Rising Stars: Meet Melissa Prout

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Prout. 

Hi Melissa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
Hello! I’m Melissa Prout, owner of Prout Portrait Studio. I specialize in Maternity, Newborn, and Children’s photography, which I shoot out of my full-service boutique studio in Coleman, Michigan. I never quite know how to tell my story, as I feel like a lot of stories begin with “I always knew this was my passion” or something of the like. Mine didn’t exactly start this way, and I didn’t always know Newborn Photography was the path I was going to take! Mine began more like “I hate what I’m doing now, so what else is there?” (Which I think is more relatable than we realize!) and my career developed over time. 

After high school, it felt like all my friends went to college in pursuit of their “dream career”, and I just kind of floundered. I was always a good student, so I went to college and earned an art degree, but I went because it felt like the correct next step, not because I had a great vision or a plan. There wasn’t a single career option that “spoke” to me or called out as something I was meant to do. Somehow, I found myself working in the pharmaceutical field doing data entry and working with insurance companies… and I was miserable. 

I’ve always been an “artsy” person, and sitting at a desk all day wasn’t exactly a great fit for me. However, I quickly discovered that the job pool for us “artsy people” is a bit small! I’ve never been one to accept defeat, so I decided that if a job wasn’t available, I was going to create one for myself. 

Photography wasn’t new to me, I’d been taking on photography side jobs for a while, so when a building became vacant in my city… I couldn’t resist and I took the plunge! It really was a snap, jump in with both feet decision. Sink or swim! In 2010, my husband and I purchased what is now my studio and I’ve been creating in this space ever since! 

I love making a woman feel glamorous and special at her maternity session. I adore capturing all the incredible details of a newborn, and I love watching those newborns grow when they come back for their milestone sessions. The icing on the cake is that I’m still scratching that creative itch! I’m painting backdrops, I’m stylizing props, and I’m making my own headbands and bonnets. 

The process hasn’t always been easy (as any self-employed person will tell you), and even 10+ years later, I’m still learning and growing. I’m so blessed to have created a career that allows me the freedom to homeschool my kids, and also brings me such joy! 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No, the road hasn’t always been smooth! I’ve learned that OWNING a business and RUNNING a business are two very different things. For someone with a mind like mine (who tends to think in abstract concepts, shape, color, etc.), numbers can feel like a different language. Learning how to make my business profitable and self-sustaining was a challenge in the early years. 

I’m also an introvert by nature, but being a successful business definitely requires extrovert qualities. I do have to force myself out of my bubble frequently! 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I think what I’m most proud of is that I have built and maintained a successful brick-and-mortar business while becoming a mama of 3. The studio was a little rough when I bought it, but it’s had quite the facelift over the years! I’ve managed to cultivate the space I want, all with a baby on my hip. That wasn’t always easy and it feels pretty good. 

I specialize in Newborn, Maternity, and Children’s photography. My studio space is spacious and set up specifically for this purpose. My goal is always to make things as easy as possible for my clients, so I provide everything needed for sessions. I even have a stocked studio closet full of garments for clients to wear! 

I also offer heirloom hand-crafted frames and photo products. In a world that is all digital, it’s important to get the faces of the people we love the most on the wall in a space of honor. 

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
A couple things: 

Patience. 

It’s easy to want everything now, but sometimes going slow and letting things be a steady and safe build is better than instant gratification. 

Self-Acceptance and Confidence. 

When you work in the visual arts, it’s easy to play the comparison game. “Is my work good enough?” Being able to recognize your personal achievements and having the right mindset is huge! We all stumble from time to time, but you’ve got to be able to pull up your boots and keep going! 

Contact Info:

• Email: proutportrait@gmail.com
• Website: www.proutportrait.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proutportrait/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proutportrait

Image Credits
Melissa Prout