Info

Chicago, IL  |  Champaign, IL
mbilbo@melladramatic.com

Photographer  |  Designer

Hi I'm Melody, a photographer and designer, working under the pseudonym Mella D. 

I'm a Champaign-Urbana native, where I spent several years working with individuals with disabilities and their families. I'm a big advocate for sensory based learning and my job allowed me the flexibility to be creative and hands-on with my work. I carried this outlook with me to Chicago where I completed my BFA at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago. Now, I have made the city my permanent home, where I'm currently building my own branding and marketing company—ELEVATION IMAGING LLC.

I have two scrappy pups, named in short after my favorite dessert wines, "Brusco" and "Otto". I'm engaged to my love of nearly 8 years. I collect tea cups, old books, records, and vintage gold metal frames... which means my studio is full of old junk and spring cleaning comes more often than seasonally at our house. I love a good gab and a mean cup of coffee. Swearing is my greatest vice. I'm probably the most romantic skeptic you will ever meet.

This blog is a small corner where I can capture the dailiness of being a creative, my laundry list of side projects/personal favors, and my passion for all things DIY.