May 2010 Featured Photographer of the Month

Who is Melissa Diep?

Melissa Diep was born in Saigon, Vietnam.  Her family fled their homeland shortly after the United States pulled out of the Vietnam War, and Saigon fell to the communist North.  Often referred to as “Boat People,” her family spent 10 days at sea on a tiny, cramped fishing boat until they reached a refugee camp in Thailand.  They spent a year and a half in the over crowded camp, which lacked many basic necessities such as running water, while awaiting sponsorship to the United States.  In 1980, a Jewish family from Skokie, Illinois, answered their prayers.  Melissa has been a resident of Chicago ever since.  Her family’s journey has shaped who she is today.

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Connect With Melissa

Website :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Blog

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::  Photography Style  ::

Much of Melissa’s style sense is influenced by her fresh, creative perspective and passion for capturing extraordinary moments.  Employing a photojournalistic approach, the result is photos with stunning visual impact, that are natural and unscripted.  This dramatic storytelling ensures the moments and memories of each event are forever treasured and preserved. 

Melissa hearts…

• Her family
• Her Giant
• Chicago
• Dresses and shopping for dresses
• Food with LOTS of flavor
• Her Mini (aka The Red Baron)
• Traveling
• Gossip Mags
• The show 24 (Jack Bauer is the man!!!)
• Dancing

What equipment you do you use?

Nikon d700.  Patiently waiting for the new d700 replacement.  I shoot with a variety of lenes but my favorite are fast prime lenes.  Since I’m so tiny, carrying all these equipment can get really hard so i pack everything into my think tank roller.  I try to keep my lighting system very simple so it’ll be easy for me to carry around.  I love my 24″ iMac!  For post production, I use Photoshop CS4 (can’t wait for the new cs5) for my edits, lightroom 2.6 to organize my events, and Nik Software.

How long have you been shooting?

I’ve been shooting for awhile but got serious about 2 years ago

Where are you located?

Chicago, Illinois

What type of photography do you take?

I shoot high end weddings, but i do shoot portraits, boudoir, fashion, etc.

Price Range of Events?

Weddings -$4000-$8000

Lifestyle session-$200 plus prints

When did you notice you had a passion for Photography?

I’ve always had a passion for photography.  I think it started from around my high school years.  It wasn’t until a few years ago was when I decide to follow my heart and do this full time.

What is unique to what you do?

Gosh, I would say it’s probably my relationship with all my clients.  After documenting such an important day of their life, i end up being really good friends with every single one of my clients.

What’s the funniest thing that ever happened during a shoot?

I fell off a tree while shooting a lifestyle session.  When my clients ran over to see if i was ok, i was still lying on the ground checking on my camera to see if it’s been damaged.  They got a good kick out of that.

Best moment of your photography career?

Shooting Gary Sinise when he was in town for operations save our troops.  It was really touching to see him comforting these families that lost their love ones during the war.

Past Featured Photographers:

2009

February : March : April : May : June : July : August : September : October : November : December

2010

January : February : March : April

*Are you interested in becoming a featured photographer of the month with PhotoBiz?

Send an email to: Blogger [at] photobiz [dot] com. Include a paragraph stating why you think that you should be considered for this feature and a link to your website. (You must be willing to submit an interview and video testimonial if you become featured)