, my husband, also a CU grad, got a job overseas so we lived in the middle east for three years and then he got a job here. We jumped at it as we had been planning to make it back to Colorado eventually.
Here are a few of her favorite images. Check our more on her website:
Z. Noelle Photography
Leave A Comment