Hello,
I’m Melanie Grizzel, Austin, Tx based portrait, lifestyle and travel photographer. I caught the creative bug very early. In the 8th grade I was gifted with a Pentax K1000, I snagged a couple 60s era Petri lenses, and from there, launched my passion for photography. I knew I had something my freshman year of high school; while I was developing a portrait, my teacher asked from over my shoulder, who photographed it. I told her it was mine, she didn’t believe me. That’s when I knew, in that moment, standing there in the fumes over the tray of developer, this was it. That’s when I found my calling.

My first professional job was as a staff photographer at the Grapevine Sun. From there I went to The Dallas Morning News. The day after election day in 1996, I moved to NYC. On the streets of New York I developed my passion and my style, which is best described as both bold and direct and also exudes a sense of ease. 

My true passion is for people, real people. The reason I made photography my life, is because I just LOVE people. I want to meet them where they are, I want to hear their stories, I want to laugh, celebrate and grieve with them. I want to show them their beauty and dignity, and I want them to feel and look important.

Then you have my team, man, I love thee guys! My clients know us well, we’ve been together a long time, they refer to us as “the fun group.” They like shooting with us because they know that our sets are going to be creative, flexible, efficient and productive. Whether it’s a 4 hour day or 12, it will be filled with laughter, great music and spontaneous dance breaks. 

In my personal time, I love hanging out with my husband, Steve, our boys Bishop and Winslow, and our rambunctious 2 year old boxer Hopper. Our favorite activity is “Saturday adventure.” Saturday adventure can be anything. One Saturday we volunteered to clean up a park together and planted a tree, another time we went to the Honk/ATX festival. Our favorite activity is trying out all of the hot new restaurants. We love spending our entire disposable income on really great grub. 

Client List

AARP .  America Bank . Austin Monthly . Bank of America . Budget Travel . Bust Magazine . Camille Styles . Caroline Comedy Club . Closer (France) . CT Magazine . The Dallas Morning News . Dallas Observer . Discovery Network . Door Number Three . Fairtrade US . Firefly Aerospace . Forbes . Goodwill Central Texas . Guitar Magazine . HEB . Horizon Bank . Kodak . Lincoln Center . Marie Claire . Maxwell House . Money Magazine . New York Times . People Magazine . Prevention Magazine . QD Solutions . Request Magazine . Texas Highways . Texas Monthly . The Roundabout Theatre Company . Third Rail Creative . Tribeza . The Wire (England) . Young & Rubicam . Yoakum National Bank

Shows/Awards/Press

Chashama . EOIOE Gallery . Frederieke Taylor TZ Art . Tribeca Grand Hotel . Caroline's Comedy Club.
Commarts FRESH