Meet Melody Ochterbeck | Photographer

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

Hi Melody, what are you inspired by?
Beauty. I believe what beauty looks like is different for each of us. I know for me, beauty comes in so many different forms. I see it in creation as I capture stunning (and sometimes hidden) landscapes with my camera. I see it as I photograph couples, who have such love in their eyes for each other. I see it in the laughter of a family as they try to “look natural”. I see it in the smile of the high school senior who has finally completed one journey and is about to start an exciting new one. I feel like I can find beauty in anything as long as I keep my eyes open for it I and that’s one of the things that keeps me inspired every day.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I really love people and I really love to laugh and find joy in anything that I do. Being a photographer allows me to constantly be creative and try new things, which is both scary and amazing!

When I was 5 years old I used to take pictures with my hands of a certain field we would pass coming home from church. I still remember noticing how pretty the old rustic barn looked as the light hit it a certain way and how the cows all around just completed the picture. Ever since then I have been in love with photography. I love getting to capture landscapes that otherwise may go unnoticed. I love getting to capture the authentic love between a couple when doing engagement or couple photos. I love getting to capture the candid laughter of a family. I love getting to capture the excitement of a senior about to step into a new season of life.

Something that is super important for me is to help people feel confident and comfortable in their own skin and help them capture moments in time that they otherwise wouldn’t have.

I’ve learned that with photography you can never compare yourself with someone else, because everyone is different. I have grown so much just in the last 3 years of stepping out and actually starting my own photography business. I’ve learned that having a community of fellow creatives is so important in the growth process. You should never be “too good” to grow in your craft. Since this business doesn’t have a guarantee of a paycheck every other week, I’ve learned it takes a lot of trust and perseverance to continue on, especially in seasons where business isn’t the best. I’ve also learned this, if you are passionate about something and it makes you come alive, it is worth it!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a woman who loves nature and exploring Gods creation so one of the first places I would take my best friend is Jones State Forest. It’s such a beautiful place that I go to write, take photos, and simply walk around and admire the beauty. I would also take her to all my favorite coffee shops, Toute Suite, Hebrews, and Luv coffee to name just a few. We would definitely take a trip to Hermann Park in downtown Houston, which is one of my favorite places to walk around. We would make a trip to the Heights district where there are many fun unique thrift stores and retro shops to explore. The rest of the time we would spend adventuring around the city taking photos and laughing a lot.

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 would like to dedicate it to my family and all my friends in my life who believed and encouraged me to step out and take this huge leap of faith. Also, to the Lord for closing doors and opening the right ones that gave me the push I needed to actually jump into this amazing adventure!

Website: www.melodyannsphotography.com

Instagram: @melodyannsphotography

Facebook: @melodyannsphotography

Image Credits
Melody Ann’s Photography