Meet Melissa Stynski | Owner/Photographer – Life Photography by Melissa

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

Hi Melissa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I seem to get asked this question, more then I ever knew I would. When I was a kid, I had this family that I really looked up to. Both husband and wife worked from home, they had two beautiful daugthers, I was lucky enough to nanny for them. I watched this family and truly belived I wanted the life they had. The husband worked for a company from home and the mom owned her own business. She knew she could not afford daycare for her two kids, so she figured out a way to make an income that would allow her the flexibility to stay home with her girls. This was in the mid 90’s that I knew I wanted that same life for my kids one day. Well, as we all know, life does not always go as we hope, or dream. However, through several ups and downs, in 2010, a few years after having my own children, I realized what I wanted to do. What does nearly every first time mom do? They take photos of their babies right? Well, that is where I started for me, when I had my first baby in 2007. In 2011, I started my own photography business. I truly had NO idea what I was doing. I googled everything, asked a few friends and I stubbled through the process. In 2021, I celebrated my 10 year annivsary as a photographer and business owner. So when I get asked “What is my though process behind starting my own business?” I think for me it was simple, find something you love. For me it was moments, memories, time. I loved to look back on the photos and just remember a moment that once was. Photos are something that, though the moment is over, the memories with a photo are something to hold on to. If you are tired to working for someone else, maybe its time for you to work for yourself. It takes a lot of work, a lot of time, a lot of thinking, a lot of networking, a lot of energy and well the list could go on and on….however, it is worth it all! So my best advice, find what you love. If you were to open your own business what would YOU want to do? Don’t listen to what others thing you should do, but what would YOU really enjoy? The journey to entrepreneurship, all starts with an idea, a dream, a goal. Once you find it, go for it! The world is yours. Go and take it!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I will be the first to say, photographing newborns, is NOT an easy job. However, they are my favorite subjects to photograph. What sets me apart from others? I would say it is the amount of time I have been photographing babies. The patience for a newborn, learning the safety of a newborn, the right poses and colors to match with a baby, that does not happen overnight and has taken me years to learn and understand. I got to where I am today with a lot of practice. I also took so many classes from other trained photographers in the industry, NICU nurses, CPR classes on newborns and simply just being a mom. Was it easy? NO. There are many times I wanted to give up. I remember my first newborn took me 7 hours! I wanted to never go back. I overcame the challenge’s of newborn photography, by continuing to photograph, practicing over and over and over again. Some lessons I have learned along the way. Every baby is very different. I have to have a different kind of patience with each baby. And also, every parents is different and expectations are different. What do I want the world to know about my brand and story? Well, to sum it up? I want every newborn parent to know, this journey is not easy but it is extremely rewarding. Being able to take 2-3 hours of your new life as a new parent or maybe if you have even had a few kids already, taking that time to capture the smallest days of your babies life, will truly be a moment you will want to treasure for years to come. Just remember, its never too late for a photo.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Colorado has so much to offer. If I could spend a week with a friend and we could travel around the state. I would have to say, the list below would be a few of my top favorite places. Garden of the Gods Pikes Peak Sand Dunes Estes Park Aspen Vail Breckenridge Glenwood Springs Hot Springs As for places to eat. Goodness, that is a hard choice. I love a good Brewery. Jacks Brewery here in Colorado Springs is one of my favorites. Eating places, the list goes on and on. My favorite, Margarita at Pine Creek.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Through the years, so many people have helped push me a long the way. Friends, family, mentors the list is so long 🙂

Website: www.lifephotographybymelissa.com

Instagram: www.instragram.com/lifephotographybymelissa

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifephotographybymelissa

Yelp: Life Photography by Melissa