As part of Black History Month, West Thames College students had the unique opportunity to participate in a photography workshop led by Mellz, an award-winning photographer known for her powerful storytelling and portrait photography.
The workshop focused on essential themes like narrative control, storytelling through photography, and technical elements such as lighting and portrait composition. She encouraged students to explore how they could use photography to tell their own stories that leave a lasting legacy.
Mellz, who has built a career as a portrait and wedding photographer, opened the workshop by inviting students to reflect on their own stories.
“What is your story? Why are you doing this? What do you want to leave behind for future generations?” she asked the students. This central question guided the session as students learned how to craft a visual narrative, whether through personal portraits or capturing others' stories.
Mellz emphasised the importance of having a clear purpose in creative work: “It’s very, very important to know your why—because that’s what keeps you motivated, especially in the creative field.”
The workshop went beyond just photography techniques. Mellz shared insights from her personal journey, describing how she built her career from humble beginnings, converting her mother’s living room into a studio. She also highlighted the importance of printed photography in preserving personal histories, stressing that stories captured on camera should be tangible and accessible.
"As photographers, how can we leave our story behind when everything's stored in the cloud or on our phones? We need to print our stories—albums, framed photos—so that they last for generations.”
Mellz’s story resonated with many students, particularly her reflection on overcoming personal challenges, including dyslexia, to achieve success. “I used to think I wasn’t smart enough to write essays or get a degree, but with the right support system, I earned a first-class degree in photography,” she shared.
The workshop concluded with hands-on practice, where students used cameras provided by Instagram to capture portraits and explore their personal narratives. Through this enriching experience, the students not only honed their technical skills, but also gained a deeper understanding of the power of visual storytelling.
