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

Hi Tiffany, what do you want people to remember about you?
I want my legacy to be inspirational. I want to be a positive role model for others. So I would want people to remember me as a really cool friend who was always there for them and listened. I love when people tell me that I make them feel comfortable or that I always have good energy. I think doing things with intention and love will always speak for themself.

If a lot of people only know me as their photographer in this lifetime, I want that relationship to be more of photogra-friend. Photography brings all the emotion for me and I hold every client relationship I build close to heart because I remember that these individuals trusted in me and my ability to create art. Building a relationship with my clients only sets us up for success because it allows me to tell their stories.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Becoming the photographer I am today has not been easy but it sure has been rewarding. It feels like all of my childhood life I yearned for some type of creative outlet. At a young age, I learned how to sew, knit, make bracelets, create scrapbooks, you name it, I probably tried it! I’m really happy photography came into my life because it has helped me stop and be grateful for each moment in life. Literally, through the images. If there’s one thing to say about me is that I am very expressive, both vocally and through my work. Photography has found a way for me to tell the stories of others. I love focusing on making them feel like a masterpiece through my lens. My brand focuses on client experience and storytelling. I want my clients to feel so comfortable around me while I tell their stories photographically.

As a self-taught photographer, I know I have many more things to learn but the most important lesson I have learned thus far is to be patient with myself and enjoy the journey. I always dreamed of calling myself a “Photographer” and now here I am. Getting to photograph the lives of others and loving every second of it!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in So Cal gives you immense options for places to go to, it really just depends on what vibe you are looking for. I reside in Riverside and I love that the mountains, ocean, and desert are all just a drive away. Any bestie of mine would first be greeted with a drink at a local brewery or tap room such as Brockwood or The Beer Room. Around here we love our craft beer! As someone who loves the beach, I would make sure we stopped at Little Corona Del Mar or Thousands Step Beach while we enjoyed some amazing food and the sound of the ocean with some music on in the background. If not the beach then a hiking trail it is!

Throughout the rest of the week, I would make sure I showed my bestie Big Bear Lake, hiking through one of our national parks such as Yosemite, or visiting the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to explore the San Jacinto peak. It’s really difficult to lay out all the places I would explore, but if you are someone who enjoys hiking, eating well, and having fun, you will find that in So Cal!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My first and most important shoutout will be my 6th-grade yearbook class which truly inspired me to pursue photography at such a young age. I remember my teacher handing us what were the first digital cameras at the time and teaching us some basics regarding composition and our subjects. After I would get out of school I remember yearbook class leading me to want to practice with my parent’s camera and then many, many, many cameras later it brought me to where I am now.

My second shoutout is to my local community who has always supported me and began hiring me to photograph them when I started my business in 2015. I’ve always been my toughest critic and though at the time I didn’t feel as confident as I do now, my clients have always trusted me. Some of my clients have been coming back to me for 6 or more years and I appreciate that they have always trusted me to execute their ideas. It was all the word-of-mouth recommendations and referrals that I’ve received through the years that have allowed me to continue to grow and work with so many amazing people over the years!

    

Website: tiffanymelendezphoto.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: instagram.com/tiffanymelendezphoto

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-melendez-mba/

Other: Pinterest: pinterest.com/tiffanymelendezphoto/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.