Melissa Hess | Environmental Portraits | Lancaster, PA

I recently had the honor of photographing one of my favorite friendors (friend + vendor), Melissa Hess. I’ve had the great privilege of getting to know Melissa over the last year through workshops and local vendor meet ups. She is the photographer behind inVISIBLEamericans, a photo series focused on telling the stories of immigrants living here in Lancaster, PA. I highly suggest giving her project a follow on Instagram or Tumblr! 

I know it sounds weird (and maybe even creepy), but photographing people always makes me fall in love with them just a little bit more. In between those awkward “what do I do with my hands?” moments, there are these hidden moments of real. Melissa has this amazing calmness about her. It’s incredibly easy to feel at ease around her. And even though she’s probably the most laid-back person I’ve ever met she also these tiny bursts of silliness and joy that just brighten up any moment. I guess what I’m trying to say is I just think Melissa is the cat's meow.