She considers herself a “wildlife biographer” as much as a wildlife photographer. By capturing and sharing stories about individual wild animals, she hopes to raise awareness and change minds about not only the extrinsic beauty of animals, but also their intrinsic worth.

Melissa is a Sony Artisan of Imagery, an Associate Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers, and advisor to the National Audubon Society on photography content and ethics. 

Melissa’s photographs and articles have been published in numerous magazines including Smithsonian, Audubon, Outdoor Photographer, National Wildlife, National Geographic, Living Bird, and Natural History. She travels frequently on assignment for magazines, to give presentations. and to conduct photography workshops.