Small-Business Spotlight: Photographer Captures Life in Dexter

This week, Dexter Patch spoke with Melanie Reyes, who operates Melanie Reyes Photography in Dexter.

Dexter Patch: How would you describe your business?

Melanie Reyes: Melanie Reyes Photography is a wedding and portrait photography business based in Dexter.

Dexter Patch: How long have you been in business?

Reyes: I am in the fifth year of business. I started my photography business in Frederick, MD, but 2 1/2 years ago, I moved to Dexter, immediately growing a successful photography business in Michigan.

Dexter Patch: What types of services do you offer?

Reyes: I am available for weddings year-round and average 16 weddings a year, allowing me to provide very personalized service to each and every bride and groom I photograph during the year. My wedding business also takes me out of the state quite a few times a year. Last year alone, I had the opportunity to photography eight out-of-state weddings and one wedding in Montreal. I also provide photography for families at all stages.

Dexter Patch: What makes your business unique?

Reyes: I specialize in capturing real and natural life as it happens. My photographs are technically sound while capturing the very core of human emotion and connection. I bring together my love for life and people with my passion for the technical side of photography to provide my clients with beautiful photographs that they can connect to in an emotional way.

Dexter Patch: Tell us about your family.

Reyes: I’m married to an amazing man, and we have active and wonderful children. Our four children (one girl and three boys) range from 7 years to 18 months old.

Dexter Patch: What are some benefits of working in a small town such as Dexter?

Reyes: It’s been great working in Dexter because there are so many networking opportunities and connections to be made. Most of my business survives on word-of-mouth marketing, and living in a small, tight-knit community only facilitates that.

Dexter Patch: What is something that others may not know about you?

Reyes: I am very passionate about the technological side of photography. I enjoy the math/science aspect of photography very much and take great pride in the ability to create technologically sound photographs. I’m a bit of a geek in that aspect and love technological gadgets and figuring out how the latest technologies can further my business.

Dexter Patch: How would you use Dexter Patch to promote your business?

Reyes: Online marketing is a really wonderful tool. I receive the Dexter Patch in my daily inbox and love keeping up on the pulse of the Dexter community. Knowing what’s happening in town gives me ways to network and meet new clients.

Dexter Patch: Do you use online marketing?

Reyes: Yes, I have a website, blog, Facebook page and try to promote my photographs through other online websites such as wedding blogs.

Dexter Patch: What is your favorite thing to do in Dexter on a night off?

Reyes: As a family, we love the traditions of a weekly trip to the Dairy Queen, afternoons spent at the library, and we love Dexter’s , where our children play soccer with the Dexter Soccer Club. As for a night off (sans kids), my husband and I enjoy eating out. We recently enjoyed a lovely dinner at .

For more information on Melanie Reyes Photography, call 734-355-1899.