Photographer

Melanie Blanding graduated with a BA in photojournalism and a minor in cultural anthropology from Western Kentucky University in May 2006. Shortly before graduation, Melanie was awarded the Alexia Foundation student grant for a photographic story proposal, which led to her work in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the summer of 2006 with Scott Blanding and Brad LaBriola. Melanie recognizes the significant influence that visuals have in modern American culture and hopes that her photographs will be used to have a positive impact on the lives of those she documents.