ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

My name is Melissa Southern. I am a resident of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. I grew up in North Carolina, moving here when I was 4 years old. I am married with 2 "kids" of my own, Digit (cat) and Maggie (dog) and working on the first "real" kid, due by the end of this summer.

 

I have a Batchelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology with emphasis on Physical and Cultural Anthropology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

I have an Associate Degree in Photography with a concentration in Biomedical Photography from Randolph Community College in Asheboro, NC.

 

 

I regularly attend workshops at Grandfather Mountain, where I have won serveral awards (www.grandfather.com). I continue to take courses, attend seminars, and participate in workshops to further my photography skills and to learn new skills that come with the digital age.

I have become increasingly involved in teaching and lecturing with photographer VInny Colucci through Naturescapes Photography Workshops.

I volunteer my time serving on the Board of Directors for the Cary Pulse. I have also taken on several web site designing projects and more graphic design and photo editing assignments.

 

There are several people that I want to recognize for their support and aid: my husband Keith, who has been so supportive of me, making me dinner and cleaning house while I spent hours upon hours working on this site. He has always been willing to carry food and water when we hike so that I can carry tons of camera gear. He even carries camera gear sometimes.

 

 

My family (Mom, Dad, Mark, Matthew, and Angela) who helped me and supported me through school twice. They are always there for me no matter what. Jessica, my best friend, because she is my best friend and knows all my secrets. Vinny, whose brain I have picked and who is always there with advice and encouragement and new opportunities and ideas for me. Rachel, Kyle, Roger, Jennifer, Lyn, Darryl, and so many more friends who knew I could do it even when I did not, who were always there to laugh at and with me.

 

 

 

Special Note: That is me in the tree. My friend Rachel took that photograph under the tree where Rick and Candace were married in October 2004. It is also me on this cliff. This photograph was taken by my friend Kyle at Grandfather Mountain in August 2004.