MEET MELISSA

 

Hello, bombshell!

I'm Melissa Luella Rush… you can call me Mel.

..and my passion is reminding women how genuinely beautiful and fearless they are! My purpose in life is to inspire each and every woman who comes in front of my lens. I’m a mirror to their greatness and fabulous potential!

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Photo by Emmanuel Boquiren

For years, I’ve honed my craft to create my signature photographic style that highlights women’s natural beauty. That’s right girlfriend, I love how you look just the way you are! Women with all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds commission my art to create their finest intimate portraiture.

Let’s Get Close And Personal…

Originally from a tiny beautiful country called Philippines (fun fact: an archipelago made up of 7,107 islands). I grew up in a farm (and it’s still there sans the animals) with my four fun and loud older sisters and my Dad. Moved to Chicago for college and ended up working for an advertising agency doing media strategy for music labels.

I’m a mom to a fiery lil girl and wife to a man who looks like Keanu (my teenage dream came true). When I shop I reach for neutral colors and a pop of gold, while my daughter grabs a J Lo neon stilettos and insists I try them. I have a secret: I'm older than I look and it's mainly because I'm 5'2 on a good day and can fit in your pocket. People with dry humor amuse me and optimists inspire me. I can be off grid and not have my phone for a week! I run on coffee, new adventures, meditation and forging beautiful human connections.

My shooting style is minimalist and timeless. I'm obsessed with discovering the secret to people's unique greatness. I feel the most myself shooting barefoot! I want each photograph to focus on you - not your outfit or the background. I live and breath the notion of LESS IS MORE.

Enough about me, I want to get to know YOU! Let's chat and tell me your story.

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Photo by Emmanuel Boquiren

 

“She is free in her wildness, she is a wanderess, a drop of free water. She knows nothing of borders and cares nothing for rules or customs. 'Time' for her isn’t something to fight against. Her life flows clean, with passion, like fresh water.” 
― Roman Payne

6 months pregnant with our baby girl

6 months pregnant with our baby girl taken by Alexander Rush

Photo by Adrianne Mathiowetz

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