WindowStill Spotlight: Melanie K. W.Johnson
This week under the WindowStill Spotlight, we have Melanie K. W.Johnson! Melanie is one of our awesome photographers, covering Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan.
Here’s what she had to say…
What is your role at WindowStill? What does a typical day of work look like for you?
I’m a real estate photographer. A typical busy day for me starts with checking my email, voicemail, and Facebook messages to see if I’ve had any changes with my appointments or if any realtors have reached out to me. Before heading out for the day, I make sure all the necessary equipment is charged and that I’ve replied back to everyone.
When I get home from my shoot, I examine the photos before taking notes and uploading them. On slower days, I spend a lot of time marketing.
How did you find WindowStill?
I found the job posting on Indeed around March 2020, right when the COVID shutdowns began, and I applied. I Googled the company and found the phone number before talking to Brad on the phone for nearly an hour.
When you’re not working, what do you like to do in your free time?
When I’m not working, I volunteer at Seed to Feed in their greenhouse. They grow food in their greenhouse and give it away to families in need at their food pantry. I’m also a master gardener, so I spend a lot of time gardening at home.
Aside from gardening, I enter photography into art shows occasionally and photograph a variety of events, many of these being associated with my church at Lighthouse Vineyard. With the COVID pandemic keeping me at home more, I’ve been watching my sermons online. I can’t wait until I can go back!
A lot of my time is also devoted to advocating for my son who has Autism by attending meetings, as well as managing three Facebook groups: Autism Allies, COVID Survivors Recovery Group, and Sustainable Warriors.
What advice would you give to an aspiring photographer?
Pick a photographer whose work you like, examine it, try to replicate it, and add your own style to it!
Learn about all the settings on your camera and practice as much as you can. Also, if you can find an apprenticeship with an experienced photographer, do it. I looked through the phonebook and called many people until one finally said yes to letting me learn under them.
Once you’ve learned a lot about taking photos, start looking for subjects in your everyday life (family, pets, etc.) and begin practicing and getting your work out there. Another great way to learn photography is by reading books, watching YouTube videos, and learning how to edit photos yourself.
What do you feel is the most important quality in a photographer?
As a perfectionist, I see how much this quality helps my work as a photographer. Caring about the little details in your work will have a direct impact on how your photos turn out.
Drive is another important quality. Having ambition and never giving up is what will set you aside from other photographers. My drive is what pushed me to not only apply for the job at WindowStill but to pick up the phone and call as well.
This extra step is what secured me at a company that is like no other I have worked at. I feel very grateful to be where I am today with my career at WindowStill, and I feel that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be!