MELLE BRANSON IS A DIRECTOR, FILMMAKER, PHOTOGRAPHER AND CONTENT PRODUCER WHOSE WORK FOCUSES ON EMOTIVE PEOPLE DRIVEN STORIES.

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Documenting life has always been Melle's obsession.

She spent her youth pouring over her parents’ wedding photos and VHS tapes, hooked on the nostalgic pangs that swelled deep and empathic feelings. Ever since, Melle’s been harnessing the emotive power that media has to help shape public perceptions and drive positive action.

Identity, family and culture are core themes that thread through every part of Melle’s artistic practice. Her directorial work sits at the intersection of authenticity and art, bringing together real-life narratives with stylised performances to captivate, inspire and influence audiences. With an innate fascination into human behaviour and connection, Melle creates raw and honest portraits that uncover the true motivators for what drives people to do what they do. 

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Melle lives and creates in Fremantle/Walyalup on Wadjuk Nyoongar land.

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AWARDS

2023 YDA Young Director Awards - Shortlist

‍2022 Minderoo Artist Fund Recipient 

‍2022 Musicbed Challenge Winner - Best Spec Ad ‘Content Kings’

‍2022 AWARD Awards Emerging Director of the Year - Shortlist

‍2021 Capture Mag Top 20 Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers

‍2020 Australian Photography Awards - Finalist Portrait  

WITH EACH WEDDING SEASON I GET CLOSER TO PUTTING MY FINGER ON WHAT IT IS I LOVE ABOUT THIS - MY ‘WHY’.

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It’s the energy – it’s addictive.

It’s family - for a single day I get to embed myself in a community, and be a part of the most honest expression of what makes us human.

It’s the deeper meaning behind what the day symbolizes - two people coming together for the right reasons in the ultimate celebration of love.

It’s because what I’m capturing will become a chronicle for future generations to experience this fleeting moment in time that will never be repeated.

Inspired by the pastime of watching old home movies on VHS, the underlying motive of why I do what I do is to create an heirloom. I try not to focus on the ‘things’ – the dress, the shoes, the decorations. They’re trends. And I hate to break it to you, but in 20 years they’re probably the things you’re gonna look back on and wish you could change.

Trends change, just like the wedding themes, fashion, equipment, set up shots and colour filters. Instead, I focus on the people. Because in 20 years time you’ll want to hear the sound of your grandad’s voice again, to remember the sexy comment your husband whispered in your ear, and to laugh again at the banter and ridic jokes your mates were cracking all day.

I believe that the one thing that transcends all the fancy gear, editing styles and storytelling techniques is the truth.

So it’s my mission to seek the real versions of you, and inject your awesome personalities into every single frame. To capture the real moments and conversations and craft them into a meaningful story - a moving keepsake for you to rewatch and relive for life.

Featured in Vogue, Elle Australia, Together Journal, Hooray Mag, Perth Is Ok and The Urban List; and spoken at Common Folk, Lonely Hearts Film Camp and Show Love Podcast.