Foster kitty mom to a distinguished photographer, passionate cook, and DIY’ er, Melanie DeFazio is not afraid to try anything or to go it alone. With her story of country living with her camera, she creates what she sets her mind to, showing the rest of the world what’s possible!
Humble beginnings
Melanie was known as a social butterfly as a student. She wasn’t concerned or worried about her future; she only cared about hanging out with friends and having fun. Melanie struggled to get good grades, and the only subject that kept her attention was language arts because, as a kid, she didn’t like reading books.
Melanie DeFazio was the second-born daughter who arrived at an Army hospital while her father was stationed at Fort Bragg. The Tarheel baby moved to Ohio when she was two years old. She grew up in a small house and had to share a bedroom with one of her three sisters. The family didn’t have much, but they had each other and always had fun.
As a young girl, she had no idea what she wanted to become when she grew up. The only thing she knew for sure was that she wanted to have a family. Grades were never a priority, but she was expected to finish school and get a job. Before starting a family, she worked at department stores like JCPenney and Macy’s.
A Space for Everything
Today, Melanie resides in the coziness of a country-side home in Pleasantville, Ohio, with her Italian high school sweetheart, Matt, and their two children, Brooklyn and Drake. The house is on the outskirts of a small town with acreage, a barn, and a little lady shed. It is home to over twenty-three colorful chickens and a temporary place of care for foster kittens. With her ability to work from home and her love for nature and plants, her husband built a cozy corner on their property for her to expand on her endeavors.
The setting is just as it seems—something out of a magazine—because anything Melanie touches turns to gold. There is a woodsy background, string lights, corn husks, and an ever-changing space for the fall-loving photographer. Melanie utilizes every inch of the space for multiple activities, with a must-have fire, a pergola, and decorating options.
Then, she needed to extend her vision by adding an intimate piece, something sentimental. She chose to upcycle the kids’ old wooden swing set. She quickly converted it into an eight-foot-long, perfect potting table. The unique table doubles the fun for dinner parties.
It’s All in the Backpack
Her daughter’s birth inspired her to purchase a digital Konica Minolta 5D SLR. Starting to take pictures was invigorating and directional for Melanie. What came into focus was her love of photography.
The small but mighty Minolta was only the beginning. She hauls a big backpack with all her accessories and gadgets, always ensuring she is ready to capture any moment. She has a Nikon D850 in her backpack, a Sigma Art 70-200 for her son or daughter’s sports, and the Sigma Art 85 for portraits. If she needs a go-to for all-around shots, she grabs her Sigma Art 35, a lens that allows her to capture a shot in a small space.
The best days are free-lensing, which “is not always recommended” in professional photography because of the risk of damaging your camera or sensor. Still, Melanie loves the effects created. This is done by unlocking the lens camera, keeping it still, and then moving it slightly to get a single area of focus while the remainder of the background is blurred. While challenging, it’s always been a favorite method for Melanie.
A Season for Everything
She and her bag of goodies always find inspiration with Fall. It is hands down her favorite season, with crispy leaves, candles, and the smell of autumn. Her outdoorsy, adventure-seeking spirit feels colorful and alive as soon as fall approaches. To Melanie, it’s a transition into a brighter, lighter time because next in line is winter, approaching with its magical snow.
She loves fog-filled mornings and gloomy days. On these days, Melanie works her magic. She transforms the dreary into an entrancing escape with the camera in hand. Some of her shots are meant for a thousand-piece puzzle to be enjoyed on a cold day.
A master of her skills, she’s learned the hard way to take on work that fulfills her—the kind of work most creatives crave—where she controls everything within her space. She revels in the freedom to allow the lens to travel wherever it desires, and then she watches as everything effortlessly falls into place. The best photographs are generally taken without people telling her what or how to capture a moment.
Art in Unexpected Places
One of Melanie’s biggest strengths is her ability to find art in places one would dismiss as ugly, dark, or too creepy. One of Melanie’s biggest strengths is her ability to see art in the old. She jumps at any chance to climb through chippy windows from abandoned houses. The run-down vacant homes with a mysterious character are eye candy for the multi-talented creator.
She loves old farmhouses, asylum buildings, and anything abandoned. It’s nothing short of a GOOD DAY when she gets the “go-ahead” to enter homes from the 1800s to the 1900s. Witnessing the half-torn wallpaper, winding staircases, and articles of clothing left behind is a thrill. For Melanie, it’s “easy on the eyes” photography.
She often visits the Mansfield prison home of the Shawshank Redemption movie, a creepy place to see, but not for Melanie, who loves art in unlikely places. The rich history is, ironically, a slice of heaven. Each trip brings new inspiration.
Martha, Meet Your Match
Weary and dreary days also bring inner peace filled with a warm feeling. Regardless of the weather or weariness, Melanie can switch gears on a dime with her creative work. Once the wheels start turning, twine and soft-colored ribbons are created to help her gift-giving abilities shine. It’s a holiday masterpiece when Melanie has flexibility with her artistic crafts.
She delivers a Martha Stewart-style gift. With nature’s treasures at her fingertips, collecting pine cones, twigs, and branches is a fun hunt. Next, every item is neatly organized and placed correctly under the freshly harvested tree chosen from a tree farm. The gifts make you feel like Christmas, a little Martha.
