Discovering body movements and human connections through Melissa’s eyes

Written by Naomi Kelechi Di Meo

Pictures can communicate stories, feelings, and emotions in ways that words sometimes can’t. Colours, shapes, and aesthetics can have a strong impact, allowing us to connect with an artist without knowing it

We had the pleasure to connect with Melissa Schriek, a 28 years old photographer from Alkmaar, now living the dream in Amsterdam. Impressed by her unique style and storytelling, we decided to exchange a few words to further understand the craft and visions of her future works. 

Melissa Schriek captured by @evitahinneman

First of all, thank you so much Melissa for sharing with us some of your works and ideas. As a magazine that aims to tell stories of creatives, being able to connect with you is a real pleasure!

Melissa: Thank you for allowing me to show my work and share my story with you!

We couldn’t help but notice that your pictures have a very strong visual impact due to the way your models pose. They are often photographed in uncommon position. What inspires you to shoot them like this?

Melissa: The body is very important, especially body language. I’m aware of it all the time. The way someone holds themselves tells a lot about a person, their mood, and their personality. I’ve been aware of that for as long as I can remember. Maybe this is because I’ve danced and did gymnastics when I was younger. My own body was then a tool to tell a story. I believe that the body is a very powerful instrument to communicate, and I use that to evoke certain emotions or atmosphere in my work. Sometimes the positions in my images are rather ‘strange’, powerful, and uncommon, but other times they are much more intimate or depending on a small gesture. I think the pictures where the body looks more extreme are remembered easily,  but I find it important to emphasize that also very small gestures are meaningful and can make an image very powerful.

That’s definitely what we felt while looking at your pictures. A sense of intimacy and power at the same time. When did you start photographing and why?

Melissa: I started when I was about 9. My father gave me a disposable camera to use on a school trip. It was the first time I used a camera and it fascinated me. I carefully photographed many things that day, including posing classmates in front of rose bushes, objects I’d find on the way placing them differently each time... I did put a lot of effort while shooting.  After my father developed the camera roll, he found the pictures quite interesting for such a young age, so he decided to buy a small, digital camera for me and from then on, I’ve never really stopped taking pictures.

That’s a very cute story. We are glad you never stopped because you are super talented. Years have passed since that school trip. With time you must have developed different skills, and dreamed about future works. Would you see your pictures displayed in a museum or a magazine?

Melissa: Personally, I would like to see my works on both platforms. I think a museum or other similar spaces — where I can physically show my images — fits best. I’m interested in finding ways to make my works more tangible, as I think some of them look better on a bigger scale, larger than a regular magazine. There are so many details on my images that often get lost when looking at them in a smaller platform, like a magazine for instance. I’m also interested in experimenting with installations and sculptures. However, I do like the format of a magazine. It is accessible — also internationally — so it’s a very interesting way to reach people. But... I do think a museum or a physical space allows me to tell the whole story behind my works. 

Sounds super cool. We cannot wait to see those pictures turn into installations then! We have noticed that the models of your pictures are mostly dancers. What attracts you about them?

Melissa: I work with both dancers and non-dancers, and I enjoy both!  A dancer is capable to perform movements or positions that require a certain level of strength or flexibility. I find them very inspiring because they are accustomed to communicating a story with their body, it’s their medium. However, I love working with non-dancers too, it makes my working process a lot different. I have to direct them in another way because they are not used to performing. I often photograph publicly on the streets, meaning that people who pass by are watching. Sometimes they are curious or yell at us to move away. This draws a lot of attention and it can be awkward at times. Generally speaking, non-dancers are a bit more uncomfortable with their bodies and it looks less flawless on an image. I really love that too. So, who I work with depends on what I’m looking for in that specific image.

That’s a very interesting approach to showcase how the human body can interact with the camera. To do that there has to be a pattern you follow or maybe some guide you stick to. So, how would you describe your way of working?

Melissa: I often create a scene, a situation in which serendipity can take place. I think beforehand about the location, the outfit,  the model, the body positions, the atmosphere, and when I set everything in place, I let go. I want to give space to the person in front of the camera to discover my ideas for themselves, I don’t intend to pressure the model or to make (he/she/they) feel static. I let the environment around us influence the whole process. I like working with a dynamic, following each movement the model does, which unexpectedly influences the result. It is always a surprise.

It’s surprising indeed. Shooting in public spaces with people starring and dancers moving around sounds pretty challenging too. Besides encountering distractions while working, is there a part of photographing that you find most fun?

Melissa: I love the act of photographing, so being on a shoot. Although I often work so fast that I sometimes forget to enjoy it. I also love scanning the images and printing them. Only then it becomes physical to me.

Since you have different models and approach them based on their body movements, what stories do you want to communicate through your pictures?

Melissa: I explore relationships between individuals and their environment through observation and staging. My work is often created with a performative approach, aesthetically and conceptually exploring the border between staged and documentary photography. I perceive the camera as a powerful tool where fact and fiction can work together to explore modern, social issues. Lastly, I would like my work to raise questions and about how we relate to one another and our personal space.

It is undoubtedly admirable that Melissa’s pictures can unravel human relations that at times are hard to properly document and report. Mosaiko invites you to follow her work and support her art!