About Melissa


melissa-jentzsch-mj-photography.jpg

I have been interested in photography for as long as I can remember. When I was in high school my father gave me his old camera. It was clunky, heavy, and out of date but I loved it. I wandered around my hometown taking pictures of everything. I felt alive. Even though my gear is much nicer these days, I still get that same feeling every time I head out to shoot.

mj-photography.jpg

A few years back I had a pretty serious brush with death. Not the kind where you step off a curb and almost get hit by a bus. More the type that involves doctors, a lot of IV’s, and lengthy hospital stays. I came out of this experience a different person. I felt as though I was looking out through a new set of eyes. Like adding a filter to your camera lens, my view of the world around me became even more alive. That event helped shape who I am today and is a large part of why I am even more driven to pursue my passion for photography.

I was lucky to find my soulmate at an early age. My husband and I have been together for over half our lives and we can't wait to see what the next half brings. We have a teenage son who couldn’t possibly make us prouder. Our free time is spent hiking, exploring and traveling in our VW Westfalia with our new pup Hank. Our little family is my world.

Being a photographer is like having a backstage pass to life. I get to go behind the scenes invited into the lives, homes and experiences of others. It is truly an honor and I never take these opportunities for granted. Each day and each experience is a unique gift. 

I see so much beauty in the world around me; sharing it feels only natural. My favorite photographic subjects are people: kids, teenagers, maternity photos, weddings, the elderly, random characters on the street, you name it! I believe a truly good photograph tells a story, and this is what I aim for with every shot. The greatest reward I get is showing my client the beauty in themselves that I so clearly see.

-Melissa

 

 


Photos featured on: