I first saw Melissa’s work when I blogged about GIRL SKATE in September 2016 an event hosted by East River Skate Shop in collaboration with @femmeskate & @girlsridersorg / @gronewyorkcrew in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
She’s an amazing photographer who’s inspired by women who love to be active & have fun. Her photos are amazing and I’m so sorry for not posting this sooner. I thought I had and then when I was looking through my draft posts I was “OOPS”. So without further delay here are some of Melissa’s favorite skateboarding photos and her thoughts on shooting girl skateboarders.
How/when did you start photographing skateboarding? Do you skateboard? If so was it before or after you started shooting skaters?
I started photographing skateboarding last year as part of a larger project to photograph women who skateboard, longboard, bike, and run.
I have been learning to skateboard, longboard, and ride electric skateboards while photographing women skateboarders.
How did you get involved with shooting skater girls?
I asked around to see who knew women skateboarders and met skater girls that way. I later connected with GRO NYC.
How has girls skateboarding changed since you started shooting?
Within the past six months, a lot of NYC-based press (Vogue, W Mag, NYTimes) and fashion brands have focused more on NYC women skateboarders.
What’s your favorite type of shooting – for example street, bowl, vert, long boarding ???
I like it all.
Where do you like to shoot – for example locations, parks, events, contests ???
I prefer to work with the skateboarder to make photos versus simply take photos. So I prefer to not shoot events where there are a lot of photographers just recording the action. I prefer engaging with skateboarders to make awesome photos.
What’s different about shooting skateboarding then other photography?
The way girls fly through the air in skateboarding is awesome.
Where can people see your work?
melisinestudio.com or @melisinestudio
Did/do you have role models or people/organizations that continue to encourage and support your photography?
GRO NYC is an amazing and encouraging community for my photography, and also does great initiatives for getting more girls involved in skateboarding.
Thank you Melissa for sharing and for all the incredible photos you keep taking – you truly show girls at their most stylish.
Below “ollie into the sun” a favorite of mine because yes we are all meant to shine!
