Melody Santos | Photography & Creatives highlights - Michael's Hut - Content creation, blogging and informative vlogging

Most of us don't have the luxury option of pursuing our passions and doing them professionally. And most of the time, these are the things or choices we look back after especially the "What ifs" when we grow old: What if I have followed my dream.. What if I took the leap of faith that time.. and so on.. Well, for this article, our featured personality has boldly decided and chased what she really wanted to do and shared the consequences (both the good and bad) of that action.

Melody Santos Studios

Melody Santos, a creatives and photography professional, now does it all full-time. With her experience working behind the camera here & abroad and with famous models & mainstream celebrities, there is no doubt that she is rocking her career out.

But who is she before all of these came to happen?

Melody worked for an independent digital agency as a Multimedia Artist / Photographer. She worked there for 2 and a half years and then got opportunities to work for local brands like Jollibee Food Corp. and multinationals like Unilever.

Melody Santos

I asked her why she pursued this career or did any particular incident make it happen.

"I know we all went through that phase when we didn't know what to pursue. I actually thought that I would just follow where “fate” takes me. After college, I had a dilemma about which industry I will work in – advertising (as an art director) or production (as a photographer). But God gave me the opportunity to work in both worlds. My first job was as a Multimedia Artist/Photographer in an advertising agency. Ever since I was a kid I was interested in advertising. To do photography here is a dream come true. It got me gigs with brands here and abroad.

Then it felt like I was tired of working for someone else because of the pay I was receiving. It came to a point when my salary was just enough for me to go to work. I thought of pursuing freelance life but I had a lot of anxieties. Inconsistent salary dates and unpredictable projects are to name.

With the help of the "Operation Solid Lives" program of our church and our fellow church mate who told me – “Where do you place your trust – to your capabilities or to God who is your provider?” I was able to take the leap of faith. I started freelancing as an art director. God has not failed to sustain me since then.

Two months after, I intentionally prayed to God if photography is the right track for me. I believe that God puts all our desires in us. So if He plans for me to be on this track, I pray that He will use me and lead me to the right people. He blessed me with a lot of opportunities I didn’t imagine that I will have in this lifetime. One of those was a magazine cover and a billboard for MEGA last 2022."

Reese Tayag on MEGA

She is very proud to be working for MEGA Woman with Reese Tayag of Sereese. She said that it was an answered prayer - to be featured on a magazine cover. That came with a bonus - a billboard at EDSA.

MEGA billboard at EDSA

So the next question I asked her is that when did she know she had a passion for this craft? And when did she start being a professional?

"I read in one of the New York Times articles that when you are trying to find your path in life, you should look at your interests as a kid. When I was reflecting during the time I was praying to be a photographer, God revealed to me that as a kid one of my major interests was really magazines. They fascinated me. I like looking at total girl magazines or the “princess” magazine if you remember. I remember feeling sad whenever my parents couldn't buy those because we were not financially capable. What I did was I would stay in the National Bookstore and try to read the sample copies instead. And in high school, I liked taking portraits of my classmates. I didn’t have a camera before. So I just borrow from friends.

I think my first paid gig was when a friend hired me to cover her pre-debut when we were still in college. It was a good gig. I was able to build my folio."

Now, with her working with many celebrities, she said that Thea Tolentino is one of the standouts because her style is the closest model to the style she is personally pursuing. They both love the Japanese culture and considered themselves "otaku". She is also happy to become friends with some local celebrities like Crystal Paras and Arra San Agustin after working on some projects with them.

Thea Tolentino photo by Melody Santos

Kelvin Miranda photo by Melody Santos

And with all the experiences she had, she said that her art direction would be one of her strongest edges.

"I recently discovered that one of the most important skills that you should have in any creative field is art direction. This means you have strong ideation or conceptualization skill and an eye for beauty and composition. I’m grateful for my advertising foundation and my mentors who helped strengthen this."

Well, I couldn't agree more with her since I have a little background in photography. It is always best to take the actual shot at its finest output even without some post-process help but being creative and assertive at the same time goes a long way in this industry. Yes, knowledge and experience will certainly help you here but talent/passion comes first.

So before we ended, I asked her if she has any message for those who want to follow in her footsteps or is following the same path as hers.

"Start young! If you have the means, start young. Start praying about which path is for you. I started consciously praying when I was 25. I really wish I did that years ago. But God’s timing is perfect. Just pray and practice with what you have.

The idea is our currency. So expose yourself to a lot of inspirations and pegs that you can use later on. Read books. Find mentors who can help you with your techniques. This will help you to be better at your craft!

Say yes to friends who trust you because they will be your first clients. Don’t be shy to approach clients or brands if you really want to try something. Do free work ONLY IF you (1) want the project and can put it on your folio; (2) you have other means to sustain your needs;

Have fun and don’t be afraid to make mistakes."