And the Winner is...

I'm a big fan of contests in our industry, especially when it's a topic so near and dear to my heart as self-promotional videos. The video below is from Ann Arbor, Michigan photographer, Melanie Reyes. She's done an outstanding job in a short concise message to promote not only her skills as an artist, but her passion for working with her clients.

Melanie's specialty is wedding and event photography and in describing her love for the business she wrote:,

"Even after nine years it is a thrill to walk into a wedding or bar/bat mitzvah and creatively document the day. I have a passion for human interaction and portraying relationships. Capturing monumental events in people’s lives brings me the most joy because what I capture will be cherished forever. 

Hands down word of mouth has been the best way to market my photography business over the last 9 years. I meet hundreds of people each month by working weddings. I love interacting with people and I believe being warm and friendly leaves a lasting impression. I experience such a profound connection to my clients when I spend one of the most important days of their life by their side. 

The last few years as I began to widen my market I wanted a way for customers to meet me and experience how I work, even if they had never seen me in action. I was honored to be documented by S’Mitten Videography during an engagement session (with the couple's beautiful daughter) at White Oaks Farm in Dexter, Michigan. I love the results. They really were able to capture my interaction with the clients and portray the Joy that I experience doing my job. The video lives on my website where potential clients are able to experience how I work. It is in invaluable tool." 

Images copyright Melanie Reyes. All rights reserved.

 Melanie received one of the biggest prize packages we've had in a Photodex/SCU contest.

•  A Panasonic LX100  
• Tamron SP 70-300 mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD lens
• $250 of Bella Art Prints from Marathon Press
• Lowepro: Pro Roller x200 AW
• JOBY: GorillaPod Focus with Ballhead X
• ProShow Web Premium one year subscription
  from Photodex
• 60-90 minute full website review with suggested changes from Skip Cohen

A big thanks to all the photographers who submitted their self-promotional videos, Photodex, our judges and sponsors: Panasonic, TamronUSA, Marathon Press, Lowepro and JOBY.  

To see more of Melanie's work visit her website. You won't be disappointed. It's obvious when looking at her images she connects with every client. She's got a terrific skill set, but to create images that tug at people's heart-strings you need your whole heart in the craft and there's no question she's an artist who loves what she does.

Stay tuned because Photodex and SCU have lots more great things coming throughout 2016!