Mel D Cole

A lot of the times I tend to question myself about the things I do.
For example why am I always late when it comes to meeting up with my friends/social events, yet I've never been late for school or work?
Why must I always be in control of the music thats being played in front of a crowd?
Why do I keep little things like tickets to cuse games, and a party hats I wore out that convinced everyone it was my birthday.... when it was not...?

As I perform these simply random musts everyday I can't help but wonder why.
After deep thought I've come to the conclusion. I'm obsessed.
Yes, I'm obsessed with life. It's little moments within these rinky-dinks that make me smile and remind me why I do the things that I do.

You see, I have a story. And I'm desperate to preserve it.
I don't ever want to forget who I am, where I came from, and why it's all so important.
I'm not running my mouth because I want to be famous, I'm doing it because I don't want to be forgotten, I want people to remember my imprint on this world, and the story I have to share.
Even if there's only one person listening.

Growing up my father has always had the camera in his hand.
Photography is a huge part of my life, and in fact it was to be my life.
I started college with photography as my major, but switched it realizing that photography was too limiting in matters of what I wanted to live my life doing.
Throughout multiple jobs and school I lost touch with photography for a while, forgetting about what it really meant to me.

It wasn't until I stumbled across Mel D Cole's AMAZING work.
Over this past summer I realized my obsession with music. I had opportunities to see things that I thought I'd never be able to. From being front row at Wale, Big Sean, and Mike Posner, getting dap from Kid Cudi, and dancing on stage with Pharrell Williams and Wiz Khalifa.
I'd have to say my life isn't looking too shabby at this point...

Back to my main focus, my discovery of Mel D Cole shook me to the core.
Mel is one of the most well known hip hop photographers in the country.
He's known for his powerful black and white captured moments of artists like Kid Cudi, P. Diddy, Lil Wayne, and Kanye.
The thing that inspires me the most about Mel, is his story.
Not only is he a native of cusetown (which makes him extra baller) but he didn't even get started with photography until 29. (Which means it's NEVER too late!! Come on ppl dang, don't give up!!)
He says it all started at SOBs in NYC where ironically this was the first time I heard about him.
And it was the Big Sean/Mike Posner show where I began to take pictures.

He used a Rite-Aide disposable 
((hey we all gotta start somewhere)) to take pictures of Common.
And it wasn't until 4 years later that he was able to get a legitimate camera for these types of events.

I soon realized it was time to get back on my photo grind.
So the next concert I went to, I told myself I had to take pictures.
Lucky for me my dad is a photographer so I didn't have to wait to get my camera, I've got a few hand me downs. So here it is...
Again ironically my first chance was at a speaking... and Common was the speaker.

No, it's not perfect.... but It's a start. And for everyones information, Common does actually glow.
Like I was fortunate enough to meet him, and there is a halo like light that beams around his glossed up head. And his eyes sparkle, I suppose it's normal in most...

So I'm back on my grind, conserving my life's moments at its finest.
And I owe it to my man Mel. It's thanks to people like you, that people like me can remember why I want to preserve my story.