Mel Drake Photography

08/17/2025

Sheller family’s backyard photoshoot in Oklahoma! Candid smiles, heartfelt portraits, and even Nacho the cat made an appearance to steal the spotlight.

Experience storytelling lifestyle photography with Mel Drake! Discover how the Sheller family's love and laughter were beautifully captured for their Christmas cards in this vibrant family photography session in Edmond, OK.

07/06/2024

Feeling nostalgic with some Taylor Swift vibes 🎵 "You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess. It's a love story, baby, just say, 'Yes.'"

*From the archives 📸

07/03/2024

You have to check out these vibrant shots from Oklahoma City Ballet's 2nd Annual Raising the Barre Luncheon! I had a blast capturing all of these moments. Chairs Cindi Shelby and Elaine Levy raised an incredible $425,000 for OKC Ballet programs. The natural lighting at Chickasaw Nation Ballet Studio made every photo pop!

✨ Dive into the gallery and relive the magic with me!

07/01/2024

Portraits + Brand Photography = YES, please! 🍕🔥 HOT TIP: Order the "Jabee" Pizza. You'll thank me later!

📍 LOCATION: Eastside Pizza House 1734 NE 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73111

06/30/2024

Full circle moment: I went from being on the cover of magazine in February to shooting one! Shooting Tracy Ann Miller, CFP of Credent Wealth Management for the April cover of OKC City Lifestyle Magazine was such an honor. My first assignment with City Lifestyle Magazine, and a huge thank you to and for the opportunity. Tracy was absolutely lovely, and we found an unexpected bond in our shared financial industry background.

10/17/2023

Some of my favorite shots with in Maui. 🍋 Behind the scenes tomorrow

⭐️ Fun Fact: Did you know she’s modeling her own swimwear???? You go Gwen!!!

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OUTFIT: Swimsuit - / Green coverup -
LOCATION:

10/16/2023

Hi, I’m Melissa but a lot of people call me “Mel”. I’m a fashion, lifestyle and branding photographer based in Oklahoma City, OK. 📸⁣
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❤️ I’m not originally from OKC. A few years ago, I moved here from Houston, TX to be closer to my family.⁣
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❤️ I’ve always had a HUGE love for photography. As a kid, I carried around a 35 mm film camera on every trip. In my 20’s, I graduated to a digital point-and-shoot camera that would emerge from my purse in the club (yikes!), travel with me to London, and beyond.⁣
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❤️ I received my first DSLR camera for Christmas in 2016. My goal was to learn how to take great photos of cocktails and fashion for my blog. Now my passion for photography is blooming into a career. ⁣
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❤️ My photography style is definitely inspired by all of the fashion magazines I read growing up as a teen (InStyle, Vogue, Elle, Essence, etc).⁣
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❤️ When we shoot together, I’m your biggest hype girl! You will most certainly hear me yell things like “you are killing it!” and “someone didn’t come to play today!”… amongst other things. ⁣
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❤️ During the day, I’m a 4th grade teacher to some of the best little humans in the world (yes, I’m obviously biased). ⁣
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❤️ When I’m not taking photos, I love to devouring crab legs, traveling domestically + overseas, watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, hanging out with my fur baby, family and friends. ⁣
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Honestly, I’m super happy you are here. If I sound like the photographer for you, SEND ME a MESSAGE and “Let’s Make Magic!”

09/29/2023

Miss Hawaii (Miss USA 1st RU) - Savannah Gankiewicz⁣
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WHAT IF I TOLD YOU… I had absolutely no idea I was about to shoot Miss Hawaii??? Seriously, it was total and complete surprise to me! ⁣
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When I showed up to Date 2 of our TPP Photography Retreat, I was ready for another amazing 12 hour day of making magic behind my camera lens in Maui.⁣
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I saw my roommate chatting up one of the gorgeous models before our shoot. So, I headed over there to break the ice. In conversation, it casually came up that she’s Miss Hawaii. I was like, “THE Miss Hawaii? Like THE Miss USA Miss Hawaii? THE reigning Miss Hawaii?” And Savannah and my roommate just casually smiled and said “yes”. 😆 I was so taken aback, I think all I could manage to reply was “OMG! That’s so cool!” 🤦🏽‍♀️⁣
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Savannah competes TONIGHT for the title of Miss USA. I’ll be watching and cheering all the way from Oklahoma and I know my sisters will be rooting for her too. Go Savannah! Good luck tonight!!! ⁣
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