(Current website ✅ samanthamelchor.myportfolio.com) I've been invested in photography for 7 years now, starting in high school yearbook. My passion for photography grew as I became an editor for my high school yearbook and then in my senior year Editor in Chief. I graduated early and joined the US Marine Corps under a Combat Camera specialty, and learned through on-the-job training until I was med
ically discharged in June of 2019. After returning to my hometown Abilene, Texas, I continue to work as the Marketing Assistant at a locally grown company, and started my own photography business, Medusa's Garden Photography. I chose Medusa as my emblem through careful consideration. Greek mythology has always called to me, and I saw a sort of reflection of myself in Medusa from ancient myths. In ancient myth Medusa was the high priestess of the goddess Athena, the goddess of wisdom and battle strategies, she was revered for her beauty, devotion, and wisdom. Her devotion to her patron was so great that she took a Vow of Chastity to Athena, one of the virgin goddesses, and dedicated her life as the priestess of Athena's temple. However, Medusa was so radiant that both men and god alike sought her attentions, including Poseidon. The god Poseidon decided he must have her, and raped Medusa in the temple of Athena. Upon seeing this Athena knew she could not punish Poseidon, for he was a god too, so she blessed Medusa, turning her into a monster with snakes for hair and eyes that would turn any man she looked at to stone. Many see the blessing that Athena cast upon Medusa as a curse, but in doing this Athena gave Medusa the ability to protect herself as she hadn't been able to do before. Medusa was then persecuted as a monster and was later killed by Perseus. In Ancient Greece there was no technology to take photographs, there were paintings and Statues. Medusa's Eyes were her Lens. Medusa's Statues were her Pictures. Medusa's Garden was her Gallery. So welcome to my Garden and I hope you enjoy.
