The Muse: Melanie Dalton, from the Unraveled Academy

muse (noun) a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist

The Muse is our way of bringing inspiration to the creative world. Seeing a photographer for just one picture is not the whole picture… so we are bringing you more, to give you a deeper look into the artists who inspire us and we call, muses.

What was your “muse” or inspiration for this shoot?

I built this greenhouse in my backyard and knew that Santa would be so pretty out there- but not any ordinary Santa! I wanted a vintage-inspired Santa- one who could bring all my boho vibes to life. I shopped for fabric, enlisted the help of a neighbor (one with far superior sewing skills than myself) to help me make the suit, then scoured Facebook to find the perfect Santa who looked the part and played guitar. The stars aligned and grooviest Father Christmas was born! When you have a vision, move mountains to make it happen. I'm so glad I did.

What gear did you use for this shoot?

Canon R6 Mark ii with 35mm EF lens

How did you edit your images?

I edited this set in Lightroom with the Root and Bud Presets- Nantucket primarily

What is your best advice for fellow photographers?

Don't give up on your ideas. See them through because not only will you be filling your creative cup, but also gaining a deep sense of satisfaction in knowing you completed something important to you. It never has to be perfect either- just a reflection of you as an artist. That is perfect enough!

Melanie Dalton Photography
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