I’m a visual artist jumping between the Bay and LA. This is my alternative space to share my stories honestly and openly.

I suck at writing bios, so here’s 25 random facts about me:

1. I started off as a Biological Science/Applied Mathematics major and then took a 180° into art.
2. I’ve just moved to the Bay from Los Angeles.
3. I’ve been working as a photographer and a retoucher for 8 years. 
4. I’ve spent a year living out of a backpack in New Zealand, Asia, and Europe. 
5. Beyoncé is the reason why I ditched my Apple Watch 3.
6. I have a white, fluffy dog named Binky. He’s full of sass. 
7. I enjoy backpacking in which it’s necessary to dig a hole for #1 and #2.
8. One of my favorite clients that I’ve worked with is LEGO. I got to photograph giant Hulk made from individual LEGO bricks.
9. I sank waist-deep in quicksand while photographing portraits for a musician. 
10. Batman > Superman.
11. MCU > DCU. 
12. My education is compromised of PBS, the Internet, and university of Anteaters.
13. My parents forced me to be right-handed, as a result I’m ambidextrous.
14. Pictures of my best friend are featured in the Apple Photo Booth icon. 
15. A client unknowingly helped me cross off a bucket list item by flying me out to a few remote islands to photograph bioluminescent plankton. 
16. I’m naturally a curious person who enjoys learning and subsequently falls into Wikipedia black holes.
17. I started playing with Photoshop when it was in its third iteration. Layers were the new thing!
18. I believe binging tv shows is efficient.
19. I have an affinity for heights. 
20. Puns are fun. 
21. I’m in Gryffindor, Fire Nation, Hidden Leaf Village. I started with Charmander. 
22. I haven’t used a computer mouse for over a decade (Wacom Pen FTW!) 
23. I sit next a Forrest, not a forest. 
24. I’ve photographed 2 of 3 of my childhood heroes (Reading Rainbow dude and Bill Nye the Science Guy), can someone introduce me to Big Bird?
25. My favorite meme is the one where Batman slaps Robin across the face for claiming “We can fix it in post.”

I’m currently freelancing as a photographer, retoucher and content creator. Samples of my work are available at: mellylee.com.