Meet Melanie Brumble | Arizona Documentary Photographer & Digital creator

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

Hi Melanie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my business when I first didn’t actually know a thing about the business side of photography. Because I wanted to be successful like all the other online creators/well-known photographers at the time. That really struck a cord with me and my inspiration.

Essentially I’ve always wanted to create an opportunity for myself using my creativity and knowledge. Starting a business and believing in it. Helped build my own confidence in my skills and myself.

Over the course of four years when I did this freelance and not part-time. That’s when the real change happened. Decided to change the friends I had around me, invested in tech that would inspire and drive me to challenge myself, and pushed myself to network more with like minded creative people.

Last year in 2022, was when I got married it changed how I viewed everything in the best way possible. It revived one myself throughout the years I’ve endured burnout. It caused me to step back. When becoming a bride. It made me rethink helping couples like myself. How I wanna have my adventures captured with my favorite human. (Ps-it’s Gavin lol).

It made me rethink marketing, my own brand associated and beyond that. I got SO OBSESSED with how others connect and see me online even more to reach my future and dream clients.

Since then it helped me re-imagine the way I create for others. I use my love of digital scrapbooks(Adobe express), planning with full research in outdoor locations and being environmentally conscious. Trying to make the every piece of the process a positive memory for all my paying clients. Each material is a piece of me to excite and leave the client with more than just my photographs from photo experiences.

Now we’re growing my business in other areas like branding, couple adventures and event with a side of content creation.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Ooooooh it was NEVER easy! But was and has been a great story and lesson to tell others. Heck yes!

I picked up my camera in middle school when I just used it thinking… “what am I suppose to do with this”. Through middle-High school I did a competition called Fine Arts which taught me how to have themes or focuses on what I’d like my photography to reflect. During this time I was shooting with a compact camera. Went to shows where I saw others using at the the time my dream camera a DSLR *insert sparklers here*.

I call this phase my information soak and exploring phase. It was wild! I educated myself until senior year of high school when I chose to do Yearbook and Broadcast. Both of those were my creative and social escapes. I’ve always been an introvert. Being able to have assignment that involved my creativity. Excited me it was wasn’t until I moved from Annapolis, Maryland to Goodyear, Arizona.

Where this state taught me change, independence, adventure and being confident. Which I lacked a lot. This career has driven closer to who I’ve always wanted to be: Free, inspiring, adventurous.

In each part of my personal and professional photography journey. I learned a lot about business practices, communications while being in sales and delivering on quotas. I’ve always had this repeatitive pattern reminding me maybe I should go hike. Try it out, maybe try couples photography. Ten years ago I was never interested in it. Until I was in my clients own shoes.

I believe the small details of a story matter. Like the details of the sun hitting the mountains, favorite food your eating with your favorite person, hugging them in your favorite park. How would it look, and how would it feel? Once I learned my preference with directing clients for brand and couple work. Everything started to click from there.

I combine my love of the outdoors, my more laid back and fun directing documentary style + just letting others see my introvert self. My weird baristas humor. Being transparent with them

Life is an adventure, you wanna have a piece of the adventure from booking, preparing to during to printing those photos. I’ve always felt like wanting to express others love for what they love. Diving deeper into themselves to allow them to be free.

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?
This is my favorite thing to do.

Let’s say we’re doing the taste of Arizona experience. We start on a morning hike at Estrella mountain. Catch sunrise, grab an iced cowboy latte from my OG coffee shop: Enroute Coffee & Tea house.

After that we make our way to skyline Regional Park. Before that we get lunch pita Palms. I love mediterranean food. This is filling and always so yummy! We get the chicken wrap.

Then the next day we drive out to Sedona. We hike Bell Rock in the early morning. Grab breakfast and coffee Black Potion Coffee take some photos on my compact camera. Leave the area to drive out to the edge of the world to disconnect and hangout by the rim facing Sedona. And relax, journal and do some yoga. This is my all time favorite spot. It’s a drive! But worth it!

Next day we’re head back to the city. We’re going to drive through Prescott to go to Watson Lake to a small hike and have a picnic. After that head into the city of Prescott and get coffee from Wild Iris coffee. But make sure to sit outside near the creek if you just want to relax. Bonus if you come there on a rainy day. It’s the most calming atmosphere every.

Then lastly we’re drive back to the valley. We’re going to my favorite park and area. We’re go to the Old Goldmine town located across from Lost Dutchman Park we’re grab some lunch, check out pottery and get a coffee. We’re going to hike Lost Dutchman park.
Do it midday-late afternoon to catch sunset. It’s so breathtaking and peaceful. It’s my in city escape with I need a breather and change of scenery on a budget.

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?
There’s a long list:

-Sara
[leader of former desert passion community-she was my mentor when in the early stages for myself]

-Taylor [Greengiraffephoto]: I can’t imagine not having her in my life as my best friend. She got me hooked on the outdoors over the course inspired me to be more aware of the outdoors and myself.
-Jade [Long time best friend] she has helped me centered and we always have the deeperest conversations.
-Kristin McFarland [best friend]: she inspired and always cheers on and has been a massive part of my life. Met her online like Jade. She’s the most creative and handy person with sewing.

-Gavin [Husband/Best friend/MakeArizona owner]
he’s seen me through pretty much almost every stage of my photography business journey. He’s always encouraged, loved me and made me laugh whenever I’ve been stressed.

-Dan [Sweet snow client and friend]
He’s been one of my first brand clients. He was my first client that helped me realize. That this might be more of a space I want to explore and show off. Allows me to create with purpose. He’s just a great support and business to work with!

Website: Welcome a new adventure – Wix https://meltheshadyhipster.wixsite.com/theshadyhipster

Instagram: Arizona Adventure Documentary Photographer (@theshadyhipster) https://www.instagram.com/theshadyhipster/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theshadyhipster?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@theshadyhipster7205?si=fKqZARHHunvjgle-

Image Credits
Feature Photo Shot by TimelessPresentPhoto Forest Photo Taken By Jade Best friend/Model Second Photo Model Apurvi Self Love shoot