Mom Crush Monday! Melanie Gordon, using photography and creativity to support breast cancer survivors

Melanie is a really talented photographer, a passionate creative and a mom to a five year old girl. Melanie was diagnosed with breast cancer when her daughter was a toddler and she sees it as an unexpected gift. Melanie has some really interesting insights on childhood and creativity, and she does a tonne to raise breast cancer awareness and to help other young moms struggling. She is totally crush-worthy! For more about Melanie, check out her guest post We are all children: imagination, creativity and breast cancer from a mom who has been there.

Your Name: Melanie Gordon
Kid’s Name: Indigo
Company Name: Melanie Gordon Photography

What is the Story behind Melanie Gordon Photography?

I’m Melanie Gordon, a fine art documentary photographer of children and the magic of childhood. My Storytelling Sessions are documentary family photo sessions where I photograph real moments and genuine emotion in the everyday lives of families, with a particular focus on illuminating the magic of childhood. My newest offerings – Imagination Sessions – are similar to Storytelling Sessions but they also tell the story of your family’s creativity. Imagination Sessions help ignite imagination and creativity for children and parents.

I approach photography as an act of love. I believe that every family’s story matters. Documenting the everyday life of your family is a gift for your children and for their children, that answers the question “What was life like then?” for future generations.

We are all connected. Photographs can help to connect us to our past and our future to help us feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves.

Life moves so fast when you have children and you don’t want to forget any of it. Documentary photography can help families remember these moments.

How did the idea for the business come about?

I’ve been a photographer for my entire adult life and have always approached it as an art form. I have photographed many different subjects over the years but two events led me to focus my business on photographing children and families: 1. The birth of my daughter. 2. Being diagnosed with breast cancer.

When my daughter was born, my world at once became very large and very small. I could see the future in her and at the same time was completely consumed with the daily responsibilities and challenges of being a new parent. It was overwhelming and beautiful and profound. I couldn’t believe that so many people have this experience.

Then, when my daughter was 20 months old I found a lump in my breast. I had just weaned her and thought that this might be another blocked milk duct. It wasn’t. I had breast cancer. Suddenly life took an unexpected turn and I was forced to consider unthinkable choices and outcomes. I learned that I would need to have chemotherapy and that my fertility would be damaged from this. We wanted to have a second child. It was heartbreaking.

Thankfully, I made it through this experience and got a second chance to live my best life. I got a chance to really consider what is important. When everything else fell away, what remained was family and love, and art.

After getting well, I refined my photography business to focus on documenting families, children and the magic of childhood.

I created Imagination Sessions because I believe that creativity is a natural part of childhood, of personhood, really, and when given opportunities for imaginative play and art making, children can learn to make sense of the world and who they are. I also believe that a lot of adults have lost touch with their own creativity and that our children can help to reconnect us to it.

What motivates you?

The power of art. Love. The potential of children to change the world.

I want to inspire people, to move people, to make people feel something. I want to nurture connections through art. I want to help people connect to themselves, to each other and to creativity. I want people to really notice the light in each other.

What is the most challenging part about being an entrepreneur / working mom?

I think patience is the toughest part. When you are an entrepreneur, success takes time and effort and a lot of trust. I often have to remind myself that really I’m “growing” a business, not “building” a business and growing things takes time and love. Sometimes it feels like I am nurturing two children. Being a mom while growing a business means that this growth will take longer because my family is my priority.

What is your super power?

I have a sensitivity that allows me to notice and reflect beauty and authentic emotion in my photographs and communicate this in an artistic way.

What is something that you think people should know about you?

I believe that art can change the world. I believe that everyone is an artist. I believe that we are all children.

How has motherhood changed you?

Motherhood changed everything! After becoming a mother I began to see the world through the eyes of a child. I got this opportunity to reconnect with my own inner child. I was given the incredible privilege and responsibility of preparing a world for my child, and all children, that will best allow them to shine. I realized the importance of providing children with opportunities to play, imagine, dream and create, and the importance of continuing to do this right into adulthood.

What is your mission?

I’m on a mission to help children be seen and heard and to empower them to trust their voice and vision. I believe that creating honest and inspiring images of children can help empower them to see themselves as changers. When children see themselves as subjects of art they feel valued and loved. They see themselves as extraordinary. They see themselves as protagonists in their own story.

Your children will change the world. Let’s empower them to dream big.

Who is your supporting cast of characters? (who needs a shout out)

Many people have helped me on this journey of motherhood, healing and entrepreneurship. My husband and unofficial business consultant and unconditional supporter. My parents, who encouraged me to follow my dreams and be creative. My daughter, who inspires me every day to be the best person I can be. Rethink Breast Cancer and Nanny Angel Network were so helpful throughout my breast cancer journey. Alastair Cunningham’s The Healing Journey program was life changing, life affirming. There have been so many loving and creative souls who have inspired me along the way, there is not enough space to mention them all! I am so grateful.

How can we learn more / get involved / help you out!

You can find me at melaniegordon.com I have a special offer right now for Imagination Sessions where you can get $100 off your session fee if you book before Mother’s Day. An Imagination Session would make an unforgettable Mother’s Day gift.

I am also donating $100 to Rethink Breast Cancer for each session booked before Mother’s Day. Rethink Breast Cancer is working to raise money to fund a research project called Baby Time to answer questions about fertility and pregnancy for young women after breast cancer. A lot of young women are faced with huge fertility challenges after undergoing treatment for breast cancer. You can help them to become mothers by booking an Imagination Session and supporting me in raising money for the Baby Time Project.