Meet Melissa Rae | Photographer and Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Rae and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, how do you think about risk?
I spent a large portion of my life trying to mitigate risks. I followed all the rules, did everything I thought I was supposed to do according to society or what I’d been taught was the right way to do it. I went to school to be an artist and got contract work but didn’t want to take the risk to quit a full time dayjob as I felt like it wasn’t the “responsible” thing to do. So I took work on the side, never fully investing myself into what I really wanted.

Then everything in my life sort of fell apart. Everything I’d been afraid of happening did, despite all the planning I did to avoid it. The straw that broke the camels back was getting robbed in San Francisco. I lost almost all of my work from the previous 5 years. I had to buy new equipment, build new portfolios, essentially start over completely as a photographer.

In a way it was sort of an epiphany, an impetus to propel me into a new life. I realized just how much was out of my control. It totally changed my view of life and my career and risk taking in general. I remember so clearly it hit me when I was snowboarding and about to drop a cornice which I’d never done in my life. And I wasn’t afraid and I marveled at that. I was sitting there on the edge and suddenly had a deeply reflective moment. It was so surreal. I realized I’d just gone through a series of terrible events and survived it, and suddenly I realized I was wasting so much time just existing, not taking risks. Life happens no matter what. So live, risk it all for what you want.

I decided then and there to do all the things I’d always wanted and been to afraid to risk. I bought new equipment and hit the road. I traveled the US solo, visiting every place I’d wanted to go, teaching myself to be a better landscape photographer, healing myself and gaining confidence in both my work and myself as an artist.

That was the beginning of a new life for me. I quit my dayjob (which was my security blanket) and decided to just pursue photography and art full time. And ironically things have sort of just exploded. I recently hit the road for 5 months and chased fall colors around the US and Canada, with intermittent trips back to Colorado where I was booked with jobs each time. I bought a new camera, a new drone, and started expanding my collection of work. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier in my place in life. I have to freedom to be truly creative again.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think most creatives struggle with their brand or how to portray their vision of the world. Though I now mainly do photography I have a BFA in studio art with an emphasis in ceramics. I built large scale installations that invaded the space of the room. Growing up with an identical twin sister (who had the same major and all the same classes in college) I was fascinated with the idea of multiples (being one myself) and peoples reactions to them. How one thing can seem ordinary on its own but interesting if multiplied. I loved the idea of negative space. Of almost being crowded out of a room by the art. I still have this fascination. Ironically it was being a twin, something which is no choice of my own, that inspired my artistic career in the first place. While writing my Senior Artist statement and planning my show I realized my work stemmed from my struggle with finding my own individuality, my own voice as one person rather than part of a pair. And I sort of honored the upbringing of being part of a unit, being viewed as a multiple. I may have switched mediums, but the desire to have a voice was bred here.

I transitioned to photography because I was always drawn to it, because I loved showing how I saw the world. But all art sort of does that, doesn’t it? It’s only the medium that changes with how you portray your vision. I love getting my hands dirty, seeing the physical manifestation of building something from scratch. I rebelled against photography for a bit for this reason, thinking I wasn’t sharing anything in the same way. Once I started to travel this changed. I realized I had a talent for finding scenic places. I wasn’t afraid to travel alone, sleeping in the back of my car so that I could wake up in a different beautiful place everyday. I think as we evolve we change what we contribute to the creative world. It took me time to find my voice in photography but once I did I really started to blossom. I followed the typical route of shooting anything and everything as I learned but once I honed my experience and found what I truly loved I really developed into the photographer and artist I wanted to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Because I’m known for traveling so much I actually get asked by friends (and strangers on social media) what to visit. I usually recommend a combo of both city and mountain tours. We are so close to so many beautiful destinations it’s worth a bit of a drive to explore. I tend to not stay in one place and revisit my favorites but I always start with my hometown. Being a city at the base of the only 14ers in a 100 mile radius, and one of the only ones you can drive to the top of no less, Pikes Peak is a must see. Add in Garden of the Gods, which is magnificent and free to the public and you have an entire day at least, spent outside in some of the most beautiful places in the Springs. The Olympic Museum also just opened, which is a great treat for visitors. End the day with some cocktails and tapas at Shuga’s or Cork and Cask and you have a pretty solid day.

Then I’d drive to the mountains. To Crested Butte, which is my favorite mountain town. Depending on the season I’d SUP on Emerald Lake, mountain bike one of the numerous trails, ski the mountain, wander thru waist high wildflowers or find old mines at the top of Paradise Divide. Then I’d finish the day at Secret Stash with pizza and beer and wander over to Kochevar’s, the oldest bar in CB. This gives a taste of mountain and city living, combining all the wonder and fun Colorado has to offer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to credit Danial James for always believing in me and being the one to push me to take the risks I was so afraid to take. I’m not sure I’d have taken the leap without his encouragement and belief in me. He gave me the courage and the confidence to share the world as I see it.

Website: www.melissaraestudios.com

Instagram: @melissaraestudios

Facebook: Melissa Rae Studios

Image Credits
Melissa Rae Studios