Meet Nick Mele | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nick Mele and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nick, what do you attribute your success to?
I believe that its about finding what makes you unique and leaning into that. What do you bring to the table that others don’t? For me, its a sense of humor and fun that brings a fresh perspective to a traditionally uptight market. Its also access to the people and businesses in aspirational destinations like Palm Beach, Newport and the Hamptons.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Anytime I take a photograph, I am informed by those that came before me and the life experiences I have had on the way to where I am now. I try and bring a fresh perspective – at the same time irreverent, whimsical and aspirational – to the timeless American elegance that was so effortlessly defined by mid-century photographers like Slim Aarons and Cecil Beaton. Having grown up living and socializing in such rarified resort destinations like Palm Beach, FL and Newport, RI, I am in a unique position to understand the market and have access to the people and businesses that call those places home. That makes me very attractive to high brands and magazines that are looking for news ways to define modern luxury. I think a large part of my success has come from being flexible, easy going and fun to be around. My business is very much based on word of mouth and referrals, so I wouldn’t be anywhere if people didn’t enjoy working with me. I try and cultivate strong relationships with clients both on set and off. It took me a long time to get here as I spent much of my early professional life aimlessly jumping from one vocation to the next. I couldn’t focus on one career path because I was too afraid to make the wrong decision. I’ve spent time as an actor, an aspiring film producer, a bartender and waiter, and a marketing consultant. I have a certificate of study from the International Center of Photography as well as a masters degree in business from Georgetown University. It wasn’t until I hit my thirties that I decided to really focus on photography, which is what I think I wanted to do the whole time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many great things to do in Palm Beach. I’m sure we would spend a lot of time at the beach club at the Breakers Hotel. We would go shopping at the Royal Poinciana Plaza and along the shops on Worth Avenue. We would stop for coffee at Sant Ambroeus, pick up sandwiches at Buccan and grab a smoothie from Field of Greens. Dinners would be had at Swifty’s at The Colony Hotel, Bricktop’s and the Palm Beach Grill. We might do some sight seeing at the Norton Museum of Art or take a stroll past the Flagler Museum on are walk down the Palm Beach lake trail.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife deserves most of the credit in my story for believing in my ability to find success by following my passion and for putting up with me for all the years it took to find my calling

Website: www.nickmele.com
Instagram: @nickmelephotography

Other: Inspired by Slim Aarons and Wes Anderson among others, @a.social.life is an Instagram photo project I created following my families adventures and travels.