Mel Ponder Photography

ABOUT MELISSA:

I have enjoyed photographing people and events in the Puget Sound area as an amateur for over twenty years. Although my studies at The Evergreen State College included film and video, most of my career has focused on youth, senior citizens, and communities in the education and health fields.

With four children (ages 7-19), photography of children, babies, teens and related events has played a major role in my journey. I have enjoyed photographing weddings, graduations, and other ceremonies and celebrations, as well as various community events, trainings, and conferences.

For portrait, event, and documentary photography, I work primarily with two Pentax K10D digital cameras and Pentax 540 and 360 hotshoe flash systems. My most used lenses include Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8, Pentax 50-135mm f/2.8, Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and Pentax 50mm f/1.4. Occasionally, I break out the 35mm film SLR cameras (Pentax and Nikon) for certain projects. In addition to using available light and/or hotshoe flash equipment, I use Alien Bees studio strobe light equipment (which now includes portable power).

I am available weekdays and weekends by appointment for complimentary consultations and photo sessions in my home-based studio or off site locations. I am particularly interested in providing collaborative, creative, and pleasing photography services at reasonable rates. If I am unable or unavailable to fulfill your photography needs, I am happy to help identify photographers who maybe be able to.