The gifts that keep on giving. She sure knows how to stuff her stocking with so many accomplishments. While she didn’t see Santa’s sleigh, her darling tree art lives on two pages in a popular magazine. Melanie’s most-favored Magnolia Journal Magazine with Chip and Joanna Gaines.
While Magnolia is her ultimate “go-to,” the variety of excellence continues to grow. Thanks to her incredible work, countless book covers have a home. You’d Be Mine by Erinn Hahn, Uncork Your Life by Darian Rowles, and many others.
It’s Raining Cats and Dogs.
Her soul aligns with the fun, adventure-seeking animals who love cuddle vacations. Whether it’s the purrs or the poses, she can snag lots of love from the comforts of her own home. In 2009, Melanie, being the animal person she is, started volunteering at a local humane society. A few years later, she became a foster mom.
Before she knew it, she would lose track of all the places her adorable kitties would be in more publications. Other featured awesomeness include National Geographic, Good Housekeeping, Chewy, Time Magazine, Scholastic, Paw Print Magazine, and many others.
The mug-obsessed foster mom takes all the snuggles she can get with the temporary four-legged felines. It’s normal to notice a kitten in her lap or climbing her leg when working. Nevertheless, she scoops them up. They provide a fun and relaxed environment to allow the work to flow.
Coziness on Steroids
The highly skilled, self-taught, innovative photographer has been featured in multiple magazines. Much can be admired at @meldefazio75 and purchased through her Stocksy account. Hundreds of photographs can be seen and purchased.
Whether her infatuation with cozy feet, orange-colored leaves, or the tender feeling of her brand. She and Melanie with her favorite cat, Luna. The pictures have made their way to her much-loved Bella Grace Magazine. It fills her heart to find warm-feeling photos featured in the cozy issue.
The warm and fuzzy feeling follows her wherever she goes. When she strolls the aisles of the HOME GOODS store, a home decor store, and notices her two children’s faces in picture frames, she gets a kick from seeing her work and images of the kids when they were younger.
Not everyone finds deals like Melanie. Where shopping can be so empowering. To shop and move through big stores, such as IKEA, scouring every inch of the massive chain-selling home decor and furniture store. She’s always humble, giggly, and giddy about seeing work brought to life.
Melanie’s images have been in countless stores. She has often been caught off guard by one of her kids’ faces, which always makes her smile. Although she may not find any items for the home, she leaves feeling more empowered and confident.
Handy Mandy
Most women find and hire a contractor for their many projects, but not Melanie; she’s the female version of Handy Manny. By taking on DIY projects, she’s acquired many skills. At the same time, it’s reassuring to other women that they can, too!
Building with Her Own Two Hands
In 2016, Melanie and her husband, Matt, purchased 63 acres of land in a sought-after area in Hocking Hills, Ohio. They wanted to create the cabin of their dreams. Over time, the husband-wife duo chipped away and did most of the work independently. The modern cabin is a quick commute, which allows extra time to unwind.
To enjoy her cabin, she wanted to experience the fire-side feeling.
With a do-it-yourself personality, Melanie has made all of her outdoor furniture. The figure-it-out photographer has measured, nailed, glued, sealed, sanded, and stained her furniture. She’s constructed Adirondack chairs, tables, and sectional seating for her picture-perfect patios.
From Artful Plates to Dazzling Drinks
Melanie’s cabin also presents an extra space to share the gifts of her cooking, baking, and gardening. Harvested greens and goodies from her gardens make for the healthiest meals and add elegance. She also makes dashing appearances on the stage of her beautifully made tablescapes and in the tummies of others.
Melanie loves experimenting with tablescape areas featuring her prepared feasts and making magazine-ready meals. Then, she captures the mouth-watering moments with her spectacular food photography Stocksy account. un choices like inviting the outdoor landscape to create an indoor experience are invigorating.
Melanie has collected aromas while working on ingredients and decorating with her delicious food methods. A recipe book has been on her bucket list and is about to be crossed off. A well-thought-out variety of warm and fuzzy recipes is in the works, so keep an eye out because maybe she will share more on her Instagram @meldefazio75. Each meal is contributed by past generations of Melanie, her husband’s families, and their own.
A Picture Purr-fect Day
After delighting in her talents, she finds solace in a simple warm meal or time to curl up next to her cat, Luna. She feels at home making magazine-ready meals without rules or regulations. It is bliss to create from any of her stunning skills.
Working with artistic independence, where she feels best and controls everything about her work environment, gives her an ultimate jolt of joy. Jane of All Trades prefers a day without plans. The extra time to photograph anything her heart desires, to build furniture, or to read from her favorite author, Darcey Coates, is a perfect day!
Melanie sets a beautiful example of showing others how to cook a great recipe for life. Mixing your interests, passions, and skills makes the most filling meal. Get out there and do something that makes you feel cozy!🤗
Cheers to the ones making the impossible possible!🥂
Written by: Darian Rowles
Darian Rowles, Founder of Women Who Inspire,
Author of Uncork Your Life: A Guide to Getting Unstuck, Health Coach, Motivational Speaker, Pilates Instructor, Blogger
Written by: Darian Rowles