What does a country girl from Monroeville, Alabama do as a hobby? Melanie Andress enjoys visiting places from her childhood and clicking photographs of present day conditions. In a recent conversation, we discussed her eye for the camera.
Is photography your profession? "My 'real job' is the office manager for the Public Defender's Office for the 35th Judicial Circuit. I have worked in some capacity in the court system most of my life. My passion, however, is photography. In 2014, I decided to purchase an SLR Nikon camera and have been snapping pictures ever since."
What are your favorite subjects to photograph? "The Black Belt is beautiful! I photograph landscapes and wildlife when I am lucky, but my favorite is capturing the essence of the older buildings and settlements that are slowly fading away. You may see an old abandoned church, but I can still hear hymns being sung inside. I walk around under the trees and think how many 'dinner on the grounds' were held here. You can almost smell the fried chicken."
Sometimes her ideas for a photo appear when she is driving or getting out of the car. A colorful sunrise or sunset happens and it is a shutterbug moment. When the Nikon camera isn't hanging around her neck, she uses her cell phone camera." I hope my work brings pleasant memories to those that see them."
Andress plans to expand her skills by photographing weddings, senior portraits and family sessions. "I look forward to creating images that will last a lifetime."
Her photographs are available matted and/or framed. Some of her images are available on coasters, mugs and calendars. You may purchase the items at BBTCAC or the website http://www.blackbelttreasures.com.