About

About

About

I’m drawn to people and places that carry untold stories, and I use design, photography and film as ways of holding them up to the light.

Black and white portrait of Melissa Phillips.
Black and white portrait of Melissa Phillips.

I was born in Milwaukee, built my life in New York, and continued to find myself in Montreal, Brighton, Port-au-Prince, San Diego, and now Los Angeles. My childhood wasn’t conventional and it pushed me to obsess over what family and home really mean. That obsession drives everything I do. I don’t just document stories, I cut to the heart of communities and cultures that are often overlooked. At the other end, I’m motivated by finding balance and untangling chaos, channeling that into clear messaging, refined designs, and simplifying complex systems.

I’m multidisciplinary by nature: journalism, photography, film and brand work all collide in what I create. I’m fiercely protective of the vulnerable, whether it’s communities or stray animals. And I lead with the belief that dignity, beauty and depth are not optional in storytelling. They are the work.

When I’m not building brands and directing campaigns, you’ll find me with a book, feeding the neighborhood birds, cats and squirrels, listening to music, studying Buddhism, or slowly learning Croatian (dobar dan!).

Milestones

Milestones

Milestones

20+

Years of experience in visual design, creative direction, and storytelling across digital, editorial and brand.

20+

Years of experience in visual design, creative direction, and storytelling across digital, editorial and brand.

20+

Years of experience in visual design, creative direction, and storytelling across digital, editorial and brand.

95+

Clients supported across sectors ranging from global enterprise to grassroots advocacy, including dozens of Fortune 500 companies.

95+

Clients supported across sectors ranging from global enterprise to grassroots advocacy, including dozens of Fortune 500 companies.

95+

Clients supported across sectors ranging from global enterprise to grassroots advocacy, including dozens of Fortune 500 companies.

4

Film festival awards and honors.

4

Film festival awards and honors.

4

Film festival awards and honors.

Public speaking diptych.
Public speaking diptych.

Recent Awards

Recent Awards

Recent Awards

Quetzalcoatl Indigenous International Film Festival, Award Winner

2025

Quetzalcoatl Indigenous International Film Festival, Award Winner

2025

Quetzalcoatl Indigenous International Film Festival, Award Winner

2025

Los Angeles Film Awards, Award Winner

2024

Los Angeles Film Awards, Award Winner

2024

Los Angeles Film Awards, Award Winner

2024

Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards, Award Winner

2024

Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards, Award Winner

2024

Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards, Award Winner

2024

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, Official Selection

2024

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, Official Selection

2024

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, Official Selection

2024

Awareness Festival, Official Selection

2024

Awareness Festival, Official Selection

2024

Awareness Festival, Official Selection

2024

New York International Women Festival, Semi-Finalist

2024

New York International Women Festival, Semi-Finalist

2024

New York International Women Festival, Semi-Finalist

2024

Angeles Documentaries, Semi-Finalist

2024

Angeles Documentaries, Semi-Finalist

2024

Angeles Documentaries, Semi-Finalist

2024

Testimonial

Testimonial

Testimonial

"Melissa has an incredible ability to capture the energy and emotion of a moment without interrupting it. Every time we work together, I’m blown away by how deeply her images reflect our community."

— Beny Ashburn, CEO, Crowns & Hops Brewing Co.

"Melissa has an incredible ability to capture the energy and emotion of a moment without interrupting it. Every time we work together, I’m blown away by how deeply her images reflect our community."

— Beny Ashburn, CEO, Crowns & Hops Brewing Co.

"Melissa has an incredible ability to capture the energy and emotion of a moment without interrupting it. Every time we work together, I’m blown away by how deeply her images reflect our community."

— Beny Ashburn, CEO, Crowns & Hops Brewing Co.